Police Warn of Immigration Scams Targeting Vulnerable Families

Scammers are preying on people looking for immigration help, costing thousands in losses.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled immigration document or application form, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty, and investigative nature of this crime.Scammers are exploiting vulnerable immigrants with false promises of legal status, costing victims thousands in losses.Kenner Today

Law enforcement is warning about scammers who target people looking for immigration help. In one case, a woman in Louisiana was scammed out of close to $7,000 after responding to a Facebook ad for someone claiming to offer immigration-related legal help. The suspect took the woman's money for a year, making promises of citizenship, work visas, and social security numbers for her and her two children.

Why it matters

These types of scams can have devastating financial and personal consequences for vulnerable immigrant families seeking legal status. Authorities are concerned about the growing prevalence of these schemes and the need to educate the public on how to spot the warning signs.

The details

The suspect in the Louisiana case allegedly took the woman's money and biometrics, claiming to be a U.S. Border Patrol agent. Investigators identified the suspect in Florida, arrested him, and brought him back to Louisiana to face charges including bank fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, computer fraud, false personation, and theft.

  • The woman reported the scam to police in April 2026.

The players

Keith Conley

Chief of the Kenner Police Department in Louisiana.

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The government agency that says reporting scams will not affect immigration applications or petitions.

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What they’re saying

“It's a shame that this working mother of two, who was trying to do the right thing to become legal in this country, is now scammed out of close to $7,000, her identity, and God knows what else.”

— Keith Conley, Chief of the Kenner Police Department

“No government agency takes money over the internet. No government agency is going to ask for gift cards. No government agency is, or banking industry, branch, banking branch, loaning institution. Nobody's going to conduct business in that manner. So that's a red flag.”

— Keith Conley, Chief of the Kenner Police Department

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the suspect and work to identify any other victims of the scam.

The takeaway

These immigration scams can have devastating financial and personal consequences for vulnerable families. It's crucial for the public to be aware of the warning signs, such as requests for money through unconventional methods, and to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities.