Emergency Travel

[DanielLaura 0]

Hi,

My husband is here and awaiting his AOS approval. Unfortunately, we have had a death in the family and need to go back to the UK. We have tried calling the local offices but they are closed until Monday. Does anyone know if Emergency Advanced Parole or Reentry Permits are granted. How long to they take? Is there a phone number where we can get in touch with someone over the weekend.

Thank you in advance for your help.

~Laura

[YuAndDan 153]

They will issue an emergency AP. What you need to do is schedule an Info Pass apointment at your local field office, and bring an I-131 form filled for the AP, along with proof of the emergency, a letter from a doctor, or death notice.

You can not do this over the phone you need to visit the office in person.

http://infopass.uscis.gov/

Filling Application for Travel Document:

You must file USCIS Form I-131 petition at your local USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) office or the Service Center having control over your place of dwelling. Supporting credentials required are photos, fee and set of documents.

Form I-131 is available by submitting a request to USCIS, usually by mail.

Necessary Documents Include:

• Copy of documents showing official photo identity, present status in the country, and the proof of consular appointment which is required only when alien travels to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa;
  
• A clarification or other proof representing the situations that warrant issuing of advance parole; and
  
• A copy of the filing receipt for adjustment of status or asylum, if the alien uses separate application for travel document.
  

http://www.immspec.com/advance-parole.htm

Good luck.

[DanielLaura 0]

We made the appointment. Thank you for your advice.

[DanielLaura 0]

Hi, I'm the other half of DanielLaura, namely Daniel.

I just wanted to chime in here and tell my story of how I got my advance parole document for my upcoming funeral. And how if anyone is in a similar situation one day (God forbid), that maybe this thread will help them in some way.

Some truths I wanted to share... (and please, this is just my own experience with Newark, who knows how those other offices operate).

You are guided to make an appointment through InfoPass for a family emergency, and wait patiently for that date (which is often days away, not hours).

This is un-true. After a call back from the US Immigration helpdesk, we was told that in times of a family emergency, you can simply go to your local immigration office, and mention you have a 'family emergency'. You will then be allowed in without your appointment to be seen straight away.

With regards to the travel document needed for emergency travel, it is indeed the 131. You should fill that out before turning up to the local office, and take with you a death certificate (mine was faxed and scanned/emailed to me), and if you can get it, any supporting letters that confirm your emergency. I was fortunate to have the funeral company fax over not only the death certificate, but they also gave me an additional letter that outlined their services, what the situation was, what relation it was, and what date the funeral was. This gave me better peace of mind, as now I had two pieces of documentation to take to the local office.

Also, as a back-up and to make it personal, I wrote my own letter, and signed it, explaining the situation and why I need to go back to my homeland country (UK). Now I had three pieces of documentation.

I also photocopied the ID page of my passport, and my VISA page of my passport. Also any other documents I collected from the US goverment process (if you haven't got one of those printers that scans, photocopies and then prints, do get one. Ours was only $60 and it is worth every penny).

I forgot to bring them, but was lucky that a company around to the local office (Newark) provided passport photos. You need two for the travel/parole document.

All in all, the whole process took around 1hr 30min. It could take less (if I hadn't ran around the corner for the photos).

I was issued the travel document that day, effective that day. So God forbid you need to really leave the US that same day, it is possible.

I was charged $170 for the 131 form. Cash (correct ammount) or check or money order is accepted.

Hope this post helps someone in their own time of need. Just wanted to give back to this community.

Daniel

Edited November 17, 2006 by DanielLaura

[rebeccajo 14]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss Daniel.

And it's extremely thoughtful of you to come here and give us this great informative post.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experience.

As a technical aside, the only hitch I can see in this would be if one has to travel very far to get to the nearest office to obtain the AP.