Your Immigration Questions Answered

What should I know before hiring an immigration attorney?

Choosing an immigration attorney is an important decision. Before hiring an attorney, confirm that the attorney is properly licensed, ask about their experience with cases like yours, and make sure you understand the scope of representation and fees. Be cautious of “notarios,” immigration consultants, or others who are not authorized to provide legal advice.

Attorney Aileen Rose is a licensed attorney, is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and is the co-chair of the Immigration Section of the Nashville Bar Association. Because immigration law is federal law, Aileen is authorized to practice immigration law throughout the United States, subject to applicable professional and jurisdictional requirements. Aileen holds a bar license to practice law from the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Her national practice is exclusively limited to federal law, including immigration and naturalization law.

Duration of Status Is Changing: What does the new four-year rule mean for international students?

For decades, many F-1 students were admitted to the United States for Duration of Status (D/S) rather than a fixed expiration date on the Form I-94. A rule that was supposed to take effect on September 15, 2026, has been paused due to litigation. The new federal rule would replace the duration of status framework with fixed periods of admission for students admitted with an F or J nonimmigrant visa, generally limited to no more than four years. For international students, this would change how long you are authorized to remain in the United States and whether you will need to apply for an extension to complete your academic program.

If you are an international student, it is important to understand what your Form I-94 says, how your program dates relate to your immigration status, and whether a change in the rules could require you to take additional action.

Immigration policies can change frequently, so students should seek current guidance rather than relying on information that may be outdated. Schedule a consultation with Aileen Rose Law PLLC to discuss how recent policy and rule changes may affect you.

Holiday Travel for International Students: What do I need to know?

Planning travel outside the United States during school break? Before you leave, review your immigration documents and consider whether anything about your individual situation could affect your ability to return.

Depending on your circumstances, important considerations may include your passport, visa, Form I-20 and travel signature, SEVIS status, employment authorization, pending immigration applications, and any recent changes affecting admission to the United States. International travel can present different issues for different students.

If you have questions about your status or your ability to return to the United States, contact Aileen Rose Law PLLC before you travel.