by | Apr 21, 2021 | 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muslim and African Immigrant Communities Urge the Senate to
Prevent Future Discriminatory Bans by Passing the Historic Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the No Muslim Ban Ever coalition, the largest grassroots campaign that worked to repeal the Trump administration’s Muslim and African Bans, applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for today’s vote to pass the NO BAN Act (H.R. 1333). The bill was reintroduced by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), is cosponsored by 159 House members, and is led in the Senate by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE).
The NO BAN Act, which passed today in a 218-208 vote, would limit dangerously broad authority in U.S. immigration law so that no future president can issue bans that bar the entry of people to the U.S. based on their religion or national origin. Although President Biden rescinded the Muslim and African Bans on his first day in office, Muslim, African and other immigrant communities want to ensure that no new discriminatory bans can be issued in the future. The NO BAN Act previously passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 22, 2020.
by | Apr 2, 2021 | 2021
WASHINGTON –In the midst of on-going efforts to vaccinate the U.S. population against COVID-19, reports are surfacing about a scam targeting vulnerable consumers with promises of gifts and cash for taking a fraudulent post-vaccination survey.
The reality is that these fraudulent surveys are used to unlawfully capture consumers’ personal information and potential steal money from consumers.
“Fraudulent schemes like this emphasize the need to remain vigilant of those trying to profit from the most vulnerable in the midst of a pandemic. HSI has been at the forefront of the government’s investigative response to COVID-19 related crime since the onset of the pandemic and will remain a leader in the fight to prevent fraudulent activity under the guise of protecting the health and safety of our population,” said Steve Francis, IPR Center director.
The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), Department of Justice (DoJ) and the leading manufactures of the COVID-19 vaccine, are investigating reports of these fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine surveys enticing consumers to provide personal information with the promise of a prize or cash at the conclusion of the survey.
Consumers receive the surveys via email and text message, and are told that, as a gift for filling out the survey, they can choose from various free prizes, such as an iPad Pro. The messages claim that the consumers need only pay shipping and handling fees to receive their prize. Victims provide their credit card information and are charged for shipping and handling fees, but never receive the promised prize. Victims also are exposing their personally identifiable information (PII) to scammers, thereby increasing the probability of identity theft.
Unless from a known and verified source, consumers should never click on links in text messages or emails claiming to be a vaccine survey.
Schemes that use links embedded in unsolicited text messages and emails in attempts to obtain personally identifiable information are commonly referred to as phishing schemes. Phishing messages may look like they come from government agencies, financial intuitions, shipping companies, and social media companies, among many others. Carefully examine any message purporting to be from a company and do not click on a link in an unsolicited email or text message. Remember that companies generally do not contact you to ask for your username or password. When in doubt, contact the entity purportedly sending you the message, but do not rely on any contact information in the potentially fraudulent message.
TIPS TO AVOID BEING VICTIMIZED
Currently, no post-vaccine surveys are being conducted by Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. Any emails or text messages that purport to be sent on behalf of these companies seeking personal financial information is illegitimate and fraudulent as these companies would never request an advanced payment for shipping or other expenses. Do not open the messages or provide any personal information, including credit card and/or bank information.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM
If you are a victim of these post-vaccine survey scams:
- Report the activity to the online payment service used for the financial transaction
- Contact your financial institution upon discovering any fraudulent or suspicious activity within your account(s)
- If you receive a text message or email claiming to be a COVID-19 vaccine survey and containing a link or other contact information, please report the communication to the IPR Center at http://www.IPRCenter.gov
- Consumers can also report suspected illicit criminal activity or fraudulent schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, by emailing [email protected]
This consumer public health and safety warning is being provided by the IPR Center and Consumer Protection Branch of the DoJ’s Civil Division.
About National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center
The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, working collaboratively with its public and private sector partners, stands at the forefront of the United States government’s response to combatting global intellectual property theft and enforcing intellectual properties rights violations. The IPR Center was established to combat global intellectual property theft – and, accordingly, has a significant role policing the sale and distribution of counterfeit goods on websites, social media, and the dark web.
About Consumer Protection Branch
The Consumer Protection Branch leads Department of Justice efforts to enforce laws that protect Americans’ health, safety, economic security, and identity integrity. To accomplish its mission, the Branch brings both criminal and affirmative civil enforcement cases throughout the country. The Branch uses its strong relationships with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and investigative agencies, expertise with complex litigation, and nationwide reach to respond nimbly to emerging consumer threats.
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Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is a directorate of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 Special Agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
by | Apr 1, 2021 | Newsletter
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Menlo Park, California. Our Menlo Park Office will serve the needs of our community in San Mateo County and vicinity. To that end, our Immigration Legal Services will hold bi-monthly immigration clinics at Menlo Park with the possibility of increasing to weekly services. Our first Immigration Clinic will be held on April 28, 2021. You can use this LINK to register for an appointment.
The expansion of our geographic reach would not have been possible without your ongoing support. As the only non-profit community-based organization serving the social and legal needs of Persian-speaking populations in California, we strive to assist as many community members as possible. We depend on you to spread the word about our new location so that we can meet our objective. Thank you for helping us help others.
by | Mar 10, 2021 | 2021
For Immediate Release
The U.S. State Department has announced its 45-day policy review following the mandate in President Biden’s executive action ending the Trump era Muslim Travel Ban.
The State Department’s spokesperson, Ned Price, said in a statement on Monday that “[t]hose whose immigrant visa applications received a final refusal on or after January 20, 2020 due to the proclamations may seek re-adjudication without resubmitting their application forms or paying any additional fees, provided the underlying visa petitions remain valid.”
People whose visa applications were denied under the Muslim Travel Ban before President Biden’s election could also submit their applications for reconsideration, but they would have to file new documents and pay application fees again.
The State Department is taking measures to ensure that people who were refused or denied visas under the Muslim Ban would not be penalized in future visa applications.
However, Price said the department’s hands were tied with regards to applicants for the diversity visa program (green card lottery), who were denied during the Trump administration:
“FY 2017-FY 2020 diversity visa applicants who were not issued visas are statutorily barred from being issued visas based on their selection as diversity visa applicants in those fiscal years, as the deadlines for visa issuance in those fiscal years have expired.”
Please note that appointments remain limited at most U.S. consulates due to COVID-19 restrictions.
by | Mar 9, 2021 | 2021
The 2019 Public Charge rule has ended. As a result, it is now safe for immigrants and their families to use health, nutrition, and housing programs they qualify for. Health care programs, including Medicaid and COVID care, housing, food programs, and many other vital services are once again safe to use.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a statement mentioning that they “will cease applying the 2019 Rule.” The new Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, is no longer available on the USCIS website.
Pars Equality Center’s Immigration Team remains available, as always, to answer any questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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