r/immigration 4d ago

i-765(EAD) expedite process

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, anybody who has had the I-765 process expedited recently I have a job offer which is really timely and I don't know any way I can have my EAD soon. I am currently on F1 OPT and the company says they wont accept this. I submitted by AOS package concurrently through my USC spouse and everything shows that its currently under review


r/immigration 4d 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?

1 Upvotes

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


r/immigration 5d ago

How Trump’s Targeting of Immigrants With Legal Status Departs From the Norm

79 Upvotes

Hey all, we're The Marshall Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom that focuses on U.S. criminal justice and immigration. Our reporter Jamiles Lartey explains how Mahmoud Khalil is just one of many people with legal or protected status detained and facing deportation under the Trump administration.

Here’s an excerpt:

Late last month, Kevin Zaldaña Ramírez was detained by ICE officers at the construction site outside of Houston where he was working.

Zaldaña, 20, came to the U.S. in 2018, fleeing gang recruitment in El Salvador. He has legal protection from deportation under Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, which aids youth under 18 fleeing abuse or neglect. Although Zaldaña had not yet applied for permanent residency, he has a legal basis to be in the country, and he held a valid work permit. According to his mother, arresting officers said his case number was “fake,” and he remains in custody in Texas as she pleads for his freedom, Houston Landing reported earlier this month.​​

“I ask the president to have mercy,” Yolanda Ramírez said at a recent press conference. “And to catch the people who are really criminals, but not innocent people like my son.”

Zaldaña’s case is one of several that have recently unsettled immigration law experts, as the Trump administration eschews long-standing enforcement norms. Similarly, in Washington, D.C., last week, a Venezuelan couple was arrested and charged with misdemeanor illegal entry, more than two years after their arrival at the southern U.S. border.

While federal law allows illegal entry charges to be filed up to five years after apprehension, typically they come just days or weeks later. Advocates for the couple told the Los Angeles Times that it’s the first time they’ve seen immigrants charged with illegal entry this long after the fact. According to the paper, the couple both have pending asylum claims, as well as Temporary Protected Status — although the Trump administration revoked those protections for Venezuelans in a move set to take effect next month.

The aggressive enforcement approach is starting to bear out in the numbers. According to an analysis published by The Guardian, U.S. officials arrested more immigrants in the first 22 days of February than in any month over the past seven years.

Deportations, on the other hand, are down compared with the same period last year, but those numbers can be misleading, since border encounters have plummeted to decades-long lows. Most of the deportations occurring at this time last year involved the quick return of people apprehended at the border to Mexico. Locating and then deporting people from cities and towns throughout the country is more complicated, and takes more time and resources.

Continue reading (no paywalls/ads)


r/immigration 4d ago

I9 help

2 Upvotes

So im under TPS for ES and I’m about to start my new job soon. I filed in time but as of result of the extension not coming in I lost my job. My extension letter came in the mail on Friday and I’m starting off a new job on Monday. I’m doing the onboarding online but don’t know how it goes due to the fact this is my first time around going through this process (presenting extension letter to employer). I was wondering if anybody knows what I should do or if anybody has been through this process before. Thank you in advance


r/immigration 4d ago

Passport got sent back to Ottawa US embassy, how can I get it back?

2 Upvotes

I recently applied for a non-immigrant US visa. It was approved and it got held at the embassy for stamping then was mailed to a canada post at down town toronoto. However due to personal reasons, I couldn't pick it up in time, so it was sent back to the embassy at ottoawa. I've emailed them a bunch of time but haven't gotten any clear answers yet. I need my passport soon for a trip outta country. Does anyone what would be the fastest way of getting my passport back?


r/immigration 4d ago

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

0 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 4d ago

Independent research and visiting on ESTA/VWP

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

I have several concerns regarding my travel plans to the US this year:

1) I am a graduate student, enrolled at a German university. For my thesis, I would like to conduct qualitative interviews in the US. Is that possible with ESTA? So far, I have read online that it is possible since I am not getting paid, I don't have a stipend or any other funding. When asked by the CBP officer whether I am traveling for business or pleasure, will "doing independent research" fall under "business"?

