Location: Arizona
EB1A coaching company in question publicly promise unrealistic outcomes like “obtaining an EB-1A green card in 7 days” and “landing a job in 6 months” with no sponsor or big investment. But buried deep in the site disclaimers, they admit the program is educational only, not legal advice, and that the founder is not an attorney which seems like a bait-and-switch tactic.
Their contracts reportedly have non-disparagement clauses preventing clients from posting truthful negative reviews, violating the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA), which protects consumer feedback. Worse, they demand non-refundable fees upfront, often before showing the full contract, with alarming language like “Agree to pay under perjury of law.”
The contracts also claim to be negotiated agreements, yet appear to be standard form contracts imposed without real negotiation, raising more red flags for consumer law.
Given these points:
· Are these marketing promises and contract terms likely illegal under FTC rules (e.g., 16 CFR Part 238) or CRFA?
· What remedies or actions should consumers pursue? Is reporting to the FTC or a state attorney general effective?
Thanks in advance for any legal insight or practical advice!
Disclaimer: This post is based on public information and personal research, not definitive legal conclusions.