Immigration attorney arrested in alleged fraud scheme

HOUSTON - A 44-year-old Houston woman has been charged with mail fraud and false statements in relation to her job as an immigration attorney.

Authorities have now taken Alla Nowowiejski into custody. She made her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Bennett at 2 p.m. today.

According to the indictment, Nowowiejski accepted payments from clients to assist them with establishing or adjusting their work status and applying for work visas. However, she allegedly never submitted the applications or only submitted them in part.

The indictment further alleges Nowowiejski provided clients with false documents or reference numbers associated with active immigration cases unrelated to her clients. She allegedly used the documents and reference number to make the clients believe immigration authorities were processing their applications.

If convicted, she faces up to 20 years in federal prison, and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Service - OIG conducted the investigation with assistance of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service and the Harris County Constable's Office - Precinct 1. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Carter is prosecuting the case.

The Department of Justice has created the National Fraud Enforcement DivisionLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.. The core mission of the Fraud Division is to zealously investigate and prosecute those who steal or fraudulently misuse taxpayer dollars. Department of Justice efforts to combat fraud support President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse within federal benefit programs.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.