If you or someone you know recently received an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a USCIS officer or immigration official, you are not alone — and you may have been targeted by a scammer. In June 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued an official fraud alert warning immigrants across the United States about a surge in scam phone calls from individuals impersonating USCIS representatives and SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) officials.
These scams are not new, but they are becoming more sophisticated and more alarming. Scammers are specifically targeting immigrants because they know that many people in the immigration process fear legal consequences and may be more likely to comply with threatening demands. Understanding how these scams work — and what USCIS will never do — is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your immigration case in 2026.
What Is the USCIS 2026 Fraud Alert About?
According to the official USCIS announcement cited by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), USCIS has received a significant number of reports from individuals who received unsolicited phone calls from scammers posing as USCIS representatives or representatives of SAVE — the government program that verifies immigration status for benefit-granting agencies.
In these calls, the scammers typically claim that the recipient has a problem with their immigration case, that a warrant has been issued for their arrest, that their visa or green card is about to be revoked, or that they owe money to the government. The goal is always the same: to frighten the recipient into handing over money, personal information, or both.
USCIS is urging all immigrants and their families to be aware of these scams and to report suspicious calls immediately. The agency confirmed that it does not conduct business this way and that no legitimate USCIS communication will demand immediate payment over the phone.
How to Recognize an Immigration Scam Call
Scammers are clever, but there are clear warning signs that a call is fraudulent. Here is what to watch for:
- Threats of immediate arrest or deportation: A real USCIS officer will never call you and threaten to have you arrested on the spot if you do not pay money right away. This is the most common scam tactic.
- Demands for payment over the phone: USCIS does not collect fees by phone. All legitimate fees are paid online through the official USCIS website (uscis.gov) or by check/money order sent through the mail. If someone demands gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — hang up immediately.
- Requests for your Social Security number, A-number, or passport information: Legitimate government agencies will not call you out of the blue and ask you to verify sensitive personal information over the phone.
- Caller ID that appears official: Scammers can spoof caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from a government number. A familiar-looking number does not mean the call is legitimate.
- Urgency and pressure: Scammers will try to rush you, telling you that you have only minutes to act before something bad happens. Real government agencies give you time to consult an attorney and review documentation.
- Claims that you are in serious legal trouble: If you have a genuine immigration issue, you will receive written notices in the mail from USCIS — not a surprise phone call demanding immediate action.
What USCIS Will Never Do
One of the best ways to protect yourself is to know exactly how USCIS actually communicates with people. USCIS will never:
- Call you to demand immediate payment of any kind
- Threaten you with arrest, deportation, or visa revocation over the phone
- Ask you to pay fees using gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid debit cards
- Ask for your personal identification information without prior written notice
- Contact you through social media, text messages, or email to collect fees
All legitimate USCIS notices, appointment letters, and fee requests will arrive as official written correspondence sent to your address on file. If you receive a phone call claiming to be from USCIS and any of the above warning signs are present, it is almost certainly a scam.
What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call
If you receive a call that raises any of the red flags described above, here is exactly what to do:
Do not give any information or money. Hang up the phone immediately. Do not engage with the caller, do not confirm your name, and do not provide any personal or financial information.
Do not call back numbers left by the scammer. If the caller leaves a callback number, do not use it. Scammers sometimes set up fake “USCIS hotlines” to continue the deception.
Verify your case status through official channels. If you are worried that there may be a real issue with your immigration case, check your status directly at uscis.gov/casestatus or call the official USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. Do not rely on any number provided by the suspicious caller.
Report the scam. You can report immigration scams to several agencies. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also contact the USCIS tip line at 1-877-CIS-4YOU (1-877-247-4968) or submit a tip through ice.gov. Reporting these scams helps authorities track and shut down fraud operations that target other immigrants.
Consult an immigration attorney. If you received a call that frightened you about your immigration status, speak with a qualified immigration attorney before taking any action. An attorney can review your actual case record and confirm whether there are any real issues you need to address.
Why Immigrants Are Targeted by These Scams
Scammers deliberately target immigrants because they understand that the immigration process can be stressful and confusing, and that many people are afraid of making a mistake that could affect their legal status. They count on fear and urgency to override good judgment.
Immigrants from countries with corrupt government institutions may be especially vulnerable because they are accustomed to officials demanding payments in exchange for services. It is important to understand that in the United States, no government official has the legal authority to demand cash or payment in exchange for immigration services by phone.
Community members, family members, and neighbors can all play a role in spreading the word about these scams. If you know someone who is going through the immigration process, share this information with them. A simple conversation could prevent a devastating financial loss or unnecessary panic.
Additional USCIS Updates: New Asylum Office in San Antonio
In other USCIS news this week, the agency also announced the opening of a new asylum office in San Antonio, Texas. Beginning May 28, 2026, individuals who filed for asylum with USCIS and reside in the Houston Asylum Office’s jurisdiction may be interviewed at either the Houston or San Antonio Asylum Office. This expansion is designed to increase USCIS capacity for scheduling and conducting affirmative asylum interviews in the Texas region, potentially reducing wait times for asylum seekers in the Houston jurisdiction.
If you have a pending affirmative asylum case and reside in the Houston jurisdiction area, you may want to confirm with your immigration attorney whether your case will be scheduled at the Houston or San Antonio location going forward.
Conclusion: Stay Informed and Stay Safe
The USCIS fraud alert issued in June 2026 is a serious reminder that immigrants are frequent targets of sophisticated phone scams. The best protection is knowledge: knowing what USCIS will never ask you to do, recognizing the warning signs of a fraudulent call, and knowing exactly who to contact if something seems wrong.
Never pay money or share personal information in response to an unsolicited phone call. Always verify through official government websites and phone numbers. And if you have any doubts about your immigration status or a contact you received, speak with a qualified immigration attorney right away.
For full details on this fraud alert and authoritative immigration legal guidance, visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association at aila.org or consult a qualified immigration attorney in your area. Staying informed is one of the most powerful tools you have to protect your immigration journey in 2026.
Immigration Fleet Law Firm