With the prospect of another Trump administration underscored by anti-immigration policies, foreigners in the United States should adopt a more careful and prudent approach to maintaining their legal status. According to the rhetoric Donald Trump promoted throughout his campaign, immigrants should expect greater levels of scrutiny from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies.
If you’re a foreign-born individual in the U.S., keeping your travel and immigration documents updated and accessible will be more crucial during the second Trump administration. Here are some recommendations to this effect.
Keeping a Personal Immigration File
Every document you’ve used to get a visa, enter the U.S., or adjust your status should be kept in a chronological file, which should include all paper and digital versions. If immigration lawyers in San Diego are working on your case, you can ask for a copy of your file and then make at least another copy to keep in a secure location. If all your travel and immigration documents are digital, make sure to keep a file in your smartphone’s internal memory, a copy in a cloud account such as Google Drive, and a couple of paper copies.
Vital Immigration Documents
The I-94 Arrival/Departure record will become one of your most crucial documents to keep after Trump returns to the White House. If your record was generated through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) One app, make sure to access it before January 20th, 2025, and print two copies—one on paper and the other in Portable Document File (PDF) format. The CBP One app will reportedly be eliminated for asylum seekers when Trump takes office, but there’s always a chance other foreigners may get locked out of it, so you should be on the safe side.
Let’s say you’re a legal resident but don’t have your I-551 green card with you when stopped by ICE or Border Patrol. This could give agents a pretext for detention. Nonetheless, a valid I-94 record might prevent it. Needless to say, there should be a valid passport corresponding to the I-94 if you haven’t received photo identification documents such as a driver’s license or an Employment Authorization Document. The importance of the I-94 record in the Trump era is related to the “low-hanging fruit” pretext agents use to detain you if they suspect you entered the country illegally.
Beyond the I-94 record, all immigration documents are important to keep and safeguard now, particularly approvals and receipts from the Department of State or US Citizenship and Immigration Services. San Diego residents and other immigrants who are married to American citizens or residents should keep their marriage certificates around. The USCIS Form I-797 Approval or Notice of Action may also prevent detention if you’re in the U.S. on a non-immigrant permit such as the H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker visa.
Navigating U.S. immigration laws can be challenging, especially in uncertain times. At KS Visa Law, our experienced immigration attorneys are here to help you maintain your legal status and safeguard your future. Whether you need assistance organizing your documentation, renewing a visa, or addressing specific concerns, we’re dedicated to providing personalized and reliable support. Contact KS Visa Law today to schedule a consultation and get the guidance you deserve.
