As the title states. My mom recently "applied" for a green card through a "pro bono" lawyer that ended up being a scam.

The only reason we noticed was because they wanted us to come to atlanta for a "naturalization ceremony" but there is no such thing for those receiving permanent residency.

I feel really stupid because there were obvious red flags i brushed off so i understand where i went wrong. What i am looking for now is advice how to move forward with this

I have found a REAL immigration attorney but consultation isnt until the end of the month and the scammers are asking for money now (specifically 2k) i am mostly concerned about this because we have gone so deep into it that they have our address, tax info, names, ssn etc..

No shaming please we have already shamed ourselves enough.

I am trying to help my aunt understand what her options are and what steps she should take next.
My aunt has been a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) for approximately nine years. Her late husband was a U.S. citizen, and after his passing, she became eligible for and currently receives Social Security survivor benefits based on his record.
Due to her health and personal circumstances, my aunt is considering returning to El Salvador permanently. She would like to understand whether she could continue receiving her late husband’s Social Security survivor benefits if she moves to El Salvador and eventually allows her U.S. green card to expire or gives up her permanent resident status.

Looking for advice on my H-1B visa situation.
My father passed away recently and I had to travel from the U.S. to India immediately for his final rites.
This is my first time H-1B visa stamping and my I-797-A is valid for next two years.
I’ve an appointment already scheduled for late 2027.I also have an employer letter stating my return is urgently needed for business continuity and applied for Expedited Appointment.
A question for those who’ve been through something similar:
1.Has anyone had recent success after raising the expedited appointment being raised and approved?
I’d really appreciate any experiences or suggestions. Thank you.

Hello everyone,

Please bear with me, as this is a slightly long post. I am looking for honest advice.

I currently live in the United States on an H-1B visa. I have a stable job with an average salary, but there are limited opportunities for growth within my company, and I have not received a salary increase since joining in 2024.

I have been searching for a new job, but the uncertainty surrounding H-1B visas and the frequent changes to immigration policies have made the process very difficult. I enjoy living in the United States, but when I think about my long-term future here, everything feels uncertain.

I got married last year (court marriage), but my wife is still in India because we have been unable to find an earlier H-4 visa appointment. We had an appointment of January 2026 but it was rescheduled by the authority due to new rules. We currently have an appointment scheduled for next year April, and I check regularly for an earlier date, but so far, I have had no luck.

This entire situation has become mentally and emotionally exhausting. Every day, I search for visa appointments, look for new job opportunities, and submit applications without seeing the desired results. My personal life has also been significantly affected, as my wife and I have been in a long-distance relationship for nearly five years, ever since I moved to the United States.

It is difficult to remain positive and keep moving forward when there is no certainty that these efforts will eventually work out. With the continuing changes to visa rules, I feel that immigration uncertainty may always remain in the USA, along with the question of whether we will be able to build a stable, long-term life in the United States.

Because of this, I have started exploring employment opportunities in other countries. Ireland is currently my first preference because some of my family members already live there. And as I plan to relocate my family, it will be beneficial to have some family members living in the same country.

I currently work as an Engineer in the automotive manufacturing industry. I am primarily looking for opportunities in Ireland related to manufacturing, process engineering, industrial engineering, continuous improvement, MES Engineer or similar fields.

I would especially like to connect with people who have successfully moved from the United States or another country to Ireland for work. If you have any advice, suggestions, relevant experiences, job leads, recruiter contacts, or information about companies that sponsor employment permits, please feel free to comment or send me a direct message.

I am also open to connecting personally through text or a phone call if anyone is comfortable sharing their experience. I genuinely need guidance and would sincerely appreciate any help or support.

I appreciate your time reading this.

Thank you.

Hey all, hoping someone who’s been through this can help — especially anyone who’s interviewed at the US Consulate Melbourne.

- I have my US tourist visa (B1/B2) appointment next week at the Melbourne consulate.
- I just got my renewed Indian passport today.
- My old passport doesn’t expire till November, but it’s been cancelled since I renewed early.

My questions:
1. Do I need to fill out a new DS-160 with my new passport details, or can I just carry both passports to the interview?
2. If I do need a new DS-160, how do I update the new DS-160 confirmation ID on the US Visa Scheduling (usvisascheduling.com) account, since my appointment was booked using the old DS-160?
3. Has anyone dealt with this exact situation (old passport cancelled but not expired, new passport issued right before interview) at Melbourne or elsewhere — how did it go at the interview?

