Washington Attorney Faces Accusations of Immigration Fraud

An attorney in Washington state has been accused of exploiting immigrants seeking legal status in the U.S. Instead of delivering promised assistance, Alexandra Lozano allegedly fabricated stories of domestic abuse and human trafficking to apply for humanitarian visas without her clients’ knowledge. This has sparked several lawsuits and a legal ethics investigation.

The allegations include hiring unqualified workers and using an assembly-line system for applications, even forging client signatures on documents they never saw. Gabriel Martinez Garcia shared that his family paid Lozano $30,000, only to find his mother in removal proceedings despite her marriage to a naturalized U.S. citizen. His trust in Lozano was misplaced, leading to devastating consequences for his family.

Lozano’s firm, Luz del Camino Legal, recently shut down amidst these allegations. She surrendered her law license and denies any wrongdoing. Despite the increasing trend in immigration service scams, Lozano’s case is significant due to its scale. Her signature appears on over 53,000 pending cases. It’s unclear how many involved fraud or client complicity, but those suing claim ignorance of these fraudulent activities.

“The consequences of her downfall are hitting the immigration system like a tidal wave,” said Erika Gonzalez of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.

In a bid to curb perceived widespread fraud, the Trump administration started revising the humanitarian programs Lozano allegedly exploited. Restrictions on these programs were tightened, affecting legitimate victims needing assistance.

Lozano specialized in visas from the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, which apply to all victims of abuse or trafficking. These programs aim to protect victims by providing a pathway to legal status. However, the system’s flexible evidence standards make it vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous lawyers.

Her firm’s aggressive approach looked for any potential issues with clients’ home or work lives to fabricate abuse cases that fit the programs’ requirements. Clients quickly received work permits but faced scrutiny when applying for permanent residency.

Lozano’s Defense

Angelo Calfo, Lozano’s attorney, insists that clients were meant to review their applications, placing responsibility for inaccuracies on them. He defended Lozano’s commitment to her clients and her efforts to utilize every legal avenue for their benefit.

The bar association accused Lozano of fraud, leading to her firm’s closure on June 10. Federal authorities continue their investigation into her practices. Despite high numbers of reported scams, the actual figures might be higher due to immigrants’ hesitancy to report fraudulent activities.

Foreign Workers Handling Cases

Lozano reportedly employed numerous workers from countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina to handle legal cases without proper U.S. legal accreditation. Rafael Alvarez, a former employee in Colombia, revealed instances where they were instructed to fabricate abuse cases.

Lozano’s firm reportedly profited significantly from teaching other firms her legal strategies for handling humanitarian visas, influencing changes in how some attorneys now address immigration law. Lawsuits against other firms have surfaced, alleging similar tactics without their knowledge or consent.

Clients Unaware of Alleged Fraud

Clients like Erika Sanchez discovered the alleged fraudulent activities only after years of trust and significant financial investment. In some cases, clients only learned of false claims in their applications shortly before crucial legal proceedings.

The surge in visa applications during Lozano’s rise coincided with increased applications for trafficking and domestic abuse cases. The federal immigration agency responded with program changes and greater scrutiny, citing rampant fraud concerns.

However, legal experts argue that tightening these programs harms genuine victims and suggest a focus on penalizing fraudulent operators instead.

Legal Complications for Former Clients

Former clients are now seeking their case files to rectify their status with the help of volunteer attorneys. Many joined lawsuits to claim compensation for mishandling their cases.

The Federal Trade Commission reported a significant increase in scams since 2025, hinting at an underreported problem. For families affected, like Garcia Martinez and his deportation-threatened mother, the fallout from these actions remains deeply personal and troubling.