A former immigration attorney, Kofi Amankwaa, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for orchestrating a large-scale immigration fraud scheme that targeted Caribbean and other immigrants. The 70-year-old was found guilty of exploiting the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to file fraudulent immigration documents, defrauding clients of millions of dollars.
The Scheme
From September 2016 to November 2023, Amankwaa, along with accomplices, instructed clients to sign fraudulent Form I-360 VAWA Petitions. These documents falsely claimed that the clients had been abused by their U.S. citizen children or other family members. Amankwaa, who signed the petitions as the attorney preparer, knew the claims were fabricated and never verified the alleged abuse with his clients.
The fraudulent petitions were used to apply for advance parole travel documents, which allow individuals without legal status in the U.S. to travel abroad and return temporarily. Amankwaa then directed his clients to use these documents to travel and re-enter the country, after which they would apply for lawful permanent resident status. However, many applications were denied due to fraud, leaving clients in legal limbo.
Financial Exploitation
Amankwaa charged clients between 3,000and3,000and6,000 for his services, plus additional administrative fees. Over the course of the scheme, he defrauded hundreds of immigrants, pocketing millions of dollars. In total, he has been ordered to forfeit 13.3million∗∗andpay∗∗13.3million∗∗andpay∗∗16.5 million in restitution to his victims as part of his plea agreement.
Legal Consequences
Amankwaa pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla, who handed down the 70-month prison sentence along with three years of supervised release. His law license was suspended in November 2023 following numerous client complaints, and he was disbarred in August 2024.
Statement from Authorities
Matthew Podolsky, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, condemned Amankwaa’s actions, stating, “Amankwaa made a mockery of the U.S. immigration system and VAWA—a law designed to protect victims of domestic abuse. He exploited vulnerable immigrants for personal gain, leaving many in dire legal and financial situations.”
Impact on Victims
The scheme not only defrauded immigrants financially but also jeopardized their legal status in the U.S. Many clients, unaware of the fraudulent nature of their applications, faced denials and potential deportation due to the fraud uncovered in their cases.
A Call for Accountability
This case highlights the vulnerabilities immigrants face when navigating the U.S. immigration system and the importance of holding fraudulent actors accountable. Authorities urge immigrants to seek reputable legal assistance and report any suspicious activities to prevent similar schemes in the future.
Kofi Amankwaa’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder that exploiting vulnerable populations for personal gain will not go unpunished.
