How many of you actually used your AP

[SapphireDreams 71]

So, I just cleared it with my boss and she is letting me take a day to go home for Canadian Thanksgiving. Yay!

However, my husband is afraid that I am going to have trouble using my Advanced Parole at the border. He thinks that I'm going to be hassled and that they are going to give me grief (they = US Border Patrol).

I will be flying through Pearson, and going for a long weekend. I am perfectly fine with using my AP, but would love to hear everyone's experiences using theirs just to put my husband's mind at ease.

I've never had trouble crossing before I moved, so my account is not flagged or anything (that I know of).

Thanks!

[Krikit 1,164]

I used mine at Pearson. You fill out the white I-94 (which is available on the desk across from Customs after you've checked in) and take it into Customs with you, along with your passport. You then get sent to secondary where the really mean man yells at you to "SIT OVER THERE!" And then you listen to him bring a young Canadian student.... who happened to be born in Iran.... to tears giving her the third degree about her birthplace when all she wants to do is return to school. After 45 minutes nasty-man calls you up to show what a tough guy he is and take your fingerprints. Then you "SIT BACK DOWN!" When he's finished yelling at the student again, he calls you up to give you your documents and doesn't resist one last parting shot of "WHY DON'T YOU USE YOUR MARRIED NAME??!!!"

Idiot.

But I've heard other people have had a rather pleasant time of it. lol

[SapphireDreams 71]

But he didn't actually question why he should let you back in right?

My husband is scared that they aren't going to let me back in because the AP is not enough proof or something. He thinks that I'm just going to put myself in a difficult situation and then I'll be screwed.

I don't agree and he's telling me I'm being stubborn. I don't anticipate I'll just breeze right through as a visitor, but I also don't feel like I'll be denied entry with my AP - what's the point of the AP if I can't even use it in fear that I'll be denied?

I mean I know there's always a chance of being denied, but in this case, I just don't think the chances are very high....

[Dan and Ali 3]

I don't agree and he's telling me I'm being stubborn. I don't anticipate I'll just breeze right through as a visitor, but I also don't feel like I'll be denied entry with my AP - what's the point of the AP if I can't even use it in fear that I'll be denied?

That was my thought exactly ... why even bother applying for and being approved for AP if you can't use it? Seems kind of silly ...

[warlord 73]

I don't agree and he's telling me I'm being stubborn. I don't anticipate I'll just breeze right through as a visitor, but I also don't feel like I'll be denied entry with my AP - what's the point of the AP if I can't even use it in fear that I'll be denied?

That was my thought exactly ... why even bother applying for and being approved for AP if you can't use it? Seems kind of silly ...

I never used mine, I thought it seemed a bit complex and I just didn't want the extra hassle. Good thing my Green Card came fast and so I really wasn't planning on using it.

From what I rememeber there's multiple sheets and didn't know if they actually took a part of it every time you crossed the border or not.

But either way, it's the legal document and so that's the proof then so they can't really turn you back or deny you. Giving you a hard time for fun on the other hand is about it, but it's all intimidation with no intent on denying you back into the US...

[Joe_&_Nadiya 1]

Quote from form I-512L:

NOTICE - READ BEFORE YOU TRAVEL ABROAD

Parole is not admission into the United States. Presentation of this authorization will allow a CBP Inspector at a port-of-entry to parole you into the United States, which will allow you to resume your application for adjustment of status. Parole is not an "admission," so even after your parole you will remain an "applicant for admission." If you are found inadmissible, you will need to apply and qualify for a waiver of inadmissibility. If your adjustment application is denied, you may be subject to removal proceedings as an inadmissible alien under 235(B)(I) or 240 of the Act.

Parole into the United States is not guaranteed. In all cases, you are still subject to immigration inspection at a port-of-entry to determine whether you are eligible to come into the United States via the terms of this document. Even if you have previously been granted parole, the Department of Homeland Security retains discretion to deny you parole if the Department determines approving your parole application would not serve the public interest of the United States.

Travel Warning Regarding Unlawful Presence. If you have been unlawfully present in the United States, you may want to ask an immigration attorney or a representative at an immigrant assistance organization accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BTA) whether leaving the United States would make you inadmissible and therefore ineligible for adjustment of status. Under section 2l2(a)(9)(B)(i) of the Act, aliens who depart the United States after being unlawfully present in the United States for certain periods may become subject to new or additional grounds of inadmissibility because of their travel abroad. If you were unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days after April 1,1997, you may be found inadmissible when you return to the United States. If you were unlawfully present in the United States for more than 180 days but less than one year after April t, 1997 and then departed voluntarily before the start of removal proceedings, you are inadmissible for three years. If you were unlawfully present for one year or more after April I, 1997 and then departed, you are inadmissible for ten years. Obtaining advance authorization for parole will not relieve you of inadmissibility under 212(a)(9)(8)(i).

Inadmissibility in general. If you have concerns about admissibility and waivers you should contact an immigration attorney or an inmligrant ####istance organization accredited by the BIA before making foreign travel plans.

