Need advise on B1/B2 double extension: Hi, my father came to US on a B1/B2 visa in Jun 2025(I94 expires in Jan 2026), he was hospitalized due to cardiac issue in Nov '25 and I filed for extension in till Jun 2026 - the status is still showing as "case received" and we are expecting a baby in August, can I file for another extension with these details till Aug 2nd week or so? Even if the first extension is pending
Carlos’s answer:
Private tuition debt is not in CBP databases, and it does not create inadmissibility within the Immigration Law context.
The U.S. government focuses on criminal history, immigration violations, watchlists, and public charge—not private civil debts like tuition. Debt collectors (Reliant Capital) do not share data with CBP or ICE. Civil debts are irrelevant to INA grounds of inadmissibility (crimes, health, security, immigration violations).
You departed the U.S. within 30-day grace period post-program end—no unlawful presence accrued, no overstay violation.
SEVIS termination may show in CBP's student database, but non-payment is administrative.
Can unpaid university debt trigger entry denial for a dual citizen (Spain/Peru) with approved ESTA?:
I am a dual citizen of Spain and Peru. I previously held an F-1 visa but departed the U.S. 2 years ago due to a financial emergency that left an unpaid tuition balance at my university. My departure was timely; I exited within the 30-day grace period following the end of my studies, and I have since completed my degree requirements online from abroad.
I recently applied for and received an approved ESTA on my Spanish passport for a 1-week tourism trip to Miami and Nashville for my friend’s bachelorette. However, I am concerned about a collection notice I received from a private agency (Reliant Capital) regarding the tuition debt.
My specific concerns are:
Does a private, civil tuition debt appear in CBP’s entry databases or constitute grounds for inadmissibility?
Could my previous F-1 status termination (due to non-payment) be flagged as a status violation despite my timely departure?
Are there risks of "debtor's detention" or location sharing with creditors at the port of entry?
Carlos’s answer:
It depends on how you frame the request and whether there is a continuing, justified, temporary reason for the stay. A second Form I-539 can sometimes be filed even while the first extension is still pending, but USCIS will look closely at whether the new request is supported by a real and temporary need, such as ongoing medical treatment or other compelling humanitarian circumstances. Provide proof of how long the need will last, evidence of ties and plans to depart the U.S.. For medical-based requests, the supporting evidence should include the diagnosis, treatment plan, prognosis, etc.
A second extension request is not automatically barred just because the first one is pending. That said, the new request should not simply repeat the old one; it should explain why the period must extend again and why the additional time is necessary. Expecting a baby may support a humanitarian reason to remain through the birth, but USCIS will still expect a well-documented explanation in your request.
How long does it take to file a marriage based green card case?:
I am married to a US citizen, I live and work in Europe and can’t visit the US often. I will be pursuing the consular path for the GC.
I provided all the requested documentation to the paralegal handling my case within a few days of his request. I asked him if he could review the affidavits before notarizing them.
I sent the paperwork at the beginning of March. Only last week he told me they were good to go, of course only after I queried first.
On several occasions he said things like “I’ll let you know tomorrow/the day after/next week”, needless to say he never does, every time I have to email first, and every time with no avail.
The only time he emailed me was to tell me that “we need to wait until I come back to the US to file because I’m working on many things with the attorney”. I have requested twice the meaning of this statement but have received no answer.
I am getting very frustrated with this law firm, I feel like nothing has been done with my case, despite me paying 6k for this case.
The contract I signed states that no refunds are allowed.
Are this kind of behaviour and time frame normal or was I just unlucky?
Thank you in advance.
Carlos’s answer:
Some delay in communication can occur in immigration matters, particularly with consular processing cases that involve multiple steps and coordination between client, firm staff, and government agencies. However, consistent lack of follow-up, unclear explanations, and the need for repeated client inquiries are understandably frustrating and fall short of the level of communication most clients reasonably expect. If you are receiving unclear or incomplete answers, you are entitled to request a direct update from the attorney of record.
The statement that filing must wait until you return to the United States is not typical in all consular processing cases, but there may be case-specific factors influencing that advice. Since you have not received a clear explanation, it would be reasonable to request a detailed written clarification of the legal reasoning and timeline.
Many fee agreements state that fees are non-refundable, but that does not prevent you from asking for an report of the work completed in your case to date or raising concerns about service quality. Some of your options are sending a written request for a status update, a clear explanation of any delays, and an estimated timeline moving forward. If communication does not improve, you may also seek a second opinion from another qualified immigration attorney to better understand your options.