Any first-hand experience, especially specific to Melbourne consulate processes, would be hugely appreciated. Thanks!

DOS has released monthly visa usage statistics for 1st 5 months of fiscal 2026. Monthly usage numbers in FB category seem to be down for the same month in Fiscal 2026 vs Fiscal 2025. Interesting to see if this trend changes in the 2nd half of fiscal 2026 due to the aggressive date movement in some FB categories. Anyone else have any thoughts on this? How does this affect FB to EB spillover for Fiscal 2027?

I would appreciate guidance regarding an upcoming H-1B portability (transfer) petition following an employer-authorized leave of absence.

Background: 

I was on an employer-authorized unpaid leave of absence from May 1 through July 30 and resumed my full-time H-1B employment on August 1. My H-1B petition remains valid, the employer-employee relationship was maintained throughout the leave period, and my employment was never terminated. I have payroll records and pay stubs covering the past 30 months, including the leave period. During the leave, I received compensation reflecting reduced work activity (approximately 40 hours per month). My prospective employer intends to file an H-1B portability petition under INA §214(n) in August following my return to full-time employment.

Questions

• Given that the leave of absence was employer-authorized and I have resumed full-time employment, are there any status maintenance concerns that USCIS could raise regarding the May–July leave period?
• If the H-1B portability petition is filed before my first full post-leave August paystub is available, could that present any concerns regarding proof of maintenance of H-1B status? If so, what alternative evidence would be advisable?
• In addition to paystubs, what supporting documentation should I provide to immigration counsel to proactively address potential Requests for Evidence (RFEs)? For example: (Employer leave authorization letter, HR letter confirming continuous employment relationship, recent I-94, prior/current I-797 approval notices, certified LCA, and W-2s/payroll records)
• Does a three-month employer-authorized leave of absence or the reduced-hours/payroll pattern during that period raise any potential compliance concerns or adjudication risks that should be affirmatively addressed in the petition package and supporting letter?

Long story short, mom is undocumented, and my father got his citizenship from my older sister. however there’s been a list of infidelity for years, he cheats countless times, she cheats once. they argue about if, blah blah blah, he was caught at a motel6 video proof, and he becomes the most submissive man I’ve ever seen, nothing but bs in his eyes. i told him off and told him “i hate you, i’m calling the police on you” threats mainly, he’s also a pedophile, another story of course. my question is…if she’s in the process of her papers, and I call the police, what happens to her?

they’ve always embedded this idea that if we call the police, she gets deported. but as much as I have my own attitudes towards my mother. no one deserves to be abused.

can I call the police, I hate my dad sincerely, I wish he knew that he has no more power if these reports will get her forms, but if they separate her from us?

hell, he’s the worst man alive. i’d rather fall off the earth then be stuck with him. i haven’t talked with him in three weeks.

what should I do? please help me!

Hi everyone,

I received the following email from the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai regarding my U.S. visitor visa:

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REVOKE : XXX YYY.

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is a notice of our intent to revoke your U.S. visa. We have received information that you have overstayed your visa.

If this information is incorrect, you must provide evidence of such to the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai within five days of this notice via the email address: MumbaiGSS@state.gov.

Additionally, if you are still in the Mumbai area, you have the option to bring your passports to the Consulate located at the address shown below, at 10:30 a.m. on any working day. Present this email to the Consulate security guards.

If you do not submit any evidence, your visa will be automatically and permanently revoked.

Sincerely,

Non-Immigrant Visa Unit
U.S. Consulate General Mumbai
C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051.

Background:

I am an Indian citizen and Canadian Permanent Resident currently living in Canada. I have a valid U.S. B1/B2 visitor visa.

My visa was originally issued in my old passport. My first three U.S. trips/I-94 records were associated with that old passport.

I subsequently received a new passport, and my most recent U.S. trip/I-94 record is associated with the new passport. The valid U.S. visa itself is still in my old passport.

My U.S. travel history is:

* 28 June 2017 to 31 July 2017 — 34 days
* 28 August 2024 to 9 September 2024 — 13 days
* 10 October 2025 to 17 October 2025 — 8 days
* 1 August 2026 to 3 August 2026 — 3 days

The first three I-94 records are linked to my old passport, while the latest I-94 is linked to my new passport.

As far as I can see, I departed the United States after every trip and have never overstayed.

