Reports of Green Card Applicant Detentions in San Diego

Preparing for a green card interview is a big step. Feeling prepared can help you approach it with confidence. As you organize your documents and plan for the appointment, we want to share some recent reports from one U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office that may be important for some applicants.

What Attorneys Are Reporting

Several immigration attorneys in Southern California say they have seen a concerning pattern at the San Diego USCIS field office. According to their accounts, ICE has detained some applicants who are out of status during green card interviews, even when those individuals:

• Entered the United States legally
• Have no criminal history
• Are married to U.S. citizens or otherwise eligible to adjust status
• Are attending a routine adjustment‑of‑status interview

Attorney Saman Nasseri said five of his clients were detained in a single week. His detained clients happened to be spouses of U.S. citizens applying for marriage‑based green cards, but his description of these actions centered on visa overstays, not the specific type of case.

Attorney Habib Hasbini has also reported similar cases and emphasized that this pattern so far, as of the date of this post, appears specific to the San Diego USCIS office. He noted that attorneys in other counties have not reported the same activity. As of now, these reports remain limited to this single field office.

For many families, this is unsettling. Under U.S. immigration law, spouses of U.S. citizens are typically allowed to adjust status inside the country even if they overstayed a visa, and most applicants attend their interviews without incident. That’s why these detentions have raised concern among immigration attorneys.

What This Could Mean for You

If your green card interview is scheduled to take place at the San Diego USCIS office, these reports may be important to consider, especially if you have ever:

• Overstayed a visa
• Fallen out of status
• Had gaps or complications in your immigration history

Even though these reports seem limited to one office so far, it’s always helpful to plan ahead, no matter where your interview is located. Here are a few proactive steps you can take:

• Consult an experienced immigration attorney, particularly if you have a past overstay or status issue
• Ask about potential risks, including whether attorney representation at the interview is recommended
• Make a family plan, especially if your household relies on you and you’re concerned about possible delays or detention

We’re Here to Support You

The green card process can feel stressful, especially when unexpected reports like these surface. Boundless is here to help you understand your options, stay informed, and connect with legal support if needed.

To learn more about green cards and the application process, refer to The Green Card, Explained.

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