Mom was sent back home at EU transfer airport

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

55 minutes ago, Traveler101 said:

She is going to contact embassy and see what they say about extending her visa.

Visas cannot be extended......only re-issued after they expire....at the discretion of the consulate.

Edited June 29, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,845]

1 hour ago, April M said:

I would check with the embassy or USCIS and find out how to extend the date somehow.

Cannot be done.  Visas can not be extended.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

7 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

No.  There has been no mention of that as an alternative to quarantine.

I think there is some misunderstanding going on here.

 

Ukraine had a mandatory 14 day observed quarantine for anyone entering the country.  Because the OP's mom is returning from Zurich, she would need to quarantine for 14 days.

 

However, in April/May, they allowed the use of an app to self quarantine instead of being quarantined at a government supervised facility.  This past week, the UKR government has  allowed a specific C-19 test in lieu of quarantine all together.

 

I know it is too late now, but Ukraine Airlines operated direct flights from Kyiv to New York JKF on occasion, about 4 flights a month.  These were not charter flights but specially scheduled commercial flights.   The OP's mom could have flown on one of these.   

 

But as other's have said, due to her being in Zurich and the EO, she needs to wait 14 days before travelling to the US.  At which point her visa would have expired.   I would highly advise the OP to contact the US Embassy in Kyiv to see if there are any options, however unlikely.   I know no new visas for IR5 can be issued.  But, in this case, the IR5 was initially issued in Jan 2020.  Maybe they can make an exception?  Not likely to happen, but there is no harm in trying.  

 

Visa service center for Ukraine:  https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ua/ua-main-contactus.asp#contactinfo

 

Kyiv Embassy:  KyivIV@state.gov

 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

5 hours ago, Punisher said:

Not to ruffle any feathers, but rather be objective: it is not "his" definition, it IS the definition of chain migration. Anyone other than spouse or kid of USC/LPR falls into chain migration. Period.  Besides parents and siblings there is no one else that goes into chain migration.

Married children of USCs with their families are generally understood to fall into that category too.

and some on VJ were of the opinion that spouses and minor children of LPRs should be added in, during a discussion about those falling under the current green card ban.

[geowrian 22,337]

6 hours ago, Punisher said:

Not to ruffle any feathers, but rather be objective: it is not "his" definition, it IS the definition of chain migration. Anyone other than spouse or kid of USC/LPR falls into chain migration. Period.  Besides parents and siblings there is no one else that goes into chain migration.

Where did this definition come from?

Actually, it is really hard to find a good definition for the term, although it is something many people have at least an idea of what it means.

 

One decent source is The Routledge Handbook of Migration and Language: "a process where relatives who have previously migrated to a new country sponsor family to migrate to the same country. It entails a tendency by foreigners from a certain city or region to migrate to the same areas as others from their city or region."

Study.com defines it as: "In social sciences, a chain migration is one in which a population migrates (or immigrates) from one location to the next, then continually brings people from their home to this new place. In theory, there is a chain of people constantly moving from place to place, supported by the people who migrated before them. It's one of the biggest games of follow-the-leader a person can ever play."

CIS refers to one such definition from Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life: "One migrant stream may have an impact upon a second stream. The migration of an initial stream of people often encourages the migration of a second group; the innovators may be followed by family or friends at a different time, for example. This process is referred to as chain migration."

 

One thing they all have in common is that it involves one immigrant bringing in more immigrants.

While it does appear that the OP's circumstances would fall under what would be considered chain migration (they immigrated then are bringing another immigrant), the concept of chain migration is not defined by the type of relative being brought over.

 

For instance, is somebody who immigrates to the US as the child of a a USC/LPR, then marries their girlfriend and brings them over (and possibly their children) chain migration? It kinda is, despite it being a spouse. They immigrated then brought their existing family over with them. There's a chain of immigrants in the picture.

What about a parent who gives birth in the US, then the child (once turning 21+) petitions for the parent. Is that chain migration? No...the only immigrant in the picture is the parent. There is no "chain". Only if she brings somebody else would there be a chain. If she brought in her spouse, that would now be a chain.

 

Strictly speaking, limiting chain migration would involve either restricting the ability of immigrants to petition others, not necessarily what types of relatives they can petition, or how many people they can bring in. It would mean making decisions to immigrate to the US or live apart from other family members (not just temporarily).

 

Note: This isn't to say it should or shouldn't be allowed. I'm not suggesting anything of the sort. It's just pointing out that chain migration is not limited to the type of relative.

 

1 hour ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

I would highly advise the OP to contact the US Embassy in Kyiv to see if there are any options, however unlikely.   I know no new visas for IR5 can be issued.  But, in this case, the IR5 was initially issued in Jan 2020.  Maybe they can make an exception?  Not likely to happen, but there is no harm in trying.

I would also encourage them to contact the consulate to see if any options are available. Technically, case by case exceptions can be made:

"any alien whose entry would be in the national interest, as determined by the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or their respective designees."

 

It is a long shot, but it's greater than 0% by not asking.

