Visa Date Not Valid Anymore? Telugu Couple’s US Stay Cut Short

CBP reportedly reduced couple's US stay

A supposedly happy trip for a couple from Hyderabad recently turned into a nightmare. Their plans to be present for the birth of their grandchild in Miami was cut short after they landed in America.

Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) took them aside for secondary questioning. The officers asked why they needed five months in the US when the father was employed in India.

CBP officers cut short their time allowed in the country after hearing their reasoning. Their I-94 was issued for just two months, with no extension or Adjustment of Status (AOS) allowed.

This took place in spite of the fact that they had a B-1/B-2 visa valid for five months.

Now the couple will be forced to leave before their grandson is born. This incident has left the whole family in distress.

Other similar cases have been noted by Indian travelers recently. Parents visiting their children in the US seem to be the most targeted.

Lawyers have warned that CBP may cut duration of stay if the purpose seems unclear. One reason may be the fact that Indian grandparents often help their children take care of babies.

This is viewed by the USCIS as unauthorised work.

The couple now have no choice but to return to India early. Overstaying their I-94 will jeopardise future travels, and void their visa stamp.