A bill to protect Spanish-speaking immigrants from unknowingly hiring non-attorneys to represent them in immigration matters has passed the state Senate.
Senators voted 26-8 to approve the bill.
It requires "notarios," or notary publics, to advertise that they are not authorized to practice immigration law — unless they actually are.
Violators could face civil fines.
Notarios are attorneys in many Latin American countries. But Colorado attorneys say some take advantage of Spanish-speaking immigrants by claiming to be able to represent them in U.S. legal matters, especially immigration cases.
The House already passed the bill, which now goes to the governor's desk.
