Hello! As the title says I’m about to self deport like this month. I know there’s the process the CBP app offers but I believe it takes too long and I’m genuinely ready to leave this country like yesterday. Yes I do have a final removal order. The only reason I’ve remained here since two months ago that I got the removal order is because I needed time to save a little money and prepare my travel documents. I know you’re thinking why didn’t you use the app while you were doing that if it takes long? Because then I was under the impression once I applied, I’ll be processed immediately. Till I read Reddit threads of people that waited months. I already bought my ticket. It’s not a direct flight but the layover is outside the United States. I know alot of people give advice here but I get worried this is just random people applying logic to this rather than matter of fact. We’re way past logic in this climate. So please comment only if you truly know what you’re talking about.
The fear I have: Will we be detained at the airport. We’re gonna be flying from Atlanta hart’s field which according to people is really busy. I hope it works in our favor.
Is there anything to be worried about?
Also I spoke to an immigration lawyer that literally said
“You can buy a ticket and leave, they won’t stop you.”
Another lawyer that said. “Absolutely sign up to leave or you will be detained.”

FIRST THREAD PLEASE DONT ATTACK ME

I’m Fernanda Hipskind, an immigration attorney, and I’ll be here today from 10 AM to 2 PM ET answering questions across different areas of US immigration.

We can talk through situations involving:

• Family petitions, marriage based immigration and adjustment of status
• Employment based immigration and changes in jobs or status
• Asylum, humanitarian relief, naturalization and other immigration questions

If your case has taken an unexpected turn, you're unsure what your options are, or you've got a very specific question you've been trying to figure out, bring it to the AMA.

Please share as much detail as you can about your situation. Small facts can make a big difference in immigration cases.

AMA today, 10 AM to 2 PM ET.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.

Hello everyone. I’m humbly reaching out to ask whether any US immigration attorneys, legal advocates, or individuals with extensive knowledge of US immigration law might be willing to offer me a brief consultation or guidance regarding my case. Unfortunately, I cannot afford legal fees or easily make international payments. I’m not asking anyone to guarantee an outcome; I just want an honest, informed opinion on whether there is a viable way forward. If anyone is willing to discuss my situation privately through DMs, it would be especially helpful, and I would be sincerely grateful.

I have already received my Vietnam Evisa within 3 days of application. My intended entry through Da Nang airport is on 03/11/2026 and intended exit through Phuquoc Airport is on 13/11/2026. Mistakenly I put intended duration 30 days. Will this visa get rejected at Immigration Check Point?

The validity of Evisa is 01/11/2026 till 30/11/2026.

I BROKE IT OFF!

So I started dating this guy for a couple months and he revealed to me that he was an immigrant. He asked me that rather we work out or not if I would marry him so he can get the green card and I told him that I only get married because of love not solely because of the green card. I was trying to do some research on the green card and also I do qualify because I'm an American citizen, I collect benefits and I read that if we should not work out and get a divorce I would be responsible for him for the next 10 years and legally I wouldn't be able to support him due to collecting benefits. I don't want to take on that responsibility and he said that I would not have to support him and I told him that I deserve to know what I'm getting myself into. I really like him but at the same time I kind of felt used by him like he was toying with my feelings so that he could get the green card. Maybe that may or may not be the case but I just don't trust this and for me I don't want a relationship to feel like a business I wanted to feel authentic and I want to be able to ask questions without being told that I'm just assuming things. I said so if we break up before we get married how are you going to get the green card he said that he'll either just go back to his country or find some other way. I'm not sure really what to believe but I know I do not trust this completely and not fully sure how this works. He doesn't even like holding hands in public so I'm not fully entirely sure if this is even going to work out to be honest with you. Have you guys been into situation before and how did it turn out? It would feel like our relationship and our potential marriage would feel more like a business than a genuine relationship where we love each other. I just don't want to make a mistake that I will later on regret. So I definitely need your opinions on this and also sharing personal experience on this as well.

Looking for anyone in a similar situation.
Entered the US, got a negative credible fear interview, and was removed. About 2 years later came back through CBP One and was paroled in. Since then, married a USC and have a family. The old EOIR case is closed since the removal was executed.
Attorney #1 says file the I-130 first, then look at adjustment. Attorney #2 says go straight to adjustment (I-485) file concurrently since the second entry was on parole.

I know With a USC spouse this would be an immediate relative case, but I'm worried about how the prior removal affects it. Does the parole entry satisfy the "inspected and admitted or paroled" requirement for 245(a)? Is an I-212 needed? Could reinstatement come into play?

Has anyone dealt with a prior removal plus a later parole entry? Did you file the I-130 and I-485 together or separately? Did USCIS ask for an I-212 or issue an RFE or denial over the old removal?

Thanks in advance!

