A Laredo woman was arrested after authorities say she collected thousands of dollars for an immigration application that was never filed.
Francisca Judith Rodriguez-Guajardo, 47, was booked into Webb County Jail on March 1 on a charge of theft between $2,500 and $30,000, a state jail felony. She was released on March 3 on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond, according to jail records.
The case began on Sept. 14, 2025, when a woman reported paying Rodriguez-Guajardo to file her husband’s immigration application. Police said Rodriguez-Guajardo offered immigration services for a fee at the Guadalupe Flea Market.
According to investigators, Rodriguez-Guajardo collected $4,565 from the couple, who used a “tanda” in April 2024 to save money for the application. However, the complainant never received confirmation from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that the application had been filed.
After contacting the agency and finding no record of a case under her husband’s name, the complainant requested a refund. Authorities said Rodriguez-Guajardo gave conflicting statements and did not return the money.
Investigators presented the findings to an assistant district attorney, who approved the issuance of an arrest warrant for Rodriguez-Guajardo.
Police are urging the public to remain cautious of individuals offering immigration services outside official channels, especially when advance payments are requested.
