Thread by @atalovesyou

🧵 THREAD:

If you're H-1B OUTSIDE THE US right now - here's your action plan

1/12

🚨 REALITY CHECK:

You have ~18 hours until Sept 20 11:59 PM ET deadline.

Many flights are sold out.
Some of you won't make it back in time.
Here's what to do in each scenario.

2/12

SCENARIO 1: You CAN get back before deadline

- Book ANY available flight immediately
- Don't worry about cost - your career depends on it
- Consider connecting flights via Canada/Mexico

3/12

SCENARIO 2: Ask your employer to pay $100K

- Email/call HR and legal team immediately
- Some companies may pay for critical employees
- Get written confirmation if they agree
- This might be cheaper than losing you

4/12

SCENARIO 3: National Interest Waiver

- Contact immigration lawyer immediately
- Document why your work is "national interest"
- Critical infrastructure, healthcare, defense may qualify
- No clear guidance on process yet

5/12

SCENARIO 4: You miss the deadline

ONLY attempt entry via PRE-CLEARANCE airports:

🇨🇦 Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR) 🇮🇪 Dublin (DUB) 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi (AUH) 🇧🇸 Nassau (NAS)

6/12

Why pre-clearance matters:

- US airport denial: Detained, removal proceedings, banned entry

Pre-clearance denial: Refused boarding, stay in departure country Much safer failure mode if you're going to be denied anyway

7/12

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING:

Screenshot all flight attempts/sold out flights
Save email exchanges with employer about $100K
Record timeline of when you learned about proclamation
Keep all legal communications
May help with future legal challenges

8/12

GET LEGAL HELP NOW:
Contact immigration team immediately
Many are working emergency hours this weekend
Document your specific situation
Explore all waiver possibilities
Don't go it alone

9/12

EMPLOYER COMMUNICATION:
- Update them on your status immediately
- Ask about remote work arrangements
- Discuss $100K payment possibility
- Get everything in writing
- They may face operational disruption too

10/12

PREPARE FOR EXTENDED STAY:
- Arrange longer-term accommodations
- Handle visa status in current country
- Set up remote work capabilities
- Notify family/friends of situation

11/12

WHAT NOT TO DO:
- Avoid attempt entry at regular US airports after deadline
- Don't try to use B-1/B-2 visas as workaround
- Don't wait hoping for quick policy reversal
- Don't go dark on your employer
- Don't panic - this is temporary

12/12

BOTTOM LINE:

This is an unprecedented situation affecting thousands.

Document everything, get legal help, communicate with employer, and if you must attempt entry - only via pre-clearance.

You're not alone in this.

Share resources and support each other. 🤝

#H1B #Immigration #TechWorkers

RT to help others in the same situation. We're stronger together.