15 Apr Preconceived Intent when applying for visitor’s visa may harm you

By Atty. Crispin Caday Lozano

When a person applies for a temporary visa to the United States, a person must actually have an intention to remain in the United States on a temporary basis and be limited by the rules of that visa. Similarly, when a person enters the United States on a particular temporary visa (or visa waiver), they must again represent that they truly only intend to remain in the United States on a temporary basis and will abide by the rules of the visa. Intending anything else is a material misrepresentation to Immigration Officers.

Beforehand, two of the main agencies that handle immigration matters – the Department of State & the Department of Homeland Security – have been in agreement on how to determine a person’s actual intent. The Department of State (DOS) is the agency that manages and controls the U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad. They have their own rules and guidance as to how to proceed with immigration applications, just as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does for its own offices within the United States.

Without notice or warning, this decades old policy suddenly changed on September 1, 2017. The DOS just indicated that they have changed their interpretation of a misrepresentation as it relates to persons inside the United States. They have rejected the concept of a 30/60 day rule and have now instituted a flat 90 day rule.

The new 90-day rule now states that any “conduct inconsistent” with the status granted within 90 days of entry will result in an assumption that there was a willful misrepresentation when the person applied for a visa or entry to the United States. DOS officers are instructed that, if they find that someone in the United States has applied for permanent residence (green card) or otherwise committed some act inconsistent with their visa’s intent, they must bring this attention to the DOS for potential revocation of their visa.

How will the change in policy be implemented?

The new 90-day rule refers to any activity inconsistent with their status. This may include working without authorization, enrolling in courses without authorization (for example, a person on a visitor visa), marrying a U.S. Citizen/Permanent Resident and taking up residence with them, even potentially overstaying their visa, or doing anything else that would require or change of status.

If actions are taken within 90 days of the person’s entry that are inconsistent with their visa, it is up to the applicant to prove that they truly intended to follow the rules of their visa when they entered the United States or applied for their visa. Consular officers are given the directive to allow the person an opportunity to respond and prove otherwise.
If the activities occur outside of the new 90-day rule, there is no assumption. However, if it becomes clear that the intent was still invalid when entering the United States, then the Consular officer may still seek to revoke the visa.
Note: This is not a legal advice.

SUCCESS STORIES

1. On April 12, 2019, we received approval from USCIS for two naturalization applications and one adjustment of status.
2. On March 29, 2019, we received an approval of adjustment of status for a client whose petitioner and primary beneficiary has died under INA 204(l)
3. On March 28, 2019, we received an approval of renewal of green card for a client who was in the Philippines under medical treatment for one and a half years.
4. From March 4 to 26, 2019, we received six adjustment of status approvals.
5.  For the month of February, 2019, we received tow approvals of renewal of green card and one approval of removal of condition on residence.
6. On January 16, 2019, we received an approval of naturalization for a client who received a waiver of misrepresentation in Immigration Court.
7. On January 28, 2019 we received an approval of adjustment of status for a client who entered on a visa waiver.
8. On December 6, 2018, we received an approval from Immigration Judge an adjustment of status for a client in removal proceedings.
9. On December 26, 2018, we received an approval from USCIS of adjustment of status for a client after our response to Notice of Intent to Deny the case based on good faith marriage issues.
10. On December 28, 2018, we received an approval of a naturalization from USCIS for a client who was granted a waiver of misrepresentation in Immigration Court.
11. For the month of December 2018, we received approvals of I-751 for three clients.
12.  For the month of November 2018, we received approvals of two adjustment of status, one naturalization and one U visa petition.
13.  For the month of October 2018, we received five approvals of N-400 and one approval for adjustment of status, two approvals of I-601A waiver of unlawful presence and one I-751 Removal of Condition on Residence.
14. On September 19, 2018, we received an approval of N-400 naturalization application and one Fiancée visa petition..
15.  For the month of August 2018, we received an approval of four Naturalization applications and five adjustment of status applications.
16. On July 27, 2018, we received an approval for permanent resident for a client who was abused by her spouse under VAWA.
    If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation.

Crispin Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He practices immigration law, bankruptcy and personal injury law since June 1999. His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@ccllaw.net