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Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora Managing Immigration Attorney Nancy Reyes Guarderas Urges Immigrants to Seek Counsel from a Licensed Attorney, Not a ‘Notario’

Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora Managing Immigration Attorney Nancy Reyes Guarderas Urges Immigrants to Seek Counsel from a Licensed Attorney, Not a ‘Notario’
Abogada Nancy Reyes Guarderas of the Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora is scheduled to appear on California radio and TV stations to discuss why it is critical that immigrants choose a licensed immigration attorney to help with their immigration cases instead of a notary public or 'notario.'
The lack of legal experience and knowledge makes notarios detrimental to immigration cases

Abogada Nancy Reyes Guarderas of the Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora is scheduled to appear on California radio and TV stations to discuss why it is critical that immigrants choose a licensed immigration attorney to help with their immigration cases instead of a notary public or 'notario.'

Notarios are not lawyers. People may be tempted to work with a notario so they can save a few dollars upfront. But, the truth is that notarios will end up wasting their time and money in the long run. Even worse, they could jeopardize a person’s immigration future or get them deported.

Guarderas said, “The wrong kind of help can hurt. Notarios do not know the ins and outs of immigration law like an attorney does. They have not studied years to practice law.  They cannot offer legal advice, guidance, and counsel or help immigrants build a strong case”.

In some other countries, notarios are licensed to practice law and represent clients. This is why some immigrants get tricked into thinking they are getting a much better deal by using a notario. However, notario immigration fraud is rampant in the United States. According to the American Bar Association, the term 'notario publico' is problematic because it creates a unique opportunity for deception. Notario immigration fraud happens when someone in the United States is a licensed notary, but they falsely advertise to the immigrant population that they are capable of practicing immigration law.

Even a notario who has the best intentions can still harm an immigration case because they lack knowledge about the laws, which can result in filing documents, applications, and petitions that can end up hurting the immigrant's case rather than helping. This can result in devastating life consequences for the client because after a denial of an immigration application, the case may be sent to removal (deportation) proceedings.

The only way to ensure an immigration case will be handled with diligence and follow the proper protocols is to work with a licensed immigration attorney. There are no education requirements necessary to become a notario. But, to become an attorney, a person must:

  • Obtain a college degree

  • Score high on law school admissions tests

  • Study law for at least three years

  • Graduate from law school

  • Pass the state bar exam while demonstrating knowledge of legal ethics and the character and fitness to practice law.


Avoid delays, unnecessary fees and wasted money, and even deportation that incompetent immigration help can result in and work with an attorney.

Nancy Reyes Guarderas is an expert on immigration rights and visas, as she has been advocating and guiding her clients through the immigration process since 1998.

Guarderas has extensive experience filing affirmative and defensive applications for her clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. She has also conducted hearings before the United States Immigration Court, briefing and appealing before the Administrative Appeals Office, Board of Immigration Appeals, and the United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Guarderas has helped thousands of clients with direct services, conducted community outreach for thousands of people, and trained hundreds of private and non-profit attorneys, social workers, and law students through panels, training, and guest lecturer opportunities at USC’s School of Social Work and Loyola Law School.

Listen to Abogada Nancy Reyes Guarderas discuss the ramifications that working with notarios can bring:

Monday @ 7:00AM & 9:00AM on La Raza 97.9(KLAX-FM) & La Raza 93.3 (KRZZ-FM) with El Terrible

Monday & Friday @ 8:35AM on Recuerdo 103.9/98.3 (KRCD-FM) with Maria Esther

Monday & Tuesday @ 1:15PM on Amor 100.3- Univision Radio (KBRG-FM) with Glorybella

Monday @ 3:10PM on Jose 97.5/107.1 (KLYY-FM) with Erazno y La Chokolata 

Tuesday @ 1:50PM on Jose 97.5/107.1 (KLYY-FM) with Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo

Tuesday & Thursday @ 8:20AM on Que Buena 105.5/94.3 (KBUE-FM) with Don Cheto

Wednesday & Friday @ 10:00AM on Jose 97.5/107.1 (KLYY-FM) with Irma Covarrubias

Wednesday @ 2:25PM on LA 101.9 & Que Buena 98.9 - Univision Radio (KSCA-FM & KSOL-FM) with La Bronca

Wednesday @ 4:45PM on K-LOVE 107.5- Univision Radio (KLVE-FM) with Ysaac Alvarez

Thursday @ 8:00 AM on Jose 97.5/107.1 (KLYY-FM) with Alex “El Genio” Lucas

Thursday @ 1:00 PM on Que Buena 98.9 - Univision Radio (KSOL-FM) with El Zorro

Thursday @ 6:00 PM on La Raza 93.3 (KRZZ-FM) with El Compa Gil

Visit laligadefensora.com for a full interview schedule. 

About Nancy Reyes Guarderas

Nancy Reyes Guarderas is animmigration attorney, licensed to practice in the State of California, since 1998. Prior to joining The Matian Firm dba La Liga Defensora, Mrs. Reyes Guarderas was a Senior Staff Attorney at theLegal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) as an immigration attorney. LAFLA serves as the frontline law firm for poor and low-income people in Los Angeles. She also serves as a regular Legal Analyst for Univision TV and Radio. Mrs. Reyes Guarderas delivers important legal information, explains nuances and complexities in immigration law and provides breaking news and analysis on the changing landscape of immigration legislation.

About the Matian Firm 

The Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora, is a California-based immigration law, criminal defense, employment law, and personal injury law firm. Under the direction of the firm’s President, Shawn F. Matian, Esq., The Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora is dedicated to providing zealous advocacy on behalf of their clients. A continuous practice of reinvestment into the firm serves to enhance Matian’s mission. With a combined 40,000 square feet of newly built office space and over 175 employees, The Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora is one of the fastest-growing law firms in all of California.

The Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora has helped tens of thousands of clients with their immigration, criminal and injury cases, by providing excellent legal services. This consistent track record of outstanding work has been notably recognized by the legal community as evidenced by the many awards that have been bestowed upon the firm including: Super Lawyers | Rising Stars; The National Top 100 Trial Lawyers; Lawyers of Distinction Award; Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney Award; 10 Best Law Firms Client Satisfaction; and Avvo’s Client Choice Award, amongst other accolades.

The Matian Firm | La Liga Defensora is located at 3701 Wilshire Blvd Suite 210, Los Angeles, California 90010. Northern California at 111 N. Market Street Suite 888 in San Jose, California 95113 and the Inland Empire in Ontario located at 4200 Concourse St. Ontario, CA 91764.  

More information on the firm, its attorneys, and its casework please visit: www.matianfirm.com

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