u/Ok-Requirement7440

Just my speculation/thoughts — especially for those who already had their interviews and are stuck in 221(g)

For those who already completed their immigrant visa interviews, were otherwise approved/eligible, and were placed in 221(g) because of the pause, I personally would not be too worried if the embassy starts rescheduling or delaying upcoming interviews.

The reason is that the embassy now has to figure out how to handle a huge number of cases that are already somewhere in the process.

There are people who:

• Already completed their interviews and are waiting in 221(g).
• Were otherwise approved but couldn’t receive their visas because of the pause.
• Still have valid medicals and may simply need to submit their passports.
• Have expired or soon-to-expire medicals and may need a new medical.
• May need additional processing or, in some cases, another interview.

So before the embassy can return to a normal interview schedule, I think they will first have to figure out how to clear the existing 221(g) backlog.

And this is where I think the language in Judge Vargas’s order is important.

The order specifically states:

“The judgment shall set aside and vacate any refusal of an immigrant visa that was based solely upon the Policy, and remand those agency actions for further proceedings consistent with this Opinion and Order.”

The important part, in my opinion, is “remand those agency actions for further proceedings.”

That means cases affected solely by the now-vacated policy have to be dealt with again. It doesn’t necessarily mean every applicant will automatically receive a visa, because some may still require a new medical, additional documents, another interview, or other processing also new public charge rules. But the government has to take further action on those affected cases.

That creates two major groups:

1. People who already interviewed and are stuck in 221(g).

2. People who haven’t interviewed yet.

From an operational standpoint, I wouldn’t be surprised if the embassy gives significant attention to the first group before fully returning to normal scheduling for the second group.

There could be thousands of cases that need to be reviewed, readjudicated, issued, or potentially re-interviewed. That’s a significant backlog to work through.

So if you’re already interviewed and waiting for the embassy to tell you whether to submit your passport, redo your medical, or take another step, I personally wouldn’t panic if things take some time.

If upcoming interviews get rescheduled, I wouldn’t automatically see that as bad news. It could simply mean the embassy is reorganizing its workload and trying to clear the cases that were already interviewed.

Again, this is only my speculation—not inside information or legal advice. But if I were already interviewed and sitting in 221(g), I would be cautiously optimistic and patient right now. 😊

Anyone know whats the new entry of Notice in storie v. trump case?

Can someone familiar with the case help clarify a few things?

1. What is the main goal of this lawsuit? Are the plaintiffs asking for summary judgment for everyone and seeking to vacate the government’s visa pause policy?
2. If the plaintiffs win, could the court’s decision potentially vacate the policy and positively impact all applicants affected by the pause, including non-DV visa categories such as CR-1/IR-1, allowing them to move forward with visa processing?
3. When was the case fully briefed, and is a ruling expected soon, similar to the CLINIC case?

Thank you for any insight.

Storie v. Trump: There’s a new docket entry. Does anyone know what it says?

Does anyone have the link to watch today’s Dorcas court hearing on YouTube? I can’t seem to find it anymore.

Hi, I’m planning to fly from JFK to Dhaka in September. I noticed that Etihad is about $300 cheaper than Saudia. In your opinion, is it worth saving the money and flying with Etihad, or is Saudia worth paying the extra $300? I’d appreciate your thoughts on comfort, service, layovers, baggage handling, and overall travel experience. Thank you!

I’m planning to visit the Maldives and stay on local islands for 6 nights—3 nights in Thinadhoo and then 3 nights in Fulidhoo. My plan is to take the local ferry from Thinadhoo to Fulidhoo.

My question is: how do I buy the ferry ticket while I’m on Thinadhoo?

Also, when I arrive in the Maldives, will I be able to buy my Thinadhoo → Fulidhoo ferry ticket 3–4 days in advance at airport ferry terminal or another ticket counter near Malé/Velana Airport?

Has anyone done this trip? Can you share your experience? I’m mainly trying to figure out how to get the ferry ticket on my third day in Thinadhoo before traveling to Fulidhoo.

If anyone has better suggestions for getting between these islands, I’d really appreciate the advice. Thanks!

I’m planning to visit the Maldives and stay on local islands for 6 nights—3 nights in Thinadhoo and then 3 nights in Fulidhoo. My plan is to take the local ferry from Thinadhoo to Fulidhoo.

My question is: how do I buy the ferry ticket while I’m on Thinadhoo?

Also, when I arrive in the Maldives, will I be able to buy my Thinadhoo → Fulidhoo ferry ticket 3–4 days in advance at airport ferry terminal or another ticket counter near Malé/Velana Airport?

Has anyone done this trip? Can you share your experience? I’m mainly trying to figure out how to get the ferry ticket on my third day in Thinadhoo before traveling to Fulidhoo.

If anyone has better suggestions for getting between these islands, I’d really appreciate the advice. Thanks!

For those following the 75-country immigrant visa pause litigation, I think there is one encouraging development worth noting.

Judge Jeannette A. Vargas recently ruled against the Department of State in Qazi v. Rubio, an H-1B visa delay case involving prolonged administrative processing under INA 221(g) in Germany. On June 3, 2026, she ordered the State Department to complete adjudication of the visa application within 30 days.  

Timeline

• March 31, 2026: Lawsuit filed.
• May 23, 2026: Judge Vargas informed the parties that she intended to consolidate the request for emergency relief with a decision on the merits because there were no disputed facts and the case turned on legal questions. Neither side objected.  
• June 3, 2026: Judge Vargas issued her decision in favor of the plaintiff.

 

https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-york/nysdce/1:2026cv02668/660966/34/

That means the case was resolved roughly 11 days after it became fully submitted for final decision .

What Did Judge Vargas Rule?

