LOS ANGELES — As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, anxiety is rising for immigrants like Omar Sosa, who fear potential changes to U.S. immigration policy. Sosa, a Nicaraguan asylum seeker, has lived in the United States for a year but still hasn’t received his work permit — a key step toward fulfilling his dream of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Sosa is uncertain if the new administration will allow him to obtain his work permit. His concerns are valid. Immigration policies may soon change, and for many immigrants, time is running out to secure legal status. Recently, Sosa sought help from a notary to complete his immigration forms. But he soon realized he was on the brink of becoming a victim of fraud.

“She wanted me to pay her before she did anything,” Sosa said.

The experience highlights a common pitfall for immigrants. In Latin America, a notario público is a trained legal professional, but in the U.S., notaries can only certify documents — not offer legal advice. Immigration attorney Meridith Brown explained the confusion.

“In Latin America, a notary is a lawyer, and so that is very confusing for the immigrant population,” Brown said. “If somebody promises quick, guaranteed results, run — because there’s a lot of fraud out there that feeds off panic.”

Organizations like Proyecto Pastoral and the Guadalupe Homeless Center are stepping up to protect immigrants through education. Project manager Veronica Armenta stressed the importance of community workshops and legal training.

“We are going to have training sessions with different organizations and ‘Know Your Rights’ workshops,” Armenta said. “It breaks my heart when you hear those types of stories.”

While Sosa remains uncertain about his next steps, he hopes to fix his status before it’s too late. Like thousands of others, his future may depend on understanding his rights — and avoiding those who prey on his fears.