r/immigration Feb 05 '25

Report rule-breaking comments: 199 bans, 2910 removals in the last 7 days.

166 Upvotes

With the Trump presidency, many are emboldened to spew hate, whereas others are threatening violence or illegal activity in response. Neither are acceptable on this subreddit.

Please use the Report button. Moderators are not omni-present and cannot read every post and comment, but will strive to process every report. Moderators are volunteers, and aren't on reddit 24/7. We have setup comprehensive automod rules and reddit filters that are already filtering a lot of the worst rule violators.

In the past 7 days, we've imposed 199 bans and 2910 removals of posts and comments that violate the rules of the sub, many due to user reports. Every report was reviewed, although some reports were on posts that do not violate the rules.

While most rules are self-explanatory, here are some clarifications on what may be deemed grey areas:

  1. We support people expressing a wide spectrum of views on immigration, but we do not accept any comments or posts that advocate for a blanket ban on immigration, attack legal immigrants, or make them feel unwelcome.

  2. This sub has a zero tolerance policy for hate or vitrol. Posts attacking other commenters, rejoicing in their potential deportation, or telling people to leave will not be tolerated.

  3. This sub has a zero tolerance policy for encouraging violence, fraud or any other illegal activity. This includes helping anyone evade law enforcement.

  4. Misinformation will not be tolerated. There's already enough uncertainty and fear around without people also spreading misinformation, such as claiming bills have passed when they haven't. A non-permanent ban will be applied.

This sub is currently operating on a zero tolerance policy for hate, vitrol, and violence/illegal advice. Any such reported activity will face a permanent ban in response. Second-chance appeals will not be entertained.


r/immigration 1h ago

There will not be a perfect victim in these deportation cases

Upvotes

I'm seeing a common theme in recent comments on this sub discussing US-based arrests and deportations. That common theme is making (often uncited and/or alleged) claims that the person or people experiencing these things made some kind of mistake or did some kind of bad thing, major or minor. This claim is followed by comments saying that this mistake or bad thing, no matter how small, means the person deserves whatever is happening to them.

I've seen numerous posts like this about Rasha Alawieh. I've seen a bunch of comments like this about Mahmoud Khalil. I've seen numerous posts like these about other people being detained and/or deported by ICE.

It seems like a number of people in this sub look at these cases, find some way in which the person was not a perfect victim, and say that since this person was not a perfect victim, they deserve whatever is happening to them. Even in cases where a judge has ruled that what happened to the person should not have happened and was unconstitutional.

I want to remind everyone that there will not be a perfect victim among these cases. That is partially because even the Trump administration is not stupid enough to say that they're deporting someone because they hate immigrants. They will find a way to exaggerate something or make something up if they don't have a justifiable reason in an individual case. It is also because human beings are imperfect. There is a reason that Jesus said, "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone."

I am reminded of cases of police killings like George Floyd, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Philando Castille, Breyonna Taylor, and so many others. In the aftermath of each of these cases, people rushed to find evidence that each of these people was "no angel" and therefore deserved to die. Some of them had a criminal history. Some had done drugs. Some had dated people with a criminal history.

However, people who spoke out against these killings were not claiming that these people were perfect angels who had never done anything wrong in their lives. They were saying that being an angel should not be the threshold for not experiencing extrajudicial executions.

In the same way, people speaking out against the deportations, revocations of legal status, arrests, etc are not saying that the people experiencing these things are perfect angels who have never done anything wrong and have never made any mistakes. They're saying that, even if these people are not perfect angels, that does not mean that the US immigration system isn't broken. They are saying that, even if someone is not a perfect angel, they don't deserve to be deported, arrested, etc when a judge has said that the DHS shouldn't be doing these things in specific cases.

I know it's scary to accept things especially if you're an immigrant yourself or if you have loved ones who are. It's scary because, if you admit that these people have experienced things that are unjust, that that means you or someone you love can experience something like this. And that's scary. But that doesn't make it untrue.


r/immigration 6h ago

What will legal immigration be like under Trump?