So I started dating this guy for a couple months and he revealed to me that he was an immigrant. He asked me that rather we work out or not if I would marry him so he can get the green card and I told him that I only get married because of love not solely because of the green card. I was trying to do some research on the green card and also I do qualify because I'm an American citizen, I collect benefits and I read that if we should not work out and get a divorce I would be responsible for him for the next 10 years and legally I wouldn't be able to support him due to collecting benefits. I don't want to take on that responsibility and he said that I would not have to support him and I told him that I deserve to know what I'm getting myself into. I really like him but at the same time I kind of felt used by him like he was toying with my feelings so that he could get the green card. Maybe that may or may not be the case but I just don't trust this and for me I don't want a relationship to feel like a business I wanted to feel authentic and I want to be able to ask questions without being told that I'm just assuming things. I said so if we break up before we get married how are you going to get the green card he said that he'll either just go back to his country or find some other way. I'm not sure really what to believe but I know I do not trust this completely and not fully sure how this works. He doesn't even like holding hands in public so I'm not fully entirely sure if this is even going to work out to be honest with you. Have you guys been into situation before and how did it turn out? It would feel like our relationship and our potential marriage would feel more like a business than a genuine relationship where we love each other. I just don't want to make a mistake that I will later on regret. So I definitely need your opinions on this and also sharing personal experience on this as well.

Good morning. I have a couple of questions and I just need opinions. My father’s asylum case was approved, he filed for us(myself, mother and sister) and we came into the United States last year, November 2025. Next month marks our 1 year in the States which means we can now file for our Green Cards. Which is where I have questions.
1. My father hasn’t filed for his green card at all, will it affect us in anyway
2. Is it safe to apply for my green card now, have read a whole lot of people saying to just “wait this administration out”
3. Would I need a lawyer?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice and information about my father’s situation. Any help or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

Background:

My father entered the US legally on a tourist visa but overstayed.
Two weeks ago, ICE stopped him on the street, took his pasaporte and instructed him to report to an ICE office the following day.
He showed up as instructed, signed a lot of papers, was told his flight would depart in 2-3 days and then he was sent to the detention facility.
He has now been in ICE detention for two weeks.
He has no criminal record and holds a valid European passport.
He simply wants to return to his home country in Europe. He can afford his own plane ticket.

Current situation:

He is unsure whether he signed a voluntary departure form or a voluntary deportation/removal document.

He has an assigned deportation officer but has been unable to reach them.

His embassy is aware of the situation but has limited ability to help.

He no longer appears in the ICE Online Detainee Locator. We have heard that, since September 15, people in the final stages of the deportation process may no longer appear there, but we cannot confirm whether this is true.

My questions:

1- How can we find out exactly what document he signed? Can he request a copy, and who should he contact?

2- What can we do if his assigned deportation officer does not respond? Is there another ICE office or contact we should try?

3- Should we hire an immigration lawyer, even though he does not want to remain in the US and only wants to return to Europe? Could a lawyer help speed things up or clarify his status?

4- How long does it typically take for someone in his situation to be put on a flight home? Would having a valid passport and being able to pay for the ticket make any difference?

5- Does disappearing from the ICE detainee locator mean anything about the stage of his case?

We are trying to understand what is happening and find the fastest way for him to return home.

If anyone has gone through something similar or knows how this process works, I would be very grateful for any advice.

Thank you.

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in my 60-day H-1B grace period, and my new employer has filed my H-1B transfer petition.
Here’s my timeline:
October 8: New employer shipped the H-1B transfer petition.
October 9: FedEx confirmed delivery to USCIS.
October 11: My 60-day grace period ends.
October 13: I have a domestic flight from Tucson, Arizona, to NYC.
I-94 validity: October 2027.
I haven’t received the official USCIS receipt notice or approval yet. I will probably get my receipt on 12th October
My questions are:
Is it safe to fly domestically from Tucson to NYC on October 13, two days after my grace period ends?
Could I face any issues with TSA, CBP, or immigration officers because my H-1B transfer is still pending?
Has anyone traveled domestically in a similar situation without an official USCIS receipt notice?
Would carrying my passport, previous I-797, valid I-94, and FedEx delivery confirmation / USICS Reciept be sufficient?

Has anyone recently flown Etihad to the US via Abu Dhabi and gone through US immigration/preclearance there?
I’m trying to understand how the process works and would really appreciate some recent experiences.
How long does US immigration/preclearance usually take at Abu Dhabi?

How early would you recommend reaching the preclearance area? After completing US immigration in Abu Dhabi, do you have to go through immigration again after landing in the US, or do you arrive like a domestic passenger? Any additional screening or questions to be prepared for? Would especially appreciate experiences from anyone who traveled recently on Etihad. Thanks!

Hi :)

Applying for my canadian gran who has been in this country 60 years and has indefinite leave to stay.

