AP Serves No Purpose Very Upset

[espared12 52]

Sorry this happened espared!

I am sure she feels bad, but she did nothing wrong, she just got a bad officer who didn't know things. I have never heard of anything like this when using AP.

The good news is that she was allowed in and she did see her grandma.

I hate to say this but I think being Same Sex had a lot to do with this whole situation. They all looked like chickens with theyre head cut off running al over the place trying to figure out what was going on.

[Boiler 45,486]

I think we have a winner!

[espared12 52]

Next time you cross the border, either with the AP or GC, notice the CBP name tag and other information and make mental notes of what is going on and then if it is an experience like this one, write to the CBP supervisor at that location and to the main office in Washington D.C. These people need to remember that they work for US and this kind of treatment will not be tolerated. I would still write a LETTER to some one at the POE station you went thru and also see about the CBP main office. This ####### really needs to stop. Too many LEO just big heads and think they can intimidate the average person. This is a small segment of the LEO population, but it gives the rest that do their jobs and respect the people they deal with a big black eye.

REPORT THIS to the CBP ASAP!!

Dave

I am actually filling out the complaint form on their website right now.

[kehills 217]

I hate to say this but I think being Same Sex had a lot to do with this whole situation. They all looked like chickens with theyre head cut off running al over the place trying to figure out what was going on.

Probably; new laws/rules do mean it's going to take time for the changes to go all the way through the system. You might want to reach out to a local branch of the ACLU or National Gay & Lesbian Task Force and ask them for their recommendation/help.

[hellostranger57 18]

I have used AP for several trips in the past. Probably around 5-6 trips. I even studied abroad and was in London for about 4 months and returned back to the US.

CBP will hold you for quite a bit. The shortest wait time I had was about 45 minutes and it could take up to 2-3 hours long. They will screen you and ask you questions about your trip. Some of the CBP officers I dealt with were really pleasant and some were very intimidating.

It is true that AP does not guarantee re-entry into the US. But the chances of that are very slim. At least based on my experience.

[verysadguy 170]

Folks, do some research and look at reality please. I cross a very tenuous Mexican-US border monthly. It is NOT a cakewalk in to the USA. They encounter every single day people from many countries, not just Mexican citizens trying to get in to the USA. Many people, every day. Some with weapons and ill intentions. Even wives with sick mothers in foreign countries. CBP are law enforcement officers. The law says, NO VISA, NO ENTRY! Simple as that.

As for dealing with law enforcement, be polite, be patient. They get yelled at, shot at, and take heaps of BS from border crossers of all sorts. I've seen it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_parole

Educate yourselves, gain experience. Opinions are great, so are feelings, but put the shoe on the other foot occasionally.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Uh, I think you you know about AP from a wikipedia page (and one flagged for problems at that), then you don't know very much about it.

AP is permission to enter the US again. If you think that people only enter the US on visas then you are confused.

Espared, that might be a part of the issue. They might not know what is going on, very sad though. File your complaints, etc. Good luck.

[espared12 52]

Folks, do some research and look at reality please. I cross a very tenuous Mexican-US border monthly. It is NOT a cakewalk in to the USA. They encounter every single day people from many countries, not just Mexican citizens trying to get in to the USA. Many people, every day. Some with weapons and ill intentions. Even wives with sick mothers in foreign countries. CBP are law enforcement officers. The law says, NO VISA, NO ENTRY! Simple as that.

As for dealing with law enforcement, be polite, be patient. They get yelled at, shot at, and take heaps of BS from border crossers of all sorts. I've seen it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_parole

Educate yourselves, gain experience. Opinions are great, so are feelings, but put the shoe on the other foot occasionally.

With all due respect, this does not give them an excuse to belittle people or yell at them for no reason. We were not swimming accross the river, we were entering the US as the USCIS instructed us to do so. They should study up and know their job.

[Fan_Dancer 171]

AP is not for emergencies only. I remember because I checked the "vacation" box, and wrote down the reason fr requesting it as "tourism" or smth similar. You are always pulled into secondary because you are being paroled back in the US, and I think this is something the officer at the normal line cannot do. I had a very pleasant experience in Houston Airport, it took less than 5 minutes for the whole thing, and I wasn't asked any questions.

Border crossings may be trickier, but I would not let that discourage me. If need be, carry a copy of the description of the card.

[M and C 32]

I used my AP once, not for emergency. My husband and I had another wedding ceremony in my country, and we also attended my sister's wedding. Our point of entry was in LAX, and I was instructed to go to a holding room for processing (other people were on the verge on getting deported, yikes!). My husband wasn't allowed to go inside. While the wait was over half an hour, the CBP officer didn't really give me a hard time. Just noted that my birthday falls on a holiday, then issued the parole with no sweat. I'm sorry your wife had to go through a difficult time during your last trip. I hope next time all will go well.

[Bill and Vicky 25]

I hate to say this but I think being Same Sex had a lot to do with this whole situation. They all looked like chickens with theyre head cut off running al over the place trying to figure out what was going on.

I think you are absolutely correct.

I don't know how to fix it, though.

Regards,

Bill

[Boiler 45,486]

You do have people fro Mexico claiming Asylum in the US due to persecution, just wonder if this has anything to do with it?

[espared12 52]

I just got off the phone with the POE we used last night and spoke with an officer. She told me to call USCIS, and if they tell me the EAD/AP combo card is for multiple re-entry then we can use it again. She said the officer last night should have never threatened to take away the card, unless he proves that USCIS did not approve the card traveling use. She said he can only take away the I-94.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Good news. Your approval letter should say multi-entry. Might be coded "M."

Not sure if it says that on the combo card. The paper AP had a check box on "M."

Edited July 10, 2014 by Harpa Timsah

[jens_prodigy 13]

Espared12, I'm sorry this happened to you guys. I've had tooooo many experiences with CBP officers who are a little too full of themselves and act like they are the FBI, Police, Columbo, CSI and everything all rolled into one!!!

To think of it, in all my travel I can only think of two CBP officers who've actually been nice. They know you're in a vulnerable position and in some cases your life is in their hands so they take advantage.

That being said, take heart in knowing that at least you two are together right now and she is your wife! Although your experience sounds terrible (and I've had similar experiences to what your wife described, such as being humiliated and belittled so I understand) some of us still wish we had your problems. I dream of the day every day when I can finally call my fiancé my wife and we can go through the rest of this FRUSTRATING process together. She may be crying herself to sleep but at least she's crying on your shoulder and not over the computer or phone. Stay strong.