[SalishSea 17,828]

5 hours ago, April M said:

I would check with the embassy or USCIS and find out how to extend the date somehow. Also check on line for info. If none of those pan out I would ask a lawyer. Sometimes just calling and asking a question can get you on the right track without needing to hire them. YouTube might have something too. The problem is this is all new so we all are dealing with things that are not normal. Hope you find the answer. I would be interested in the info

USCIS does not issue or oversee visas, only DOS.  Visa expiration dates cannot be extended.  

[SalishSea 17,828]

4 hours ago, Traveler101 said:

She is going to contact embassy and see what they say about extending her visa.

If her visa expires, it can't be extended.  It would be a re-issue, which unfortunately won't happen for that visa class during 2020.

[SalishSea 17,828]

3 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

I think there is some misunderstanding going on here.

 

Ukraine had a mandatory 14 day observed quarantine for anyone entering the country.  Because the OP's mom is returning from Zurich, she would need to quarantine for 14 days.

 

However, in April/May, they allowed the use of an app to self quarantine instead of being quarantined at a government supervised facility.  This past week, the UKR government has  allowed a specific C-19 test in lieu of quarantine all together.

 

I know it is too late now, but Ukraine Airlines operated direct flights from Kyiv to New York JKF on occasion, about 4 flights a month.  These were not charter flights but specially scheduled commercial flights.   The OP's mom could have flown on one of these.   

 

But as other's have said, due to her being in Zurich and the EO, she needs to wait 14 days before travelling to the US.  At which point her visa would have expired.   I would highly advise the OP to contact the US Embassy in Kyiv to see if there are any options, however unlikely.   I know no new visas for IR5 can be issued.  But, in this case, the IR5 was initially issued in Jan 2020.  Maybe they can make an exception?  Not likely to happen, but there is no harm in trying.  

 

Visa service center for Ukraine:  https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ua/ua-main-contactus.asp#contactinfo

 

Kyiv Embassy:  KyivIV@state.gov

 

You are taking my comment out of context.  I responded to a poster who suggested a COVID test in lieu of quarantine, which is not something I have seen as an alternative to the current US travel restrictions for UK/Schengen/Iran/China etc.

[Milasa 19]

I feel very sorry for your mom, very stressful situation. I think there is no harm in trying to get her visa reissued, but they probably won’t until the ban is over. We never know, but it could have been a blessing in disguise since the situation with COVID here, apart from east coast, is getting worse, so she is probably safer in Ukraine for now.

[Traveler101 16]

16 minutes ago, Milasa said:

I feel very sorry for your mom, very stressful situation. I think there is no harm in trying to get her visa reissued, but they probably won’t until the ban is over. We never know, but it could have been a blessing in disguise since the situation with COVID here, apart from east coast, is getting worse, so she is probably safer in Ukraine for now.

Thank you so much. I'm just trying to stay positive and thinking that it was meant to be. It is what it is right now.

[My Mzuri 20]

On 6/28/2020 at 1:20 PM, Traveler101 said:

Hi all,

 

My mother was coming to US on IMM grant visa which when she arrives in US will grant her Green Card. Well, she had a transfer at Zurich airport and they didn't let her go to us, she has to go back to Ukraine. US baned all entry from European countries due to the COVID. Only Americans and diplomats are allowed to entry. Now I do not know what's next since her visa expires on July 2. 

Sorry to hear this and I hope things work out and your mother gets here safely. Please all remember vote in November.

[April M 28]

8 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

If her visa expires, it can't be extended.  It would be a re-issue, which unfortunately won't happen for that visa class during 2020.

Can you provide the web link on that information please? 

[April M 28]

11 hours ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

I think there is some misunderstanding going on here.

 

Ukraine had a mandatory 14 day observed quarantine for anyone entering the country.  Because the OP's mom is returning from Zurich, she would need to quarantine for 14 days.

 

However, in April/May, they allowed the use of an app to self quarantine instead of being quarantined at a government supervised facility.  This past week, the UKR government has  allowed a specific C-19 test in lieu of quarantine all together.

 

I know it is too late now, but Ukraine Airlines operated direct flights from Kyiv to New York JKF on occasion, about 4 flights a month.  These were not charter flights but specially scheduled commercial flights.   The OP's mom could have flown on one of these.   

 

But as other's have said, due to her being in Zurich and the EO, she needs to wait 14 days before travelling to the US.  At which point her visa would have expired.   I would highly advise the OP to contact the US Embassy in Kyiv to see if there are any options, however unlikely.   I know no new visas for IR5 can be issued.  But, in this case, the IR5 was initially issued in Jan 2020.  Maybe they can make an exception?  Not likely to happen, but there is no harm in trying.  

 

Visa service center for Ukraine:  https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ua/ua-main-contactus.asp#contactinfo

 

Kyiv Embassy:  KyivIV@state.gov

 

Thanks for all the info. I did here that if the visa has been already issued they are honoring them . But this is good info to know

[April M 28]

12 hours ago, Lucky Cat said:

Visas cannot be extended......only re-issued after they expire....at the discretion of the consulate.

This comment was some good info. At: SteveInBostonI130 

[SalishSea 17,828]

1 hour ago, April M said:

Can you provide the web link on that information please? 

A link on what info?  That expired visas cannot be extended?