A former lawyer has been sentenced to home detention and ordered to pay reparations after pleading guilty to 14 charges laid by the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA).
Maria ‘Ilaisaane Valu-Pome’e, a Tongan national living in Auckland, unlawfully gave New Zealand immigration advice in the Tongan community, the IAA said. She pleaded guilty to 10 charges of violating the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007 for providing immigration advice without a licence, for representing herself as a licensed immigration adviser, and for asking for or receiving a fee. She also pleaded guilty to four charges of violating the Crimes Act 1961; two for using fake documents, and two for dishonestly using the documents.
She has been sentenced to 10 months home detention and ordered to pay $6,420 in reparation. Providing immigration advice without a license or without being exempt can lead to a prison term of up to seven years and a fine of up to $100,000.
Valu-Pome’e’s
New Zealand Law Society practicing certificate, which exempted her from being required to obtain an immigration adviser license, expired in July 2013.
“Mrs Valu-Pome’e provided immigration advice illegally to members of the Tongan community, including a Greymouth family, a couple, and a mother and daughter based in Auckland. All of the victims were unlawfully residing in New Zealand when they finished their dealings with Mrs Valu-Pome’e. She didn’t successfully obtain a visa for any of them,” said Catherine Albiston, IAA registrar. “This case serves as a strong reminder the IAA will not tolerate those who provide unlawful New Zealand immigration advice at the expense of vulnerable communities.”
Unlawful immigration advice can cause significant stress and problems for visa applicants, she said.
"Anyone seeking immigration advice should use a licensed adviser or someone who is exempt, such as a current New Zealand lawyer. A register of licensed advisers is available on our website,” Albiston said.
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