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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

  1. Educational Purpose

The Immigration Institute of Florida (“Institute”) is a private educational institution dedicated exclusively to providing educational and informational programs in the field of immigration law and related subjects.

The Institute offers courses, workshops, seminars, webinars, training programs, and educational materials solely for the purpose of enhancing participants’ knowledge and understanding of immigration laws, procedures, government forms, agency practices, and related legal concepts.

All educational content is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice, legal representation, professional certification, or authorization to engage in any activity regulated by federal or state law.

Because immigration laws, regulations, agency policies, and court decisions are subject to frequent changes, participants are encouraged to independently verify all legal information using official government sources and to seek advice from a licensed attorney regarding their specific legal matters.

Participation in any program offered by the Institute does not create any professional qualification, license, certification, accreditation, or legal authority beyond that already permitted under applicable law.

  1. No Legal Advice

The educational programs, presentations, publications, videos, course materials, discussions, and communications provided by the Institute are intended solely for educational and informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice.

The information presented is general in nature and is not based upon the specific facts or circumstances of any individual case. Accordingly, participants should not rely upon any educational content as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney.

Neither the Institute nor its instructors evaluate the legal merits of individual cases, recommend legal strategies, determine eligibility for immigration benefits, or provide individualized legal opinions during any educational program.

Participants are solely responsible for obtaining competent legal advice from a qualified attorney whenever legal analysis or individualized legal guidance is required.

  1. No Attorney-Client Relationship

Participation in any educational program offered by the Institute does not create an attorney-client relationship or any other professional relationship between the participant and the Institute, its owners, directors, instructors, attorneys, guest speakers, employees, volunteers, affiliates, or collaborators.

Questions answered during classes, workshops, webinars, discussion groups, or other educational activities are intended solely for general educational purposes and should not be interpreted as legal advice applicable to any specific person or legal matter.

No attorney-client relationship shall exist unless a separate written legal representation agreement is executed directly between a participant and a licensed attorney acting independently of the Institute.

  1. No Authorization to Practice Law

Nothing contained in the Institute’s educational programs, course materials, publications, certificates, communications, or marketing materials shall be interpreted as granting, conferring, or implying authorization to engage in the practice of law.

Completion of any course offered by the Institute does not authorize, qualify, certify, accredit, or license any participant to:

  • Practice law;
  • Provide legal advice;
  • Represent another person in legal matters;
  • Appear before any court, administrative tribunal, or governmental agency;
  • Prepare legal pleadings requiring legal judgment;
  • Interpret or apply immigration laws to another person’s specific circumstances;
  • Perform services reserved by law to licensed attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives; or
  • Engage in any activity constituting the unauthorized practice of law under applicable federal or state law.

Participants are solely responsible for ensuring that any professional services they provide comply with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, licensing requirements, ethical obligations, and restrictions governing the unauthorized practice of law.

  1. Limited Scope of Non-Attorney Services

The Institute recognizes that, in certain jurisdictions, non-attorneys may be legally permitted to provide limited administrative or document preparation services. However, the scope of such services varies by jurisdiction and is determined exclusively by applicable federal and state law.

Nothing contained in the Institute’s educational programs expands, modifies, or authorizes the scope of services that a participant may lawfully provide.

Completion of any course does not authorize a participant to engage in activities requiring the exercise of legal judgment or professional legal discretion.

Unless independently authorized by applicable law, participants should not:

  • Determine which immigration benefit, petition, application, waiver, or legal process is appropriate for another person;
  • Recommend one immigration process or legal strategy over another;
  • Determine whether an individual qualifies for an immigration benefit or other legal relief;
  • Advise whether an application should or should not be filed;
  • Interpret immigration statutes, regulations, agency policies, or case law as applied to another person’s specific circumstances;
  • Explain the legal consequences of selecting one immigration option over another;
  • Recommend how immigration forms should be completed based upon legal analysis;
  • Determine which supporting evidence is legally required or strategically advisable;
  • Prepare legal arguments, legal briefs, legal memoranda, motions, or pleadings requiring legal judgment;
  • Represent another person before USCIS, EOIR, DHS, DOS, CBP, ICE, DOL, the BIA, or any other governmental agency or court, unless independently authorized by law.

