The State Bar of California seized the illegal business of Irene Carlota Raygoza of Livermore after a couple filed a complaint that her mishandling of their immigration case left one of their sons at risk of having to leave the United States for up to 22 years, the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) announced today.

Raygoza, aka Irene Raygoza, Carlota Irene Raygoza, and Carlota Irene Cardoza, doing business as Del Valle Professional Services and Del Valle Servicios Profesionales, is not, nor has she ever been, a licensed California attorney.

An Alameda County Superior Court granted OCTC an interim order, and the seizure of Raygoza's office was executed on April 16, 2026. OCTC seized four boxes with 97 files and downloaded numerous clients' immigration documents from two computers.

OCTC received the couple's complaint in 2024. In 2019, the couple attempted to secure lawful permanent residency for the wife and their two children, but this spiraled into a crisis when Raygoza submitted U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-751 on behalf of the wife and the two children but failed to include the required biometrics fee for the eldest son. Without that fee, USCIS could not process the son's portion of the application.

"This case underscores the serious harm that can occur when someone who is not licensed to practice law takes on complex immigration matters," said State Bar Chief Trial Counsel George Cardona. "This family trusted that they were receiving legitimate legal guidance, and instead their son's future in this country was put in peril due to unqualified and unlawful conduct."

The couple, who believed they were receiving qualified legal assistance, later learned that the woman they hired had never been authorized to practice law and had mishandled the filings. Raygoza operated a public-facing business that advertised immigration help in English and Spanish. The family reported significant financial, emotional, and mental stress as a result of Raygoza's actions.

Clients of Raygoza can retrieve files by calling the State Bar at 415-538-2349 (English and Spanish).

The State Bar strongly urges the public to ensure they are dealing with a licensed attorney by using the Check Attorney Profile feature on its website, which lets people verify an attorney's license.

The State Bar has a unit dedicated to investigating and addressing the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) throughout California. People who have been targeted by someone who is not licensed to practice law can file an unauthorized practice of law complaint with the State Bar. There is no cost, and U.S. citizenship is not required; the State Bar will not ask complainants about their citizenship or immigration status. The online complaint form is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

As a warning to the public, the names of those who have received unauthorized practice of law Cease and Desist notices are posted, by county, on the State Bar website. The State Bar also provides consumer information about avoiding legal fraud, including the unauthorized practice of law, and tips about avoiding immigration legal services fraud.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.