MY EXPERIENCE TRAVELING INTO THE US ON ADVANCE PAROLE (APPROVED I-131) ON MONDAY 10-25-2021 (OCT. 25TH, 2021) | Lawfully (2024)

Hello community, So, I just wanted to share my experience to enlighten and help anyone who may be in the same situation I was in just a little over a month ago.I badly needed an advance parole (advance travel document), in order to go see my mum (who wasn't doing well) and my family (wife and kids) in Africa while awaiting my pending Adjustment of Status(AOS). I have earlier shared what I did to obtain an advance parole after 2 expedition requests were turned down and denied outrightly. So, eventually I had one issued to me on 20th of September, 2021 after an interview at the New York Local Field Office for 1 year multiple entry. Now, the next thing was how so many community members expressed fear and doubts about using the document to enter the US and I am sure most of them meant well but others were simply paranoid.Well, that week, I bought a ticket and traveled to Africa (Nigeria) precisely. I stayed for four (4) weeks and got on my plane back to the US 🇺🇸 via Atlanta Georgia. So, here was how it went;As I approached the CBP Officer, I arranged my document I-512 (Approved Advance Parole), my AOS/Form I-485 Receipt Notice and my Passport and handed over to the officer. He put the documents into a transparent plastic bag, called on a co-ordinating officer around and asked me to go along with her. I have heard that folks returning on AP always went through secondary room check so I was fully prepared. Against my expectation, I was asked to sit just beside a small glass office just down the hallway but still in the open space where others were being checked in by the CBP Officers, then asked to wait till I heard my name. I sat down and fiddled with my phone unruffled until a few minutes later (say 7-10 minutes), I heard my last name pronounced funnily and after trying to be sure I was the one being called, the Officer pronounced the full name. So, I dashed to the glass window, expecting all manner of questions. He simply handed over my documents to me and said, "Good to go". I wasn't sure what he said or meant as I was expecting the next things, so he repeated fully this time, "You are good to go". I took my documents, put them in my folder and thanked him and I was on my way out.That was it. NOT ONE SINGLE QUESTION. And all in about 10 minutes or even less from arriving at the First CBP officers desk, I was cleared to go. This happened on 25th October, 2021.So, guys, have your take of my experience!

thank you PJ!

D

oh thank you P J I have interview soon for my AP to go see my mom in Africa thank you to reassure me

@m s, you are welcome

@Dolan M D, ensure to have a booked return ticket, a birth certificate, all your receipt notices from uscis and a medical document from a hospital back home (if you are going to see your mum on health grounds - about the only way they'll approve it. And that document must state your full name and add that you are needed in person). I wish you the best at your interview, Dolan.

D

@P J I need to booked my back and forth ticket first before the interview? because my brother already sent me my mom medical certificate showing that's she is sick and I translated in English but the document have only my mom full name on it they can't add my name because it's my mom medical certificate

@Dolan M D, okay. Yes, you need to have ticket booked for going and returning. It is like an unwritten rule. Someone hinted me. At my interview, the IO asked for my booked itinerary, I was surprised she did because I just managed to book it the previous day. She took the itinerary and kept it in their files. It may help if your name was in the report that they need you particularly but if they'd be difficult, never worry, it should be sufficient.

v

Thsnk you p j, I do have a record from 5 years ago , already done probation for it, I was approved for AP, but I am so worried to travel

w

you my friends have hearts of steal yeah I think I speak for a lot of us when I say this. we will wait for the interview!!

M

if u had issues with the law don’t travel out or contact a lawyer before u do

m

thank you PJ. this is very insightful. I am awaiting my own AP and also intend to go see my family back home although my own category is vawa. which seem different to that of yours. do you think it matters? moreso if you mind, before filing, did ur visa here expire? my only fear is should I be worried due to a traffic citation I had a year ago could hinder anything. I was just given a fine though? thank you bro.

M

F

G

thanks for sharing

D

Thanks @ P J

S

@PJ thank you so much. The information was helpful 🙏

@Ville K, it depends on the severity of the issue you had. But I'd recommend you have a word with a lawyer before you proceed.@Water blue...Looolz😁😁😁@JB Eric, yeahbsolutely spot on advice.

@we Banks, you are welcome. It doesn't matter through what immigration pathway you obtain an AP, they serve the serve purpose. and yes, I came in February 26th 2021, my Visa expired March 3rd (5 days later ..😁). of course, I got the usual 6 months I-94 stay, filed I-485 in the 4th month and here I am.Traffic citation, I do not think is a crime, let alone worth being an impediment in your using your AP back into the country but one thing I do is I read extensively about these things and it works. For example, I paid a lawyer several thousands of dollars to work on my case but I ended up applying for my AP on my own after reading up on how to obtain one in less than a week and it worked for me. So, read up, reach out to an attorney or 'search' this community using your choice key words to learn about your peculiar situation. it sure would help

@Ga Geb, anytime

S

wow I didn’t know about 6 months I-94 stay!

m

@PJ thanks brotherly, your input here helps so much. I do have a lawyer that’s handling the case though and she is always on top of it. when it comes AP, I will let her know when I intend to and follow her advice. I need reach Lagos o God willing safe n return home cus here is home o😁 appreciate bro.

Thank you P J my interview is tomorrow with the 1 year multiple entry did you have to do 30 days only because it is an emergency AP ?

m

all the best R k.

@R k, no, they'd most likely issue you a one year multiple entry AP.I wish you good luck

@Super Man, if you ever come into the US on a business or tourism visa, you'd know about the 6 months I-94 stay, maybe you have not used that visa class before.

@we banks, oh great, I do also believe a good lawyer will deliver. just follow up with them. I hope you're able to visit home 1 🇳🇬 and return to home 2 🇺🇸 🙂. Keep us posted.

m

@PJ, Cheers bro

P J: My apologies, I was wondering did you overstayed your Visa prior to getting the AP? Most concerns to traveling with AP is that would it triger a bar if one overstayed his/her visa prior to receiving the Advance Parole?

no, I didn't. @ Lyle

F

Thank you for the info. Very reassuring. I have DACA and am approved for AP to Nigeria. How was your experience from the Naija airport before boarding the plane to US

@ Femi Banks, no issue whatsoever. I have used 2 different airlines from Nigeria to the USA, no issues, just present your AP, and they'd clear you to fly almost immediately. They're familiar with the document already.