LOS ANGELES , Immigrants across the United States , including some in California , are joining a lawsuit accusing Alexandra Lozano, a Washington state immigration attorney, of fraud, according to the Seattle-based Barraza Law firm.
Lozano, who reportedly marketed herself as the “Abogada de los Milagros,” resigned from the Washington State Bar Association “in lieu of facing disciplinary action,” a decision that permanently bars her from practicing law in the state. The resignation comes as former clients organize what attorneys describe as one of the largest collective legal actions of its kind.
Until recently, an office in a Commerce commercial building served as the Southern California headquarters for the legal team of La Luz del Camino, the firm Lozano led. The firm’s website now states that, due to “desafíos crecientes y un escrutinio injusto,” closing the office “es la mejor decisión.”
A lawsuit filed against Lozano includes allegations that she misled immigrants seeking legal status.
“La Sra. Lozano creó una fábrica de casos de inmigración humanitaria en la que aceptaba casos que probablemente no debió haber tomado,” said Seattle attorney Vicente Barraza, who is leading the case.
The lawsuit alleges Lozano used images of the Virgin of Guadalupe “en sus materiales publicitarios para transmitir la impresión de que es capaz de obrar milagros.” It also claims she submitted “fraudulenta” documentation for some clients, asserting they were victims of abuse or human trafficking, “a menudo sin su conocimiento ni su consentimiento.”
Barraza said the consequences have been devastating for many individuals.
“Estarán bajo sospecha mientras estén involucrados en el sistema de inmigración,” he said. “Algunas de estas personas han sido deportadas, se les ha negado el reingreso al país o se encuentran actualmente en procesos de deportación porque pagaron una suma considerable a una abogada para que los guiara correctamente, y ahora todo se ha convertido en una pesadilla.”
An amended lawsuit further alleges Lozano “controla una cartera inmobiliaria nacional multimillonaria adquirida con las ganancias” and traveled aboard a pink private plane valued at approximately $25 million.
Angelo J. Calfo, Lozano’s attorney, said she has helped thousands of clients obtain legal status.
“Alexandra denies the allegations made by a small number of the thousands of people she has represented. She will respond to those allegations in detail before the court,” he said in a statement provided to the 7 On Your Side investigative team.
Los Angeles immigration attorney Joan De Valle said she has received about 25 calls from Lozano’s former clients who believed they were on track to obtain permanent residency, or green cards, but now fear deportation.
“Están en pánico,” she said, adding that “algunos no sabían qué pasaba en la aplicación porque hay quienes confían ciegamente en los abogados.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a notice directed at Lozano’s former clients, encouraging them to update their mailing addresses so their immigration cases can continue to be processed.