Experience entering with AP at O'Hare

[chakravo 0]

Hello everyone. I am not sure this is where to post my experience entering the US with an AP, but I wanted to share it. I hope it's useful (and relaxing) for people.

Background: I came to the US in 2008 on an F-1 visa. In June 2013 I married my US citizen wife. In October 2013 we filed for AOS and also AP (but no EAD since I am still in school). We received the AP within 60 days. We left the country in January 2014 and I returned in February 2014. The POE was O'Hare, Chicago.

I asked an official whether I should go to the citizens or visa-holders line. I was told to go to the visa-holders line. When my turn came I went up to the immigration officer and handed him 1) My passport 2) Both copies of the AP document 3) My CBP entry form. He gave me a tired smile and said, "AP? I have to get someone to look at it.", and asked me to wait. He looked around for someone to call, and I guess didn't see anyone immediately, so settled back down and asked me where I was from. Then he took my picture and fingerprints (of the right hand only). Then another official came by and asked me to follow him.

I was taken to a large room that was full of people and asked to wait. The second officer took all my documents. The large room had "Secondary Inspection" painted on the wall. I waited for about 1 hour, and during that time other people in the room had their names called and their passports returned to them. Sometimes they would be taken down a corridor to I-don't-know-where (that was a little unsettling).

Finally, an officer called my name, and returned my passport, 1 copy of the AP with a stamp, and my CBP entry form. She was very nice and even joked with me about how I didn't look like my passport picture (I have much longer hair now). On the way out of secondary inspection, another officer checked my documents and said, "AP? Welcome back, sir." That was nice.

So, all in all, it took a long time, but it wasn't unpleasant, and the only question I had to answer was where I was from. I was quite worried about using the AP while coming in, so I hope my experience will help you relax a bit about what is undoubtedly a stressful process.

[ManCharsey 254]

Good to know you had an easy time entering albeit the long wait.

[loladolly 51]

I am also glad to see a good experience with AP at O'hare since it is where i will return using my AP in march after a 3 weeks trip to my home country.

I really hope the wait won't be too long though because i will be with my 2 and half year old son (a US citizen). Last time i went there for them to open my K1 envelope i was out in 15/20 minutes and it wasn't crowded. I am coming back on a weekday in the middle of the afternoon so i hope it is a quiet time

[meandterry 3]

Thank you for sharing, surely will help my upcoming trip.