'Carry documents always': Legal experts warn Indian diaspora in US
Immigration attorneys are advising Indian H-1B visa holders in the US to carry proof of their legal status while traveling domestically. This follows reports of non-citizens being detained by the Department of Homeland Security, even when they possess valid work authorization documents.
Why it matters
The advisory highlights the legal vulnerability of visa holders and the distinction between employment authorization and lawful immigration status.
Widespread reports of non-citizens being detained by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) during domestic travel within the US, have prompted immigration attorneys to advise their clients, including H-1B visa holders, to carry documents that establish their lawful immigration status or authorised stay in the US.The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) says such incidents have been reported across the country, including in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas and Virginia.Those detained did not necessarily have criminal records. Many were lawfully present in the US while an immigration benefit—such as adjustment of status or an asylum application—was pending. Some had also been issued Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) by DHS, allowing them to work legally while their applications were under consideration.
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