An attorney based in Washington state, Alexandra Lozano, is accused of exploiting immigrants by fabricating stories of domestic abuse and human trafficking to secure humanitarian visas. This alleged activity is currently the subject of several lawsuits and a legal ethics investigation. Lozano is accused of deceiving desperate immigrants and extracting high fees from them.
Gabriel Martinez Garcia, who placed his trust in Lozano along with his family, expressed feelings of betrayal after spending $30,000. He claims Lozano’s actions led to his mother being placed in removal proceedings, despite her marriage to a naturalized U.S. citizen. “We believed in her and then she let us down,” he stated.
Lozano’s law firm, Luz del Camino Legal, shut down this month amidst these accusations. She surrendered her law license to evade disciplinary action but maintains her innocence. The bar association highlighted that her signature is on over 53,000 pending cases. It’s yet unclear how many are fraudulent.
Many clients claim ignorance of the alleged fraud. Erika Gonzalez, an attorney with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, likened the fallout to a tidal wave impacting the immigration system.
Humanitarian Visas in Question
Lozano’s cases revolved around humanitarian visas under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 and the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. These programs are intended to safeguard victims from immigration status threats made by abusers. The programs have flexible evidence standards, aiming to support genuine victims. However, this flexibility also makes them susceptible to exploitation by unethical legal practitioners.
Lozano’s firm allegedly manipulated clients’ stories with fabricated abuse details that failed to meet these programs’ humanitarian criteria. Clients initially received work permits but often faced complications when applying for permanent residency.
Lozano Denies Allegations
Lozano’s attorney, Angelo Calfo, stated clients were expected to review their own applications. He pinned responsibility on them for inaccuracies. “Alexandra’s practice has always been centered around her clients, advocating lawfully, and aiding their life-building efforts,” he explained.
The bar association formally accused Lozano of misconduct in May. Her firm closed operations in June, and she remains under investigation by the fraud unit of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Although the Department of Homeland Security, overseeing the immigration agency, declined to comment, the case continues to unfold.
Scams Surge with Immigration Services
Federal Trade Commission data reveals over 920 reported immigration service scams in 2025 alone, exceeding totals from previous years of the Biden administration. This figure likely understates the real numbers, as many immigrants hesitate to report such incidents.
Allegations suggest Lozano employed hundreds of international workers, stretching from Colombia to Argentina, who advised clients on legal matters, bypassing U.S.-licensed attorneys. Rafael Alvarez, a former worker in Colombia, revealed that Lozano encouraged falsification of abuse reports. “Many cases weren’t based on truth,” he confessed.
Legal and Financial Fallout
Former clients struggle to retrieve their documents now held by the defunct firm. Hundreds are seeking legal advice through free consultations offered by volunteer lawyers. Many misled clients are joining lawsuits seeking compensation for legal malpractice and attorney fees.
Vicente Omar Barraza, representing many of Lozano’s ex-clients in malpractice lawsuits, stressed that former clients remain unaware of the claims included in their applications. His concern focuses on the potential loss of legitimate pathways to legal residency.
For families like Garcia’s, the uncertainty weighs heavily. His mother now faces potential deportation because Lozano allegedly mishandled her case. “I’m praying hard for her,” Garcia Martinez shared, hoping for a favorable resolution.