#454 LIVE U.S. Immigration Q&A - October 20, 2026 📱

Summary

Immigration attorney John Kusravi (whose surname is rendered inconsistently in the auto-generated subtitles) answered viewers’ questions about U.S. immigration applications, delays, travel, and court proceedings. He repeatedly emphasized that many answers depend on individual facts, that some rules and government practices were changing, and that viewers should consult a qualified lawyer for case-specific advice. His comments reflect what he said during the livestream and should not be treated as a substitute for legal advice.

Main themes

• Delays and uncertainty: The attorney described naturalization interviews and some spouse-based I-130 petitions as unusually slow. He said some adjustment-of-status cases were still being approved, occasionally without an interview, but he was unsure when stalled consular interviews and other cases would move again.
• Changing enforcement and policy: He characterized immigration processing and enforcement as unpredictable, discussed government pauses and court challenges, and said some outcomes might depend on litigation or future policy changes. These were his assessments, not guaranteed predictions.
• Case-specific disclosure and records: Several questions concerned prior removals, arrests, allegations, restraining orders, or immigration history. The attorney stressed the importance of answering application questions truthfully and obtaining records where needed. He cautioned that an expunged record may still matter for immigration purposes.

Topics and guidance discussed

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and work permits

A viewer asked whether they could apply for a first TPS-based employment authorization document after TPS was due to expire on October 19, 2026. The attorney said he did not know the current rules for that situation and advised checking the relevant official program and USCIS information. He cautioned that he had not recently reviewed the policy.

Foreign refugee history and visa forms

The attorney said that, historically, forms such as I-129F and I-485 generally did not ask directly about refugee status in another country, though visa forms may be changing.

He distinguished refugee status itself from the circumstances behind it. For example, an arrest or detention that led someone to flee could be relevant and might need to be disclosed if asked.

For a past visa application, he suggested a State Department FOIA request as one way to review the record, while acknowledging he was not certain what it would contain.

U visas and supporting evidence

The attorney said U-visa processing does not necessarily require the applicant to remain in the United States, but whether a particular person can safely travel depends on their case.

He suggested uploading additional evidence to an online case portal, if available, or mailing it. He mentioned a 911-call recording and transcript as possible evidence. He also advised keeping close track of case mail and having someone monitor it if the applicant is abroad.

On restraining orders and allegations in a U-visa case, he said he was not a U-visa specialist and recommended checking the form instructions or consulting an experienced lawyer.

Citizenship through parents and naturalization

The attorney explained that a person may sometimes acquire citizenship automatically through a parent, depending on facts such as the child’s age, immigration status, and when the parent naturalized. He said those details must be reviewed individually.

He described naturalization processing as very slow in cases he had seen. He said a typo in the final digit of a Social Security number would not ordinarily seem like a reason for denial and suggested correcting it online or at an interview.

He cautioned that tax penalties or prior criminal matters could raise questions in some naturalization cases, even where amounts were paid or records were expunged. He said the exact offense, court records, and applicable law would need review.

Prior removal or expedited removal

For someone whose expedited removal was reportedly canceled, the attorney suggested contacting CBP and requesting records, including through FOIA. He said CBP FOIA responses could be unreliable.

He advised keeping documentation of the cancellation, since past removal or detention history could arise in later immigration applications. He said the removal itself may not automatically prevent naturalization, but failing to disclose relevant history when asked could cause a problem. He noted that the exact application questions and the person’s record matter.

221(g), administrative processing, and dual citizenship

The attorney explained that a 221(g) refusal can mean that more documents are needed, additional checks are underway, or the case is on administrative hold.

He said that simply having dual citizenship was not enough information to assess a case. A person’s birthplace, nationality, country restrictions, missing documents, and other circumstances may matter. He said a person born in Afghanistan could face prolonged administrative processing even if they also held another country’s passport.

Pending applications and immigration court

For a viewer with an approved I-130 and pending I-485 who received an immigration-court notice, the attorney discussed two possible paths: seeking to close the court case or pursuing adjustment of status in court. He stressed that the appropriate option would depend on the judge, ICE, and the case.

He said court websites may not reliably show current case information. For a pending I-485, he suggested contacting USCIS, requesting expedited handling where justified, contacting a congressional office, or asking to speak with a supervisor. He did not guarantee that these steps would work.

For an I-130 approved after an interview but a still-pending I-485, he suggested contacting USCIS or a congressional office if the delay had lasted several months.

I-730 and I-130 petitions for relatives

The attorney described I-730 as a route a refugee or asylee may use to petition for a spouse or minor child, including relatives abroad. He said processing times and obstacles vary widely.

When asked whether to file I-730 or I-130, he said the answer depends on the family’s status and circumstances. I-730 may be faster in some cases, but he did not offer a universal rule.

He said a U.S. citizen could begin a parent’s case by filing Form I-130, while noting that consular processing and embassy availability could complicate the process.

Consular delays, bans, and waivers

The attorney said he had no reliable forecast for when consulates would resume rescheduling stalled immigrant-visa interviews. He gave a broad estimate of six months to four years for I-601 and I-212 processing.

Regarding a K-1 visa delayed in administrative processing, he explained that the one-year period generally relates to responding when the government requests documents. He said it does not necessarily mean an administrative-processing case is automatically canceled after a year.

On choosing between a K-1 visa and a marriage-based case, he said marriage-based processing is preferable in most cases in his experience, but individual relationship and immigration histories could change the recommendation.

Visa lottery and country-of-chargeability questions

The attorney encouraged a viewer to enter the diversity visa lottery while warning that selection and approval were not assured. He said eligibility for the lottery generally depends on country of birth, with a possible exception based on a spouse’s country of birth or eligibility. He indicated that a person born in India would generally not qualify through India, but expressed some uncertainty about the precise application of the rule.

On Afghan immigrant-visa documents, he reviewed the State Department reciprocity information during the show. He said a conventional birth certificate might not be required, but that a Taskera was required as a primary identity document, according to the information he read.

Other individual questions

• For a civil restraining-order matter with no arrest and a closed case, he advised checking the relevant U-visa requirements rather than giving a definitive answer.
• He said that if a person has a serious violence-related case, whether to use an I-751 waiver before filing N-400 depends on the person’s circumstances.
• For a spouse’s long-pending visa application, he said he would need more confidential details before recommending a course of action.

Speakers and sources featured

• John Kusravi — Immigration attorney and livestream host; his surname appears in several different spellings in the subtitles.
• Audience members who asked questions: Val; Val P; Scorpio; Rana; Fadi; “I’m Fresh”; Dean; M; Brazuca/Bazooka (likely a subtitle variation); Mr. Wayne; Tumbleweed; User 6; Carrie; Bob; Matthew; Sunny; Mian/Meon (likely a subtitle variation); Nepali; NATO; User 23; Paramex/Parmi (likely a subtitle variation); Real TC/TMC; Asma; Selena; and Adam. Some comments were unnamed or too unclear to identify.
• Government bodies and records discussed as sources or points of contact: USCIS; CBP; the U.S. Department of State and its consular services; immigration courts/EOIR; ICE; congressional offices; and the National Archives.