Rosanna Berardi, Managing Partner of Berardi Immigration Law, was recently featured on Spectrum News to discuss the Trump administration’s plans to revoke as many as 200,000 B-1 and B-2 visas nationwide, a move that could become the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.
In the interview, Rosanna helped clarify what the proposal actually targets and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t mean for the people holding those visas. Asked to explain the basics, she drew a clear line between a visa and one’s status once inside the country:
“A visa is something that the U.S. Department of State issues from abroad. It doesn’t mean if they have a visa and they’re in the U.S. that they have to leave.”
Rosanna also offered a regional read on a national headline. While the administration’s target number sounds staggering, she noted that New York’s usage is skewed heavily toward New York City’s large foreign-national population, and that Western New York is likely to see a much smaller share.
“I would say it would maybe be a 10% to 20% usage of that big number, because we’re in a state that has New York City, which is highly populated by foreign nationals. But in terms of how this will play out locally, I think it’s going to have little to no impact.”
Given the region’s proximity to the Canadian border, Rosanna urged caution for anyone who could be affected while the policy is still being finalized: “Do not leave the United States. Do not go up to Canada. Do not go on the wrong side of the Peace Bridge. If you do need to travel, make sure you’re getting legal advice before doing so.”
She was careful to note that the plan is still in its early stages. “This is all proposed, as of now.”
Watch the full segment here: What planned mass visa revocations could mean in Upstate New York
Immigration policy is shifting fast, and proposed changes like this one can create real anxiety even before they’re finalized. Berardi Immigration Law is closely monitoring the visa revocation proposal as it moves forward. If you have questions about how it could affect you or someone you know, click here to contact us today.
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