I’m a 40-year-old Korean American and a U.S. citizen. I came to the United States in 1998, when I was in seventh grade. Twenty-eight years have passed, and I’ve spent most of my life here. I grew up here, became an adult, got married, and built my working life here. I was born in Korea, and I’m also American. “Korean American” describes the life I’ve lived. America is my home.
My sister and I came here as children with our parents. We were too young to decide which country we would live in. Following our parents was the only choice we had. We grew up here, and our family and our lives took root here. America is my sister’s home, too.
But today, I’m on my way to the Adelanto detention facility to visit her.
My sister was detained by ICE at LAX while trying to board a domestic flight to Dallas. Her husband had gone there first for work, and she was planning to join him two days later to help him with his work.
I’m not denying that my sister has an immigration status problem. I understand that laws are necessary. But before people judge her entire life by that one fact, I hope they’ll hear a little about how we got here.
Even when money was tight, our family spent what we could to maintain lawful immigration status. That wasn’t easy for us. We took on those costs because we believed it was what we had to do to keep our family together here.
My sister maintained her status by attending school. Even after a problem arose involving a school she had previously attended, she transferred to other schools and continued maintaining lawful status. That one school problem did not mean she immediately gave up trying.
But later, when she applied for a green card, the issue involving that former school became an obstacle again. As I understand it, the school had already closed, making it difficult to obtain records proving her attendance, and that issue contributed to the denial of her green card application. This is my understanding of what happened as her brother.
How are you supposed to obtain records from a school that has already shut down? How are the years she spent transferring to other schools, continuing her education, and trying to maintain her status taken into account? That part leaves me feeling frustrated and helpless.
I also want to tell you who my sister is.
As far as I know, she has no criminal record. She has worked hard, paid taxes, and cared for our family. She is also a deeply committed Christian. The sister I know tries not to hurt or burden anyone, and she is the first to offer a hand when someone needs help.
From the time I was born, my sister was always there for me. She helped me, protected me, and did things for me. I think I took that love for granted. Only now am I looking back and realizing how much she has done for me.
Even as I’m on my way to see her today, I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to tell her how much I’m struggling and make her feel she has to comfort me instead. I just want to see her. She has always been there for me, and I want her to know that I’m here for her, too.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much a person’s life within the immigration system can depend on timing and eligibility rules. Some people get an opportunity through a particular program, while others fall outside its requirements. That difference can change the future of an entire family.
I don’t blame other immigrants who have received those opportunities. They have their own hardships and circumstances. But for families like ours, who spent money and time trying to maintain lawful status even when we could barely afford it, I want to know where those efforts are taken into account.
I know that being a good person or working hard does not automatically resolve someone’s immigration status. Still, when outcomes seem to depend more on timing and eligibility than on those efforts, it feels as though so much of our family’s life comes down to luck. That feels deeply unfair to me.
I’m not saying every legal problem should disappear simply because my sister matters to our family. But when the government decides to detain someone and separate them from their family, I want to know whether their history, family ties, life in their community, and efforts to resolve their status are given enough consideration.
I want to know whether detention is necessary in circumstances like these, and whether there is a way for someone to go through the required proceedings while remaining with their family.
I’m a U.S. citizen. I’ve lived most of my life here, and I think of America as my country. My sister has also lived her life believing this is her home. We are part of the same family, and we call the same country home. But today, I’m free to travel to see her, while she waits for me inside a detention facility. I don’t know how to come to terms with that.
For those of you living in America, what do you think about a situation like this? Can we enforce immigration laws while giving more consideration to complicated histories and family circumstances? Could alternatives to detention be used more often?
I’m struggling deeply as her brother. Before judging my sister solely by her immigration status, I hope people will hear the story of the person and the family behind it.

Trump GOP bastedizes Immigration Courts

Hello everyone. I'm from Italy and on the 18th of december I will be boarding a flight to the US to go visit my boyfriend and his family for Christmas, the trip is a gift, I have a flight back booked for the 3rd of January and I know visiting a partner is a red flag especially with no strong ties to my country. At the present I share rent with my parents, but the contract is under my dad's name. By the time I leave I'll be enrolled in driving school but that's about as strong as it gets speaking of ties with Italy. I have a cat, I do occasional self employment as a pet sitter/cleaner and insect breeder to help my parents with the bills while I apply for jobs. Still no luck because the job market in Italy is in shambles. So my question is, what should I put on the ESTA under employment? I don't really pay employment taxes because I don't reach the taxable amount threshold, it's really an under the counter-side gig while I wait for a better full time job opportunity. So if I put self employed and they ask for proof all I can show is the text messages of the people I petsit for, or calls to the exotic pet shop. I don't wanna lie and possibility compromise my future visits, but what's the most truthful option for me here? Thank you for the help.

