Attorneys specializing in immigration law are advising green card recipients, international students, and those on H-1B visas not to leave the United States because of the unpredictable nature of border control regulations under the Trump administration.

Kripa Upadhyay, an immigration lawyer based in Seattle, cautioned that foreign nationals, especially those requiring renewal of their H-1B or F-1 visa stamps, should “think very carefully” before departing from the United States currently. Times of India reported.

Various other legal professionals have voiced comparable worries, warning that individuals holding nonimmigrant work visas, student visas, or green cards (indicating permanent residence) might encounter challenges when attempting to return.

It was mentioned that visa holders might face delays when getting their passports stamped at U.S. consulates overseas and could also run into increased checks at airports because of the reinstatement of stringent screening processes.

Ashwin Sharma, a Florida-based immigration lawyer, reported to the news outlet cases where elderly Indian green card holders were targeted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents upon reentry. These individuals were allegedly pressured into signing Form I-407 at the airport, effectively relinquishing their green cards voluntarily.

Sharma pointed out that certain CBP agents scare passengers by threatening them with detention or deportation, despite the fact that only an immigration judge can legally take away someone's green card.

Upadhyay stressed that a green card remains valid unless the holder chooses to relinquish it willingly.

Attorneys specializing in immigration have noted a rise in instances where green card holders are facing rigorous interrogations, with some individuals being held for the night as well.

They strongly advise long-term green card holders to apply for U.S. citizenship as soon as possible. Those with pending applications should avoid international travel until they receive their American passports, as reported by the Times of India .

Russell A. Stamets, a partner at Circle of Counsels, told Business Standard That credible accounts of stringent treatment towards green card holders and legitimate visa holders are worrisome.

"Individuals with green cards typically enjoy robust legal safeguards within the United States; however, the present government seems to be contesting established privileges and conventions. The reaction of the judiciary to this change remains unpredictable," Stamets noted.

Similarly, Brown University is advising individuals within its community who hold green cards or visas not to travel internationally because of the unpredictability associated with current U.S. immigration policies.

An email sent on Sunday and acquired by The Wall Street Journal The university advised that out of an excess of caution, non-U.S. citizens, such as visa and green card holders, should consider postponing or delaying their personal international travel.

Brown cautioned that possible modifications to travel restrictions and readmission policies might affect travelers' capacity to come back to the U.S. as scheduled.

The warning came after Dr. Drasha Alawieh, a lecturer at Brown University, was apprehended at Boston's Logan International Airport the previous week and then sent back to Lebanon.

Earlier this month, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University M.A. student, was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities and is currently detained in Louisiana. Meanwhile, Columbia doctoral student Ranjani Srinivasan fled to Canada after federal authorities revoked her student visa, according to WBUR , a public radio station managed by Boston University.

Stricter visa renewal rules

The U.S. Department of State has made the requirements more stringent for obtaining a visa interview waiver. Earlier, individuals applying again within 48 months after their visa expired could skip the interview process (with the exception of those holding B-category visitor visas). However, under the updated regulations, candidates now have to apply within just 12 months to be eligible for such an exemption from the interview requirement.

This modification impacts F-1 students moving to H-1B employment visas, requiring them to book an appointment for an interview. Similarly, those with H-1B visas seeking renewal more than one year past their expiration date are also obligated to attend an interview.

Despite the approval of an H-1B visa by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), consular officers retain the power to reject it and return the case to USCIS for further review, as attorney Upadhyay clarified. Times of India .

In the meantime, ex-President Donald Trump is simultaneously carrying out extensive deportations of undocumented immigrants and advocating for legal immigration channels, including measures like the $5 million golden visa program.