According to her opinion:

1. DOS Cannot Hide Behind Endless Administrative Processing

The court found that simply placing a visa case into prolonged administrative processing does not automatically shield the government from judicial review.  

2. Consular Nonreviewability Has Limits

Judge Vargas distinguished between reviewing a visa denial and reviewing an unreasonable delay. She concluded that courts may review whether the government is unlawfully delaying action.  

3. The Delay Was Unreasonable

The court held that the plaintiff was entitled to relief under the Administrative Procedure Act because the government had not completed adjudication within a reasonable time.  

4. DOS Was Ordered to Act

Judge Vargas ordered the State Department and Consulate officials to complete administrative processing and adjudicate the visa application within 30 days.  

5. The Court Was Willing to Push the Government

Earlier in the case, Judge Vargas also ordered the government to provide a status report regarding the visa application’s progress rather than allowing the matter to sit indefinitely.  

Why Is This Relevant To The 75-Country Pause Case?

Of course, Qazi is not the same case as the 75-country pause lawsuit. Qazi involved an individual H-1B applicant, while the pause litigation challenges a broad policy affecting thousands of immigrant visa applicants.

However, there are several reasons this decision may give plaintiffs some optimism:

Judge Vargas Has Shown She Is Independent

She was willing to rule against the Department of State after reviewing the record and the law. She did not simply defer to the government’s position.  

She Focuses on Statutory Requirements

In Qazi, she looked carefully at whether the government was actually complying with its legal obligations rather than accepting generalized explanations about administrative processing.  

She Is Comfortable Granting Meaningful Relief

The court did not merely ask for another update. Judge Vargas ordered the government to finish processing and adjudicate the application within a specific timeframe.  

The 75-Country Pause Raises Even Bigger Legal Questions

The pause case is not about one delayed application. It concerns allegations that DOS imposed a blanket nationality-based suspension of immigrant visa issuance without following the procedures required by Congress and the Administrative Procedure Act. The legal issues are broader and potentially affect thousands of families.  

Why The Wait May Be Longer

Some people compare the timing of Qazi to the 75-country pause case and wonder why a decision has not yet been issued.

The answer is that the pause case is much larger.

• It involves nationwide policy questions.
• It includes extensive administrative records.
• The court’s ruling could affect thousands of visa applicants.
• Any decision is likely to be closely scrutinized on appeal.

Because of that, it is not surprising that Judge Vargas may take longer to write a detailed opinion than she did in an individual visa-delay case.

Bottom Line

Qazi does not predict the outcome of the 75-country pause litigation.

But it does show that Judge Vargas:

• Is willing to scrutinize State Department actions.
• Is not afraid to rule against the government when she believes the law requires it.
• Has already ordered DOS to act when she found its conduct unlawful.
• Has demonstrated a willingness to provide meaningful relief rather than simply accepting indefinite delays.

 

For those waiting on the 75-country pause case, that is at least a reason for cautious optimism while we wait for her decision.

I need to pick two weeks of vacation by today and could use them this summer.

My wife already had her immigrant visa interview, but her case is affected by the visa processing pause. I’m not sure if I should use my vacation this summer to visit her or save it for next year in case the pause is lifted and her visa is issued.

My concern is that even if there are favorable court rulings, the government may appeal and the process could take much longer. If I don’t visit her this summer and the case drags on, I may regret not going.

Another factor is that if the pause is lifted later this year, I could probably request emergency days off to travel, but making another trip would be expensive.

What would you do in my situation?

1. Use the vacation this summer and visit my wife.
2. Save the vacation for next year and wait for the visa situation to be resolved.

I’d appreciate any advice. Thanks.

The U.S. government has appealed Judge McConnell’s decision regarding the 39-country visa processing pause to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.

For those familiar with federal appeals, what happens next? How long does the First Circuit typically take to issue a decision after a notice of appeal is filed?

Also, does the district court’s ruling remain in effect while the appeal is pending, or would the government need to obtain a stay for that to change?

Finally, if the plaintiffs were to win in the separate 75-country pause litigation, how likely is it that the government would appeal that decision as well? Are appeals generally expected in major immigration-policy cases like these?

Interested in hearing from anyone with experience in federal appellate litigation or immigration-related cases. Thanks.

Two-Day Interview Process (IR-1/CR-1)

Based on the experience of applicants at embassies that conduct a two-day interview process.

Bring all required documents, including the original documents. The embassy will collect the originals for review.

• If all documents are complete and acceptable, your second-day interview is usually scheduled within about one week.
• If any required document is missing, the embassy may not schedule your second-day interview, and you may need to arrange another interview appointment yourself.

Required Documents Checklist

📸 Photos (Bring 2 Copies)

• Two (2) passport-size photos (2x2 inches)

🖨️ Printed Documents (Color Copies)

• CGI profile creation confirmation page
• Passport pick-up location confirmation page (linked to your CGI profile)
• Medical examination receipt(s)
• Vaccine worksheet
• DS-260 confirmation page
• DS-260 application copy
• I-130 approval notice
• Interview appointment letter (print the interview email)

📄 Original Documents (Applicant)

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Marriage certificate

📁 Petitioner Documents (Color Copies)

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Naturalization certificate
• Driver’s license
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)
• Tax transcript(s)
• W-2 form(s)
• Last 3 months of pay stubs (if available)
• Employment verification letter

❤️ Proof of Marriage (Color Copies)

• WhatsApp chat and call logs
• Proof of the petitioner’s travel to Bangladesh (flight itinerary, boarding passes, or passport pages showing entry and exit stamps)
• Joint bank account statements
• Photos together (wedding photos and photos taken together outside the wedding)
• Remittance receipts

⚠️ Important

If any required document is missing, your second-day interview may not be scheduled.

Double-check all documents before attending your interview.