Last month, the CBP staff at Newark airport began detaining and refusing entry to legitimate H1b nonimmigrants for wholly illegal and irrational reasons. This practice not only continues, but has now spread to JFK airport in New York. Legitimate H1b nonimmigrants are being refused entry for reasons not set forth in the law.

For the present, H1b nonimmigrants are warned to avoid trying to enter the United States through either of these airports. Find another port of entry.

If you are detained, do not try to embellish your qualifications or skills. Simply tell the truth without any attempt to make it sound better. If the USCIS has approved your H1b petition and the U.S. Department of State has issued an H1b visa, you are clearly entitled to enter. Do not sign anything that is not 100% accurate. You are not required to sign anything, particularly if they are going to send you home anyway. If you do sign a statement, insist that it is letter perfect or refuse to sign it.