Living in the U.S. as an immigrant? Well keep your ears and eyes opened because the government has just made announcement. Immigrants living in the country on visas, are currently undergoing review. This simply means that students, workers and even permanent residents could have their information reviewed once again.
There are many state officials who mention that the new information could be used to potentially determine whether the immigrant is still eligible to stay in the U.S.
Regardless of whether you have lived in the U.S. for many years, as a result of this announcement, you may be required to provide updated information or documents for another round of checks.
How the Reviews Work
Government officials noted that this process doesn’t just stop the initial visa application. The visa process still continues even if the person is already living in country. Remember, the new information that is found after the visa is issued, can still be considered.
This review process shows that the administration is very strict when it comes to immigration processes and border security. You might think that the process is over once you receive your visa, but it isn’t. The department still monitors your visa after it’s approved. It is not a once off process, it still continues.
Why the Change?
According to the government, the new system is meant to:
- Stop identity fraud.
- Catch people who overstay their visas.
- Make sure records match across different departments.
Officials also note that this policy highlights the immigration agenda of the Trump administration. This encompasses of stricter border control, restrictions and more intense vetting process for those who come into the country.
What Immigrants Might Experience
If you are on a visa, here are some of the extra checks you might face:
- Document reviews: Your passport, residence permit, or biometric data might need to be updated or resubmitted.
- Background checks: Police clearances or financial statements could be requested again.
- Work and study checks: Employers and universities may be contacted to confirm that you’re working or studying under the conditions of your visa.
How People Are Affected
Immigration and visas are very sensitive topics. After the announcement was made, many families were stressed and worried. As part of the new rules, even small issues such as old addresses or even a document without a signature could even become a problem.
It is also important to remember that there are students who come from other countries to study in the U.S. These students are already overwhelmed with study and financial pressures; this will cause added stress.
Pros and Cons of the Policy
There are both supporters and opposers of this policy. Supporters are happy because they say that it helps keep the immigration system fair. However, opposers mention that this might create unnecessary fear for immigrants who already follow the law.
Supporters’ opinions:
- It keeps the country safe.
- It prevents fraud and misuse of the system.
- It rewards people who follow the rules.
Opposers opinions:
- It could overwhelm the immigration system with too much paperwork.
- Many law-abiding immigrants may face unnecessary stress.
- The government may not have enough staff to handle the extra reviews quickly.
What You Can Do Now
Here are some easy actions to do if you are an immigrant who could be impacted:
- Make sure you keep your paperwork up to date: Check your student visa, work permits as well as your passport to make sure it is not expired.
- Keep all your documents together such as your employment documents, education papers and passports together.
- If you have any questions or require information, be sure to consult an advisor or immigration attorney.
- Pay attention to all the updates and follow verified information.
The Bigger Picture
The government assures that the checks will fair but still many people are worried. The best thing for immigrants to is keep up to date with verified information and be sure to seek advice if they are unsure about their documentation, it’s better to be proactive rather than reactive.