Crime & Safety
Illegal Immigration Business: San Jose Woman Arrested
Police say she was paid to file DACA applications, but didn't mail the forms, causing lost immigration opportunities for clients.
SAN JOSE, CA — Santa Clara County sheriff's officials on Tuesday said they arrested a woman who had illegally provided immigration services.
Sheriff's investigators determined that 55-year-old Ivonne Castillo provided immigration services at an office at 1190 S. Bascom Ave. in San Jose.
Her business was illegal because she did not have the required Immigration Consultant Clearance from the California Secretary of State or the $100,000 bond required to operate an immigration consulting business,
sheriff's officials said.
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Castillo received money for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, applications, but she allegedly failed to mail the completed forms to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, sheriff's officials said.
Castillo's victims suffered significant financial losses and lost immigration opportunities as a result of her unlawful practices, according to the sheriff's office.
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On Tuesday, Castillo was booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of grand theft.
In an effort to protect immigrants in the county from fraudulent consulting services, authorities have opened an investigation and are seeking additional victims of immigration fraud.
Anyone who believes they've been a victim of immigration fraud can call (408) 808-4599 or send an email to tips@shf.sccgov.org.
— Bay City News; Image via Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department
