AP Serves No Purpose Very Upset

[sjs87 27]

Like others have stated, I am so sorry to hear you and your spouse went through this! I'd like to think Customs Agents would be impartial/non-judgemental when it comes to a same sex couple, but sadly many people are not.

I just received my EAD/AP card in the mail this afternoon. I read the informational insert it came with, and while there are some 'warnings', it does clearly state (at least for my card - not sure about yours) "The card is valid for MULTIPLE applications for parole into the United States until the card expires. The period of parole will be determined at the port of entry." While I am not in a same-sex marriage, I do plan to bring this leaflet of information with me when I cross next month to Canada -- if I encounter any problems upon my re-entry, I'll have proof right there.

Perhaps next time (?) you cross back to Mexico, if you didn't already, to bring that information sheet that comes with your card.

Still does not take away from the very discriminatory treatment you received. All the best to you and your wife in the future!

[Hypnos 6,576]

I think people are jumping to conclusions somewhat with the rush to blame the same-sex aspect as being the root cause. Maybe it is, but I've not read anything so far that would lead me to draw that conclusion.

What's the phrase..."don't blame malice for what can be ascribed to stupidity".

It's more likely they were just poor examples of CBP officers, and were unfamiliar with their own rules and procedures. I would certainly file a written complaint though, and might even go as far as to copy one of my congressional representatives on it, too. The OP seems to be pursuing that option, and I'd be interested to hear the outcome.

[Jon and Krissy 452]

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'm sad to say it, but I bet you are correct.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think people are jumping to conclusions somewhat with the rush to blame the same-sex aspect as being the root cause. Maybe it is, but I've not read anything so far that would lead me to draw that conclusion.

What's the phrase..."don't blame malice for what can be ascribed to stupidity".

It's more likely they were just poor examples of CBP officers, and were unfamiliar with their own rules and procedures. I would certainly file a written complaint though, and might even go as far as to copy one of my congressional representatives on it, too. The OP seems to be pursuing that option, and I'd be interested to hear the outcome.

I think the SS may have had something to do with it, but not out of malice. I agree that is is not discrimination, just ignorance. Might be the first SS AP they have seen. Might be the first AP of anyone they have seen.

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

I think the SS may have had something to do with it, but not out of malice. I agree that is is not discrimination, just ignorance. Might be the first SS AP they have seen. Might be the first AP of anyone they have seen.

We went down to the USVI and there was a CBP officer checking documents (which I thought was weird), but he had never seen a I-551 stamp in a passport used a travel document before. So, it does happen.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

We went down to the USVI and there was a CBP officer checking documents (which I thought was weird), but he had never seen a I-551 stamp in a passport used a travel document before. So, it does happen.

Yeah, we got stopped on a domestic flight because the TSA people had never seen a new Greencard, and they had been in production for like 2 years or more by then. They had to get out their special book and look it up. Very strange.

[Fan_Dancer 171]

I don't think it has anything to do with you being in a same sex marriage. If anything, it has to do with your spouse being Mexican.

It isn't like it says on the card how you got it (well, it does, but if they had no idea what it was, I don't think they also knew how to properly read what category was filled into).

Just unprofessional officers.

[wavj 26]

I don't think it has anything to do with you being in a same sex marriage. If anything, it has to do with your spouse being Mexican.

It isn't like it says on the card how you got it (well, it does, but if they had no idea what it was, I don't think they also knew how to properly read what category was filled into).

Just unprofessional officers.

If that is the case, about the fact she is Mexican, then this officer must hate his job because he works at one of the busiest POE where 90%, if not more, of the people who cross are Mexican.. and like I mention in a previous reply, in this POE there are way too many rude borderline hateful IO .

In the American Consulate in Juarez I've been there when they sort out people on who gets pre-approved only by the way they look, and that sucks because it should not be that way. What I meant pre-approved is how they have applicants waiting in lines outside the office, then an officer comes out and looks at you and with his finger points where to line up next, one line comes inside to apply for the visa ( visitor in my case) and after presenting all the evidence either they approve you or not. Then the other people who were not pre-selected, somehow they don't get approved or don't even make it to inside the office. I was one of the lucky ones to be pre approved and made it all the way and the IO barely checked my evidence, it was like she knew all the ones who were allowed in were good to go. That happened many years ago, I do not know how it is now days but I doubt it had improved much,

[espared12 52]

Just got off the phone with USCIS. She laughed at the fact that the CBP officers had no idea what the card was. She confirmed that our AP is multiple. She said this is a new document that was introduced and could have possibly been the first time they see it this way compared to how advance parole used to be. She said the CBP officer might have been looking out for our interest in suggesting to wait for green card because advance parole entries can affect you at the time of AOS interview. We told her we had hospital documents for my wife's grandmother and she said by all means if it is an emergency to go ahead and travel to Mexico but just to be prepared at POE.

[S_R 148]

You are mistaken.

I guess the USCIS website is mistaken or you are responsible for making the immigration laws. The instructions are very clear and in plain English. If people have used AP for pleasure trips that's their business not mine.

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-131instr.pdf

Page 4

Paragraph 3.

[Hypnos 6,576]

.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Hypnos

[Hypnos 6,576]

The instructions are very clear and in plain English.

Page 4

Paragraph 3.

As you would have noticed if you had read the law, that paragraph applies only to parole obtained under INA 212(d)(5), which the almighty Google shows to be "Humanitarian Parole", not normal AoS-based Advance Parole.

As you say, it is very clear. English is perhaps not your first language.

[Davesings 30]

So my wife and I went to Mexico, we live on the border. She just received her EAD/AP combo card. At the Customs inspection no one knew what the card was. Everyone was asking everyone else what it was and how it works. A Customs officer talked down on my wife as we were showing them all the supporting documents that we took with us. They took her inside, and would not let me accompany her. They came back and told me we were free to go but we should not be using AP to get back into the U.S. I explained that when we requested AP I requested multiple re-entry and he said that we should reserve card for emergencies. He noticed I was upset because he mistreated my wife and told me he was the authority to which I said I will call Immigration tomorrow and he said I AM IMMIGRATION and he said youre free to go but dont cross again until you have green card. My wife said while inside a customs officer talked down to her as well and bluntly told her either you stay in U.S. or in Mexico. The first customs officer we spoke to understood that every time she crosses she has to be taken inside to ask for Parole but he passed us off to this officer that made my blood boil. What is the point of USCIS issuing AP is Customs has no idea what theyre doing? Now my wife is freaked out because they scared her straight inside. She has a grandmother that is poor of health in Juarez which is why I requested multiple re-entry. HELP! What do I do?

So sorry you had this experience. After all the other steps you've gone through you would think that AP would count for something and my understanding is that it's not just for emergencies.

[Jo Së 200]

This from USCIS:

"Upon returning to the U.S., the individual who travels with the card must present the card to request parole through the port-of-entry. The decision to parole the individual is made at the port-of-entry. Individuals who have been unlawfully present in the U.S. and subsequently depart and seek re-entry through a grant of parole may be inadmissible and ineligible to adjust their status."

[Darnell 8,478]

ya, that's what i've been leaning towards, since I first posted, not knowing how she got into the USA that first time.

So if on a tourist visa, marry, overstay, file, then AP is almost worthless, as the overstay is noted in CBP's computers.