Traveling to US after NOA2

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I have been through all sorts of search queries and checked many posts, but since none fit exactly my situation (and being super stressed over the whole process) I thought I'd ask.

My wife and I reside in Japan. We have been going through the visa process and just sent away our DS-230 and I-864. We have traveled back to the States between July and August every year for the past 4 years since it's the only long vacation time available for me from work and it's the time that coincides with my Father's birthday as well as other family related events.

If we travel back together for a visit, with our child, will this cause a problem?

I have read that this depends on the POE immigration officer. Is it the same answer in my case?

We can bring evidence of my wife's bank accounts, round trip tickets, stamps in our passports of similar vacations from the past 4 years, and a letter from my own employer saying they expect me back afterwards, but my wife doesn't work.

Thank you so much for any advice you can provide.

[NikLR 13,227]

The same thing you provide normally should suffice this time as well. But as always, it depends on the POE officer that day.

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Thanks for the reply. Two follow up questions though:

1. Is my wife's passport "flagged" due to having received an NOA2? Or will we encounter basically the same process as we did when we had not initiated the CR-1 visa process?

2. I've read a lot of accounts of people who traveled by themselves to meet their spouse in the USA. Are there any stories of traveling together?

[NikLR 13,227]

Nope there isn't any flagging on a passport. Two separate govt agencies.

Unless there is a ban or something like that.

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So really, there isn't any difference when traveling with a immigrant visa processing as long as it doesn't get brought up at immigration for some reason?

Thanks again for your replies Niki.

[NikLR 13,227]

So really, there isn't any difference when traveling with a immigrant visa processing as long as it doesn't get brought up at immigration for some reason?

Thanks again for your replies Niki.

No even if it's brought up at the POE it's fine. I used to travel with a copy of the NOA1 to show I was legally trying to immigrate vs sneaking in. They just don't talk to each other unless there is an issue (like a ban) so unless the POE officer asks or you volunteer the information that you're doing the immigration process, they really don't know. They could probably delve into it and find out, but if they ask, you'd be honest and say, we're in the middle of the immigration process. If they ask you to expand on it you let them know you have a return ticket to make sure to go back for the interview. It would be also good to reassure that you do not intent to move here (the USA) without legally being able to do so with the correct visa.

Also remember that most CBP don't know much about the immigration process other than if you have the correct visa in your passport or the correct card (EAD/AP or green card) to show them. I had one tell me to file my ROC 4 months early, not 3, because it takes so long to do it. While sage advice, I have a feeling the USCIS wouldn't be pleased to get my ROC petition a month earlier than they allow me to send it. When I POE'd the CBP officer told me that I had a CR1 because we'd been married less than 3 years and that it would take 6-8 months to get my green card. I'm sure many of them know the process quite well, but many others do not.

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Thanks again Niki.

We're booking our ticket tomorrow and I'm just curious about any other stories people may have. I'm also curious how the topic of the immigration visa even comes up. Having traveled 4 times together to the US, once with our child last year, we never got anything but the wave through at LAX. I guess I should have been more nervous than I was?