LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – A woman is accused of falsely portraying herself as a lawyer while processing dozens of immigration asylum applications, according to court documents.
Oana Rodriguez faces ten felony charges in connection to dozens of applications submitted in 2022.
In June 2022, a complaint of fraud was submitted to the Nevada Attorney General’s office by the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR). The complaint said that Rodriguez, the owner of Nevada Immigration Services, submitted “at least” 30 applications for asylum from Cuba, all claiming “political option.” The complaint said all applications were written in the same handwriting and “did not disclose the use of a third party preparer.”
“The EOIR suspected Rodriguez was boiler-plating documents and conducting unauthorized practice of law,” warrant documents said. The State of Nevada Bar confirmed Rodriguez was not and has never been licensed to practice law in the state.
Investigators interviewed multiple victims. They said Rodriguez told them she was an attorney and she took payments to assist in asylum applications. Some of the applications were for children.
One mother seeking asylum for herself and her two kids was informed her forms weren’t correct. She told investigators that’s when she realized her attorney, Rodriguez, was not licensed.
Investigators said Rodriguez was charging about $1,200 for applications and in one case, a client paid $11,000 for his asylum and residency applications.
Other immigration attorneys also interviewed with investigators, saying their clients often interacted with Rodriguez and had problems with applications. One attorney said the consequences that can occur from these mistakes can bar clients from getting asylum.
Rodriguez interviewed by investigators in Sept. 2023. Investigators said Rodriguez was “evasive” in answering questions from investigators and claimed she couldn’t provide details from specific clients until she reviewed their files.
In Dec. 2023, all signage was removed from the business and inside appeared vacated, investigators said.
Court records show Rodriguez was taken into custody in late April and posted a $10,000 cash bond on May 3. Her next court appearance is set for June 11.
FOX5 reached out to the Nevada Attorney General’s office for a statement regarding the investigation but didn’t immediately hear back.
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