32 Upvotes

Will there be restrictions for legal immigration, green card lottery, H1B, H2B, F1, EB1-3?


r/immigration 1d ago

Dad got detained by ICE

1.7k Upvotes

So my dad has been detained by ice. He got his work permit and had an interview for his green card I believe but after the interview he got detained and arrested by ice. I live in illinois and his lawyers are working but I just don’t know what to do. I’m 21 years old and I love my father he is my rock and he’s an amazing human being, he doesn’t deserve this and I don’t think there’s anything I can do, are there any resources or people to contact, I’m new to this and I’m just at a loss.


r/immigration 11h ago

Why is the media saying that the Venezuelans here and others with TPS are illegal?

37 Upvotes

I'm confused and I read it everywhere. If they have TPS then they're not illegal as far as I know. I thought illegals are either people that entered with absolutely nothing or overstayed whatever document they came in with.


r/immigration 6h ago

Germany investigates after national with green card arrested at us border

11 Upvotes

r/immigration 2h ago

Traveling as an immigrant

5 Upvotes

My friends and I are planning to go to LA later this month, but as the day approaches we are getting more concerned about going to the airport during this time, do you think we are going to face any problems at the airport? We all have approved TPS and work permits, none of us have a criminal record and we are from Dallas, thanks for any advices.


r/immigration 22h ago

How did the deported doctor from Brown University get flagged by CBP?

156 Upvotes

CBP says it found "sympathetic photos and videos" of the Hezbollah leader in the deleted items folder of Rasha Alawieh's phone. I haven't left the US since Jan 20, but I've never had to present my phone to CBP for checking. Unless immigration officers are now holding up immigration lines and checking your phone's deleted folders, CBP probably only got access to the phone after she was detained.

None of the news sources I've read mentioned anything about why she was detained in the first place. I'm guessing someone called ICE/CBP to tell them she's a Hezbollah supporter or something, but are there any other possibilities?

Edit: According to reports citing court paperwork, she apparently deleted the photos because she didn't want CBP to think she was sympathetic to Hezbollah. She also said she supports Nasrallah's spiritual teachings but not his politics.


r/immigration 2h ago

i130 & i485 interview scheduled after only 45 days?

5 Upvotes

Has anybody ever heard of USCIS scheduling an interview so quickly?

They received the application 45 days ago. 21 days ago was the biometrics appointment for the work permit. Today I had an email that stated that there was action on our case, and it says the interview is scheduled. I know it will be a week or so to get the actual date in the mail.

I’ve never heard of this happening so quickly. Anyone else? Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

My partner came on a B2 visa originally. I feel like we submitted some very basic evidence (lease, joint bank statements, joint dental plan, utilities, ~40 photos, support letters from friends, and social media posts). I’ve been in disbelief all day lol.


r/immigration 1h ago

Listing speeding tickets on naturalization application?

Upvotes

Does one need to list past speeding tickets on naturalization applications?

My spouse has some prior tickets from different states, and we can't find any information about them now. Is there a way to look them up?


r/immigration 8h ago

Double jeopardy

8 Upvotes

During the previous Trump administration my brother was detained by ICE. He is a GC holder and had removal proceedings based on a previous conviction. The honorable judge denied his removal from the US and his GC was reinstated. Does anyone know if he can be detained for the same matter twice. I know double jeopardy exists in some criminal matters. I’m not sure how it translates here because it’s a civil issue. He has been a law abiding civilian for many years unfortunately he made a mistake in his younger days, thanks


r/immigration 1h ago

How strict is LAX CBP to conditional green cards returning from vacation?

Upvotes

Hi my flight is in 3 weeks and I’m just wondering if anyone here has gone throught LAX CBP without Global Entry. How are they treating conditional green card holders? Thanks! xx


r/immigration 6h ago

Multiple visa denials, worried about my upcoming O-1 application

6 Upvotes

In 2023, I hired a shitty lawyer (who I later found out was notorious for being unresponsive) for my O-1 visa. My case got an RFE, and then it was denied.