When permitted by applicable law, participants providing document preparation services should limit their activities to administrative or clerical assistance, such as accurately recording factual information exactly as provided by the customer, organizing documents, translating documents when legally authorized, and performing other ministerial tasks that do not require the exercise of independent legal judgment.

Each participant remains solely responsible for determining whether any professional activity undertaken is authorized under the laws and regulations applicable in the jurisdiction where such services are provided.

  1. Preparation of Immigration Forms

The Institute recognizes that, in certain jurisdictions, non-attorneys may be legally permitted to provide limited document preparation or administrative assistance. However, the lawful scope of such services is determined exclusively by applicable federal and state law and varies by jurisdiction.

Nothing contained in the Institute’s educational programs authorizes any participant to independently determine how immigration forms should be completed based upon another person’s legal circumstances or to exercise legal judgment while preparing immigration documents.

When permitted by applicable law, a non-attorney providing document preparation services should limit his or her activities to administrative or clerical assistance. Such assistance generally includes accurately recording factual information exactly as provided by the customer, typing information into forms, organizing supporting documentation, and performing other ministerial tasks that do not require the exercise of legal judgment.

Unless independently authorized by applicable law, participants should not:

  • Select or recommend which immigration form, petition, application, or waiver should be filed;
  • Determine which immigration benefit or legal remedy is most appropriate for another person;
  • Advise whether an individual qualifies for an immigration benefit, immigration relief, or legal defense;
  • Recommend whether a person should file, delay, withdraw, or refrain from filing an immigration application or petition;
  • Decide how questions on immigration forms should be answered based upon legal analysis;
  • Recommend that specific information be included, omitted, or modified because of its legal significance;
  • Explain the legal consequences of answers provided on immigration forms;
  • Determine what supporting evidence is legally required or strategically advisable;
  • Resolve inconsistencies in a customer’s factual or legal history by exercising independent legal judgment;
  • Prepare legal arguments, affidavits containing legal conclusions, briefs, motions, or legal memoranda;
  • Interpret immigration statutes, regulations, agency guidance, or case law as applied to another person’s circumstances; or
  • Engage in any activity that constitutes the practice of law under applicable federal or state law.

The customer is solely responsible for providing the factual information to be entered into any immigration form. Participants providing document preparation services should not substitute their own legal judgment for the customer’s decisions or make legal determinations on the customer’s behalf.

Completion of any course offered by the Institute does not expand or modify the lawful scope of document preparation services permitted under applicable law, nor does it authorize any participant to provide legal advice or engage in the practice of law.

  1. No Selection of Immigration Benefits or Legal Strategy

The selection of an immigration benefit, petition, application, waiver, legal defense, or procedural strategy requires the exercise of professional legal judgment. Nothing contained in the Institute’s educational programs authorizes any participant to make such determinations on behalf of another person.

Unless independently authorized by applicable law, participants should not:

  • Recommend one immigration benefit over another;
  • Determine whether an individual should pursue adjustment of status, consular processing, asylum, cancellation of removal, naturalization, or any other immigration benefit or relief;
  • Advise whether a petition, application, motion, appeal, or waiver should be filed;
  • Recommend the timing or sequence of immigration filings;
  • Determine whether an individual should accept or decline a particular legal option;
  • Develop or recommend legal strategies designed to achieve a specific immigration outcome;
  • Evaluate the strengths or weaknesses of another person’s legal case; or
  • Provide legal opinions regarding the likelihood of success of any immigration matter.

Participants should understand that these determinations require individualized legal analysis and may only be performed by persons authorized under applicable law.