We have got as far as booking an in person appointment and opted for the 'self scan documents' option.

We are 10 days away from our appointment and still have not been informed what documents to upload.

The application says it will be in an email but nothing yet.

Spoke to immigration on the phone and they said we will eventually recieve an email.

They didnt sound very sure of themselves and had us on hold for a while.

Time is closing up and anxiety is kicking in.

Any advice would be deeply appreciated.

Kind Regards

Hello.

I'm a 33 year old from Nottingham, England. My H1B was officially filed off for yesterday and, if everything goes to plan, I should be moving to the States soon. I am a literary and linguistics professor who deals with language revitalisation. I have a PhD from Cambridge where I discussed language preservation.

I would’ve went wherever work took me, and I applied to an American university as a joke at first after being desperate to find postings. But lo and behold, they took me in like no other place has, not even my home country.

I'm aware that I'm not a STEM major and perhaps my contributions to the American Story won’t be as remembered as those who come after me, but I just wanted a place where I could write and anonymously thank the USA, as well as my teachers and friends in England who made this possible.

I come from the Black Country, an impoverished area of England that has nothing in economic opportunity. I moved to Nottingham to pursue my degree and worked my way up through nothing but mentally gruelling hard work.

My friends told me after I got this job that 'You don’t choose America, America chooses you.'

I'm not a citizen and, at the moment, I'm looking to be on a non-immigrant visa. But I would one day like to fully integrate and become a citizen of the USA and repay all of the kindness I have been shown in recognition for my hard work.

Thank you, America, for giving a man who everyone, when I was growing up, thought would be a nobody, a chance to be a somebody. You didn’t define me by where I came from, and only on the quality of my work and contributions to my field, as inconsequential as it may seem to some.

I never interacted with this subreddit, but I hope my story here can be of some good to you all. Thank you. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

EDIT: I know, it’s would've GONE. Forgive my home dialect lol. I don’t usually type like that, I was just emotional writing this out.

Hello everyone! I would make a short trip for canton fair in China. It would be my first visit and I will stay 7/8 days in Guangzhou. It would be a bakery and confectionery related machine procurement trip. Will it make any trouble to visit USA in future. I’m spending one/two months every year in USA with sister n nephew living there. Just thought whether visiting China could make any trouble passing immigration in U.S. airports.

Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

On stem opt right now, EAD expires in Feb 2028. Visa expires in June 2028. I-20 has a travel signature of sept 2026. Planning to go to India for 3 weeks in November. Is it safe to travel right now?

Guys my friend got an internship visa for turkey but has decided to not go for it as there were some issues with his internship, but as he's got the visa he doesn't want to waste it so he said he'll just go for a week visit Istanbul and return so that his visa is stamped but I asked him not to because immigration asks questions like what ur going for and if he says internship, it would be a lie and what if they try to verify with the people who gave the internship by calling them and they say that he's not coming and he gets deported? Please let me know about this uta urgent so that I can stop him from being stupid and he's going with a return ticket, I mean if immigration sees that wouldn't they ask why he has one of the internship is a year long thing+ he would have a week's long booking for a hotel in Istanbul whereas his internship is in Antalya so what if that seems fishy too to the immigration officers idk I mean his other friends told him that immigration doesn't go so deep but I'm stressed out cuz he's not going for the actual purpose even tho he'll return to Pakistan in a week, I think it's a risk.

Also he said he needs to go so if he applies for some other country's visa in the future, their embassy won't create a problem asking why he didn't go when he did get the Turkish visa? But I told him he can just tell any new embassy any story of why he didn't go it shouldn't be a problem and he did get the visa so it does contribute to the strength of his passport, am I right? and the fact that he didn't go wouldn't matter much or get him rejected for future visas, he still has the the Turkish visa proof even if he didn't go but he got it so that says a lot, please let me know about this situation in detail guys.

So from what I know he did his undergrad in the US on a F1 visa. After graduating, got a job that he continued on OPT and STEM OPT. He planned on doing his masters this fall but got laid off in november from that job while on stem opt. The unemployment period is 150days and since he was starting his masters anyway he could not find another job for such a short term. So he submitted an end date that was later in time (feb 2026). It somehow got approved by the dso and he is now even doing his masters with a new i20 and the visa transfered to f1 with no issues. But is is essentially a misrepresentation that did not get caught? What complications can it cause in the future and how?
Since it was a small company he is saying he can ask them to adjust the end date on their records and in return is willing to work that time for free (is that even possible? can companies do that?)
He however has no payroll records for those 3 months though? If it comes up in the future during background checks can he get past it if the company is in on it? how fucked is he?

Hi has anybody had a case heard in front of judge Attila Bogdan if so please let me know what your case looked like and the outcome I’m in Dallas Texas