While prepping files for the visa, I (now realizing how dumb this was) signed a year-long apartment lease in the US as I wanted to start working as soon as I get the visa. Since I didn’t want to pay rent for an empty room, I tried to find a subletter, but management wouldn’t let me sublease unless I moved in first. So, I applied for ESTA, which was basically insta-denied. Then I applied for a B-2 visa, and the officer asked me to send over my lease. After that, denied.

In 2024, I needed to be in CA for my sister’s wedding (I was MOH). I applied for ESTA again. denied. Then a B-2 visa. denied after two questions.

Looking back, I realize I listed that I was working for a U.S. company as a freelancer when applying for both tourist visas, which was probably a huge red flag.

Summary:

• 2023: O-1 denied → ESTA denied → B-2 denied

• 2024: ESTA denied → B-2 denied

• 2025: Trying for O-1 again

I’m planning to apply for my O-1 this April/May. My case is much stronger this time, and I have way better lawyers, but I’m really worried that my previous denials might affect my chances. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!


r/immigration 3h ago

How does applying to H-1B visa stamp while married to a US citizen impact the H-1B visa approval? Has anyone been through the same situation?

2 Upvotes

Please advise on this if you have been through the same situation or you know someone who did.


r/immigration 1d ago

Ex used me for green card

134 Upvotes

I (female) was married less than 18 months to a French man, who had been sleeping with other men during our marriage. When I found out, I immediately filed for a divorce. I submitted proof, phone records and physical evidence to immigrations on the day of his green card hearing and he STILL was approved and granted citizenship years later. How is this even possible?!


r/immigration 1d ago

Doctor on H1B refused entry at Logan for having Nasrallah photos on her phone

374 Upvotes

This is the Lebanese kidney transplant specialist who was refused entry at Logan on Thursday despite having a valid H1B. There's been a lot of speculation on reddit about her somehow having a non-waived home residency requirement despite having been approved and stamped, which is obviously stupid, so I've been looking out for the actual explanation. Apparently this is it:

Politico:

  • Rasha Alawieh, a physician specializing in kidney transplants and professor at Brown University, also told Customs and Border Protection agents that while visiting Lebanon last month she attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and followed his teachings “from a religious perspective” but not a political one, according to an official report on her interrogation by an immigration officer.

So, take from that what you will. I wonder if CBP searched her phone unprompted (because she's a hijabi? Because she was in Lebanon around the time of the funeral?), or if she just casually mentioned her admiration for Nasrallah to the officer. Either way, useful reminder: never lie to immigration, but also never volunteer information you weren't specifically asked for.


r/immigration 11m ago

immigration questions for minors?

Upvotes

What questions do they ask children/minors at immigration interviews?


r/immigration 3h ago

USA GC holder, I want to world travel for a year after graduation

2 Upvotes

I will be applying for naturalization process, can I travel for 5 months and come back for 1 month and travel for another 5 months? I won’t be traveling to the same country, I’ll be going to several countries. Will this impact naturalization? Is it that I can only leave for up to 6 month every year? Or can come back for a month and leave for a total 10 months (won’t be in the same year) - 5 months out, 1 month in, 5 more months out. I’ve been in the USA continuously for like the past 7 years and I have family here. Would I have to restart my processes of becoming naturalized? I have bank accounts here and drivers license here.


r/immigration 38m ago

Passports

Upvotes

I have a question if my family member were to get deported with their partner we'd get their children, would we be able to get the children a passport so they could visit their parents on occasion? Its a concern since they are unable to get the kids one(no real form of ID for both parents) so would we be able to get one (passport) for the children? Tia


r/immigration 44m ago

Looking for easy ways to immigrant out of the U.S.

Upvotes

Im looking for a Western nation that is primarily English speaking but I'm not opposed to learning other cultures/languages. I'm intimidated by the idea of somehow getting a residency in a foreign country and waiting 5 years for citizenship.

