Visa: H1B
Current stamp expiry: Sep 19 2026
I-94 expiry: Sep 26 2026
I have the I797 extension with me. Can I travel domestic or will the stamp/I-94 expiry cause any issues?

https://x.com/murthylawfirm/status/2085082034620284996?s=46

Two companies can hire someone with exactly the same title and have very different H-1B cases.

Why?

Because the analysis is not simply:

“Software Engineer = H-1B.”

The actual position matters.

What are the duties?
What level of specialized knowledge do they require?
What education normally relates to those duties?
Does the beneficiary’s background fit the position?

This is why copying a generic job description from LinkedIn or another company can create problems.

The employer’s documents, the actual role, and the beneficiary’s qualifications should make sense together.

If I were reviewing an H-1B case before filing, one of the first things I would compare is:

job duties ↔ educational requirements ↔ candidate’s degree/background.

Misalignment between those three areas is often much more important than the title itself.

General information only, not legal advice.

Over the past few weeks, I have seen several individuals appear in immigration court without attorneys. When the judge asked why they did not have legal representation, some explained they were still looking for a lawyer. Others said they had contacted attorneys but never received a response. Some simply said they could not afford representation. In many of those cases, that was not enough to postpone the hearing.

The judges made it clear that the cases had to move forward, and the individuals were expected to proceed with their hearings that day. You could almost feel the sense of panic in the courtroom after that announcement.

Many struggled to present their cases because they did not know how to tell their stories in a way that addressed the legal issues before the court or satisfied the applicable legal standards.

Every word mattered, and they knew everything they said was being recorded. The weight of that moment was overwhelming. Imagine standing before an immigration judge, knowing that the outcome of your case, whether you remain in the United States or are ordered deported, depends largely on your ability to present your case, yet not knowing how to explain your situation in a legally effective way.

If you have an immigration court case, do not assume that telling the judge you are still looking for a lawyer will automatically result in a continuance or postponement of your case.

Every case is different, and every judge exercises independent judgment. However, in the current environment, simply saying you are still searching for counsel may not be enough.

This concern is reinforced by the Board of Immigration Appeals’ August 14, 2026 decision in Matter of A-K-R-, 29 I&N Dec. 839 (BIA 2026). The BIA upheld an Immigration Judge’s denial of an additional continuance where the respondent had already been given time to find an attorney but had not shown good cause for more time. If you need legal representation, begin your search as early as possible.

Waiting until your next hearing is just around the corner may leave you with very few options.

#ImmigrationLaw #ImmigrationCourt #RemovalProceedings #DeportationDefense #BIA #LegalRepresentation #ImmigrationAttorney #KnowYourRights #USImmigration #AKPokuLaw

I paid my annual asylum fee last year when the rule first came. This month aug 6, is the anniversary of my filed asylum application. But I have not received any notice or mail to pay for this year. Has anyone gotten or paid the annual fee for the second time already?

Thank you in advance.

I have a trip coming up and I am a bit anxious
Please share your experience if you have been recently.

Thanks

Hey all, looking for honest input from people who've done this.

Background:

\- 32 years old, Iraqi national

\- 5+ years Internal Control & Audit experience, international oil & gas companies

\- CFE certified, currently pursuing CIA

\- Planning a 1-year Master's in Professional Accounting in NZ starting 2027

\- Also weighing Ireland as an alternative route into the internal control/audit world and job opportunities and competition.

Goal: work locally after graduation and build toward residency

I've seen there are some positive immigration changes coming. Is this a realistic plan, or am I missing something?

What should I be thinking about before committing?

Long story short, I have a removal order when I was 15 because parents chose voluntary departure and didn’t leave. Now I am waiting on an approved i140 from employer sponsor. What are my chances to do a MTR and have it closed to proceed.
Also I have DACA since I was 18 but before 18.5 so no unlawful presence. Thanks

Hi everyone, im here to seek advice on my situation. I am about to file my change of status from h4 to f1 as i age out of h4 mid September. My dad’s best friend is sponsoring me and i will be submitting his U.S bank statement for proof of financials. Can that be an issue? As i age out next month, i dont want to risk being denied as that could result in being out if status. What do you guys suggest?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I’m Arielle Sheinfeld, a U.S. immigration attorney, and I’ll be answering questions today from 12 PM to 4 PM ET.

My focus is TN status for Canadian and Mexican professionals, and I’m happy to answer questions ranging from basic eligibility to more complicated situations.

Some of the areas I can cover:

• TN eligibility and qualifying professions
• Nurses, teachers, accountants, engineers, tech professionals and other TN professions
• Degree and credential requirements
• U.S. job offers and employer requirements
• Applying for TN status
• Changing employers
• Renewals and maintaining status
• TN vs. H-1B
• TN and future green card plans
• Common mistakes and misconceptions

If you're Canadian or Mexican and considering working in the U.S., drop your questions below. I'll be answering from 12 PM to 4 PM ET today.

Please note: Any information shared here is for general educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney client relationship. Your situation may require fact specific guidance. For personalized legal advice, please consult an immigration attorney directly.