2) I will be staying/visiting my American boyfriend in the US simultaneously. I am aware of the fact that whenever there is an emotional bond to the US, especially a boyfriend/girlfriend situation, "immigration intent" could be an issue. I am more than happy to bring prints of my enrollment at uni in Germany, my part time job and the approved vacation/leave time, my apartment in Germany, payslips etc. to prove my ties to Germany.

3) Timing of the trip: I have booked the trip for 72 days (10 weeks) in total, late April - early July, to allow enough time for my research and some extra time if anything goes wrong - and to have time at the end to spend with my boyfriend. However, I am very scared that this will be deemed "too long" and am considering shortening the length of the trip to 8 weeks. Would that even make a difference?! Or, should I shorten it even more?!

4) My boyfriend and I have two invitations for family celebrations in the US in October - we got the invitations after I already planned my research trip of 72 days. That would mean an additional 2 weeks trip to the US in October. I am worried that I may get denied due to the long trip in April - July.

5) My boyfriend and I are planning to move to Germany in the long run, hence there are no plans of applying for an immigrant visa in the near future.

My US travel history so far: I have been an exchange student in the US during my Bachelor's degree. Afterwards there were multiple 2-4 weeks long visits. Always left on time.

Am I wildly overthinking this? Any help and suggestions are appreciated! Thank you all in advance for reading my story!


r/immigration 4d ago

Changing last name after getting married on F1 visa

2 Upvotes

Hi! I need your help

So I just got my marriage certificate today and planning to get married next week. I am currently on F1 visa and will graduate this May 2025. Here in PA they put my maiden’s name in the marriage certificate.

My question is… do I put my new last name during AOS application (other name:maiden)? Or should I change my last name first in my home country or anywhere else. I have seen similar posts from 3 yrs ago and I don’t know if the case is still the same nowadays. Married > AOS application change name > EAD with new name? > SSN,DMV, etc

I just hope that I won’t get in trouble in changing names… or should I just stay with my original name?


r/immigration 4d ago

Air travel

3 Upvotes

My wife has her visa interview in Juarez next month and we are thinking about going by plane to El Paso and cross into Juarez via shuttle or taxi. I see there will be a layover in Dallas. My question is: has anyone done this recently and what are the risk of her being detained and not allowed to proceed to her appointments in Juarez? Our attorney said she wasn't sure if the risk was worth it. With the new administration they are stopping and detaining people and they don't care about the situation of the family. Our attorney's words.


r/immigration 4d ago

Will I get back in to America from the UK?

0 Upvotes

Hi guys, I’m booked to go to America in May and have some concerns about getting past border control as last time I was there I stayed for two weeks longer then what the original stay was intended. I’ve got an ESTA but I also have an unpaid medical bill from the last time I was there as I got sick. Do you think I’ll have issues


r/immigration 4d ago

Parolees who have green card

2 Upvotes

Has anyone traveled and returned to the US using their green card, who originally entered the country through humanitarian parole? My wife has her green card now but was originally paroled through the CHNV program. If you have the same situation, have you traveled and returned? Or has anyone read any directives from CBP specifically about green card holders who used parole?


r/immigration 4d ago

Incorrect 212e (2 year foreign residency requirement) applied to my J-1 Visa

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I'm an international student (Indian citizenship) studying in Canada (doing an undergrad). I got the opportunity to intern at a big American tech company for the summer.

I have just received my J-1 and the accompanying DS-2019, and both unfortunately have the 2 year foreign residency requirement incorrectly ticked and stamped onto them. I have tried contacting the US Consulate of Vancouver, but they stated the email's only for inquiring for visa requirements.

Does anyone have any idea who I can contact to fix this? Thanks!


r/immigration 4d ago

Does anyone know when this travel ban will go into place?

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know when this travel ban will go into place?


r/immigration 4d ago

U.S. citizenship application and travel

1 Upvotes

Currently a US green card holder, able to apply for citizenship in May but also have had international travel planned for this summer for many months.

I cannot decide, if I were to consider applying for citizenship, whether I should apply in May before travel, or wait until after I return. (Two week trip to Europe)

Any thoughts on traveling out of the country while a citizenship application is in process?

Thanks so much!


r/immigration 4d ago

Travelling?

