Individuals with L-1A visas or visa status are advised that fraudulent letters are being sent to executives who have an L-1A non-immigrant status. The L-1A non-immigrant category enables a United States employer to transfer an executive or manager from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its branch offices in the United States. The classification also enables a foreign company without an affiliated U.S. office to send an executive or manager to the United States for the purpose of establishing one.

The employer is required to file a Form I-129, Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker with the appropriate fee on behalf of the employee. Letters on USCIS letterhead are being circulated to individuals, referencing I-129 Petitions and purporting to be signed by Lori Scialabba, Deputy Director of USCIS. They contain incorrect grammar and claim that the I-129 Petition is under investigation, requiring that the applicant or petitioner appear at a USCIS center with salary details including pay stubs, evidence of salary rise during L-1A and W2s.

The scammer may be attempting to collect personal and financial information from the foreign worker for illegal use. American Immigration Lawyers Association contacted USCIS and confirmed that USCIS did not send the letters.

Any person(s) receiving such a scam letter should immediately send a copy to Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov with the subject line “L-1A Executive Letter Scam.”