Surprise visits by immigration.

[desi78 1]

I just finished reading a post where officers surprised someone at 7am.

My thoughts on this was they would have to tell you that they will give you a surprise visit at any time.

I did not know they can just show up without an indication at the interview or so.

What are our rights if they show up unexpectedly, do we have to open our home to them?

[Harsh_77 718]

I just finished reading a post where officers surprised someone at 7am.

My thoughts on this was they would have to tell you that they will give you a surprise visit at any time.

I did not know they can just show up without an indication at the interview or so.

What are our rights if they show up unexpectedly, do we have to open our home to them?

They dont have to tell you in advance, thats reason they are surprise visit....

It's upto you if you want to open your house to them or refuse them an entry, it is upto you if you want them to mark that you have legit relation or not.

Mainly they make those visit to make sure you are living togeather as state in your application they want to look at sleeping arrangements, things around in bathroom etc.

[Ben and Jill 37]

I just finished reading a post where officers surprised someone at 7am.

My thoughts on this was they would have to tell you that they will give you a surprise visit at any time.

I did not know they can just show up without an indication at the interview or so.

What are our rights if they show up unexpectedly, do we have to open our home to them?

You don't have to, but I would. There's really no reason not to is there? I think turning them away only raises suspicions that they must've had in the first place, otherwise, why would they show up at our door? I'm not exactly sure what the protocol is or isn't, I'm only giving my opinion...and that is, if USCIS came to my door and showed proper identification, etc., I would allow them in. They might get licked to death by our overly friendly pit bull, LOL, but that's their problem. There's nothing to hide and they must be there for a reason. I have learned it's just easier to cooperate with them; otherwise they can make your life a living hell and who wants that. This process is hard enough, right? Again, just my two cents.

[Robert&Karen 264]

If anyone bangs on my door at 7am they better be on fire. In this case I'll make an exception. Thanks for the heads up!

[Moomin 292]

You're legally allowed to close the door without letting them in. They are not law enforcement and even if they were, you're still allowed to not invite them in. USCIS has no right to force themselves into your house without your consent(they're not ICE). Unlike law enforcement they are less likely to come back with a warrant - in this case, a second surprise visit. I'd personally think of it as an RFE to proove the relationship is indeed for real no matter how intimidating it would seem to have them show up at the doorstep.

With the post you mention I'd keep watching the thread and see what the outcome of the visit is going to be.

Edited September 21, 2011 by moomin

[Robert&Karen 264]

You're legally allowed to close the door without letting them in.

Are you? In all the papers that we sign for immigration we may be giving them the right to do just that. Spot checks are necessary because of the few who ruin it for everyone, and they won't care about laundry or a ring in the tub. before you slam the door on them make sure you are in compliance with the agreement made with the government!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If ICE visits you in the middle of the night, it's not because they want to help you. It's because they want to find any kind of evidence that they can use against you. Therefore, you never let them enter your house without a court order, nor do you answer any questions. It's really that simple. Tell 'em you just woke up and ask them come back at a time when you and your husband are home, and to make an appointment beforehand. Then close the door in front of them.

[Moomin 292]

Are you? In all the papers that we sign for immigration we may be giving them the right to do just that. Spot checks are necessary because of the few who ruin it for everyone, and they won't care about laundry or a ring in the tub. before you slam the door on them make sure you are in compliance with the agreement made with the government!

As I said, USCIS is not law enforcement. ICE is, and therefore they may show up with or without a warrant. USCIS is a different matter. They do not have the same authority and legally it's within your rights to close that door. What it'll mean to your future immigration status and case is a different matter.

I'd like to see a reference to the papers you mention? We ARE asked to submit evidence of bona fide relationship/marriage(and the rest of it) and USCIS has every right to base their decision on that evidence, or lack of.

[Robert&Karen 264]

As I said, USCIS is not law enforcement. ICE is, and therefore they may show up with or without a warrant. USCIS is a different matter. They do not have the same authority and legally it's within your rights to close that door. What it'll mean to your future immigration status and case is a different matter.

