Next week they are announcing how the new rules are applied to L2 visa holders as they are now allowed to work without EAD (they just need to finally the spouse part and adjust the forms accordingly).

the update of the i94 is effective. you can ask the CBP to update it so that the status spouse should be mentioned (L2S) , then get your new i94 with L2S mention.

@sarah: do u see it in any online news?

@ben : i tried reaching them. they are not updating for folks who came long back… they are not aware of the guidelines too

I talked with CBP in my city and they say they are not responsible to change it and can’t help. next Monday there will be an update about the new regulations and also what happens to those people who are already in the country. because the worst case would be that you need to leave and return to get an updated stamp. and making 1000s of people travel during a pandemic is crazy.

the part about the update is coming from our immigration lawyers. new guidelines will be released next week.

WAC219008 here with RD late April and still not yet approved.

@kharthik I believe you can email CBP to get it changed to L2S.

@sarah: thank u Sarah

@asha: i tried calling and i have emailed them.. i dont think they might do for folks who are here already

did anyone find out any news on guidance for folks who are in L2 and already in US?

no, waiting on lawyer to update us. but also interested to know.

call CBP ask for a i94 update.

did that already and they were not doing it

then insist because lots of people are actually getting it this way

I resent my email to CBP now, implementing that I would need to take my infant daughter with me out of the country during a pandemic (she’s breastfed only). Hoping this might help. I do have a flight to Canada booked though for the weekend just in case.

@sarah: is ur I94 given by CBP still valid? my wife’s i94 expired. she has approved L2 notice from USCIS

Yes, mine is still valid until April 1st. we hope our GC will be approved by then. Alternatively we will file for a visa extension. what is unclear is if an L2 spouse is also granted the 240 days to continue working at this point.

does anyone know if we can do the same upon passing the Mexican border? Or if Canada is the only option by land?

According to the new guidelines, CBP is only changing i97s for people who newly come into the country, not for anyone who’s already in it. In order to get it changed you need to leave and return. Hereby it doesn’t matter where you go to, however: boardinting countries to the US do not need to update the i94. Your stay outside the country needs to be at least for a whole day, and even then they might not do it (except if you would go to Europe and back). But when it comes to Canada or Mexico it doesn’t matter where you go.