OXFORD, PA — A Chester County woman has been federally indicted on multiple fraud charges in connection with an alleged immigration scam that authorities say targeted undocumented individuals seeking legal employment in the United States.
According to an announcement by United States Attorney David Metcalf, 65-year-old Fatima DeMaria of Lincoln University was arrested and charged with eight counts each of asylum fraud and mail fraud. DeMaria is the owner and operator of Immigration Matters Legal Services, a business based in Oxford, Pennsylvania.
Federal prosecutors allege that from at least December 2021 through July 2024, DeMaria falsely presented herself to clients as an immigration attorney, despite not being licensed or authorized to provide legal representation in immigration matters. The indictment states that DeMaria offered assistance in obtaining work permits for undocumented individuals, allegedly filing fraudulent asylum applications on their behalf without their knowledge or consent.
The indictment accuses DeMaria of fabricating information on U.S. asylum applications (Form I-589), falsely claiming her clients were seeking asylum based on political persecution or torture. In reality, prosecutors contend, none of the clients had discussed asylum eligibility with DeMaria, nor did they authorize the filing of such applications. It is further alleged that she forged client signatures on the documents, certifying them under penalty of perjury as truthful.
The investigation also revealed that DeMaria charged clients between $6,000 and $15,000 per application and often accepted payments in cash or via peer-to-peer payment apps. Authorities say large sums were deposited into her personal accounts and later withdrawn at casinos. Prosecutors estimate her illegal earnings totaled at least $1 million.
The federal indictment alleges that DeMaria’s actions not only defrauded her clients but also placed them at risk of being placed into removal proceedings, since denied or referred asylum applications are routed to immigration court.
If convicted on all counts, DeMaria could face up to 240 years in prison and fines totaling $4 million. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also filed for forfeiture of the alleged proceeds from the scheme.
The investigation is being led by the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with assistance from several federal agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sara Solow and Eileen Castilla Geiger are prosecuting the case.
The charges outlined in the indictment are allegations. Fatima DeMaria is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities are urging anyone who may have been a client of Immigration Matters Legal Services or who may have information relevant to the case to contact the FBI.
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