Need for documents leaves migrants vulnerable to scams in New York

The need to obtain work permits has put migrants who have recently arrived in New York City in the crosshairs of unscrupulous people who go to migrant shelters to sell them travel cards, identification documents and even bank accounts.

“They have offered us many things, such as things from the bank and many people realize that they are fraudulent, but they have really come a lot to offer us credit. Among many people it is heard that they say hey, look, they are putting out the social around here, they are putting that out,” says Iván Pereira, a Venezuelan migrant.

Some approach the migrants and others do so from cars that surround the shelters, according to Iván, who recently arrived from Venezuela. “More than anything else, a black truck has come here and they come to us to be selling gold chains and things like that at a very cheap price.”

Organizations in charge of coordinating aid to migrants urge caution and only request document processing through official channels.

In centers like this one run by the Red Cross, migrants can receive services such as legal advice, manage the city’s identification card and food and transportation stamps. Ángela González, Voice of America, New York.