Former Ghanaian Immigration Lawyer Jailed for Issuing Fake Green Cards to Clients

Kofi Amankwaa, a former Bronx-based immigration attorney, has been sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for orchestrating a large-scale immigration fraud scheme that victimized countless immigrants. Between 2016 and 2023, Amankwaa submitted fraudulent applications under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), falsely claiming that his clients were victims of abuse by their U.S. citizen relatives. Many of these individuals, who paid between $3,000 and $6,000 for his legal services, were unaware of the deception. When their statements conflicted with the fraudulent documents, their applications were denied, and some were ultimately deported.

In addition to his prison sentence, Amankwaa was ordered to forfeit $13.4 million and pay over $16.5 million in restitution to those he deceived. His misconduct led to the suspension of his law license in November 2023, followed by his disbarment in August 2024. Federal authorities uncovered that he had filed thousands of fraudulent applications over the years, exploiting the hopes of immigrants seeking legal residency. His fraudulent activities not only caused financial harm to his clients but also led to devastating consequences, including deportation and family separation.

Beyond his criminal charges, Amankwaa now faces a civil lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General’s Office. The lawsuit also implicates his son and three other staff members who were allegedly involved in the scheme. The case is currently pending in Bronx Supreme Court. Authorities have emphasized that this prosecution serves as a strong warning to those who attempt to manipulate the immigration system for personal gain. The case highlights the importance of seeking legal assistance from credible sources to avoid falling victim to such scams.