‘Is that this regular?’: Indian man’s expired inexperienced card, 10 yr visa increase questions on US immigration guidelines

A latest dialogue on Reddit has drawn consideration to the complicated maze of immigration and residency points confronted by cross-border {couples} — particularly these involving long-term Indian residents with prior US ties. 

Within the put up, a US citizen sought recommendation about her husband, an Indian nationwide who had lived in the US for 15 years earlier than their transfer to India in 2007. He had obtained a US inexperienced card round 2005, however after their relocation, the cardboard expired in 2018. Regardless of that, he was later issued a 10-year US customer visa in 2024 by the consulate in Mumbai — a state of affairs the person described as “odd,” since technically, his everlasting resident standing was by no means formally renounced. 

Now dwelling aside, with the spouse again within the US since 2024, she plans to rent an immigration lawyer to assist her husband regain lawful everlasting resident standing by a spousal inexperienced card. Nevertheless, she voiced issues about at present’s tightened immigration insurance policies for Indian residents and requested the neighborhood whether or not her husband may safely go to her on his current vacationer visa. 

The put up shortly gained traction, with customers providing detailed recommendation and real-world experiences. 

“You want immigration lawyer. Secret’s whether or not he nonetheless maintained everlasting resident standing. Expired inexperienced card and software for customer visa could be a difficulty,” cautioned one Redditor. 

One other person elaborated on what may need occurred behind the scenes: 

“The truth that he obtained a a number of entry 10-year customer visa signifies that his PR was in all probability exchanged for the customer visa… The consulate often makes you signal a kind agreeing to give up the PR standing earlier than issuing the visa.” 

A number of commenters additionally warned that entry into the US just isn’t assured, even with a sound customer visa. Border officers might increase questions on prior immigration historical past, marital standing, and intent to return to India. 

One Redditor shared a cautionary instance: 

“My spouse’s pal was deported in 7 days again to Mumbai as a result of she overstayed and forgot to increase her visa. DHS came upon when she tried to re-enter the US from Canada.” 

Many prompt the poster file a Freedom of Data Act (FOIA) request to make clear her husband’s present immigration standing and test whether or not his prior PR case was formally terminated by USCIS or DHS. 

Whereas a number of customers agreed that hiring a lawyer may expedite the method, others identified that the DHS web site presents step-by-step steering for spousal inexperienced card functions and may be managed independently. 

The Reddit thread highlights the authorized grey areas confronted by {couples} caught between residency lapses, visa renewals, and evolving immigration scrutiny — significantly for these navigating cross-national marriages below shifting US insurance policies.