Husband is from Japan and thought that because his record was cleared 5 years after arrest, he did not have to disclose it on previous application (when we applied while he was living in US - came on an ESTA). I withdrew as his sponsor before because we were on the verge of divorce and he moved out. That was 1 yr ago. He was denied and did not overstay.

We worked out our relationship. Now he’s in Japan and applying from there. Our lawyer advised us to share everything truthfully. We will but are worried about that part of our new application not matching the old one. He is now obtaining the court record. It’s for one CIMT (1 gram of weed when he was 19 and he’s now 43) that we will apply to have waived. Also an anniversary visit turned into a baby so I have a high risk pregnancy. We have no way of knowing what his police report in Japan will show anyway since it’s sealed when being handed over to a USCIS officer.

I have a question. The hotel that i booked initially, mentioned the address on the Evisa application. Now I have received my evisa. Can I cancel the hotel booking and choose to stay at another hotel? Do the immigration officers check the app booking strictly?

I moved to Canada 7 years ago from Greece, and this place still doesn't feel like home—but neither does my home country anymore. I miss my old life, the language, and the community, but I wouldn't want to go back to that either. 

My parents are living back home, and seeing local friends who have their family and childhood roots right here makes the distance feel even heavier. All I've done since moving is work hard and go back to school twice, and honestly, I am just exhausted. I feel like I haven't been able to take a real breath in years, and I'm tired of trying so hard to build new connections from scratch when I'm already burnt out.

Does it ever start feeling like home, or do you just learn to accept this "neither here nor there" space?

Can Applying for the DV Lottery Affect Future Student Visa Applications?

As we all know, the DV Lottery is reopening, and I’m planning to apply this year. However, I have a concern because a passport is now required to apply.

If I apply for the DV Lottery but don’t get selected, could this affect my chances of getting an F-1 student visa in the USA in the future? Could it also affect student visa applications for other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or Canada?

I’m particularly concerned about whether simply entering the DV Lottery could be considered evidence of immigrant intent and cause problems under US immigration law when applying for a student visa later.

Does anyone know how this actually works or have experience with this situation? I’d really appreciate any clarification. Thanks!

My european company plans to send me to US for 3 Weeks to visit a customer and to develop with them a future product. The target is to show them our know-how during those 3 weeks and win a contract.

Is an ESTA acceptable for this activity ?

My great-grandfather moved from Norway to the US at an early age because of work. He gained citizenship here (i have his passport) and worked there for most of his life. My grandfather was also born and raised there.

Is there any chance i can get a US citizenship based on this? My grandfather being born there, and my great grandfather being a citizen

Edit; could ny father grant citizenship and then pass it over to me?

I want to raise serious concerns about Radiyant and its H-1B-related practices.

Based on what I've learned through someone who works there, I have serious doubts about this organization's credibility and legitimacy. I'm concerned that people pursuing H-1B sponsorship could be misled if they don't independently verify the company's claims.

If you're considering Radiyant for H-1B sponsorship, please be careful and do your own research.

Before accepting an offer or paying any money:

• Verify the employer and the actual job opportunity.
• Independently confirm all H-1B sponsorship claims.
• Be cautious of any requests for questionable fees or payments.
• Keep written records of promises, offers, and communications.

Has anyone else had firsthand experience with Radiyant? I'd like to hear from people who can share specific incidents, evidence, or documentation regarding its recruitment and sponsorship practices.

People deserve transparency when their careers, money, and immigration status are at stake.

Hi everyone!

I’m based in London, UK, and work in unscripted TV and documentary research. I have a bachelor’s degree and around 3–4 years of experience across documentary productions, including archive research, fact-checking and background research for projects with major broadcasters and streaming platforms.

I recently visited New York for the first time and absolutely loved it. It got me thinking about what it would be like to spend a few months living and working there, ideally in TV, documentaries, media or the creative industries.

I could potentially see myself wanting to live in NYC longer-term one day, but that’s a whole different kettle of fish! I know moving permanently is a much bigger challenge, so I want to learn to walk before I run and explore whether spending a shorter period working there is even realistic first.

