What to Look for in an Immigration Clerical Assistant

Immigration Clerical Assistants (ICA) are persons who provide services, for compensation, relating to immigration matters.

Immigration Clerical Assistants must be bonded

An ICA must file and maintain in force a corporate surety or cash bond conditioned upon the faithful and competent provision of services.  The bond must be in the sum of not less than $50,000.00

Immigration Clerical Assistants must have a written contract with the consumer

An ICA must enter into a written contract with a consumer before any service is rendered and before accepting any compensation.  The contract must be written in English and must include a written translation into the primary language understood by the consumer if the consumer is not a native speaker of English.  The contract must include all the terms and conditions of the agreement to provide services, including, but not limited to the following:
1)  The name and address of the immigration clerical assistant;
2)  The date and time of the transaction;
3)  A description of the services to be provided and the itemized cost of each service;
4)  The name and address of the bonding company or other surety that has issued the required bond;
5)  A notice regarding the consumer's rights to rescind the contract with 72 hours of its execution; and
6)  The following statement; "NOTICE: An immigration clerical assistant is NOT an attorney and is not authorized to provide legal services or offer legal advise of any kind."

An Immigration Clerical Assistant may charge the following for services:

1)  Not more than $20.00 per page for translation of supporting documentation;
2)  Not more than $10.00 per page to complete a government agency form;
3)  The amount allowed under law for notarial act; and
4)  A reasonable and fair fee for other services that include, but are not limited to, photocopying, mailing, and telephone calls.

For complete details, refer to the Immigration Clerical Assistant Act.