Office of the Maine Attorney General

Who can give me non-legal help with my immigration paperwork?

The Maine Immigration and Nationality Law Assistance Act, Title 4, section 807-B, says that only a lawyer or an accredited representative can give legal help with your immigration paperwork. If a person is not a lawyer or an accredited representative, they are limited to giving only non-legal help. The law explains what a person who is not a lawyer or an accredited representative can and cannot do.

Can Do

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  • Translate your immigration paperwork from English into your primary language
  • Translate your answers into English
  • Transcribe your answers to an immigration form
  • Help you get documents that may be needed to submit with your immigration forms, such as birth and marriage certificates
  • Refer you to an immigration attorney or accredited representative

Can NOT Do

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  • Say that they can obtain special favors to help with the immigration process
  • Say that they have special influence with any government agency or employee
  • Provide legal assistance with immigration paperwork, including selecting immigration forms, suggesting what answers to put on an immigration form, and/or filling out the form themselves
  • Keep money for immigration services not performed
  • Withhold documents even if there is a fee dispute
  • Fail to complete and sign an immigration form as the preparer
  • Say that they are a "notario," "immigration consultant," "immigration agent," "immigration assistant, "attorney," or any other title that suggests they can provide legal help with immigration cases

If you know someone who is breaking this law, please help us stop them. File a report here 

Archived "Who Can Give Me Non-Legal Help With My Immigration Paperwork?" Handouts