Stephen H. Legomsky appointed Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

My law school professor for Immigration Law, Stephen H. Legomsky, the John S. Lehmann University Professor at the Washington University School of Law, has been appointed Chief Counsel, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, effective October 24, 2011. Steve is an authority on U.S., comparative, and international immigration, refugee, and citizenship law and policy. His book, Immigration and Refugee Law and Policy, has been the required text at 175 law schools since its inception. He has won several awards, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s annual award, given to one immigration law professor in the United States, and Washington University’s Arthur Holly Compton Award, given annually to one university faculty member for career accomplishments. He has also been appointed to visiting positions at Oxford University, Cambridge University, and other universities in the United States, Mexico, New Zealand, Europe, Australia, Suriname, Singapore, and Israel.

USCIS Fact Sheet on National Initiative to Combat Immigration Services Scams: The wrong help can hurt.

USCIS fact sheet on the national, multi-agency initiative to combat immigration scams involving the unauthorized practice of immigration law that was launched by DHS, DOJ, and the FTC on 6/9/11.

Many people offer help with immigration services. Unfortunately, not all are authorized to do so. While many of these unauthorized practitioners mean well, all too many of them are out to rip you off. This is against the law and may be considered an immigration service scam.

If you need help filing an application or petition with USCIS, be sure to seek assistance from the right place, and from people that are authorized to help. Going to the wrong place can:

• Delay your application or petition
• Cost you unncessary fees
• Possibly lead to removal proceedings

Joint DHS, DOJ, and FTC press release on the 6/9/11 launch of a national initiative designed to stop immigration scams that involve the unauthorized practice of immigration law, through enforcement, education, and continued collaboration