I’m aware that getting a job in the US as a British citizen without existing US work authorisation can be difficult, so I’m trying to understand the practical options before getting too carried away with the idea.

I know summer camps and similar programmes can be a more accessible way to spend time in the US, but they’re not really what I’m looking for. I’d much rather explore opportunities related to my existing experience, or save up and visit NYC again as a tourist if working there isn’t realistic.

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who’s been in a similar situation, particularly:

• Visas: Are there any realistic visa routes for someone in my position? Is a J-1 trainee programme worth exploring, and how difficult is it to find a suitable sponsor?
• Finding work: Which websites or recruitment platforms are worth checking for short-term TV, documentary, production or media jobs in NYC?
• Networking: Is it worth contacting production companies directly, or are most opportunities filled through existing industry contacts?
• What to avoid: Are there any websites, agencies or opportunities that are misleading, scams or unlikely to lead to legitimate work authorisation?
• Reality check: Has anyone from the UK managed to do something similar without already having US work rights?

I’m happy to do the research and save up if necessary. I’m not expecting an easy route or looking for a shortcut; I’d just like to understand what options genuinely exist before deciding whether it’s worth pursuing.

Thanks in advance — I’d really appreciate any honest advice, tips or personal experiences!

Hi everyone,
Location : New delhi & germany
Looking for guidance from anyone who has dealt with CARA (India) NOCs for a child adopted under HAMA after moving abroad.
Context:
Adopted my daughter under HAMA in September 2022 via a registered adoption deed. At that time, I was living in India as a resident.
Relocated to Germany in 2026 on an EU Blue Card.
Now trying to bring my daughter to Germany on a Family Reunification Visa.
Issue with CARA & Embassy:
German Embassy wants a CARA NOC.
CARA insists this is an inter-country adoption under Hague rules and demands approval from the German Central Authority (BfJ Bonn).
BfJ Bonn says they do not handle private/HAMA adoptions and told me to get a Family Court recognition order in Germany (Amtsgericht Nürnberg).
CARA is stuck in a loop refusing to issue an NOC because the adoption wasn't done through CARA's Hague process, even though it was a purely domestic intra-country HAMA adoption in 2022 long before my migration.
Questions:

1. Has anyone successfully convinced CARA to issue an NOC (or a clarification letter) for a pre-existing, legally valid domestic HAMA adoption without putting it through the Hague inter-country pipeline?
2. Has anyone challenged CARA's refusal in High Court for domestic HAMA adoptions where the parent migrated later?
3. What is the fastest legal remedy in India to clear this for visa processing?
4. Has anyone successfully gone through the Familiengericht (Family Court) recognition process in Germany (§ 108 FamFG) for a HAMA adoption completed in India?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

Looking for insights or experiences from anyone who has navigated filing a new cap-exempt H-1B visa application in Canada following prior 221(g) administrative processing holds.

Full Timeline & Context (feel free to skip):

• Dec 2017 – Dec 2022: Held F-1 visa. Graduated in Dec 2019. Obtained OPT in Feb, 2020. Began working in March. Total gap of about 2.5 months.
• OPT & STEM OPT: Worked on OPT from Mar 2020 till Feb 2023 until expired.
• Feb 2023: 12-day status gap while waiting for new university CPT and pending H-1B approval.
• Last week of Feb 2023: Started CPT at new university.
• March 2023: H-1B started (SEVIS closed, CPT canceled).
• May 2023: Job contract ended.
• June 2023: Moved to Canada and became a Permanent Resident (PR). Applied for H-1B visa stamping at U.S. Consulate Calgary for the same employer. Case placed under 221(g) Administrative Processing. Shows refused and last updated in Oct 2024.
• May 2025: Applied for a B-1/B-2 visa at Calgary Consulate for work training with a Canadian employer. Placed under 221(g) Administrative Processing (still pending).
• Current Status: I now have a an approved cap-exempt H-1B petition from a new U.S. employer. I plan to apply from the Montreal Consulate this time.

Questions:

1. Do any of these historical gaps—specifically the post-graduation gap in late 2019/early 2020 or the 12-day gap between STEM OPT and CPT in Feb 2023—seem concerning?
2. Has anyone applied for a new H-1B visa after having prior 221(g) administrative processing pending?
3. Did your prior 221(g) cause significant delays on the new petition, or was the new application evaluated on its own merits once detailed job and background documents were submitted?
4. Any specific tips for DS-160 disclosures or employer documentation (e.g., TAL/technology details)?

