New York Attorney General Letitia James has recently filed a lawsuit against Bronx immigration lawyer Kofi Amankwaa and several others in his office for running an illegal scheme that defrauded vulnerable immigrants.
The defendants are accused of scamming hundreds of immigrants by charging them thousands of dollars for fraudulent services that ultimately led to deportations and denials of green card applications.
According to the lawsuit, between 2018 and 2023, Amankwaa and his colleagues charged immigrant clients exorbitant fees to submit paperwork for green card applications. However, unbeknownst to their clients, the defendants also submitted false petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, falsely claiming that their children were abusing them. This unethical practice resulted in several clients being deported or denied green cards.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has also filed criminal charges against Amankwaa and his son for their involvement in the immigration fraud scheme. Attorney General James is seeking to halt the defendants’ illegal activities, ensure restitution and damages for affected customers, and impose civil penalties on the state.
Assembly members and other officials have expressed their support for the Attorney General’s actions, denouncing the exploitation of vulnerable immigrant communities. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of fraudulent and illegal conduct by the defendants, including providing false legal advice and misleading clients about their immigration status.
Attorney General James is dedicated to protecting immigrants and vulnerable communities and encourages anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud to report their complaints.
The investigation into Amankwaa and his associates was assisted by various legal experts and authorities.
