Washington: Thousands of immigrants seeking legal status in the United States were allegedly defrauded by a Washington state attorney who promised them a path to residency but instead filed fraudulent humanitarian visa applications without their knowledge, according to multiple lawsuits and an ongoing legal ethics investigation.
Attorney Alexandra Lozano is accused of fabricating claims of domestic abuse and human trafficking to obtain visas under humanitarian programmes, while charging clients large fees. The lawsuits allege she exploited vulnerable individuals, leaving many at risk of deportation after their cases later came under scrutiny.
Lozano’s law firm, Luz del Camino Legal, closed earlier this month amid mounting allegations. She has permanently surrendered her law licence but has denied wrongdoing.
Massive scale of alleged fraud
The Washington bar association said Lozano’s signature appears on more than 53,000 pending immigration cases, highlighting the scale of the alleged scheme. However, it remains unclear how many of those cases involve fraudulent claims or whether all clients were aware of the information submitted on their behalf.
According to lawsuits filed by former clients, many were unaware that false claims had been included in their applications. Some allege they were asked to sign blank documents or were never given the opportunity to review their submissions.
Clients face legal consequences
For many affected individuals, the consequences have been severe. While some initially received work permits, they later faced difficulties when seeking permanent residency, as inconsistencies in their cases attracted closer scrutiny.
Gabriel Martinez Garcia, one of the plaintiffs, said his family paid $30,000 for legal services but later discovered the application contained false information, resulting in his mother being placed in removal proceedings.
Other clients reported similar experiences, saying they trusted the firm’s promises and only learned of inaccuracies years later, sometimes just before key immigration interviews.
Assembly-line system and unqualified staff
Investigations allege Lozano’s firm operated an “assembly-line” process, employing staff without proper legal credentials and outsourcing work to employees in countries including Colombia, Mexico and Argentina.
Former workers claim they were instructed to exaggerate or invent abuse claims to qualify clients for visas under laws such as the Violence Against Women Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act.
Lozano’s legal representatives said clients were responsible for reviewing their applications before signing them and denied intentional misconduct.
Wider impact on immigration system
Legal experts say the case has had a ripple effect across the U.S. immigration system, with thousands of cases now under review and affected individuals scrambling to recover their documents and legal standing.
Authorities, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fraud unit, are investigating the allegations.
Data also shows a broader rise in immigration-related scams, with at least 920 cases reported in 2025, though experts believe the true number may be higher due to underreporting.
Growing scrutiny of visa programmes
The controversy comes as U.S. authorities review humanitarian visa programmes, which have seen a surge in applications in recent years. While these programmes aim to protect victims of abuse and trafficking, their flexible requirements have made them vulnerable to exploitation.
Advocacy groups warn that tightening regulations could hurt genuine victims, arguing that enforcement should instead target fraudulent practices by legal providers.
Uncertain future for victims
For many affected immigrants, the uncertainty continues. Some are now facing deportation proceedings, while others are seeking compensation through lawsuits for legal malpractice.
Attorney Vicente Omar Barraza, representing several plaintiffs, warned that many victims may have lost legitimate opportunities to regularise their status due to the alleged misconduct.
As investigations continue, the case highlights the risks faced by vulnerable populations navigating complex immigration systems—and the importance of stricter oversight to prevent similar abuses in the future.