[July09Bride 1]

Yeah... we just got Duncan's AP in the mail today. As we were reading it, we're kind of glad we didn't tell his family that the AP came. The wording on it kind of scared us. So, as of right now, it's just in case of emergency use only, in our minds. So, although we have the two forms, we're going to leave them all locked up with the rest of the imigration paperwork we have. For us, it is peace of mind, just in case something happens to his mom or his great-aunt.

[Carlawarla 1]

At the time I adjusted status you applied for EAD and AP separately, and paid for it separately as well! I never applied for it. For all the time I've been here on VJ though, I've never heard of any major problems with AP, and never here in the Canada forum. I wouldn't worry, go for it!

[SapphireDreams 71]

I think I've decided to just wait for my GC and for flights to be a bit cheaper.

We're trying to save as much $$ as possible right now while waiting for an apartment, so I think I'll hold off. I REALLY want to go home, but after some discussions, I don't think it's smart to travel with the AP, I think it's best to use it as an emergency. And, flights are $320+ right now, not worth it when we usually only spend about $250.

I have 4 days in a row off for US Thanksgiving, so I think I'll go home then.

[Krikit 1,164]

But he didn't actually question why he should let you back in right?

My husband is scared that they aren't going to let me back in because the AP is not enough proof or something. He thinks that I'm just going to put myself in a difficult situation and then I'll be screwed.

I don't agree and he's telling me I'm being stubborn. I don't anticipate I'll just breeze right through as a visitor, but I also don't feel like I'll be denied entry with my AP - what's the point of the AP if I can't even use it in fear that I'll be denied?

I mean I know there's always a chance of being denied, but in this case, I just don't think the chances are very high....

Sorry. I should have been more thorough in my response but I started to get all these reported posts flooding in and I had to cut it short. And then I didn't have time to do anything but log off. lol

Anyway, no, they didn't give me a hard time about coming back into the country. I used my AP about six times in total, both at land borders and at the airport. At no time did they ever question my right to return to the country, or the number of times I was using the AP. Some of them were just being their usual tough-guy selves that you would ordinarily get with any crossing. Nothing serious.

So, no. Unless you have a previous overstay, I wouldn't worry one single minute about using the AP.

[Gypsyangel 11]

I used my AP a number of times at Pearson. I was nervous at first, but it's pretty straightforward. Here's how it goes down:

- they look at your paperwork and then immediately send you to secondary to get parolled

- when they pull out that yellow folder, you know you are going into secondary

- you are greeted by whomever is available and hand over your passport, AP, I-94 (that you filled out when you enter the customs area)

- they tell you to sit down, while they look up your stuff on the computer

- they call you back up (it took anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to be called back up. Pretty fast.)

- fingerprint and picture

- they might ask a few questions (one question I got was, when are you getting married? Duh. I was already married on a K1. Trick question!)

- then they stamp your AP and your passport (parolled!) and send you on your way.

- You have two copies of AP. They take one of the copies the first time through and don't ask about it again.

They knew what AP was and I never felt that they weren't going to let me in. They just needed to do the paperwork. That said, I was nervous the first couple of times I did it, but it was a piece of cake. It got faster each time I did it.

I know you've decided not to go on Canadian Thanksgiving, but I just wanted to let you know that it's pretty easy at Pearson. As long as you have all your paperwork in hand (and you haven't overstayed in the U.S.), you're good to go!

[JillA 2]

Using AP was sooo easy, I wouldn't cancel your plans to go home for Thanksgiving just because you're worried! I used mine at Queenston driving, and it couldn't have gone better for me I only used it once as I had my GC the next time I went home. You have nothing to worry about, as you didn't overstay or delay filing AOS (that's when I hear you have troubles with AP) I agree the wording on the AP makes you a bit paranoid, as it did me but you would be perfectly fine if you use it

[warlord 73]

- they might ask a few questions (one question I got was, when are you getting married? Duh. I was already married on a K1. Trick question!)

INS loves these types of questions. When I was doing my Citizenship interview, the IO asked me how many times I have been married. I answered 0 since I haven't been married before. He then paused and asked again. Thinking he's think I might think I'm lying, I said confidently again 0. Finally he tells me to really listen close to the question, and slowly said Have you EVER been married. I'm like ohhhh #######, yeah this one. He then goes ahhh so once is your answer, very good.

They're kind of sneaky in interviews and in secondary...

[SapphireDreams 71]

So after speaking to my Mom tonight and thinking about this all day, I've decided to go home after all. I miss everyone and I know my family misses me.

I have a job now and am not really broke and my work let me have the day off without having to use my vacation/personal days.

So I'm just going to go. You only live once right.

[JillA 2]

So after speaking to my Mom tonight and thinking about this all day, I've decided to go home after all. I miss everyone and I know my family misses me.

I have a job now and am not really broke and my work let me have the day off without having to use my vacation/personal days.

So I'm just going to go. You only live once right.

YEAH, GO!! That's awesome, it'll be good to get back. And seriously, don't worry a bit about AP. It's honestly stress free, you have nothing to worry about.