r/askimmigration

Hi everyone,

My friend got arrested once she landed in Atl. I wasn’t there with her, but this is what I was able to get.
She was approached by 2 people without uniforms. They asked for her id & told her she had overstayed.

She came to America on an F1 visa in 2021 and went out of status in 2024 but is married now and hasn’t filed yet.

When we spoke briefly on the phone - she said she was given three options. Stay in detention, self deport, or bond out.

I don’t know how the bond out option works that’s what we’re tilting towards. I haven’t spoken to her since then. It’s been a couple of hours now since the arrest.

My question is for the bond out, is it an immediate release after payment? Or is it a whole process? I just need a clue on what to do if anyone knows. Please any help or direction is greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Submitted PFL response on 8th August.
Medicals re appeared on 13th August.
AOR Feb 28
BIL 28 April

Called agent yesterday, he said everything is complete waiting for a final review.

Anyone had a similar experience? When can i expect a final decision?

Over the past few weeks, I have seen several individuals appear in immigration court without attorneys. When the judge asked why they did not have legal representation, some explained they were still looking for a lawyer. Others said they had contacted attorneys but never received a response. Some simply said they could not afford representation. In many of those cases, that was not enough to postpone the hearing.

The judges made it clear that the cases had to move forward, and the individuals were expected to proceed with their hearings that day. You could almost feel the sense of panic in the courtroom after that announcement.

Many struggled to present their cases because they did not know how to tell their stories in a way that addressed the legal issues before the court or satisfied the applicable legal standards.

Every word mattered, and they knew everything they said was being recorded. The weight of that moment was overwhelming. Imagine standing before an immigration judge, knowing that the outcome of your case, whether you remain in the United States or are ordered deported, depends largely on your ability to present your case, yet not knowing how to explain your situation in a legally effective way.

If you have an immigration court case, do not assume that telling the judge you are still looking for a lawyer will automatically result in a continuance or postponement of your case.

Every case is different, and every judge exercises independent judgment. However, in the current environment, simply saying you are still searching for counsel may not be enough.

This concern is reinforced by the Board of Immigration Appeals’ August 14, 2026 decision in Matter of A-K-R-, 29 I&N Dec. 839 (BIA 2026). The BIA upheld an Immigration Judge’s denial of an additional continuance where the respondent had already been given time to find an attorney but had not shown good cause for more time. If you need legal representation, begin your search as early as possible.

Waiting until your next hearing is just around the corner may leave you with very few options.

#ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationCourt #RemovalProceedings #DeportationDefense #BIA #LegalRepresentation #ImmigrationAttorney #KnowYourRights #USImmigration #AKPokuLaw

Hey guys. Two part post

I applied for my marriage based EAD, gc, and AP. Partner is a US citizen. I am on f1 stem opt. FO is Chicago or NYC (i am in nyc but lawyer is in chicago, not sure which one im in). No unauthorised work or overstay

So the first question, I applied on 7/27 and I got my biometrics scheduled super fast, I completed it on 8/11. Is that good news, that it was scheduled so fast, or should I not really read into it

Secondly, my lawyer has not really indicated whether they plan to upload my bona fide evidence online, does that hurt my application? I think they’re just going to mail it or something. And does the timing of the upload of the evidence matter? Or do I just carry it when my interview is scheduled.

Thank you

My husbands permanent resident card expired in October of 2024, we applied for his renewal and received the I-797 notice of action in July of 2024 and haven’t heard a peep since. We had questions but no major issues traveling with this letter in December of 2024 but given all of the immigration altercations of late we are worried about our plans to travel to see family this Christmas on a card that is now two years expired even though the I-797 letter indicates it extends the validity of the permanent residency for 48 months. The letter is also getting quite tattered now that it’s two years old so just looking for any advice or experiences similar! Thanks all.

I have a trip coming up and I am a bit anxious
Please share your experience if you have been recently.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice or similar experiences regarding a complicated visa situation for a US university research position.