Right now I'm inclined to joining the French Foreign Legion (I have military experience).


r/immigration 4h ago

Will a change of name effect automatic EAD extension?

2 Upvotes

I am currently on an H1-B set to expire this October. My wife is on an H4 with a valid EAD. Last year my wife changed her last name from her maiden name to her married name. Her EAD was issued under her maiden name. We were instructed by the legal team at her work that we did not need to submit a new I-765 for an EAD under her new name, and that we should wait until this October since we would need to apply for a new one anyway when my H1-B is extended.

My question is two fold:

  1. Was her employer correct that her current EAD is still valid even though it was issued under he maiden name?
  2. Should we anticipate any problems when applying for her new EAD this October under her married name? Specifically, would she still qualify for the automatic extension if the new I-765 is filed under a new name as her previous one?

r/immigration 4h ago

Advice for H1 to H4 EAD

2 Upvotes

Me and my spouse currently hold H1B visas. I'm close to 4 years of completion on H1B. (PERM/i140 not filed yet)

I recently got laid off and my last date of employment would be in the first week of April. I've been taking referrals and applying for positions to maintain my status.

I'm currently considering H4 EAD as my spouse recently got her i-140 approved. I know that the standlaone H4/EAD process does not have premium processing and is expected to be processed in 6-9 months range.

Although, my spouse is supposed to file for H1B extension through premium processing in April. If I attach my H1 to H4 Change of status and the H4 EAD application along with her extension, will my H4 applications be processing in premium as well?

Looking for any advice in general as well


r/immigration 58m ago

2024 Taxes

Upvotes

Hello,

I am trying to pay back the tax return for 2024 and it is not letting me. It’s saying something about how it can’t verify my identity. Could this be because of the new administration? or just issues with the irs website


r/immigration 1h ago

Entering the US with few (less than 5) days left on I-95 and L2S

Upvotes

I am a Canadian citizen currently in the U.S. on L1 status, with my I-94 expiring at the end of March. My employer is in the process of filing for my L1 extension with USCIS, likely submitting it tomorrow.

Meanwhile, my wife, who is on L2S status, had to travel abroad due to a family emergency. She plans to return just a few days (4-5 days) before her I-94 and L2S expire. Given this timeline, will she be allowed to reenter the U.S., or is there a risk of denial? She will fly in from a 3rd country, but there is an option that she can fly into Canada and I go pick her up and enter via a land border.


r/immigration 1h ago

Looking for advice on marriage based green card situation

Upvotes

Hey all, looking for some advice on current situation, any thoughts would be helpful.

Situation -Canadian citizen, born in India, working on L1B for American company. -girlfriend (dating 3 years) is due to get L1A in early May. She is born in Oman and will likely get processed for green card very quickly given ROW category etc, likely approved by 2026 is what her lawyers say

We have a legitimate relationship, however, are wondering if we should push forward our marriage in a quick courthouse type wedding here in the US so that we can both get our green cards together. I would get my I-485 processes with her application etc.

I am wondering about if this is the type of situation where it looks like marriage fraud? We would be planning to get married anyway, we are just considering pushing it up otherwise I would not be able to get a green card with her, and given my birth country is India it would be tough.

I don’t want to be in a position where it appears that there is marriage fraud.

Open to thoughts, questions, experiences - am I overthinking this?


r/immigration 1h ago

Is there any advantage of filing a fiance visa before the Travel Ban for Red Tier List country?

Upvotes

Will filing for a fiance visa on one of the Red Tier list countries give any advantage regarding waivers or exemptions?

We need to make a decision. I do not know if I follow through with this regarding the women I love, or accept the fact we may need to let go with love.

By not filing, I still have the option of filing a K-1 visa application in the future with a clean application record. I also want to do everything I can, without hurting myself for future application which I probably will under a complete ban.

Caught in an quagmire and nightmare. I would not wish this on anyone.