Case Processing
Travel Advisory Indian Nationals.
All Indian Nationals holding Advance Parole/Combo Card document are further NOT allowed to re-enter or board flights to UNITED
STATES.Doesn’t matter if it is non-stop flights or flights with multiple stops.Any Airline Departing INDIA can’t accept AP.
It is because of ongoing VAWA Fraud.
Fabricated Stories and Lies
Let’s stop spreading fear, anxiety, and panic about immigration.
Yes, we are living in uncertain times. Yes, immigration policies can change. But constantly sharing unverified stories and exaggerated claims is not helping anyone especially undocumented immigrants and VAWA applicants who are already under emotional stress.
I keep seeing posts about people with VAWA being detained at airports, pressured to say they weren’t abused, or being automatically denied re-entry. Is it possible that issues can happen? Yes. But how common is it really? Where is the verified proof? I personally know people who have traveled outside the U.S. with VAWA cases and were admitted back without threats, intimidation, or drama. Their experiences matter too.
When we spread every story we read online without confirmation, we create fear where there may not be facts. We are already living in trying times why add imaginary situations and fabricated stories to the burden?
Let’s be responsible. Let’s verify before we amplify. Let’s share resources, not rumors. Let’s encourage people to consult qualified immigration attorneys instead of relying on anonymous posts.
Fear spreads fast. But so does faith, truth, and community support.
If we truly care about each other, we should protect each others peace but not to fuel it with anxiety.
Let’s keep the faith and keep the fire burning.
Do I need a lawyer for AOS due to prior name/father inconsistencies?
Posted on Reddit earlier but posting here to maybe find people in same station as me…
I’m adjusting status through marriage to a U.S. citizen and trying to decide whether I need an attorney or if I’m overthinking this. I’m on F1 visa.
Here’s the situation (using example names for clarity):
• I was born in 2002.
• My biological father passed away in 2008.
• My mother remarried in 2013.
• In 2015 (when I was 13), my surname was changed in school and passport records to my stepfather’s surname.
Example: Jane Doe (birth name) → Jane Smith (after mom married stepdad).
• My passport has listed my stepfather as my father since 2015.
• I learned last year that I was never formally or legally adopted.
Immigration history:
• F-1 visa approved in 2020.
• On DS-160, I used my passport name (Jane Smith in this example) and did not list my childhood surname (Jane Doe) under “other names used.” I completely forgot and filled this form out when I was 18. I had not used my birth last name since I was 13.
• During the F-1 interview, I clarified that he was my stepdad.
• OPT (2024) and STEM OPT (2025) were approved.
• On OPT/STEM filings, I listed my current legal name and disclosed my childhood surname under “other names used.”
• All U.S. systems (I-20, SEVIS, I-94, EAD, SSN, visa) reflect the same name (Jane Smith) consistently.
Now for AOS, I’m:
• Listing all prior names used.
• Listing my biological father.
• Submitting an affidavit and supporting documents (biological dads death certificate, my mom’s marriage certificate to stepdad, and school and government documents from 2015 to 2020 explaining the name and father history.)
My concern is whether i need a lawyer for this because there is a high risk of RFE OR NOID etc, even though:
• I had no prior U.S. history under that name,
• No criminal or immigration issues,
• No benefit gained from omitting it,
• And I later the name disclosed it in OPT/STEM filings (both approved).
Has anyone dealt with something similar?
Does this sound like something that realistically requires hiring an attorney, or does it fall into normal documentation complexity?
Also my husband and I have been living together since last year and have plenty of evidence so not concerned about that at all.
I’m really upset with my mom for creating this mess and it’s been difficult because it’s not in my control.
Thank you
Thank god 🙏🙏
130 for spouse
PD 02/02/2023
Update from FD2 to IR1 November 17 /2025
Contact Congress woman 01/07/2026
GOT REF for evidence 02/6/2026
Send evidence 02/11/2026
approval 02/11/26
####
IR-1/CR-1
U.S. citizen filing for a spouse
Total Days: 1107 days
Case
2023-02-02
Today
I-130
1107 Days
California Service Center: I-130
Beware of Spam Calls
Suspicious call from +1 (888) 673-6978 claiming to be DHS. I did not provide any info. She mentioned my University name and that I came in with student visa which I did not and I ended the call. I sent in Ar-11 at first and so I was initially afraid if that might have prompted the call. Also I don’t have a lawyer and thinking whether to add one at this stage even though I have multiple prima facies with no rfe. I know these kind of calls can be annoying and but let’s hold on with faith.
Submitted (Oct 14), receipt notice (Oct 16), biometric reused (Oct 24), spouse EAD approved (Oct 28), my EAD applied and approved (Nov 28 & Jan 16). Case approved for VD (today for both)!
USCIS refreshed our case first on Dec 23, closed our TPS on Dec 30, closed my OPT EAD on Jan 5, closed my spouse’s EAD on Jan 9, closed my EAD on Jan 16, refreshed our cases on Feb 11 pre and during office hours. Approved my first and my spouse’s sometime after an hour!
Can USCIS Approve an I-140 If the Applicant’s Country Is Under an Immigrant Visa Ban (temporary)?
Very important question to clarify some confusion.
If a country is temporarily banned from immigrant visa issuance at U.S. consulates, can a petitioner still obtain I-140 approval from USCIS?
In other words, does a consular immigrant visa restriction affect USCIS’s adjudication of the I-140 petition itself, or would USCIS still approve the I-140 while visa issuance is simply paused at the consular level?
I would really appreciate input from anyone who has experience or reliable information on this. Thank you.
