Jackolantern
Registered Users (C)
My stand will be firm that I have not committed any mistake other then not explaining properly.
I agree that you did nothing wrong except fail to explain yourself properly to the officer at the POE (and also perhaps the naturalization interviewer). But that still is a big mistake that invites big trouble. When you are unclear with USCIS or CBP, they fill in the blanks with their own suspicious interpretation.
You should have said you came to attend a conference and meet with a client, instead of "pursue a job opportunity" which could lead them to believe that you're looking for a job and possibly would stay and start working if you get the job. But you already had a job offer and an approved H1B petition for it, so "pursue a job opportunity" wasn't an accurate description. And it is acceptable to meet with clients when on a B1 visa, so you should have said that.
I have to say that it was surprising to see the IO bring up this issue 12 years later, after you got your H1B and green card without the issue being raised during all these years. Do you have a copy of whatever you signed in 1999? Or did you get to read it in the interview?
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