Emergency Parole?

[AdamNewfoundland 0]

Hey, guys!

So, I got my I-797Cs (Notice of Action) for my I-130, I-485, I-131 and I-765, saying that I'm in process now.

I have a trip home to Newfoundland planned for March 30 - April 5 (to visit my grandmother who broke her hip and work on wedding details), but there's no way my AP will get here in time. My aunt is faxing down the note from my grandmother's doctor outlining her condition, along with a note from my aunt herself (who is a psychologist) saying that my presence would be beneficial to my grandmother's well-being.

Now my only question is: how to I start the Emergency Parole process?

Do I go on Infopass and make an appointment? What category should I enter my appointment under? Will I need to apply for a different I-131, or will they just accelerate the one I've already submitted?

Has anybody here done this? I'd dearly love some advice!

Thanks so much in advance!

Adam

[Carlawarla 1]

Hey, guys!

So, I got my I-797Cs (Notice of Action) for my I-130, I-485, I-131 and I-765, saying that I'm in process now.

I have a trip home to Newfoundland planned for March 30 - April 5 (to visit my grandmother who broke her hip and work on wedding details), but there's no way my AP will get here in time. My aunt is faxing down the note from my grandmother's doctor outlining her condition, along with a note from my aunt herself (who is a psychologist) saying that my presence would be beneficial to my grandmother's well-being.

Now my only question is: how to I start the Emergency Parole process?

Do I go on Infopass and make an appointment? What category should I enter my appointment under? Will I need to apply for a different I-131, or will they just accelerate the one I've already submitted?

Has anybody here done this? I'd dearly love some advice!

Thanks so much in advance!

Adam

Make an infopass appointment. I don't know all the categories that are under the on-line process, but if you can't find anything to put it under, check "other". I'd see if there was something about advanced parole. Take all necessary paperwork to your appointment. Make sure you take your passport.

They will be able to access your on-line status, indicating you've applied for everything, and they will probably just stamp your passport with an I-551 stamp, and date it. I've made an infopass appointment before, to do with my license, and needing an I-551 stamp, and I was in and out in 5 minutes. This wasn't about advanced parole though, but I was in my 10 year GC process, and they just stamped my passport, with a date a year from now, so that I could travel.

I'd leave out the "wedding details" stuff when talking to the official and concentrate on your grandmother's well being, both psychologically and physically. Glad you got the letter about how psychologically it helps you physically to heal. It's basically a ####### shoot on whether you'll get it though. I think it will depend on the individual official you see as to whether they think it's an "emergency". If they seem hesitant all all, you might mention the dates of your trip, and ask that they just give you the stamp and date it for the end of April.

You as well, might get your AP in time, in which case it will all be moot, but getting down there early, as in the next few days, will give you some peace of mind.

Best of luck, and let us know how you fared!

[Sam and Ben 2]

Directly from the AOS guides:

As a note, in an emergency where travel outside of the United States is needed (while a beneficiary's I-485 in still being processed) an Advance Parole can be obtained quickly by scheduling an Info-Pass appointment at your local USCIS office. You must show proof (doctors note, etc) that the travel is a true emergency (such as to see a critically ill relative or other true emergency) and file an I-131 (AP) in person. If approved the AP is likely be issued the same day. Do not attempt to leave the country without an AP as this can result in the beneficiary's I-485 being considered "abandoned" and will require a new Visa to enter the US (and refiling of the I-485).

Hope that helps.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Actually, they won't stamp your passport with the I-551 stamp - that is only done if you have an approved green card - but they can issue an expedited Emergency AP. They may charge you the full price for the AP, though, as it will be based on the original submission but requires special processing. The more information you can take about the seriousness of your grandmother's situation and how important it is for you to be there, the better as Emergency APs really are meant for emergency purposes. Also, bring along proof of your travel arrangements so that even if they don't allow the Emergency AP they may expedite the processing for your current application. Good luck.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Kathryn41

[AdamNewfoundland 0]

Thanks a lot, everyone!

Great advice! Just waiting for my aunt to fax me the letters today, and I'll check out Infopass right away!

Thanks again! I'll let you know how it goes!

Adam

[Leafgal 3]

I hope your infopass appointment works out quickly and have a great visit with your grama, and hope she gets well soon.

[AdamNewfoundland 0]

Sigh.

Nothing is ever easy.

I received the fax from my aunt with the letters, so I went on Infopass to make an appointment.

Of course, it's the Manhattan office, so the soonest available time is 7:20am on Thursday, March 18.

Ugh.

Good thing I'm not in a hurry. Nnngh.

Anyway, I'll fill out a new I-131 and bring it with me, along with our travel itinerary and the fee. Do they accept credit cards, or should I bring my checkbook or cash?

We don't leave until March 30, but I wish I had been able to get in there this week. Ah, well. If wishes were horses...

Thanks, everyone!

Adam