MEGATHREAD- What does a Trump Presidency mean for visas? (merged)

[irwinwill 2]

I'm in the same boat. My husband is awaiting interview in Abu Dhabi since September and I'm petrified!

I think if he's at that stage you'll be fine. Even if he does make it hard for spouse's to get visas, it will definitely take a little bit of time to take affect, by which time your husband would have had his interview.

I'm still waiting for my NOA2, so i'm a little nervous. I'm hoping it was all talk!! And he will look at bigger issues first.

[Hopeforbest 9]

Listen...

Any changes to immigration is going to take some time. Those who are on a journey now should continue to stay focused. Yes, it is going to be tense for many immigrants for the next few years but don't expect many changes to happen in the immediate future.

Agree .

[Adam&Allison 128]

Listen...

Any changes to immigration is going to take some time. Those who are on a journey now should continue to stay focused. Yes, it is going to be tense for many immigrants for the next few years but don't expect many changes to happen in the immediate future.

Agreed. Let's not jump ahead of ourselves, he doesn't take office until the 20th January - then to pass an immigration reform, you'll be looking at months.

I would also expect that any immigration reform passed does NOT impact ongoing applications or petitions. I would imagine anyways.

[JenniferNangel 137]

Trump is more into deporting the illegals and running more extensive background checks on the ones that want to immigrate. I wouldn't worry to much but remember it might take some time to actually put anything into effect and the house must vote and approve what he wants to do.

[Adam&Allison 128]

Trump is more into deporting the illegals and running more extensive background checks on the ones that want to immigrate. I wouldn't worry to much but remember it might take some time to actually put anything into effect and the house must vote and approve what he wants to do.

Yeah that's my thinking too - he doesn't take office until January 20th, so if we submit our I-129F this week or next, with any luck we should receive our NOA2 before then anyways.

My main worry is that a little while ago he was talking about pausing green cards temporarily...

[JenniferNangel 137]

Yeah that's my thinking too - he doesn't take office until January 20th, so if we submit our I-129F this week or next, with any luck we should receive our NOA2 before then anyways.

My main worry is that a little while ago he was talking about pausing green cards temporarily...

No from my understanding it was to stop the work visas, he doesn't have a problem with immigration as long as it's done legally. Also you will want to file the k1 before the new higher fees go into effect in December

[Adam&Allison 128]

No from my understanding it was to stop the work visas, he doesn't have a problem with immigration as long as it's done legally. Also you will want to file the k1 before the new higher fees go into effect in December

Yeah we were gonna file before then anyways, we've done this all before - the I-129F submission, we just withdrew it at embassy stage because we felt like the timing wasn't right. But yeah the plan for now is to plan this or next week

[JM101 14]

I expect that one of the things that will be felt immediately will be an extension of time to complete the process.

First due to extra vetting of the individuals coming into the USA. I expect that President Trump will ask for additional security checks for every applicant.

The second delay I think may happen might be caused by a huge increase of applicants trying to get in before any changes to the US immigration policies may take effect.

Of course only time will tell...after all how long has Mr. Trump been President??????

JM101

[NBA16 55]

Listen...

Any changes to immigration is going to take some time. Those who are on a journey now should continue to stay focused. Yes, it is going to be tense for many immigrants for the next few years but don't expect many changes to happen in the immediate future.

I agree, changing the laws takes its time, and it sounds too weird to me if they say: nah! You cant move to USA to live with your husband! He does not even hold dual citizenship. At least i hope it won't happen, im frustrated enough with the long process

[JFH 12,189]

If you've got to interview stage then you're almost at the end of the journey. Trump doesn't even take office until January 20. That 2.5 months from now. And if he wants to make any changes to spousal visas (and he has not confirmed that he will) then it will take several months, if not years, for everything to be passed through law. There may be additional security checks from certain regions but I think that was inevitable anyway - many countries are implementing the same policy for immigrants.

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

To all of you

the President does not conttrol immigration

it is not paid for under the Federal budget

it is paid for by our fees only

when i wrote to Obama the letter i received said "all were concerned over immigraition but the President and federal government officals did not control immigration

the President, however, will appoint ambassadors and change out who he wants in the first quarter of his Presidency he appoints thousands of positions

there is no special congressional committee working on immigration reform

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_United_States_Senate_committees

this is the 2015 committees our senate now has and it has not changed

it is up to the Senate to start a special committee to invesigate and make new immigration laws

Trump is concerned with illegal immigrants

he has no idea what happens with legal immigration / he doesn't even know about the DV lottery

[Ezy_and_Oghene 10]

If you've got to interview stage then you're almost at the end of the journey. Trump doesn't even take office until January 20. That 2.5 months from now. And if he wants to make any changes to spousal visas (and he has not confirmed that he will) then it will take several months, if not years, for everything to be passed through law. There may be additional security checks from certain regions but I think that was inevitable anyway - many countries are implementing the same policy for immigrants.

Yeah except that we don't have an interview date either. Our case completed 55 days ago. Maybe I'm thinking too much...hopefully, he will be scheduled before the big change.

[jeharpatel31 6]

First of all, I am so glad that I'm not alone in panicking. I'm an Indian Citizen and my husband is a LPR. My case has already been completed at the NVC and my PD is just 2 to 3 months away from being current. I'd really appreciate it if someone can shed some light into the visa possibilities from the point of view of my case. It just seems so unfair that I waited for all these months, did everything right and now BAM! I can't go start a life with my husband??

[mollenne 11]

While I am very disappointed with the outcome of this election, and especially electing a candidate with such racist and misogynistic ideals, we can only worry so much about the things we cannot control.

So maintain control over what you still can:

- Do your due diligence to streamline this process as much as possible. Be extra careful with your paperwork and petitions.

- Don't hesitate now more than ever to contact your representatives (if you are the USC petitioner) if there is a delay with your paperwork.

- Keep on the path you were planning to go on... if you're thinking about filing for a K1 or any other visa -- don't delay, don't stop because he is the president elect. Nothing has changed...yet.

This election should not stop you from trying to move forward with your respective visa processes, keep going until you have a reason to stop. Whose to say how slow or fast immigration changes will happen; these things take time, or changes could happen in segments.

It is very disheartening because this will mean a majority rule for Republicans in all branches of the US government (given he appoints a conservative Supreme Court Justice)... but we need to focus on what is in front of us and try to press on and get as far as we can. Hopefully we will be able to make more progress if someone else will get elected in four more years...

It's a sad day for us all, but let's keep doing the best we can.

[aleac 75]

I've got my K-1 visa approved and I'm planning on flying to the US in February, so I''ve been reading articles all morning about his plan for LEGAL immigration.

Here's what understood:

1.- Back in February he proposed banning the issuance of all green cards for 1-2 years.

2.- Then he promised to reduce the amount of green cards issued per year. Also making it harder to get a green card (based on merit instead of family based)

NO, he doesn't need congress approval to do any of these two. He controls both chambers now anway.

And YES he can defund USCIS