Madigan charges immigration fraud in West Chicago, Huntley

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan Thursday filed lawsuits against immigration service providers in West Chicago and Huntley accused of defrauding people looking for help with work permits or U.S. citizenship.

Madigan filed suit against Martha Fernandez of West Chicago in Cook County circuit court and Calvin Meziere of Huntley in McHenry County circuit court.

Madigan said Fernandez and Corrianne Chairez of Chicago charged more than $10,000 to help two consumers with immigration paperwork, but never completed the work.

Fernandez promised a refund, but it never arrived, according to the attorney general's office.

In the second suit, Madigan charges Meziere duped a group of immigrant workers into paying him large upfront fees to help them obtain work permits. In addition, Meziere charged them for credit checks, improving their credit history and for fake citizenship exams — all steps he falsely told them were needed to gain a permit, according to the lawsuit.

Consumers lost $35,000 in the scheme, the attorney general's office said.

Madigan is seeking a permanent injunction to bar the three defendants from providing immigration services in Illinois, restitution and fines.

“The immigration process is often intimidating and confusing, which is why so many people seek assistance,” Madigan said. “But unfortunately, much of the help offered is expensive and illegitimate.”

The lawsuits are part of a national crackdown against immigration service providers found to have defrauded consumers across the country.

Madigan said there are several ways to tell if an immigration service provider is legitimate. By state law, the provider must give you a written contract in English and your native language, inform you of your three-day right to cancel the contract, return all documents on demand and register with the Illinois Attorney General's office. Only licensed attorneys may provide legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

To check the status of a service provider or file a complaint, call the attorney general's office at (800) 386-5438.