The last week has been an interesting one for immigration attorneys practicing before the Atlanta USCIS Field Office.
Last Friday, attorneys began posting on our listserv that ICE agents were at the field office and that people attending interviews were being arrested. At first, the reports caused real concern. Some messages suggested that individuals whose only issue was overstaying a visa were being taken into custody. If that had been true, it would have represented a significant shift in what many of us have historically seen at USCIS interviews.
To be clear, USCIS has long notified ICE when someone appearing for an interview has an outstanding order of removal. In the past, however, ICE often chose not to respond in cases involving individuals with no criminal history or other significant enforcement concerns, and many interviews proceeded without incident. Likewise, USCIS has always contacted local law enforcement when an applicant has an outstanding criminal warrant.
As the day went on, though, a clearer picture emerged. It did not appear that everyone attending interviews was being arrested. From the information shared, three individuals were taken into custody. Two reportedly had outstanding removal orders, including one that the client and attorney apparently did not know existed. The third situation sounded more concerning, although the available information suggested it may have involved mistaken identity or other factors that were not immediately clear.
By Tuesday afternoon, though, attorneys who had been at the field office were reporting that things looked much more routine. There were no reports of ICE activity that day, no arrests, and clients were even receiving same-day approvals. By the time I walked into the building on Thursday morning with my clients, I felt comfortable. Our client didn’t have a prior removal order or criminal history, so there was no reason to expect anything unusual.
The officer was professional, courteous, and welcoming. She made small talk that helped put everyone at ease before beginning the interview. Her questions focused on the relationship itself—how the couple met, how the relationship developed, and when they began living together. She reviewed the documents they had brought and asked reasonable follow-up questions. There were no “gotcha” questions about utility bills, bank balances, or obscure details designed to trip anyone up.
The interview was efficient, respectful, and ended with an approval.
I share this because it is easy for fear to fill in the gaps when information is incomplete.
Rumors spread quickly, especially in today’s immigration climate. Sometimes those rumors turn out to be true. Sometimes they are based on incomplete information. Often, the truth is more nuanced than the first reports suggest.
That doesn’t mean we should ignore legitimate concerns. It is wise to understand your immigration history, know whether you have any prior removal orders or criminal issues, and prepare carefully before attending any USCIS interview. Those conversations are more important now than ever.
But it also doesn’t mean we should assume that every interview will be a disaster.
In my experience, the vast majority of USCIS interviews still feel remarkably normal. Most officers remain professional. Most interviews focus on the facts of the application. Most people who are eligible for the benefit they are seeking still have the opportunity to present their case fairly.
Walking out of the Atlanta Field Office this week with an approval was a good reminder that, despite all the uncertainty surrounding immigration right now, not everything has changed. Sometimes, thankfully, an interview is just an interview.