“Before an alien’s nonimmigrant visa is approved, a U.S. consular officer must first determine whether the alien seeks to enter the U.S. permanently.”
BAGO maaprubahan ang nonimmigrant visa ng isang dayuhan sa U.S. Embassy, kailangan munang magkaroon ng determinasyon ang U.S. consular officer kung ang aplikante ay may balak na manatili ng permanente sa U.S. Sa ilalim ng Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), mayroong pagpapalagay na lahat ng dayuhang pumupunta sa U.S. ay mga intending immigrants o gustong makakuha ng green card. Ang dayuhang aplikante para sa nonimmigrant visa ay kailangang magpakita ng nonimmigrant intent sa pamamagitan ng ebidensya na: (1) siya ay may paninirahan sa kanyang bansa; (2) wala siyang balak na iwanan ang paninirahang ito; at (3) siya ay may balak na umalis ng U.S. bago matapos ang kanyang period of authorized stay. Dahil dito, kapag ang dayuhan na nakapasok na ng U.S. ay nag-apply ng change of status o adjustment of status, nagkakaroon ng isyu kung mayroon siyang “preconceived intent” at siya ay nagsinungaling noong siya ay binigyan ng visa o noong pumasok siya sa U.S.
Sa guidance ng US Department of State (DOS) sa kanilang mga opisyal, mayroong “90-day rule” para tulungan ang consular officers sa kanilang pagsusuri kung ang dayuhan ay mayroong willful misrepresentation o pagsininungaling tungkol sa kanyang tunay na balak kung ang dayuhan ay lumabag sa kanyang immigration status o kung ang kanyang mga aksyon at mga aktibidad ay inconsistent sa kanyang mga sinabi sa interbyu para sa nonimmigrant visa or sa kanyang mga sinabi noong kaharap siya ng immigration officer sa port-of-entry. Ang DOS 90-day rule ay lumilikha ng presumption ng willful misrepresentation kung ang dayuhan ay gumagawa ng mga sumusunod na aksyon sa loob ng 90 araw ng kanyang pagpasok sa U.S.: (1) ang pagtrabaho habang nasa B1 business visitor status o B2 visitor for pleasure status; (2) ang pag-enroll sa programa o kurso sa paaralan habang nasa B1/B2 status; (3) ang pagpapakasal ng isang B1/B2 dayuhan sa U.S. citizen (USC) o lawful permanent resident (LPR) at pagkuha ng paninirahan sa U.S., kagaya ng pagpirma sa long-term lease o mortgage, bills at bank account sa pangalan ng dayuhan at pagkuha ng local driver’s license; at (4) mga aksyon o aktibidad kung saan ang change of status o adjustment of status ay kinakailangan, katulad ng pagpunta bilang F1 student ngunit ang dayuhan ay nagtatrabaho din ng walang work authorization.
Ang presumption ng willful misrepresentation ay maaaring matanggihan ng dayuhan sa pagpakita ng ebidensiya na nagbago ang mga pangyayari kaya siya ay magbago ng kanyang orihinal na mga plano. Dahil sa mga pangyayaring ito, ang dayuhan ay nag-apply ng change of nonimmigrant status o adjustment of status. Kung nakalipas na ang 90 araw noong nagkaroon ng paglabag sa nonimmigrant status, walang automatic presumption ng willful misrepresentation. Subalit, ang consular officer ay maaari pa ring mag-revoke ng visa o ang USCIS ay maaaring mag-deny ng change of status application kung may makatwirang paniniwala na ang dayuhan ay nagsinungaling tungkol sa kanyang layunin sa pagpunta sa US sa kanyang visa interview o sa kanyang pagpasok sa U.S.
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Before an alien’s nonimmigrant visa is approved, a U.S. consular officer must first determine whether the alien seeks to enter the U.S. permanently. This is because under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), there is a presumption that all persons seeking entry to the U.S. are intending immigrants. Hence, the nonimmigrant visa applicant has to prove nonimmigrant intent by establishing that the applicant (1) has a residence abroad; (2) has no intention of abandoning his residence; (3) intends to depart the U.S. before expiration of the authorized stay given to him. Thus, when nonimmigrants who enter the U.S. apply for change of status or adjustment of status, there is an issue on whether or not the alien had a “preconceived intent” at the time the visa was granted or at the time of admission or entry in the U.S.
Under U.S. Department of State (DOS) guidance to its officers, there is a “90-day rule” to assist consular officers in evaluating willful misrepresentation in cases involving an applicant who violated his immigration status or whose conduct is inconsistent with representations made to the consular officer at the time of visa application or to the immigration officer at the port-of-entry. The DOS 90-day rule creates a presumption of willful misrepresentation if an alien engages in the following conduct within 90 days of admission to the U.S.: (1) engaging in unauthorized employment on B1/B2 status; (2) enrolling in a course of study, if such study is not authorized for that nonimmigrant classification, such as study under B1/B2 status; (3) a nonimmigrant in B status marrying a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and taking up residence in the U.S., such as signing a long-term lease or mortgage, bills and bank accounts in the alien’s name or obtaining a local driver’s license; (4) undertaking any other activity for which a change of status or adjustment of status would be required, without the benefit of such change or adjustment, such as coming under F1 student visa but also engaging in work without the benefit of work authorization.
The presumption of willful misrepresentation may be rebutted by the alien with evidence showing changed circumstances that compelled the alien to alter his original plans and thus apply for change of nonimmigrant status. If an alien violates or engages in conduct inconsistent with his nonimmigrant status more than 90 days after admission to the US, no automatic presumption of willful misrepresentation arises. However, consular officers may still seek to revoke the visa or the USCIS may deny the change of status application if there is reasonable belief that the alien misrepresented the purpose of his travel at the time of visa application or at the time of admission.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
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