Immigration lawyers have sounded an alarm for Indian nationals in the United States after confirming that Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are detaining visa-overstay applicants during routine green-card interviews at the San Diego USCIS field office. At least five spouses of US citizens were arrested last week, despite having no criminal records, according to attorney Saman Nasseri.
The practice stems from a 12 November internal ICE memo instructing agents to apprehend ‘removable’ individuals who present themselves at USCIS facilities. Legal experts say the tactic—previously rare outside criminal cases—may expand to other jurisdictions. For thousands of Indians upgrading from F-1 or H-1B status via marriage, the risk calculation has changed: skipping an interview leads to abandonment of the application, but attending could mean detention.
![Attending a US Green Card Interview? Indian Applicants Warned of On-Site ICE Arrests]()
Community groups such as South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) are advising applicants to carry proof of legal status extensions and consult counsel before appointments. Corporations sponsoring L-1 dependants are likewise updating mobility policies, recommending that families adjust status through consular processing in India where feasible.
The episode underscores an increasingly enforcement-first climate ahead of the 2026 US elections and adds uncertainty for Indian professionals weighing long-term relocation. Mobility managers should track developments and brief employees on contingency plans, including advance parole travel restrictions and bond procedures if detention occurs.
The practice stems from a 12 November internal ICE memo instructing agents to apprehend ‘removable’ individuals who present themselves at USCIS facilities. Legal experts say the tactic—previously rare outside criminal cases—may expand to other jurisdictions. For thousands of Indians upgrading from F-1 or H-1B status via marriage, the risk calculation has changed: skipping an interview leads to abandonment of the application, but attending could mean detention.
Community groups such as South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) are advising applicants to carry proof of legal status extensions and consult counsel before appointments. Corporations sponsoring L-1 dependants are likewise updating mobility policies, recommending that families adjust status through consular processing in India where feasible.
The episode underscores an increasingly enforcement-first climate ahead of the 2026 US elections and adds uncertainty for Indian professionals weighing long-term relocation. Mobility managers should track developments and brief employees on contingency plans, including advance parole travel restrictions and bond procedures if detention occurs.
