UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jose VELEZ, Defendant-Appellant

LAY, Circuit Judge:

Jose Velez operated a private immigration consulting service in Las Vegas, Nevada which assisted aliens in preparing and filing legalization applications with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”). Velez was also the director of the Nevada chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (“LULAC”). LULAC was considered a Qualified Designated Entity (QDE) by the INS, which means that it was given statutory authority by the Attorney General to assist aliens in preparing legalization applications. Beginning in March 1988, Velez was paid to file false…