Kofi Amankwaa, a former Bronx-based immigration attorney, has been sentenced to 70 months in prison for orchestrating an extensive immigration fraud scheme. The scheme involved submitting fraudulent petitions under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to unlawfully help clients gain U.S. immigration benefits. The sentence comes after Amankwaa pleaded guilty in September 2024, and it highlights the severe consequences of exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking legal immigration status.
From September 2016 to November 2023, Amankwaa and his associates engaged in a widespread fraud operation. They instructed clients to sign false Form I-360 VAWA Petitions, which were falsely claiming that the clients had suffered abuse from their U.S. citizen children. These claims were made under penalty of perjury, with Amankwaa himself signing the petitions as the attorney preparer.
Amankwaa’s fraudulent filings didn’t stop there. He also used the submitted VAWA petitions as a basis to obtain advance parole travel documents for his clients. These documents, which allow individuals without legal status to temporarily travel abroad and return to the U.S., were then exploited by Amankwaa to further his scheme.
Amankwaa’s scheme relied on systematically misleading his clients. He instructed them to sign petitions claiming domestic abuse that had never occurred, with the intention of falsely securing lawful permanent residence for them. The fraudulent applications resulted in a string of denied immigration requests, leaving many clients with their hopes dashed and their money wasted.
For each fraudulent immigration case, Amankwaa charged his clients between $3,000 and $6,000, in addition to various administrative fees. He failed to disclose to his clients that the petitions were based on fabricated claims of abuse, making them unwitting victims of his fraudulent practices.
The actions of Amankwaa have not only caused personal harm to his clients but have also undermined the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which is a critical law designed to offer noncitizen victims of domestic abuse a pathway to legal residency. Amankwaa’s actions mocked the very purpose of the law by exploiting the immigration system to profit from fraudulent claims.
Matthew Podolsky, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, expressed the gravity of Amankwaa's actions, stating:
“Kofi Amankwaa, a former immigration attorney, made a mockery of the U.S. immigration system and VAWA — a law that provides noncitizen victims of domestic abuse a path to lawful permanent residence status — by filing thousands of immigration documents falsely alleging that his clients were victims of abuse by their children or other family members. Amankwaa repeatedly filed these false applications without telling his clients that he was doing so, and pocketed thousands of dollars from each client he victimized. Amankwaa now faces a significant prison sentence for his crimes.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Amankwaa faces financial penalties. He has been ordered to forfeit a substantial sum of $13,389,000 and will also be required to pay $16,503,425 in restitution to the victims of his fraudulent scheme. These penalties serve as a reminder of the consequences of exploiting the U.S. immigration system for personal gain.
Furthermore, following complaints from numerous clients regarding fraudulent activity, Amankwaa’s law license was suspended in November 2023, and he was disbarred in August 2024, marking the end of his legal career.
The case of Kofi Amankwaa serves as a warning to immigration professionals about the importance of ethical conduct in the legal profession. It also emphasizes the need for individuals seeking immigration assistance to be cautious and aware of potential fraud.
Amankwaa’s illegal actions not only caused emotional distress to victims but also led to broader consequences for the immigration system. His fraudulent scheme exploited a law meant to protect vulnerable individuals, and the penalties he now faces are a stark reminder of the severe repercussions for those who manipulate the system for financial gain.
The sentencing of Kofi Amankwaa is part of a broader effort to crack down on immigration fraud within the United States. Fraudulent practices within immigration law are a growing concern, as they undermine public trust in the system and harm vulnerable individuals seeking legal status.
As immigration laws become more complex, it’s crucial for legal professionals to operate with the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Victims of fraud, such as those taken advantage of by Amankwaa, are left in difficult situations. Therefore, the government’s pursuit of justice in these cases is essential for maintaining confidence in the immigration system.
Kofi Amankwaa’s 70-month prison sentence, along with his financial penalties, marks the culmination of a long-running fraudulent scheme that exploited vulnerable individuals seeking to navigate the U.S. immigration system. His case underscores the critical need for vigilance and integrity within the legal profession, particularly in sensitive areas such as immigration law.
As the victims begin to receive restitution and the legal system takes steps to prevent future fraud, this case serves as a pivotal reminder of the importance of maintaining trust in the U.S. immigration process. Ethical conduct is paramount, and those who fail to uphold it will face severe consequences, as demonstrated by Amankwaa’s sentencing.
