Misleading Attorney Led My Father's Deportation

Dear friends and supporters,

Our heart-breaking story was aired on NBC News (New York) April 21, 2023, by veteran Investigative Reporter, Sarah Wallace.

I never thought I would write something like this, but here I am with a heavy heart, reaching out for support - support for my mother, who is now a single mom of four living on her own in New York.

I’ll back up for a second, my name is Ricardo Velazquez Jr. and my family have been the victims of a devastating immigration scam… one that never should have been perpetrated and has shattered our family's dreams and left us in a state of disarray.

My Dad, Ricardo, came to the United States when he was a teen in pursuit of the American Dream. America has been his home; he not only loves this country but raised four children here with my mom. He is beloved by his colleagues and has been the bedrock of our family… but on April 14th, the unthinkable happened.

You see, my dad’s dream has always been to become a legal resident of the United States and eventually a US citizen. He hired an immigration lawyer, Kofi Amankwaa (881 Gerard Ave., Bronx, NY) and was represented by him for years in an honest effort to legally obtain his residency. He followed Attorney's directions, only for us to find out in the worst way possible that he had fallen victim to a fraudulent immigration attorney, filing a false case to the government that my dad was not entitled to and without his knowledge.

The attorney suggested that I could sponsor my dad and promised to submit his petition to immigration to legalize his status. Unbeknownst to any of us he filed a false claim that my dad was a victim of domestic abuse and I was the abuser! A bigger lie could not have been fabricated! That same attorney obtained an employment authorization card, and we started celebrating, thinking that my dad was finally on the path to legalization.

Attorney Kofi Amankwaa also advised my dad to leave the country and re-enter so my dad could get his passport stamped. However, when we returned from a family trip to Mexico, we were separated at immigration, and my dad was informed that after calling New York home for 28 years, he would be removed from the United States by the government. On April 14 he was sent back to Mexico without goodbyes to our loving family. My dad refused to lie to the government and told the truth about his situation, even though it cost legal rights to fight for his case. He would never lie even though he was hurt by a deceitful Attorney.

It was devastating news for our family, and we soon discovered that the attorney had allegedly been scamming other families with false domestic abuse claims-see AVVO reviews from others alleging the same! Kofi Amankwaa’s Reviews - Bronx, NY Attorney - Avvo

Without our knowledge, and no communication from the attorney, the immigration invalidated my dad’s immigration status since October 2022… October! Attorney Kofi Amankwaa had led us to believe that my dad was on the path to legalization and just needed to leave the country and come back when in reality, this lawyer never filed the correct paperwork, and my dad did not stand a chance.

My mother is now a single parent with four children to care for, two of whom are still incredibly young. My Dad was the main source of income for our family, and while my mom is taking jobs to make ends meet, I am looking to hire proper legal representation and additional ways to support my family. Any legal methods to help my dad will require enormous legal fees and a hard uncertain road ahead.

We are a loving, hardworking family of six who have always helped our community as God-fearing and generous people. My parents have worked hard to provide for us and make a better life for their children. Any donation you can make to help us ease the burden for our mom would be beyond appreciated.

Again, our devastating story was aired on NBC News (New York) April 21, 2023, by veteran Investigative Reporter, Sarah Wallace.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and we are grateful for any support you can provide.

Sincerely,

Ricardo Velazquez