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HR 2936 113th Congress House

Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2013

Official title: To provide for punishments for immigration-related fraud, and for other purposes.

Introduced: August 1, 2013 Introduced by: Foster, Bill Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
Immigration Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCivil actions and liabilityCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationCriminal procedure and sentencing
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Department of Homeland SecurityDepartment of JusticeFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesImmigration status and proceduresLawyers and legal services
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 13, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Sep 13, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
Aug 1, 2013
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 1, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action September 13, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to subject a person to fine, imprisonment, or both, who: (1) knowingly or recklessly executes a scheme in connection with any federal immigration law-related matter to defraud a person, or to obtain money or anything else of value from a person by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises; or (2) knowingly and falsely represents that such person is an attorney or an accredited representative in any federal immigration law-related matter.

Directs the Attorney General (DOJ) and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), to promulgate regulations, forms, and procedures defining the circumstances in which: (1) persons submitting immigration-related applications, petitions, motions, or other written materials must identify who (other than immediate family members) assisted them in preparing or translating such submissions; and (2) any person who received compensation (other than a normal fee for copying, mailing, or similar services) in connection with the preparation or submission of such materials must sign the form as a preparer and provide identifying information.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil injunction against an immigration service provider engaging in fraudulent conduct that substantially interferes with the administration of the immigration laws or who willfully misrepresents such provider's legal authority to provide representation before DOJ or DHS.

Authorizes an alien to withdraw an immigration-related application or other submission if the alien: (1) submits information indicating that the application or submission was prepared or submitted by an individual engaged in the unauthorized practice of law or immigration practitioner fraud, and (2) attests that he or she had no prior knowledge that the application or submission was prepared or submitted by such an individual.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to waive the bar on reentry for an alien who left the United States based on the erroneous advice of an individual engaged in the unauthorized practice of law or immigration practitioner fraud.

Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General, through the Director of the Office for Immigration Review, to carry out an outreach program to educate aliens regarding who may provide legal services and representation in immigration proceedings.

Directs the Secretary and the Attorney General to establish, within the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, programs to award grants to eligible nonprofit organizations for direct legal services to aliens.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2936: Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-2936/
MLA
"H.R. 2936: Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-2936/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2936, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-2936/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2936: Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-2936/)
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