Posts tagged “visa cancellation”

There is a pattern we see almost every day. Someone reaches out after a visa cancellation, an expedited removal, or a misrepresentation finding, and instead of engaging in a proper consultation, they try to “test the waters.” They ask if we can help, hint at their situation, or float a vague question hoping for a quick answer. Immigration law—especially at the border or consular level—is not a guessing game. These types of cases are complicated, carry long-term consequences and are fact-intensive, where the smallest detail can change the entire legal strategy.

One of the most common scenarios is the person who calls or writes something like: “My visa was cancelled at the airport and I was given expedited removal. Can you help?” That is the entirety of the information provided. No sworn statement, no timeline, no explanation of what was said to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, no indication of whether there was a finding under INA Section 212(a)(6)(C) or INA Section 212(a)(7)(A). The expectation, however, is that we can immediately assess the case. We cannot. That is precisely why we conduct 60–75 minute consultations—to reconstruct what actually happened, identify legal issues, and determine viable strategies. Anything less is not serious legal work.

The US used to be a welcoming country, opening its arms to tourists, business visitors, investors, executives, managers, creatives, and professionals such as scientists, mathematicians, and IT and business specialists. Not anymore. The mantra of this Administration? “A visa is a privilege, not a right.” But while each country of course has the right to determine who may enter, each country also has laws to define who may enter and who may not. Those immigration laws are to be complied with, not ignored, twisted, and run over by the whims and caprices of an Administration Run Amok.