Thousands of immigrants got scammed by an attorney exploiting humanitarian visas, lawsuits say

Thousands of Immigrants Scammed by Attorney Exploiting Humanitarian Visas, Lawsuits Claim

Thousands of immigrants got scammed by – Washington state attorney Alexandra Lozano allegedly orchestrated a widespread scheme to defraud immigrants seeking legal status in the U.S. by fabricating abuse claims to secure humanitarian visas, according to multiple lawsuits and a legal ethics probe. The case has sparked outrage among advocacy groups, who argue the scandal could destabilize the immigration system and leave thousands of families in limbo.

The Scandal Unfolds

Lozano’s firm, Luz del Camino Legal, promised clients a path to safety and stability through “miracles” in their immigration journeys. But behind the scenes, the attorney allegedly created false narratives of domestic abuse and human trafficking, tricking vulnerable individuals into signing documents they never saw. The lawsuits allege that this practice left clients financially drained and exposed to deportation risks.

“I put the trust of my family with her,” said Gabriel Martinez Garcia, a 30-year-old victim. “After we paid $30,000, she duped us and got my mother placed in removal proceedings despite her marriage to a naturalized U.S. citizen. We believed in her and then she just let us down.”

The legal ethics investigation revealed that Lozano’s team operated an assembly-line system, rushing through applications and relying on employees from Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina to handle paperwork. These workers, reportedly without proper credentials, were tasked with generating stories that didn’t meet the legal criteria for humanitarian visas. Clients, eager to secure residency, often signed off on documents without understanding the implications.

According to attorneys representing dozens of Lozano’s former clients, the firm probed individuals for issues at home or work, then reclassified those experiences as abuse cases. While this strategy allowed clients to quickly obtain work permits, it later created complications when they sought permanent residency. Their claims faced stricter scrutiny, and many were denied due to inconsistencies in their stories.

A System Under Fire

Lozano’s alleged misconduct has drawn criticism from legal experts, who note that humanitarian visa programs are designed to protect victims from abuse. However, the flexibility of evidence standards also makes them susceptible to exploitation. The Trump administration, which targeted these programs in 2025, accused immigrants of submitting fraudulent applications, claiming a surge in usage signaled widespread misuse.

Despite the administration’s crackdown, Lozano’s case stands out for its scale. The bar association reports that her signature appears on over 53,000 pending cases, raising questions about how many were legitimate. While some clients may have been complicit, the lawsuits argue that most were unaware of the scheme. “We believed in her and then she just let us down,” Garcia reiterated.

The consequences of her downfall are hitting the immigration system with significant force, according to Erika Gonzalez, an attorney with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking. “The impact is like a tidal wave,” she said. The administration’s tightening of visa restrictions has already slowed processing rates, potentially harming genuine victims who rely on these programs.

The Firm’s Closure and Legal Defenses

Lozano’s firm closed in June after a barrage of allegations, including the accusation that she permanently surrendered her law license to avoid disciplinary action. She denies wrongdoing, maintaining that her clients were expected to review applications before signing. “Alexandra’s practice has always been to fight for her clients, zealously pursue every lawful option available to them, and support their efforts to build lives in this country,” stated Angelo Calfo, her legal representative.

Even as the firm collapsed, Lozano’s methods reportedly influenced other law firms. Her former chief operating officer, Amy Rios, testified in 2024 that the firm earned $1.7 million by training other attorneys in its strategies for humanitarian visas. “They changed the way many attorneys now approach immigration law,” Rios said, highlighting the broader reach of Lozano’s tactics.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the immigration agency, has not commented on the case. However, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fraud unit is investigating Lozano, according to emails obtained by The Associated Press. The agency’s decision to shut down her firm came after the bar association accused her of fraudulent practices in May.

Broader Trends in Immigration Scams

Federal data shows immigration service scams are on the rise, with at least 920 reported in 2025—more than the first three years of the Biden administration combined. Advocacy groups suggest this number is likely an undercount, as many immigrants hesitate to report fraud due to fear of deportation or distrust in the system.

Lozano’s case exemplifies how legal loopholes can be exploited on a massive scale. Her alleged use of fabricated abuse stories underscores the vulnerability of humanitarian programs, which are meant to offer refuge to victims of trafficking and violence. By inflating the number of qualifying cases, she may have diverted resources from those in genuine need.

While the specific details of her scheme are still under scrutiny, the lawsuits paint a clear picture of a system designed to help the vulnerable being used for profit. The bar association’s report on 53,000 pending cases raises concerns about the integrity of the immigration process. If even a fraction of these were fraudulent, the implications for trust in the system are profound.

Immigration advocates warn that Lozano’s actions could set a precedent for other attorneys to follow. “The programs are meant to protect people, but they’ve become tools for exploitation,” Gonzalez said. The Trump administration’s decision to overhaul these programs last year, citing a rise in applications, now appears to have been justified by the sheer volume of fraud Lozano’s firm may have enabled.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the human cost of Lozano’s alleged deception. For families like Garcia’s, the fallout includes financial loss, emotional distress, and the threat of deportation. “They were told to invent more information about the abuse,” said Rafael Alvarez, a former employee in Colombia. “There were a lot of cases that were not true.”

The case has reignited debates about the need for stronger oversight in immigration law. While the programs are critical for victims of violence and trafficking, the ease with which they can be manipulated highlights systemic weaknesses. Lozano’s firm, once a beacon of hope for immigrants, now symbolizes the dangers of unchecked legal practices in a complex system. As the lawsuits unfold, the question remains: how many others were caught in the same web of deceit?