STAYED ONE AND HALF YEAR OUTSIDE USA WITH 2YRS CONDITIONAL GREENCARD

[honeybeme 0]

Hi everyone..

Its been a long time since the last time I visited this site..

Anyway, I just wanna share you all what I experienced at the POE in LA for being out of the country for a year and half with my 2yrs conditional greencard.

I got here in US year 2008, applied for GC and so on..I got approved.GC in my hand. Then econnomy in US got shaky in the year 2009-2010. And the account that my husband is working for in his company ended and they have to laid off some of thier employees, unfortunately my husband is one of them.. Months later, my husband got a new job but its overseas,its in Philippines(my country) he got an offer that he's gonna have to stay in the country and on his anniversary date that's the time he can travel back to US, well, because he needed a job, he took the offer. He got there July 12, 2010( its our Anniversary date, i was so devastated) we decided that I'll stay here with my son in US for awhile while he's looking for a place for us to stay in Philippines( cuz he's staying at the hotel for awhile then move to company's staff house,btw..its a shitty and cheap company) and got located in Angeles, Pampanga. Then 3 months later, Oct.30th 2010 ( ahmm..yah, that's how slow the company to process our ticket) me and my son flew back in Philippines so we can join my husband. We got there, everything seems fine, but I don't wanna be in Pampanga (I grew up in Manila. Sorry for those who lived in Pampanga)so I kept bitchin' about the place, that I don't wanna be there at all that I wanna move back in Manila where I grew and where my family(parents, cousin's) are. Cause I got so lonely in Pampanga, I didn't have any friends at all but one of my cousin lived with us to watch my son, so there I got her company..but still, I cannot lived there(for many reason, but i'll keep it personal since I don't wanna get questions with my fellow filipina that lived in that place, know what I mean..) though, I loved their foods..

Anyway,months had passed and because I kept bitchin' about the place, with me and my husband always argiung, he got an oppurtunity to move back in Manila when he applied for other account that was located in Makati. So im so glad and happy about it cause we've been living in Pampanga for 7months and I can't wait to go back and lived in Manila again.

Now, we're supposed to comeback in US on his anniversary July 2011, but...unfortunately, his company wouldn't allow him to travel back because he's new to the account he's in and I cannot travel back without him because its the "rule" of the company that without their employee they cannot give the previlege for his(husband) family to travel back without him..(I think its ridiculous)well, we cannot afford to pay for my ticket and my son, its too expensive...So, we're stucked! I'm soooo furious and start bitchin' again, lol..because it can jeopardize my greencard and I wouldn't be able to go back in US because I know I cannot stay outside USA more than a year..grrrr!! Anyway, to amke the story short..we're stucked until finally at the end of March 2012 my husband decided he had enough with the company,(him and his boss didn't get along very well) he misses his family back here in US,soooo...the company booked our ticket on April 27th ( weeks before they process that..ugh!) then goodbye Philippines again, boarded on a plane, Manila-LA.. 12-13hours flight..I feel so nervous because I know theres a chance that the POE( US Immigration can send me back in Philippines.. so here we go..we landed on LA, went to immigration feeling nauseous for the fact that things can go well or worst... then talked to Immigration officer on the window( he's very blunt to us)..then my husband started to explain him why I am out of the country for that long period of time when we know that its against the law for the GC holder..but then he interrupt us and here is the question he asked " Why are you bringing her(me) back in US?..so of course he explained the reason why..then he got my finger print, took me a picture then he said he's going to talk to his supervisor for awhile, then he left us at the counter and when he gets back, he took my gc and passport and said something like "I haven't done this for 10yrs and there will be no second chance again, cause if she did it again, she'll be banned in the US and cannot get any visa for 5yrs." so there u go..they let me in and boarded on a plane going to TX..

Oh, also I didn't file my gc in 90 days..it'll be expired next month but since we just got here on 27th we're just about to file it soon. But before we file it, we got an infopass appointment, went there yesterday just to make sure its ok to file it though It'll be less than 90 days and the person told us that its ok as long as we have an explanation letter..we'll see what will happen once I file it. I guess im just lucky that the immigration officer allowed me to stay in US..

[Krikit 1,165]

Wow. You're extremely lucky. You're supposed to have a re-entry permit if you're going to be out of the US for that long.

[honeybeme 0]

Wow. You're extremely lucky. You're supposed to have a re-entry permit if you're going to be out of the US for that long.

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God is good..

[Leatherneck 693]

Yeah, you got extremely lucky, you very well could've been put on the next thing outta LA, headed to Manila. OP, please stop taking chances with your status -- it's not to be taken lightly. Where entering the U.S. is concerned, you never know what kind of "hole" you might get for a CBP officer.

I've entered the U.S. more times than I can count from international travel -- but on one hand I can count the number of pleasant CBP officers I've encountered.

Most of CBP officers seem to have their wigs on too tight!

[jojolicious 38]

Wow. You're very lucky!

[ceadsearc 516]

You got VERY lucky.

Also, you do not need to file ROC 90 days in advance. That's the earliest you CAN file. You MUST file by the expiration so make sure you have your I-751 mailed by then.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I suggest you speak to an immigration attorney. I assume you'll want to apply for naturalisation one day and I'm not sure how you staying out for more than 1 year has affected your status. I know the CBP let you in but when you write on the N-400 that you were out 18 months with no re-entry permit... you don't want them decided you abandoned your status and cancel your status... 'cause they CAN do that...

[honeybeme 0]

Thank ya'll for the advise.

I'm not taking this thing lightly because I know its a serious matter but what am I suppose to do, I cannot control everything as far as my husband's work is concern cause our family needs to have money to survive that's why he took the job back in my country. And as far as Naturalization goes, im not thinking about that right now, cause first I need my GC fix first then next step is get my Citizenship, we'll take the risk whatever the DHS/USCIS tells us to do. Everything happens for a reason, we'll just do what we gotta do then deal with it..

[Krikit 1,165]

Thank ya'll for the advise.

I'm not taking this thing lightly because I know its a serious matter but what am I suppose to do, I cannot control everything as far as my husband's work is concern cause our family needs to have money to survive that's why he took the job back in my country.

Actually, you are responsible for ensuring you know your rights and responsibilities. The information was given to you at the time of your GC approval. And those responsibilities include applying for a re-entry permit to maintain your status. It was always on you and has nothing to do with what your husband does or does not do.

[honeybeme 0]

Well, we just sent my I-751 so we'll see what happens..

[jaycali 415]

Thank ya'll for the advise. I'm not taking this thing lightly because I know its a serious matter but what am I suppose to do, I cannot control everything as far as my husband's work is concern cause our family needs to have money to survive that's why he took the job back in my country. And as far as Naturalization goes, im not thinking about that right now, cause first I need my GC fix first then next step is get my Citizenship, we'll take the risk whatever the DHS/USCIS tells us to do. Everything happens for a reason, we'll just do what we gotta do then deal with it..

This is exactly why they have what's called a re-entry permit that you can apply for in advance.

Anyway, glad you got back ok.