The president seems to follow the belief that the best way to remake the immigration system is to continually stir the pot. It is hard to keep up with the initiatives, hirings and firings, but this week it seems that President Trump wants to crack down on those who overstay the terms of their visa.
The president has now issued memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to come up with a plan within four months to crack down on those whose visas have expired.
A common issue
Overstaying one’s visa is a fairly common occurrence, with an estimated 1.2 million visa holders overstaying their visas between 2016 and 2017. It is estimated that about half of the 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. came here with a legal visa and then did not leave when it expired. While we never recommend doing this, there are usually factors behind why it happens.
Effects could be felt soon
While the president did give his secretaries four months to come up with a plan, the memorandum encouraged them to begin the work immediately. One idea for where to start came from Trump, who suggested working with the foreign governments of origin for the illegal immigrants.
Serious consequences if caught
It is important to remember that those who overstay their visa could face serious consequences for their actions. These includes:
- Canceling other visas still up to date
- Barring an immigrant’s return to the U.S. for several years
- New visas generally must be obtained in their country of origin
- Overstays can prevent adjustments to valid visas
Get the necessary guidance
Those who have questions about their valid and expired visa are advised to speak with an attorney with experience handling these matters. They can provide useful information, so the client’s immigration issue is legally resolved.