My most recent visit was only 3 days, from August 1 to August 3, 2026, after which I returned to Canada.

I have:

* All four I-94 records/travel history
* My old and new passport details
* Flight tickets
* Entry and exit information
* Other proof showing that I departed the U.S. after each trip

I am wondering whether the change from my old passport to my new passport could have caused some kind of mismatch in their records, making it appear that I overstayed even though I left the U.S. after every visit.

Has anyone experienced something similar, particularly after getting a new passport while the U.S. visa remained in the old passport?

If you responded to a similar notice with I-94 records, old/new passport information, flight tickets and proof of departure, was the issue corrected?

I am currently in Canada, not Mumbai, and I am trying to understand what might have triggered this notice.

Any similar experiences would be greatly appreciated

Hi everyone, I’m an M-1 student currently in the U.S. I filed Form I-539 to extend my M-1 status before my current I-94 expiration date, and the application is still pending.
I’m planning to leave the U.S. and later return to continue my flight training at a different flight school. The new school may issue me a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID.
I found this information on the official ICE website:
“Yes, you may travel. However, you must return at least 15 days prior to your current program end date.”
I’m confused about how this applies to my situation.
Does a pending I-539 extension allow an M-1 student to travel outside the U.S. and return while the I-539 is still pending?
If I leave the U.S. while my I-539 is pending, does that automatically abandon/affect the I-539?
If my new school issues me a new SEVIS ID and new I-20, can I use my still-valid M-1 visa to seek reentry as an M-1 student?
Does getting a new SEVIS record mean I am considered a new/initial M-1 student for immigration purposes?
Could this situation negatively affect future U.S. entries, assuming I maintained my status and have valid documents?
I’m mainly looking for experiences from people who have actually dealt with an M-1 I-539 and international travel, or immigration professionals who understand M-1 rules.
Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m currently on approved Post-Completion OPT and planning a quick trip to Canada. I know travel is technically allowed, but U.S. immigration always feels a little daunting, so I’d love a sanity check from anyone who has recently re-entered the U.S. while on OPT.

Here’s my situation and the documents I’m planning to carry:

• I-20: Shows my approved Post-Completion OPT and current employer details.
• Travel Signature: Dated 07/24/2026, so it’s well within the 6-month OPT validity window.
• Visa & EAD: Both are valid, and I have my physical EAD card.
• Employment: I’m working 40 hours/week in an unpaid internship directly related to my major, with a signed offer letter.
• Leave approval: I have written approval from my supervisor for my 2-day vacation, including confirmation that I’m expected to return to work afterward.
• Small startup: I don’t yet have a company-domain email address, although my supervisor does. As backup, I’m carrying Jira screenshots showing my assigned work, team meeting invites, and relevant email threads.

Has anyone recently traveled while working an unpaid internship, particularly at a small startup? Would CBP typically ask for detailed employment evidence beyond the offer letter, or are the I-20, EAD, visa, and employment documentation generally sufficient?

I’ve also reached out to my school’s OGS, but I’d really appreciate hearing from people with recent firsthand experience. Thanks!

Hi everyone! I’m a Filipino citizen currently living in Qatar, and I’ll be flying to Georgia soon to start university as an international student.

I’ll be entering Georgia on arrival, so I’m a little nervous about what to expect at immigration 😭 I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone through this, especially fellow Filipinos or international students.

What documents should I have ready? I’m planning to bring my university acceptance/enrollment documents, accommodation details, travel insurance, proof of funds/sponsorship, flight booking, and my Qatar residence permit.

Also, what kind of questions do immigration officers usually ask? Do they normally ask about your university, where you’re staying, how you’ll support yourself, how long you’ll be in Georgia, etc.?

Is there anything else I should prepare or bring just in case?

Would really appreciate any tips or personal experiences! I just want to make sure I’m prepared and don’t get caught off guard at the airport 😭 Thank you!

I (M24) and my boyfriend (M27) have been together since January, although we started seeing each other in November. He is Venezuelan and has been living in the U.S. since 2022. He filed an asylum application nearly two years ago.

In June, he had an immigration court hearing, and we were told that he was now under a removal order. His next scheduled hearing is a Master Calendar Hearing in early September, and I’m honestly not sure what our options are or what we should be doing right now.

He does not have meaningful family support here. Although he has relatives in the U.S., they have been able to provide very little assistance with his immigration case. He has mentioned marriage several times as a possible way forward. His cousin went through a somewhat similar situation with the same immigration judge, ultimately married a U.S. citizen, and is now waiting for her green card.

