Full Breakdown
Washington Attorney’s Humanitarian Visa Fraud Scandal
6/29/2026, 2:05:04 PM
The Alleged Scheme and Legal Fallout
Washington attorney Alexandra Lozano operated Luz del Camino Legal, promising “miracles” to immigrants seeking humanitarian visas. She allegedly fabricated abuse stories, copied signatures onto blank forms, and employed unlicensed staff. The firm closed June 10; Lozano surrendered her license, the bar barred her, and USCIS launched a fraud probe.
Context and Scale
The scheme exploited visas under the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (2000) and the Violence Against Women Act (1994). Domestic-abuse filings rose from ~15,000 to >53,000, and trafficking petitions jumped from ~1,000 to >37,000. The Washington bar reports 53,000 cases bearing Lozano’s signature. Lawsuits allege she earned $1.7 million from the operation.
Official Statements & Responses
Bar spokesperson Sara Niegowski said the Washington State Bar moved to block Lozano “as quickly as possible.” Attorney Angelo Calfo, defending Lozano, claimed clients reviewed and signed their applications and that the firm “zealously pursues every lawful option.” DHS declined comment.
Impact on Immigrants and the System
Clients face removal proceedings, lost pathways to permanent residency, and financial strain. Immigration advocates describe the fallout as a “tidal wave” overwhelming the system. Volunteer attorneys in Washington and Oregon have provided hundreds of emergency consultations, and class-action suits seek malpractice damages.
Criticism and Calls for Reform
Advocates warn that tightening visa criteria harms genuine victims. Erika Gonzalez of the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking said the scandal’s ripple effects are overwhelming the immigration system. Cecelia Levin of the Alliance for Immigrant Survivors urged stronger enforcement against fraudulent attorneys instead of harder visa rules.
Client Experiences
A client paid $30,000 and later saw his mother placed in removal proceedings. Sanchez signed blank documents that later contained false abuse claims. Rafael Alvarez said he was told to “invent more information about the abuse because it is not real abuse.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The bar lists over 53,000 pending cases with Lozano’s signature, yet it is unclear how many are fraudulent or knowingly submitted. Earlier ethics complaints were dismissed, and the immigration agency declined to comment on the status of her filings.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I put the trust of my family with her,” — Gabriel Martinez Garcia, client
- “The consequences of her downfall are hitting the immigration system “like a tidal wave,” said Erika Gonzalez, an attorney with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.” — Erika Gonzalez, attorney, Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
- “Alexandra was telling us to please invent more information about the abuse because it is not real abuse,” — Rafael Alvarez, former employee, Luz del Camino Legal (Colombia)
What’s Next
USCIS’s fraud unit continues its probe, and several class-action lawsuits seek compensation for legal fees and malpractice. Volunteer attorneys are expanding free clinics for affected immigrants. The immigration agency announced an overhaul of the domestic-violence visa program, citing “rampant fraud.”
