Three local immigrants out $15,000 fighting for citizenship

Three Colorado Springs residents fighting for citizenship said they are out $15,000 and now one of their loved ones is at risk of being deported because of failures by a local immigration attorney.

Zeidy Sanchez, her mom Maria Ortiz and her father Alberto Sanchez hired Stephanie Izaguirre with Izaguirre Law Firm to help them apply for citizenship.

Sanchez said the three agreed to pay $15,000 for the three cases. The family started making payments in 2011. However, after five years, Sanchez said they have nothing to show except one work permit.

“We are in shock because we never thought she was going to do this to us. I thought she was an honest person,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez accuses Izaguirre’s office of dropping the ball. She said the law firm failed to inform them about cancelled court appearances and paperwork coming due. Sanchez said she feared for her mom’s case so she went in Friday to collect the paperwork to make sure it was received by the immigration office in time. During the confrontation, she said Izaguirre gave her her mom’s paperwork and hers too, informing her that she would be dropping the case.

Now, Sanchez said her mom, Maria Ortiz, is at risk of being deported. Alberto Sanchez and Maria Ortiz traveled to the U.S. from Mexico 30 years ago.

“It’s a big drama for everybody for the whole family. Because they are the head of us. They guide us. Without them, we are nothing,” said Sanchez.

She said her family has been struggling to make ends meet because of the legal fees. She said her parents have worked here for years, but recently haven’t been able to because the paperwork has been in limbo.

“We don’t have the money. It’s not just $5. It’s a lot of money we can’t afford so we don’t know what to do,” said Sanchez.

Izaguirre said she is not able to do an interview about this case because of attorney-client privilege. She said over the phone that the allegations were not true and sent KRDO NewsChannel 13 this statement:

“First, I want to say that this accusation is completely and unequivocally false. Second, attorneys are required to keep confidential the information surrounding their clients and cases. As an attorney and officer of the court, I am held to certain ethical obligations which I cannot ignore simply because it might be convenient or save me embarrassment in public. As of now, I have not heard from the individuals in question that they have waived this privilege and therefore, I am prohibited from discussing the matter in further detail. Finally, there are criminal charges pending against the individuals involved in this situation in which I was the victim. Once those charges are resolved, and if attorney-client privilege is waived, I will be more than happy to discuss this matter fully.”

Izaguirre does not have any complaints on her record with the state or the Better Business Bureau.