An immigrant was told he could visit home. He was arrested at the airport

Ricardo Velazquez was caught in a scam that also ensnared more than 100 others after his immigration attorney lied to him

More than two decades ago, Ricardo Velazquez immigrated to the US from Puebla, Mexico, since then, he has spent most of the time since working in kitchens while dreaming of gaining a visa that would let him visit his home town with his family.

Early this year, his former immigration attorney, Kofi Amankwaa, gave him the news he had long been waiting for: his travel application had been approved. The lawyer claimed Velazquez could freely visit Mexico with his family, embrace his parents and see his children interact with their grandparents in person rather than through a screen.