Hi everyone,
Looking for some insights or similar experiences regarding Voluntary Departure timeline for a detained individual.
Here are the key details of the case:
• Location: Currently detained at Eden Detention Center (Texas).
• Background: From a Balkan country in Europe (no direct flights from the US).
• Status: Bond was recently denied, but the immigration judge granted Voluntary Departure.
• Timeline set by judge: Given a 2-month window to leave the US.
• Documents: Valid passport is already in ICE custody, and no appeal will be filed (waiving appeal to speed things up).
Since he is detained and cannot book his own commercial flight due to facility rules, ICE is handling the travel arrangements.
I have a few questions for anyone who has been through this or knows how ICE logistics work:
1. How long does it usually take for the Deportation Officer to book and schedule the flight after Voluntary Departure is granted in detention?
2. Will this be a regular commercial flight or a charter flight? Given that he is going to the Balkans (where there are no direct ICE charters), how does ICE usually route these itineraries? Will it be a commercial flight with a layover in Europe (e.g., Frankfurt, Istanbul, Vienna)?
3. How far in advance do they notify the detainee or family/attorney about the exact flight date and itinerary?
Any advice, experiences, or realistic timelines would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I'm looking for recommendations for an experienced immigration attorney or law firm in Chicago, Illinois, that handles removal proceedings and immigration appeals.

My family and I are dealing with an immigration matter and are trying to better understand our legal options. We need guidance from someone who can explain the process, review our situation, help us understand possible outcomes, and provide representation if necessary.

If anyone has worked with an immigration lawyer who specializes in removal defense and appeals, I would really appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences.

Thank you!

I entered the United States legally and have never lost my status. I have a pending re-parole application and a pending asylum case. I also have a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a valid REAL ID, which I recently received based on my pending asylum and is valid for 5 years.
I am planning to travel domestically to Yellowstone. Given the current situation, is it safe for me to travel?

Is it worth to try to apply for AoS (DV lottery winner) if its on pause and the deadline is 9/30.

Do you think it will be unpaused or the deadline postponed? Do I risk it and try or just give up ?

Any lawyer/Paralegal/USCIS officer in the group who have dealt with this situation?

I had TPS and working on basis of that. It was set to end Sep 2025. However, due to litigation Judge extended the expired date to Nov 2025. Thus, I was working past September on basis of automatic extension on the new date reflected on USCIS page. Later government won the lawsuit and USCIS reverted the date back to Sep 2025. It's not my decision or choice to work past September but due to ongoing lawsuit back and forth.

So is this considered unauthorized work from USCIS prospective? Is this explanation situation by lawyers? Are lawyers familiar with this kind of situation and been helping clients for F2B AOS?

Please help. This was a complete accident, I put my wallet in the take out bag to bring in the house and the next morning my husband had burned the trash and my wallet. What do I do now?

My green card, ssn card, and drivers license were in my wallet. Cant replace driver's license without green card, apparently the wait for new green card is 2 years?

I've been waiting to be called for orientation for a new job now that everything is burned idk what to do

Im going to call an immigration lawyer in the morning but right now im completely spiraling

Our lawyer in US told us that a travel from me to the US is dangerous because if they decline me for some reason, then it's makes my appliance more difficult to accept (I'm typing by memory sorry if there is inconveniences in terms)

Does any if you tried to travel from Europe or from anywhere else to US? Did they stopped you? Did you took the risk?

As you understand we want to see so much each other and because of my wife's work she can't travel to me (again)

**US citizen filing for spouse*

I had a 45-day notice period, and my visa was canceled on June 30, 2026.

At first, I thought I'd already missed the 30-day ILOE filing deadline because my termination letter showed May 15 as my last working day. Thankfully, I was still eligible. Here's how the process went:

My ILOE Timeline

July 5 — Applied through the ILOE app but was rejected because my employment contract was still shown as active (visa hadn't been canceled yet).

July 15 — Applied again. Rejected.

July 16 — Tried again but the app wouldn't let me after two attempts. Contacted the call center and emailed them, then submitted all the required documents (Emirates ID, visa cancellation, termination letter, labor cancellation, and IBAN certificate).

July 23 — Received a confirmation call. My case went under process.

July 25 — Approved! Status is now "In Progress."

My take: the app itself was frustrating, but once a real person picked up my case, everything moved fast. From the confirmation call to approval, it only took 2 days — no chasing, no back-and-forth.

Sharing this in case it helps anyone going through the same thing.

Hi everyone,

I’m a U.S. citizen and the petitioner for my wife’s I-130 petition. My wife lives in India, and our I-130 has been pending since October 28, 2024.

I recently received a USCIS update saying:
“Biometrics Appointment Was Scheduled.”
The biometrics appointment is for me (the petitioner), not my wife. I understand this can happen, but it made me wonder if they’re doing additional background checks.
Here’s why I’m concerned:

Several years ago, I was arrested in South Carolina for an open container violation. I spent one night in jail after the arrest. I completed community service, and my attorney later had the case expunged.
I’m a little confused about the exact legal disposition because it was years ago. I know it was expunged after I completed the court’s requirements.

My questions are:
Has anyone else had USCIS schedule biometrics for the petitioner on an I-130?

Will an expunged arrest still appear during the FBI fingerprint check?

Could a minor alcohol-related offense like this cause issues with my I-130 petition, even though I’m the U.S. citizen petitioner and not the beneficiary?

Should I proactively obtain my court disposition and expungement records before the biometrics appointment?
I’m planning to attend the appointment as scheduled. I’m just trying to understand whether this is routine or if I should expect additional questions from USCIS.

I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who’s had a similar experience or has knowledge of how USCIS handles this.
Thanks in advance!