Photo: Ivonne Castillo
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department Notario Investigations Unit is investigating 55-year-old Ivonne Castillo for the theft of thousands of dollars, in which she illegally provided services to illegal immigrants seeking to file legal documentation with the Federal Government. Castillo was charged with Grand Theft after failing to provide services that included filing documents that would begin the naturalization process of undocumented citizens.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office asks any individuals who may have dealt with Castillo to contact their office. They believe that money given to Castillo should be returned and that they should become aware that correct paperwork to become a legal U.S citizen was not submitted on their behalf. In fact, it is believed that Castillo failed to file and/or submit paperwork to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) on her victim’s behalf, due to their vulnerability.
Castillo was working illegally as an unregistered immigration consultant in San Jose.
“Investigators determined Castillo conducted her illegal services at a business office located at 1190 S. Bascom Avenue,” Sgt. Richard Glennon with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said. “Castillo provided immigration services without the required Immigration Consultant Clearance from the California Secretary of State and also did not have the required $100,000 bond to operate an immigration consulting business.”
It is believed that Castillo preyed upon Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or (DACA) immigrants who entered the United States as minors and were given two years to file for citizenship or face deportation. According to Pew Research Center, a reported 11.7 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States with the highest numbers in New Mexico, New York, and California.
Glennon said, “The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Notario Investigations Unit is dedicated to the investigation, arrest, and successful prosecution of Immigration Fraud.” If you believe you were a victim of immigration fraud, please call 408-808-4599 or email us at Tips@shf.sccgov.org.