Completion of any educational program offered by the Institute does not authorize participants to exercise legal judgment on behalf of another individual.

  1. No Legal Determinations or Eligibility Assessments

The educational programs offered by the Institute do not authorize participants to determine another person’s legal rights, legal status, eligibility for immigration benefits, or legal obligations.

Unless independently authorized by applicable law, participants should not advise another person regarding:

  • Eligibility for any immigration benefit;
  • Eligibility for asylum or other humanitarian relief;
  • Eligibility for adjustment of status or lawful permanent residence;
  • Eligibility for naturalization or acquisition of U.S. citizenship;
  • Eligibility for waivers of inadmissibility;
  • Grounds of inadmissibility or deportability;
  • Admissibility into the United States;
  • Immigration consequences of criminal convictions;
  • Immigration consequences of prior immigration violations;
  • Eligibility for employment authorization or travel authorization;
  • Applicable filing deadlines;
  • Legal risks associated with filing or not filing an immigration application; or
  • Any other legal determination requiring individualized analysis of a person’s specific circumstances.

Eligibility determinations frequently involve the interpretation and application of federal statutes, regulations, administrative guidance, agency policy, and judicial or administrative precedent. Such determinations require professional legal judgment and should be made only by individuals authorized to do so under applicable law.

  1. No Representation Before Government Agencies or Courts

Nothing contained in the Institute’s educational programs shall be interpreted as authorizing any participant to represent another individual before any federal, state, or local governmental agency, administrative body, or court.

Completion of any course does not authorize participants to appear, communicate, negotiate, advocate, or otherwise act in a representative capacity before:

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS);
  • Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR);
  • Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA);
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS);
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE);
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP);
  • U.S. Department of State (DOS);
  • U.S. Department of Labor (DOL);
  • Administrative Appeals Office (AAO);
  • Any federal court;
  • Any state court; or
  • Any other governmental agency or tribunal,

unless the participant is independently authorized to engage in such representation under applicable law.

Participants should not represent themselves to the public as being authorized to provide legal representation solely because they have completed one or more educational programs offered by the Institute.

  1. No DOJ Accreditation or Professional Qualification

The Immigration Institute of Florida is an independent educational institution and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the United States Department of Justice, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Department of Homeland Security, or any governmental licensing or accrediting authority.

Completion of any educational program offered by the Institute does not:

  • Confer DOJ accreditation;
  • Qualify a participant to become a DOJ Accredited Representative;
  • Grant authority to represent individuals before the Executive Office for Immigration Review or the Department of Homeland Security;
  • Authorize a participant to practice law;
  • Create any professional license or governmental authorization;
  • Confer certification recognized by any governmental agency; or
  • Expand the legal scope of services a participant may provide under applicable law.

Any authority to represent another person before a governmental agency must arise solely from the participant’s independent legal qualifications, licensure, accreditation, or other authorization granted pursuant to applicable law, and not from participation in any educational program offered by the Institute.

Certificates of attendance or completion issued by the Institute are evidence only that the participant attended or completed an educational program. They do not constitute evidence of professional competency, governmental authorization, legal qualification, accreditation, or licensure, nor should they be represented as such by any participant.

  1. Independent Professional Judgment and Compliance with Applicable Law

Each participant is solely responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, licensing requirements, ethical rules, and restrictions governing the services they provide.

Participation in any educational program offered by the Institute does not relieve participants of their independent obligation to determine whether any professional activity is lawful within the jurisdiction where they operate.

The Institute does not supervise, direct, approve, or monitor the professional activities of its participants after completion of any course. Accordingly, each participant assumes full responsibility for ensuring that his or her conduct complies with all applicable laws and professional standards.

Nothing contained in the Institute’s educational programs shall be interpreted as modifying, expanding, or defining the lawful scope of practice applicable to any participant.

Participants should exercise independent professional judgment and obtain qualified legal counsel whenever questions arise regarding the legality or propriety of any professional activity.