My Background & Timeline:

• Previous Status: Was on an H-1B valid through April 2026.
• The Error: Re-entered the U.S. in Jan 2026. CBP shortened my I-94 to match my expiring passport (Feb 2026). I misread the date format on the stamp and assumed my status ran through August.
• Voluntary Exit: As soon as I realized the shortened I-94 date, I left the U.S. immediately on June, 2026.
• Overstay Duration: ~115 days. Because I departed voluntarily under 180 days, I did not trigger a statutory 3-year or 10-year re-entry bar under INA § 212(a)(9)(B).

Current Situation: I am currently outside the U.S. A U.S. university PI is trying to recruit me for a research role. I have an EB-2 NIW currently pending, 3 first-author papers in high-impact journals, journal peer-review experience, and a strong citation count, so we are looking at an O-1A visa via Consular Processing (to avoid the new overseas H-1B fee rules).

The Problem / Friction: The PI is very supportive and wants me in the lab, but OISS (the university's international office) is extremely hesitant. They told the PI that because of the overstay, they believe it "could affect the outcome of a new visa application regardless of the pathway," and they are being very cautious.

I completely get why OISS is risk-averse—especially given the current administrative scrutiny around visas—and I know my file will get manual review at the consulate. But legally, I have no statutory bar, complete proof of my voluntary departure date, and a solid O-1A profile.

Questions for the community:

1. Has anyone successfully gone through O-1A (or H-1B) consular processing after an unintentional overstay under 180 days? How did your embassy interview go?
2. How can I best help my PI reassure OISS that consular processing is a viable path forward?
3. If you were in my shoes, what specific documentation should I have ready for the consular interview besides flight receipts, passport stamps, and I-94 travel history?

Thanks in advance for any insights or advice!

Hi! I had a question about my situation and was hoping someone could help me understand what options we have.

I’m a Canadian hockey player and I’ll be going to the U.S. on a P-1 visa to play hockey. The team will be providing my housing and covering everything, so I won’t have a lease or housing in my name.

My partner is Canadian and currently works remotely for a Canadian company. We would like for her to come live with me in the U.S. for roughly 6 months while I’m playing there. She would continue working remotely for her Canadian employer and would be paid by the Canadian company.

I’m wondering what immigration status/visa would allow her to stay with me in the U.S. for that period while continuing to work remotely for her Canadian job. Does she need a specific visa or work authorization to do this, even though her employer and income are both Canadian?

Also, does the fact that I’m on a P-1 visa, that my housing is provided by the team, and that neither of us would have a lease or own property in the U.S. affect the situation?

I’m mainly trying to understand what the correct and legal option would be for her to live with me for approximately 6 months without putting either of us in a bad immigration or tax situation. Thank you!

Anyone case had to go to supervisor review? My husband interview was 8/13. Officer stated there was an issue due to lack of I-94. When my husband was admitted in September 2023 he was not given an admission stamp. We are thinking because he was in removal proceedings. However, those proceedings were dismissed in October 2024. The officer stated she had never seen a case like his before and needed to consult regarding such. I did check the API yesterday and officer touched his case. His case status is still showing interview scheduled no updates. I am trying not to worry but it's hard. I did mention matter of Quilantan his case falls under that but beyond a wave through as he was inspected. Anyone know how much it actually takes for a supervisor review? The office also asked if I was still working at the same place I put on original I-864. I stated no but that I am working for a new employer as of Jan 2026. She said she may ask for paystubs. I did state if I don't meet the requirement to sponsor my husband then my mother is the joint sponsor and they have her information.

Long story short I’m dating a girl from Ecuador, I live in New York. She has a travel visa and was here may-June. She will be returning back to New York for October-December for the holidays. She’s worried about risks to her visa. Between Google and ChatGPT there isn’t a hard line in the sand on answers. Was suggested to write a letter with my name address explanation of plans copy of drivers license, I am providing finances while she’s here etc etc. Is there any risk to her being denied entry if she shows her round trip ticket plus a letter? It’s not as though she’s in the US for 6 months back in Ecuador for 2 weeks then back to the US etc. Trying to figure out the best way to go about this. Possibly book a month round trip for optics then cancel return flight and book the new one once she’s here?

I paid my annual asylum fee last year when the rule first came. This month aug 6, is the anniversary of my filed asylum application. But I have not received any notice or mail to pay for this year. Has anyone gotten or paid the annual fee for the second time already?