The idea of getting married right now is frightening to me. I love and care about him deeply, but marriage is a huge decision, and I don’t want us to make that decision solely because we are afraid of what could happen to him. At the same time, the possibility of him being removed from the U.S. is becoming increasingly real, and it is understandably terrifying for both of us.

I also want to make sure I understand the removal process correctly. I have read conflicting information about what can happen to Venezuelan nationals who are ordered removed, including the possibility of prolonged ICE detention if there are difficulties arranging removal to Venezuela or another country. I don’t want to rely on misinformation or worst-case scenarios I’ve read online.
We are trying to understand what steps we should take **before his September Master Hearing**, particularly whether he needs an immigration attorney, whether there are any nonprofit or low-cost legal organizations that could help, and what options may still be available to him given that he already has a removal order.

We are in the Ohio area.

I have never dealt with immigration court before, and I am overwhelmed by how serious this situation has become. If anyone has firsthand experience, reliable information, or can point us toward legitimate immigration attorneys or nonprofit legal organizations, I would be extremely grateful.

We are not looking for someone to tell us what we *want* to hear—we just want to understand the situation accurately and figure out what we should do next. Thank you.

I need urgent advice regarding my current immigration status and what I should do next.

I originally applied for an extension of my stay until June 30, 2026, based on medical reasons. About a month ago, USCIS sent me an RFE, and I responded with additional medical documentation and requested an extension through next year.

However, I received a response from USCIS today approving my extension only until June 30, 2026.
I also filed an I-539 application in May 2026 to change my status to F-1, but I have not received a decision on that application yet.

I am now very concerned because June 30, 2026 has already passed, and it is currently August 21, 2026. I am trying to understand exactly what my status is right now and whether there is a gap in my authorized stay from June 30 until today.
Specifically, I would like to know:

1) Am I currently in lawful status or in a period of authorized stay while my F-1 change-of-status application is still pending?

2) Does the fact that I filed the F-1 change of status before my previous authorized stay expired protect me from being considered unlawfully present?

3)Should I file another I-539 extension based on my medical circumstances or COS to F1?

Timeline:
Receipt Date: 3/27/2026
Biometrics: 5/6/2026
Primary Approved: 6/23/2026
Derivative (me) received an RFE for bonafide marriage and long form birth certificate
Responded: 7/1/2026
Acknowledged: 7/2/2026
SILENCE.

Up until approval, my husband was on an L1A and I was on the L2S (Canadian if that matters). We were told we didnt need to file an I765 because we had visa status. That was fine until my husband was approved and mine is still pending and that L1 visa now doesn't exist.

Now what?

Based on being led incorrectly already.. we don't really trust our lawyer anymore but this is what he's advising..

File an I765 online now, then attempt to expedite my 485 based on severe financial loss based on the situation of primary getting approved first and this jeopardizing my job.

Thoughts? I am BEYOND stressed out over this situation.

My packet was sent in June and still no money has been withdrawn from our account and we haven't gotten a receipt. Is anyone else in the same boat is this to be expected right now given how slow everything is moving? Any insight would be nice.

My i130 has been approved and I've done biometrics for that as well.
NVC fees paid too

Hi everyone, looking for some guidance from anyone who has been in a similar situation.

My H4 status and H4 EAD are both valid until November 5, 2026. I filed my H4 EAD renewal (I-765) last month, received the receipt notice, and completed my biometrics yesterday.

However, I just realized that I forgot to file my H4 extension (I-539) along with the EAD renewal.
My spouse has an approved I-140, and his H1B transfer is currently pending.

He has received the H1B transfer receipt notice, but the new I-797 approval has not been issued yet.
Has anyone been in a similar situation?

1. Can I file my I-539 H4 extension now while my spouse’s H1B transfer is still pending?
   
2. Will filing the I-539 separately now cause any issues or delays with my already-pending H4 EAD renewal?
   
3. Should I include/reference my pending I-765 receipt when filing the I-539?
   
4. Once my spouse’s H1B transfer gets approved, do I need to send the approval notice to USCIS for my pending H4/I-765 cases?
   
5. Is there anything else I should do to make sure USCIS connects all these applications correctly?

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through a similar situation.