That last sentence you posted there says it all. I used to be a welfare worker and had the ability to visit clients. Any resistance was not criminal of course, but I'd stop their money until I got answers.

I'd like to see a reference to the papers you mention? We ARE asked to submit evidence of bona fide relationship/marriage(and the rest of it) and USCIS has every right to base their decision on that evidence, or lack of.

All the papers we fill out for this process. I have not read the fine print and there are many more to come during AOS and other portions of this journey. in there they may ask for the right to inspect. I'm not saying they already do or not, but if they have a question about my case that they feel is best answered by a surprise visit, then more power to them.

[Richie Rich 70]

I would invite them in , give them a beer , play some soft music and ask them to do the interview at the house :lol:I do not have anything to hide or to raise any suspiction .

[Channah&Aaron 51]

; I wouldn't let them in our house since they don't have a court order nor the right to come into our house.

Especially in the early morning when I look like a Zombie and they'll get suspicious because me and my passport photos don't match

No, seriously, I'll ask them to come back at an other time when my husband is at home. We ain't got nothing to hide at all, but I'm not waiting to be interviewed early in the morning.

If they come like in the afternoon, I might change my mind and let them come in and have a cup of tea with me and have a nice chitchat

[Harsh_77 718]

; I wouldn't let them in our house since they don't have a court order nor the right to come into our house.

Especially in the early morning when I look like a Zombie and they'll get suspicious because me and my passport photos don't match

No, seriously, I'll ask them to come back at an other time when my husband is at home. We ain't got nothing to hide at all, but I'm not waiting to be interviewed early in the morning.

If they come like in the afternoon, I might change my mind and let them come in and have a cup of tea with me and have a nice chitchat

You can very well ask them to visit you some other time; personally I don’t think that would go very well on your case.

As one will have time to stage the things around the house and that’s exactly what these guys don’t want to see, they want to see how everything in the house.

Purpose of such visit is to make sure someone is living as couple as they have claimed on application.

[Mikedmaster 1]

In these times of weirdos and crime, as a woman alone at home, I would strong suggest NOT allowing strangers in your house. No matter where they claim they are from. IDs can be forged afetr alittle surveillance of your home/life-they may even steal your information from the mailbox. I would tell them that you just called 911 and if they are ligit to make an appointment because you do not want to end up on the news as a victim. These criminals nowadays are getting slick.

We live a great neighborhood but I tell my wife to keep the alarm on all day when she is home alone. There is a an old military saying 'relax and they will kill you..!'

[Harsh_77 718]

In these times of weirdos and crime, as a woman alone at home, I would strong suggest NOT allowing strangers in your house. No matter where they claim they are from. IDs can be forged afetr alittle surveillance of your home/life-they may even steal your information from the mailbox. I would tell them that you just called 911 and if they are ligit to make an appointment because you do not want to end up on the news as a victim. These criminals nowadays are getting slick.

We live a great neighborhood but I tell my wife to keep the alarm on all day when she is home alone. There is a an old military saying 'relax and they will kill you..!'

You are absolutely right, same time you don’t want a set-back on your case either.

Prob the best option would be get a name of their supervisor and call the local office to verify the identity of the agents.

Asking them to make an appointment to visit you is not going to work as one would have plenty of heads up and things can be staged around the house.

[Mikedmaster 1]

You are absolutely right, same time you don’t want a set-back on your case either.

Prob the best option would be get a name of their supervisor and call the local office to verify the identity of the agents.

Asking them to make an appointment to visit you is not going to work as one would have plenty of heads up and things can be staged around the house.

The chances they these all real immigration personnel is very high. But I can live with my case being set back or even cancelled; I can not live with my wife being hurt or killed by some freak. It is that simple for me. I guess I watch the news too much:-). I would think they would be considerate at come at a reasonable time like 1900 hrs or on weekends when at least their are neighbors/other peaple arround. This in the middle of the day thing is not reasonable nowadays-times have changed.