Thank you in advance.

Program: CEC (Inland)
AOR: April 10, 2026
Biometrics request: June 8
Medical completed: June 9
Biometrics completed: June 10

On July 10, my background check status said: “We are processing your background check. We will send you a message once the final decision has been made.”

Checked again randomly on August 14 — everything else on the tracker is unchanged, but background check now shows “Not Applicable.”

Does anyone know what it means? Anyone else saw similar changes?

I have been waiting for 14 months now still no updates. My wife is a US citizen and it’s painful to stay separated like this. Any advice or idea on how long it would take. The processing time shows 21.5 months.

I (EU citizen with ESTA) will be travelling with my parents (B1/B2 visa holders) to the US (Seattle). Would it be possible for me to join the same queue as them and be processed together so I can answer questions (and just for support). They are also fully capable of doing it but would be helpful if I was there since we are travelling together.

Hi, my mother is visiting alone for the second time after 9 months in home country. She was here for 5 months and 2 weeks on her first visit. Her second visit she’ll be here for 4 months and 3weeks.

What questions and issues will she face at immigration.

Good evening I have been living in France with my family for almost 8 years kids are in school am working in CDI préfecture gave recipe as ordered by the court when I put in for renew they refuse to renew saying because it was coutmrt madat they sent and accompanied letter of OQTF any one please I need information on what to do, if I can reapply with my kids in school? Thanks

I would like to ask the community if there is any one who had the same experience as my son's case right now and get your opinion before I call the USCIS for updates since reaching them by phone really takes time.

Our application was received by USCIS on May 20 and my son had his biometrics on June 9, 2026 related to this application and went back to Philippines to complete his last year in senior high school on June 13. This is our second time applying for this permit, the first time we had it approved within 2 months with 2 years validity that expired last June 23, 2026. Upon checking the processing time this year it showed 16 months which is way beyond his intended stay outside US.

My question is, does he has to re-enter here in the US by Dec 13 to avoid the 6 months absent outside US or will it still be safe to just wait there in the Philippines and max the 1 yr outside US hoping that the permit will be issued before that? Another question is, worst case scenario that he stays there till mid July which is the target graduation day, will it be a problem for him when he returns in the US after a little bit over a year if he still will not get hold of the permit or the notice and biometrics proofs will be enough for him to present to the CBP officer or he may be denied entry?

Please share with us if you know of any one or yourself had experienced similar to this. He will be staying here for good with me and my other son next year and continue his college here. With the situation in immigration right now, I am just so scared to take the risk.

Thank you for your time and responses.

I'm 23 and I've been working in the UAE for almost 8 months now as a Junior Software Developer / .NET Developer.

I work for a globally recognized company, but it's not an IT company. I'm working on their internal/in-house software products, so I'm not doing client projects.

My current salary is AED 4,000/month, and that's basically it — no accommodation allowance, food allowance, etc. I'm currently managing my expenses with that.

I'm trying to figure out what I should actually focus on over the next few years.

I don't necessarily want to become extremely rich. My biggest goal is to have a good, peaceful family life and be financially stable. Obviously, I'd like to increase my salary and have a better standard of living, but I don't want to spend my whole life chasing money either.

One thing I'm confused about is whether I should build my career in the UAE or eventually move to Europe.

I could stay here for a few years, gain experience, improve my skills, switch to better-paying companies and see where that takes me. Or I could start preparing for migration to Europe while I'm still young.

And then there's the question of marriage. Is it better to migrate before marriage and establish myself there first, or is it perfectly fine to get married and then move with my family later?

I'm also considering doing a master's degree (probably an online MCA) while working, mainly to improve my qualifications.

If you were 23, with around 8 months of UAE work experience and a salary of AED 4,000, what would you focus on right now?

Would you stay in the UAE and try to grow here, or start preparing for Europe?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have actually lived/worked in the UAE and then moved to Europe, or people who decided to stay in the UAE long-term.

I'm not looking for a "Europe is better" or "UAE is better" answer. I just want to understand what path might make the most sense for someone whose main goal is a stable career and a peaceful family life.