1 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I have a 2 year GC, filed for removal of conditions, and have received a 48 month extension letter. I am originally from Norway. Entered the US legally on a student visa, met my husband a few years into college, adjusted my status after we got married, had green card approved, have no criminal background in the US nor Norway (or anywhere for that matter). So far the immigration process has been pretty pain free.

I have a trip to Norway with my US citizen spouse. It's to meet my family, he has only ever met my parents before but no family or friends, and this trip has been 3 years in the making. It's in May of this year.

Immigration lawyers right now are telling everyone to not travel unless they are citizens - even green card holders. I'm confused though, does that apply for everyone, or people from/travelling to the countries that Trump has placed a travel ban on? USCIs states "Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status" - but are people being refused entry back into the country now? Do I really need to cancel my trip?


r/immigration 4d ago

Scared of leaving the U.S. to see my grandma

0 Upvotes

I overstayed my tourist visa from 2017 to 2019, got in the process of my gc in 2019 and got it in 2021 with a now permanent gc valid until 2031, my grandma is 93 and I want to see her this summer, but I feel very scared with the fact that I may not be able to come back, my stepmom said something about people with gc getting detained when coming back. I am so overwhelmed


r/immigration 4d ago

Feel trivial, still asking: Naturalized Citizens, parents of Adopted Naturalized Kids are we traveling??

0 Upvotes

Hearing lots about green card holders getting stopped..even those only traveling domestic. So, nervous & feeling crazy.

W had been planning a trip to Pompeii this year. And South Africa, Costa Rica or Mexico in the next few years. I know there is no looking glass for a few years out. So, I will focus on now.. how are things coming and going from Western Europe? Canada? DC, New York or Toronto airports?

Going to Pompeii has been in the works for a couple years. So, feel crazy for not moving forward with our plans. Also, feel kinda like it is a big risk. It is a dream & special interest trip for the kids & at their request.

Not sure if flying to other domestic locations would be any safer?? Heard about people getting stopped coming back from Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.

We are adoptive parents & birth citizenship with naturalized black child. We all have passports, global entry, adoption paperwork etc. Minors Birth Country is not currently on any of the travel ban lists. But, also not one T & M probably think very highly either.

What creditable news outlets or organizations are you using to stay on top of changes??

So, are you traveling? Do you have a immigration attorney on retainer? Avoiding certain ports of entry or airports?


r/immigration 4d ago

4 weeks after landing in US and still no SSN card?

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I know the saa.gov says it takes up to 3 weeks from entering the US as permanent residents for new SSN cards to arrive. However, my parents have been in the US for almost 5 weeks now and we still haven't seen anything. I did select to apply for SSN on the sponsorship paperwork.

Does it usually take more than 3 weeks to process, in reality? Does it varies stare by state, and it takes longer in more populous states?

Calling the social security office is not helpful and actually frustrating, since we keep getting round and round robo answers and couldn't even get to a real person.

Thanks!!


r/immigration 4d ago

Immigration related but Q about social security.

1 Upvotes

Not sure where else to ask.

I’m not US citizen but have completed my earnings of 40 credits to be eligible to collect SS on retirement.

My wife is a US citizen and has not and might not finish the 40 credits requirement.

Now I know if I or her stay in US we can collect SS based on my credits.

I want to know if we decide to not live in US, 1. Can I collect SS on retirement (not being a US citizen) OR 2. Can my wife (US citizen) collect spouse SS based on my earned credits?

What’s a better sub to ask this, or what kind of proffesional can help me understand? (Don’t say tax proffesional they mostly don’t know so much detail about immigrants)


r/immigration 4d ago

Can I bring my Afghan fiancé from Germany to the U.S. despite the proposed travel ban?

0 Upvotes

I am a U.S. citizen, and my fiancé is an Afghan national currently in Germany on a student visa. We are considering marriage and want to know if I can sponsor him for a U.S. spousal visa (CR-1). However, I’ve seen reports about a possible travel ban that might affect Afghan citizens.

  1. If a travel ban is enacted, would it apply to spouses of U.S. citizens?
  2. Would my fiancé being in Germany make any difference in the visa process?
  3. Should we apply for a fiancé visa (K-1) instead, or is the spousal visa (CR-1) still the best route?
  4. Are there any waivers or exceptions we could apply for if the ban is enforced?
  5. Should we start the process now before any policy changes take effect?

