NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued a consumer alert, warning Haitian and Syrian New Yorkers with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) about potential immigration services scams and providing tips to protect New York families.

James noted on Wednesday that the United States (US) Supreme Court on June 25 issued a decision in Mullin v Doe, allowing the Trump administration to move forward with terminating TPS for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants.

In the wake of this decision and resulting environment of heightened fear and increased immigration enforcement efforts by the federal government, James said she is providing guidance to help TPS holders understand their legal options and protect themselves and their families from potential scams.

The New York attorney general also reminds New Yorkers that advice for TPS holders from one country may differ from advice for New Yorkers from another and encourages all TPS holders to seek reliable counsel from a trusted source.

James is also calling on the US Congress to pass legislation introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to extend TPS for Haitians.

“Following the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the federal government to end TPS for Haitian and Syrian immigrants, TPS holders in New York and nationwide are scrambling to find answers,” she said.

“Too often, bad actors can take advantage of increased fear and anxiety to scam immigrants and their families.

“I urge Congress to pass legislation to extend TPS, and, until then, I encourage all New Yorkers faced with losing TPS to follow our guidance, exercise caution, and seek competent advice they trust,” she added.

James said any change in immigration laws, regulations, or procedures, or even rumors or misinformation about potential changes can lead to widespread fear and confusion that is easily exploited by scammers.

She reminded immigrant New Yorkers and their families and communities to be vigilant during this time and seek advice with care.

While scams are possible, James said New York is also home to many “knowledgeable, dedicated, and ethical attorneys and community-based organisations working to help immigrant New Yorkers.”

She urged New Yorkers to work with qualified immigration legal providers, stating that only a licensed attorney or a representative accredited by the US Department of Justice is qualified to provide immigration legal advice or representation.

James said immigrants can ask an attorney for their license information and verify their status with the state bar where they are licensed.

She said accredited representatives can be verified through the Department of Justice’s list of recognised organisations and accredited representatives.

The attorney general urged immigrants to ask questions and understand what is being done on their behalf, adding that they are entitled to an explanation about what actions are being taken on their behalf and why.

James urged immigrants to read all documents carefully before signing, making sure they understand every document they are asked to sign and ask for a translated copy or interpreter if needed.

In addition, she encouraged immigrants to verify anyone who claims to work with a trusted organisation.

“Scammers may falsely claim to be associated with a reputable organisation to gain your trust, even potentially generating fake websites or social media pages to appear legitimate,” she said.

“Contact the organisation directly to confirm that the person is employed there.

“Do be cautious even when someone is recommended by a friend or community member,” she added. “Scammers have been known to trick people into believing they have obtained favourable results in order to get them to recommend the scammers to others.

“Even if a referral comes from a trusted friend or community member, you should still take steps to verify that you are dealing with a legitimate attorney or legal services provider,” James continued.

“Do confirm whether government notices, interviews, or hearings are real. Scammers are increasingly impersonating government officials in written communications, video meetings, and even fake online interviews and hearings.”

The attorney general said federal government agencies, like US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), will only contact individuals through official government channels and will not contact them through their personal social media accounts.

She cautioned immigrants not to assume social media advertisements are legitimate, stating that scammers will often advertise immigration services on social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or conduct communication exclusively by WhatsApp messaging.