  1. Changes in Immigration Law

United States immigration law is complex and subject to frequent changes through federal statutes, regulations, executive actions, agency guidance, policy manuals, administrative decisions, and judicial opinions.

The Institute makes reasonable efforts to provide accurate educational information based on the law and publicly available guidance existing at the time the educational materials are prepared. However, immigration laws and government policies may change at any time without prior notice.

Accordingly, participants should independently verify all legal authorities, filing requirements, government forms, agency procedures, filing fees, deadlines, and legal developments using official government sources before relying upon any educational material provided by the Institute.

The Institute assumes no responsibility for any consequences resulting from legislative, regulatory, administrative, or judicial changes occurring after educational materials have been published or presented.

  1. No Warranties or Guarantees

The Institute makes no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, suitability, availability, or continued validity of any educational content provided through its courses, publications, presentations, videos, or other materials.

The Institute does not guarantee:

  • The accuracy or completeness of any legal information;
  • The continued validity of any legal authority discussed during a course;
  • The outcome of any immigration matter;
  • Approval of any immigration application or petition;
  • Success in any administrative or judicial proceeding;
  • Employment opportunities;
  • Professional advancement; or
  • Eligibility for any governmental benefit or professional authorization.

Educational materials are provided “as is” solely for informational purposes, and participants assume full responsibility for evaluating and verifying all information before acting upon it.

  1. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Immigration Institute of Florida, together with its owners, officers, directors, instructors, attorneys, guest speakers, employees, volunteers, affiliates, independent contractors, and collaborators, shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages arising out of or relating to:

  • participation in any educational program;
  • reliance upon educational materials or information provided by the Institute;
  • decisions made by participants based upon educational content;
  • errors or omissions contained in educational materials;
  • changes in applicable law;
  • professional services independently provided by participants; or
  • the acts or omissions of any participant following completion of an educational program.

Participants acknowledge that they are solely responsible for any professional decisions or actions taken after participating in the Institute’s educational activities.

  1. Hold Harmless and Indemnification

As a condition of participation in certain educational programs, participants may be required to execute a separate Hold Harmless and Indemnification Agreement.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, participants agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Immigration Institute of Florida, together with its owners, officers, directors, instructors, attorneys, employees, affiliates, volunteers, independent contractors, and collaborators, from and against any claims, demands, causes of action, liabilities, damages, judgments, penalties, investigations, administrative proceedings, costs, or expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to:

  • The participant’s professional activities;
  • Services independently provided by the participant;
  • Alleged unauthorized practice of law;
  • Violations of applicable federal or state law;
  • Misrepresentations made by the participant regarding his or her qualifications or authority;
  • Misuse of educational materials provided by the institute; or
  • Any act or omission of the participant occurring before, during, or after participation in the institute’s educational programs.

Nothing contained in this provision shall be construed as creating any employment relationship, agency relationship, partnership, joint venture, supervisory relationship, or other legal relationship between the Institute and any participant.

  1. Certificates of Attendance

The Immigration Institute of Florida may issue a Certificate of Attendance or Certificate of Completion to participants who satisfy the attendance or participation requirements established for a particular educational program.

Such certificates are provided solely as evidence of attendance or successful completion of an educational activity and do not constitute:

  • An academic degree;
  • A professional certification;
  • A governmental credential;
  • A professional license;
  • Legal authorization to practice law;
  • Authorization to provide legal services;
  • Authorization to prepare immigration cases beyond that permitted by applicable law;
  • Authorization to represent individuals before any governmental agency or court; or
  • Evidence of professional competency or legal qualification.

Certificates issued by the Institute shall not be interpreted, advertised, or represented by any participant as proof of licensure, accreditation, governmental recognition, DOJ accreditation, or any other professional authorization.

Certificates are generally issued only once. Replacement certificates may be requested upon payment of the applicable administrative fee established by the Institute.