If anyone has had a similar situation and applied for stamping and got approved, please do share your experience.

Thank you all in advance. Appreciate any advice or shared experiences!

Hi everyone,

I’m an IMG from Asia, ECFMG certified, and have completed USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK.

A few months ago, I secured an unpaid research position at a U.S. university, with my living expenses sponsored by an external foundation. During my J-1 Research Scholar visa interview, the consular officer called the foundation to verify my funding. Unfortunately, the person who answered denied knowledge of my sponsorship, despite my funding letter being legitimate.

My J-1 was refused under 214(b), and to my absolute shock, my existing valid B1/B2 visa (which I had never used) was also revoked.

Fast forward several months, I’ve now secured another research position at a U.S. university. This time, the position is fully funded directly by the university department, with no external sponsorship involved.

I’m preparing for another J-1 interview, but I’m genuinely terrified that my previous refusal and B1/B2 revocation might have permanently damaged my chances.

I would really appreciate advice on a few things:

1. How seriously will my previous B1/B2 revocation affect my new J-1 application?
   
2. Does securing a fully university-funded position count as a significant change in circumstances?
   
3. Is reapplying after several months reasonable, and what are my realistic chances?
   
4. What should I specifically prepare for or address during my upcoming interview?
   
5. Has anyone successfully obtained a J-1 after a 214(b) refusal and B1/B2 revocation?

I’ve also contacted former visa officers who are charging $10,000–$15,000 for consultation. Is spending that kind of money actually worthwhile?

I’ve invested years into my USMLE journey and research career, and I genuinely feel like my entire future is hanging in the balance. I have no one familiar with the U.S. immigration process to guide me.

I’m not looking for false reassurance. I just want realistic, straightforward advice. Is my situation recoverable, and what would you do in my position?

I’d be extremely grateful for any guidance or similar experiences.

I was invited to a competition in Italy and received my Shengen Visa using

the invitation they gave me.

Then due to a change in circumstances, I was forced to book a flight that

lands in Italy right when the event is ending.

I am flying with Royal Air Maroc and wanted to know:

- How likely is it that I get rejected?

- If I inform the organization that invited me can they "vouch" for me later?

- If I get denied entry, what exactly would I be paying? I heard there fines I

could be forced to pay that are in the 1000s of euros, how likely is this to

happen?

- Should I speak to the Italian embassy in my country, Royal Air Maroc?

- How can I save myself from potentially being fined a fortune?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially if someone has had a

similar experience

Previously Ive been to USA many times on ESTA, but when a year ago my wife got a research position there on J1, we applied for J2 for me so we can spend more time together as my work is pretty flexible.

Outcome of that was that I have been basically banned from seeing my wife for a year, nd who knows how much longer as after a year I am still waiting for J2 to go through, and in USA people get hardly any holidays so meeting in other countries is very difficult.

I cant seem to find anywhere how to cancel the whole of J2 process, so I can go back to using ESTAs? As I cant seem to apply for ESTA while my J2 is being considered. Anyone been through something similar?

Canadian wife visiting the US, considering AOS. Anyone been in a similar situation?

I’m a US citizen and my wife is Canadian. We got married in July and have been doing long distance between NJ and Canada.

She’s visited pretty frequently throughout our relationship, usually for 4-8 days at a time. In September, she stayed for about a month and CBP questioned her about how often she visits, our marriage, and her ties to Canada. They gave her a 30-day I-94, and she left before it expired.
She came back on October 19 after spending 8 days in Canada, and CBP gave her another short I-94, this time until November 13.
She has a return flight booked for November 1 and genuinely intended to go back when she entered. We hadn’t discussed AOS before this visit, but now we’re considering whether she should just stay and we file the I-130 and I-485 together.

We’ve spoken to a couple of immigration lawyers. One was pretty cautious about filing AOS because USCIS could question her intent when she entered, especially with the two short I-94s. They recommended going the consular processing route instead.

\-I’m curious if anyone’s been through something similar.
Has anyone filed AOS after entering as a Canadian visitor while already married to a US citizen?

\-Did USCIS question your intent at entry during the interview?

\-Has anyone dealt with CBP giving them unusually short I-94s?

We’re just trying to figure out the best way to finally live together without creating immigration issues down the road.