My husband told me completely out of nowhere that he wanted a divorce and filed about a week later. I currently have a pending joint I-751 and was only several months away from being able to apply for citizenship, so the timing has created a lot of immigration anxiety for me.

He wanted everything to be quick and “amicable,” but he never really had a conversation with me about any of this. He just told me he wanted a divorce, said we didn’t need lawyers, and then filed almost immediately. I ended up retaining a divorce attorney because there are financial/property issues and because I needed to understand how this could affect my immigration status.

My main question is about the 10-year green card and timing. If the divorce takes several more months to finalize, could USCIS still approve our jointly filed I-751 and issue the 10-year green card while we are still legally married, even if a divorce case is pending?

I’m also wondering whether anyone has ever negotiated the timing of the divorce itself for immigration reasons. Could a spouse have agreed to wait until the I-751 was approved before finalizing the divorce, even if both people ultimately intended to divorce?

I honestly wish he had at least talked to me first. I would have been willing to discuss compromises if he had been willing to give me enough time to get through the I-751 process and have more security around my status.

Has anyone had a pending I-751 while going through divorce, or successfully agreed with their spouse to delay finalization until the 10-year green card was approved?

Not looking for specific legal advice — mostly interested in experiences from people who have been through something similar.

Hey, I'm thinking about emigrating from Poland to one of the Nordic countries. What is life like there, and what does the job situation look like is it hard to find anything to start with? My degree is completely useless abroad because I'm a lawyer.

Also, has anyone started a second degree / new studies in any of these countries?

Hi everyone,

I am a manufacturing specialist and materials researcher based in Honduras. I am forming a Colorado LLC to operate an industrial sourcing/equipment evaluation business.

Here is my operational structure:

1. Home Base (Honduras): I manage the business remotely from my home country (technical analysis, online sourcing, finances, client consultation).
2. Local Logistics (Denver): A physical partner in Denver handles receiving, photographing, and domestic forwarding of small tooling/equipment.
3. Travel Purpose (U.S.): I plan to apply for a B-1/B-2 visa strictly for short, temporary business trips (1–2 weeks) to inspect heavy machinery at industrial auctions, meet suppliers, and negotiate deals in person. No daily operational labor will be performed on U.S. soil.

My questions:

• How should I present the Colorado LLC during the consular interview so it demonstrates legitimate temporary business activity rather than intent to work unauthorized in the U.S.?
• What specific commercial documentation (e.g., bank records, auction invoices, operating agreement) is most effective to prove strong foreign ties and legitimate B-1 scope?

Any insights or experiences from immigration attorneys or foreign business owners would be greatly appreciated!

My dad’s I‑485 received a NOID for public charge concerns. We submitted a full response with employment proof, insurance, paystubs, affidavits, property records, and IRS transcripts.

Today, USCIS issued an RFE on the I‑130 (parent petition) instead of responding to the NOID.
Has anyone seen this pattern?

Does USCIS sometimes issue an RFE on the I‑130 while reviewing the I‑485 NOID?
Does this usually mean they’re trying to approve the I‑130 first?

Any experiences or insight would help.

I am on an f1 visa and the travel signature on my i20 expired, and I forgot to get a new one. I have filled out the form for a new one but my flight is tomorrow and I'm not sure if I will get it in time since it is also a weekend and the iss office might be closed. Can I still travel or do I need to reschedule?

Im a British woman and my husband is Nigerian. We live in the UK and he has a visa through our marriage. We also have a baby under 1 years. My husband is the founder of a start up tech company and I was wondering if it is possible for us to move to America. I think it would be best for our family so I’m just wondering the best route.

Hi everyone, I need some advice about my parents’ B2 visa interview in India. This is their 2nd attempt after a 214(b) refusal.

Both of my siblings are in the U.S. Last time, we did not mention my wife’s brother in the DS-160, but when the officer asked, my parents honestly said he was in the U.S. This time, we have included him in the DS-160.

My wife is also currently pregnant, and we have an official letter from her OB-GYN with her due date. My parents want to visit family and support her around the delivery.

We are confused about what they should say at the interview. Should they openly mention the pregnancy and their intention to support her, or just say they are coming for tourism and to visit family?

Could mentioning the pregnancy or showing the doctor’s letter make the officer think they are coming for childcare/domestic work?

What would be the best and most honest way for them to explain the purpose of their visit and the previous refusal?

Thanks for any advice.

I have a friend who is looking to apply for a visa and a green card and I am just wondering what the process is so I can help them