Oakland accuses Alameda couple of defrauding immigrants

Photo by Jude Joffe-Block.

Oakland City Attorney John Russo filed civil charges against an Alameda imam and a former member of the Alameda Housing Commission this morning for allegedly swindling thousands of dollars from several Oakland families who were seeking immigration services.

Among the named defendants are Musa Baldé, who is imam at the Islamic Center of Alameda, and Irene Baldé, who was a tenant member of the Alameda Housing Commission from 2006 until she resigned in 2009. According to city records, Ms. Baldé uses the first name Aiesha.

The complaint, which was filed in Alameda County Superior Court, alleges that the Baldés’ Oakland business, American Legal Services, defrauded clients by promising them immigration benefits they would never receive in exchange for hefty fees.

“They have been telling anyone who is coming in that they are eligible for residency even when clearly they are not,” said Jesse Newmark, an attorney in the Neighborhood Law Corps division of the Oakland City Attorney’s office. “And the defendants either know that, or they should know.”

Alex Nguyen, the Executive Director of the Neighborhood Law Corps, said some clients paid American Legal Services $3,000 to $5,000 in the hope of gaining legal status, but instead wound up in deportation proceedings as a result of the company’s erroneous guidance.

The complaint alleges that the company’s practices violated several state laws, including regulations for immigration consultants and a statute that prohibits non-attorneys from advertising legal services.

American Legal Services operates three offices in Oakland.  At the entrance of one location, on the corner of International Boulevard and 35^th Street in Oakland’s Fruitvale District, a sign lists “immigration,” “work permit,” “divorce” and “probate” among the services offered. 

Nguyen said his office is seeking restitution and damages for clients who were cheated by the company.

The Baldés have held positions of civic and religious leadership in Alameda. Ms. Baldé is one of 20 Alameda parents who unsuccessfully sued the Alameda Unified School District last year for not allowing their children to opt out of an anti-bullying lesson on same-sex parents.  The Baldés could not immediately be reached for comment. A third defendant, Glenda Venegas, is also named in the suit.

The Neighborhood Law Corps will host a workshop on Feb. 27 at City Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to educate immigrants about how to avoid being defrauded by immigration practitioners and link them with reputable local immigration attorneys.  There will be Spanish, Mandarin and Vietnamese translation and free parking available in the Clay Street garage.