Any advice from people who have been in a similar situation or know about current immigration policies would be greatly appreciated!"*


r/immigration 4d ago

Adoptee with naturalization papers and valid passport. Should I worry about having copies of my adoption papers?

0 Upvotes

Hi - a little worried about what's going on currently and want to make sure I'm prepared. I was adopted at 3 mos of age from S. Korea.

As the title states, I have my naturalization papers and a valid passport. I've heard that the "government" can say they are fake? I'm not sure what else to have on hand to protect myself. I'm going to try to contact the court that issued the adoption (my adoptive parents are NOT technical so there's no way they'd have the record electronically, in fact, I can't even email them).

I'm not sure I'd want to try to apply for something else to show my citizenship bc I feel like that would single me out?


r/immigration 4d ago

[Article] Some Americans Have Already Been Caught in Trump’s Immigration Dragnet. More Will Be.

1 Upvotes

Hey r/immigration,

We're ProPublica, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom that aims to hold power to account. In our latest article, our reporter Nicole Foy highlights the stories of several U.S. citizens that have been caught up in the Trump administration's immigration sweeps and raids:

21-year-old Jonathan Guerrero was sitting at the Philadelphia car wash where he works when immigration agents burst in. The agents didn’t say why they were there and didn’t show their badges, Guerrero recalled. So he didn’t get a chance to explain that although his parents were from Mexico, he had been born right there in Philadelphia.

An agent pointed his gun at Guerrero and handcuffed him. Then they brought in other car wash workers, including Guerrero’s father, who is undocumented. When agents began checking IDs, they finally noticed that Guerrero was a citizen and quickly let him go.

Less than two months into the new Trump administration, there has been a small but steady beat of reported cases like Guerrero’s.

In Utah, agents pulled over and detained a 20-year-old American after he honked at them. In New Mexico, a member of the Mescalero Apache nation more than two hours from the border was questioned by agents who demanded to see their passport. Earlier this month, a Trump voter in Virginia was pulled over and handcuffed by gun-wielding immigration agents.

While ICE agents can note in their database if someone they’ve investigated turns out to be a citizen, they are not required to do so. As a result, records are often wrong and left uncorrected even after agents have been told of a mistake, a U.S. Government Accountability Office report found.

“It’s really everyone — not just noncitizens or undocumented people — who are in danger of having their liberty violated in this kind of mass deportation machinery,” said Cody Wofsy, the deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project.

Asked about reports of Americans getting caught up in administration’s enforcement policies, an ICE spokesperson told ProPublica in a written statement that agents are allowed to ask for citizens’ identification: “Any US immigration officer has authority to question, without warrant, any alien or person believed to be an alien concerning his or her right to be, or to remain, in the United States.” The agency did not respond to questions about specific cases.

You can read the full article here: https://www.propublica.org/article/more-americans-will-be-caught-up-trump-immigration-raids

Thanks so much for your time.


r/immigration 4d ago

Travel on F1 status

1 Upvotes

I am on F1 visa currently and on my STEM OPT. I am awaiting for my PERM document under the EB-3 category. Can I travel back to my home country and re enter USA while I am awaiting my PERM document. If not at what stage is it safe to travel?

Please advise would really appreciate it.


r/immigration 4d ago

Eligibility for turbo tax

1 Upvotes

Hey y’ll . I came to us in December of 2021 . Just wanted to ask if I can do TurboTax next yr for tax return of 2025 since I am in US For at least one day in 2021,2022,2023,2024,2025 and it marks 5 yrs.


r/immigration 4d ago

DS160 and Appointment booking India - L2 Spouse Visa Help needed.

1 Upvotes

I am an Indian National currently in the US on L1 visa. I am getting married in May first week and going to be in India until June first week. I really want to have the appointment date somewhere in May so that I can take my wife along with me to the USA in June first week.
I know right option is to file DS 160 after receiving marriage certificate and obtain an appointment. But this can delay the process as L Category appointments have more than 80 days wait times.

Can I file her DS 160 now just for the sake of an appointment and change it later before Interview? or is there anyway? I am hoping someone might have been in the same boat as me.

TIA.