r/39bannedcountries

Hello everyone,

I’m currently in FL on an F-1 visa that expires in June. I recently filed for adjustment of status (I-485) along with my EAD, and I have my biometrics appointment later this month.

I’m trying to figure out if I can get or renew a driver’s license while my case is pending.

From what I understand, my status will be “pending AOS,” but I don’t know if the FL DMV accepts that without an approved EAD.

Has anyone successfully gotten or renewed a license with: • Pending I-485 (AOS) • No EAD yet • Expiring or expired F-1

If yes, what documents did you use? Did they accept your I-797 receipt notices?

Also, did they issue a full-term license or a temporary one tied to your documents?

Thanks!

Has anyone gotten their I-140 approved since this USCIS pause was implemented?

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Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to see if there are others here in a similar situation regarding the current USCIS adjudication hold affecting applicants born in one of the infamous 39 countries.

I was born in one of these countries but also hold EU citizenship. I currently have a pending I-140 petition (EB2-NIW) filed from outside the U.S. with consular processing. My child is included as a derivative beneficiary and will turn 21 within the next year, which puts their eligibility at risk if my case continues to be delayed.

I’ve already upgraded to premium processing, but due to the adjudication hold, no final decision can be made at this time.

I’ve been in contact with a representative from Red Eagle law here, and they said they would consider organizing a group lawsuit specifically for dual nationals in this situation. However, they would need a group of at least 10–20 people to move forward.

If you are in a similar position (dual nationality, affected by the adjudication hold, with time-sensitive circumstances such as aging-out dependents), please reply here or send me a DM so we can connect and explore this option together.

Anyone know of an attorney or organization offering pro bono litigation against the USCIS Jan 1st 2026, policy on the 39 Country adjudication hold?

I’ve tried to do my own research and made several calls but none so far are doing this. I don’t know if I’m missing something and if anyone can possibly signpost me in the right direction?

Appreciate any help I can get on this.

I am wondering if USCIS is allowed to issue RFE/NOID during this ban period for the 39 ban countries. Anyone with real experience let me know please.

I’m a derivative of a pending employment based petition (I-140 and I-485). Before the I-485, I was on F-1 visa. After the primary petitioner filed the I-140 and I-485 and adding me as a beneficiary of the I-485, I received EAD and AP but I have never used any of them. I have continued to maintain my F-1 status. I am graduating in May with an internship offer starting early June. I have applied for OPT with PP. The original I-140 by the primary petitioner is still pending. Considering the ongoing pause, I am in a dilemma of whether to use the EAD or continue to wait for the OPT, which could mean losing the internship opportunity. If you are in my shoes, what would you do? I need a candid advice please.

Hello everyone. As some of you may know, it seems that USCIS is rescheduling oath ceremonies again for those who passed the interview. Did anyone who didn't have interview before receive anything? Do you think USCIS is lifting the hold on N400 soon?

This is for my wife. I’m looking to see if there is anyone that is in the US, that is currently doing a status change to H1B? I’m wondering if anyone has any success in going from OPT to H1B since the ban has gone into effect. My wife had applied in Back in Feb through her school (she’s a professor) but we haven’t heard anything. Just getting worried as OPT expires in a few months as well.

Hi everyone,

I hope you don't mind me reaching out urgently. My best friend and fellow physician, is in a critical situation tonight and I need your help and advice.

He was a PGY-2 Physician Resident in McAllen, TX until November, when his TPS was cancelled along with all other Venezuelan nationals. Since then, he has been legally waiting for his J-1 visa approval, sponsored by his own hospital, doing everything right, following every legal step.

Tonight he was detained at the Sarita Border Patrol Checkpoint on Highway 77 in Texas. No crime. No violation. He is legally present in this country. He passed every federal background check required to practice medicine in the U.S. He has served his community and his patients without exception, including Border Patrol families.

I am in Florida and cannot travel right now. I'm arranging everything to do so! He needs urgent help from people who understand the medical and immigration system.

If anyone has contacts in South Texas, immigration legal experience, knows someone at UTRGV, or has any advice on how to help a fellow resident physician in this situation, it would be very much appreciated! He is like my brother and I'm trying to do everything I can to help him.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This is one of the best physicians and human beings I know. He deserves better than this.

Has anyone from the 39 banned countries got approval for H1b after Jan 1st. My employer submitted my extension since Dec and I haven’t heard back since then. My 280days grace period is almost up and I am starting to get scared.