The Institute does not issue IRS Form 1098-T and is not classified as an eligible educational institution for federal income tax reporting purposes. Participants should consult their own tax advisor regarding any tax-related questions.

  1. No Academic Accreditation or Professional Licensure

The Immigration Institute of Florida is a private educational institution that provides continuing education and informational training programs.

Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing with respect to a specific program offered in collaboration with another institution, the Institute is not a college or university accredited by the United States Department of Education and does not confer academic degrees.

Participation in any educational program does not result in:

  • An associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree;
  • Academic credit transferable to another educational institution;
  • Professional licensure;
  • Governmental certification;
  • Legal accreditation;
  • Qualification as a paralegal;
  • Qualification as an immigration consultant where licensure is required;
  • Qualification as a doj accredited representative; or
  • Authorization to perform any activity regulated by federal or state law.

The Institute does not maintain academic transcripts or transferable academic credits unless specifically required under a separate written educational partnership.

  1. Letters of Recommendation

The Immigration Institute of Florida may, at its sole discretion, issue letters confirming a participant’s enrollment, attendance, participation, or successful completion of an educational program.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, such letters are administrative in nature and are intended solely to verify participation in the Institute’s educational activities.

The Institute does not issue letters that:

  • Certify professional competency;
  • Evaluate a participant’s legal knowledge or ability to practice law;
  • Recommend a participant for legal employment;
  • Certify eligibility for immigration-related employment;
  • Certify qualification as a paralegal, immigration consultant, legal assistant, or other regulated profession;
  • Recommend a participant for admission to governmental agencies, licensing authorities, or courts; or
  • Imply that the participant has been authorized to provide legal services.

Nothing contained in any letter issued by the Institute shall be interpreted as creating any governmental, academic, or professional credential.

  1. Confidentiality of Instructors and Collaborators

The Immigration Institute of Florida maintains personal, administrative, and contact information relating to its instructors, attorneys, guest speakers, tutors, employees, volunteers, and collaborators solely for internal operational purposes.

To protect the privacy and security of its personnel, the Institute will not disclose personal addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, identification documents, or other confidential personal information except:

  • When authorized in writing by the individual concerned;
  • When required by applicable law;
  • Pursuant to a valid court order;
  • In response to a lawful subpoena or governmental request; or
  • As otherwise required by legal process.

Participants agree to respect the privacy of instructors and collaborators and shall not represent that they are professionally affiliated with, supervised by, employed by, or authorized to act on behalf of any instructor or collaborator unless such relationship has been independently established in writing.

  1. Private Agreements Between Students and Instructors

The Immigration Institute of Florida serves exclusively as an educational institution.

From time to time, participants and instructors may independently establish professional, educational, consulting, or other business relationships outside the scope of the Institute’s educational programs.

Any such relationship shall constitute a private agreement solely between the parties involved.

The Institute is not a party to, and assumes no responsibility for:

  • Negotiating such agreements;
  • Supervising the services provided;
  • Monitoring the quality of services;
  • Collecting payments;
  • Resolving disputes;
  • Enforcing contractual obligations; or
  • Reviewing the legality of services provided under such private arrangements.

The Institute does not receive compensation, commissions, referral fees, or financial benefits arising from independent agreements between participants and instructors unless expressly disclosed in writing.

Accordingly, any dispute, claim, complaint, loss, or liability arising from a private agreement between a participant and an instructor shall be resolved exclusively between those parties, and the Institute shall have no responsibility or liability in connection therewith.

  1. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By registering for, accessing, attending, or participating in any educational program offered by the Immigration Institute of Florida, each participant acknowledges that he or she has read, understood, and agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in this Legal Disclaimer and Terms of Participation.

Participants further acknowledge that the Institute provides educational information only, does not provide legal representation, and does not authorize participants to engage in the practice of law or to perform services beyond those permitted by applicable federal and state law.

If a participant does not agree with these terms, the participant should refrain from enrolling in or participating in the Institute’s educational programs.