“It’s not just Business, It’s PERSONAL!” – Henry Sylverain, Owner of 8th & Rolle Media
I remember it like yesterday. I was 14 and I accompanied my parents to see a “lawyer” that they heard about on the radio who could help with our immigration challenges. Even at a young age, it did not take long to realize that this sharply dressed, fast-talking individual on the other side of the desk was a phony. I just knew. The things he claimed that he could do for us were too good to be true, and although I raised my concern to my parents, they took it as useless fodder. The Haitian man convinced them to fork over $6,000 for each of them and $1,000 for each one of their children. I’ll fast forward to what happens next, they lost their money, and the guy high-tailed it out of town once his son was murdered for crossing the wrong people with this same scam.
It would not be the last time this has happened throughout my life. It would take me going against my parent’s wishes and braving the fear-mongering of so-called intellectuals in my community to go directly to the source, United States Citizen & Immigration Services, and ask for help. It was then that I got a clear path to resolving my immigration issues, and I stand proudly as a US Citizen after years of this shit that is still happening today. Can you believe it?
Impersonating an Immigration Lawyer or a Federal Immigration Officer is considered a third-degree felony and carries a prison sentence of up to five years and fines of as much as $5,000. That is just the tip of the iceberg. The Owners of Seamen’s Harvest Ministries collected millions of dollars under the guise of being a Christian-based organization. The co-founder, Alberto Alers, claimed to work as an Immigration Officer by day and had insider privileges. Yes, I was one of the people they scammed out of thousands of dollars. Things didn’t last long for them, here is what happened to him, his wife, and son who all worked out of a small office in Plantation, FL.
“People prey on folks who are in desperate situations trying to get to the U.S. with paperwork-type fraud, or even representing themselves as attorneys,” Joinville said. “But really, they’re just slowly milking people out of their money.” - Excerpt from the article "Misinformation is spreading about the new Haitian immigration process. Here’s what to know."
Sadly, these consequences do not deter these imposters from sending mass messaging through apps like WhatsApp and paying for radio time on Haitian radio stations to spew falsehoods and deceptive narratives to coax unsuspecting immigrants out of their hard-earned money. Why does this happen? Simple. Exploit the fears of being deported by blasting social media and radio airwaves with descriptions, images, and videos of thousands of people of color being rounded up and put on planes. Follow up with a message that sounds something like this:
“There is a NEW program that (enter name of organization) that has just passed! Call me NOW! (Ms. Cleo voice I swear) I work for (name of organization) and I can get your paperwork pushed through faster than anyone else!”
It’s time that this comes to an end. There are ill-intentioned people amongst these groups, and they exploit the lack of knowledge and ignorance of those desperate and in need. These folks are just as bad as the smugglers who could care less about the outcome of the individuals they traffic. I founded 8th & Rolle Media to tell stories that challenge the imaginations of those familiar with the typical immigrant story. My experiences pushed me to further challenge the ongoing disaster that is misinformation. Millions of people who decided to call the United States home have paid a hefty price to shady lawyers, fake business people, and fly-by-night con artists; costing their victims and the reputation of immigration organizations extreme amounts of damage. My ask of you is to allow 8th & Rolle Media to help clear your name. Partner with us to combat these deceitful practices. We can do it together.
H. Sylver
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