Hi all,

I’m an F-1 PhD student graduating this May, with a job lined up to start shortly after. I’ve already filed for OPT, and I also have an EB-2 NIW petition pending (RFE was submitted earlier this year with premium processing).

With the recent USCIS pause affecting applicants from multiple countries, I’m honestly getting worried about timelines and next steps.

Has anyone heard any reliable updates or seen movement on these paused benefit applications? Are cases starting to move again at all?

Also, for those in a similar situation:

* What are realistic backup options if OPT gets delayed or stuck?

* Has anyone successfully navigated this without leaving the U.S.?

* Any strategies to maintain work authorization or status in the meantime?

Leaving the U.S. isn’t really feasible for me right now due to family circumstances, so I’m trying to think through all possible paths forward.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone going through this or who has insight. Thanks in advance.

I will be filing for an I-140 and wondering if there are any unique cases like mine.

Primary applicant from non-ban country.

Derivative (spouse) citizenship from ban country but ‘country of birth’ from non-ban country.

Note: I-140 only requires to fill ‘country of birth’ for derivative and not citizenship.

Wondering if my case will be on pause.

Any other option like not including derivatives in I-140 but include them later during AOS or Consular Processing?

I did the biometrics and then received the message "Case Is Still Being Processed By USCIS"

Is this message a good sign or it is normal? Do you think I might get the approval soon? If so, how long do you expect?

From a banned country

Hey everyone,

Looking for some grounded advice from people going through this or who’ve already taken action.

My situation:

- Part of the 39-country USCIS pause

- Currently on H1B

- Filed I-485 + I-765 (concurrent) in November 2025

- Biometrics done, case is sitting with no real movement

- H1B validity runs into Nov 2026

- Likely to file an H1B extension, but aware of the 240-day rule and risk if adjudications remain frozen

Others:

- H1B extension may buy time, but not a long-term solution if the pause continues

Options I’m considering:

1. Wait it out and rely on H1B extension + hope policy changes

2. Join a group lawsuit (IMMpact, Nimer, others)

Questions:

- If you’re in a similar situation, what are you doing and why?

- Has anyone here actually gotten EAD or I-485 movement through litigation recently?

- Is it smarter to join a group lawsuit now, or wait and go individual later?

- How real is the risk of losing out on visa numbers this fiscal year due to the pause?

- For those filing H1B extensions under this situation, how are you thinking about the 240-day limit risk?

Trying to make a decision quickly with deadlines coming up for some of these lawsuits, but don’t want to jump into something just because of pressure.

Appreciate any insight, especially from people already in litigation or who’ve spoken to attorneys.

Any updates?

Any luck? Has anyone seen any movement post responding to the COB RFE?

Hey all, I’m a Top 15 MBA student graduating soon. I have a solid job offer at a major tech company, but like many of you, my OPT is stuck in the adjudicative hold from the Jan 2026 Policy memorandum.

I joined the Immpact litigation suit closing this 26th as well

For context:

• Status: Dual citizen (EU passport/Spain), but born in one of the "high-risk" countries (Venezuela). USCIS is holding my application based on birth country.
• The H-1B Factor: If I get selected in the lottery, I’ve been told I’ll be subject to the same hold there too, essentially freezing my ability to start work indefinitely.

The Offer: AILA reached out. They want me to be the "face" of a high impact press release/media campaign to show how this policy is paralyzing people who have followed every rule, and still got in this situation.

Why I’m hesitant

1. I’m terrified that by publicly challenging the policy, I’m marking my file for "extra scrutiny" or discretionary denials on future H-1B filings, we all know how vindictive this administration could be.
2. about to enter a high-stakes industry post-MBA. Does being a "public activist" against immigration policy make me look like a "legal liability" to future HR departments?
3. Once my name and face are tied to this, it’s the first thing that pops up on Google for every recruiter forever.

My Questions:

• Has anyone here actually gone public as a "test case" for advocacy? Did it help your case or just make things more complicated?
• For those in the same boat (T15/T20 programs), are you just staying quiet and waiting it out, or are you looking at private litigation (Mandamus) instead?
• Would you take the risk to help the cause, or is the risk to a post-MBA career just too high?

(I used Gemini tto help me redact this in this neat way that is why it sounds so AI)

Has anyone had any success with an approval in a case that could merit the national interest exception outlined in the memo?

Asking for a friend. My friend is a U.S citizen. One of his parents (a citizen of one of the fully banned 19 countries) is currently outside the U.S and has not yet received their green card yet. They do have a valid advance parole. Does anyone know whether they can re-enter the U.S. with a valid advance parole?