Visiting USA while pending

[Faust942 4]

Just recently I crossed the Peace Bridge near Buffalo NY. When I got pulled over I got the standard questions about my now submitted/received I-130. The officer asked something that kinda stuck in my head. He asked "You know they track how much you stay in the US while its pending, right?" I just nodded, said yes (honestly I just wanted to get back on the road) and left.

So my question:

I cross the border weekly to see my wife and daughter. Will that interfere with my application?

Edited February 9, 2015 by Faust942

[NikLR 13,227]

Just don't overstay your time allowed. Canada and the USA have put into place a program that tracks both entries and exits, and they share that information now. Be prepared to be denied entry is the only advice I have. Being denied entry will not affect your spousal visa.

Edited February 9, 2015 by NLR

[moemac59 192]

Also bring evidence (tax returns, current utility bills, bank statements for that month, loan information etc. copy of your lease or mortgage) with you every time you visit that shows that you have ties to Canada as well as any paperwork that shows that you have a pending application with USCIS like your Notice of Application/Biometrics paperwork. You may not need to use it but it is good to have just in case.

I only had to show this once to USCIS and the CPS agent at Niagara Falls was quite impressed that I had a small binder with all of my current info in it.

[moemac59 192]

Just recently I crossed the Peace Bridge near Buffalo NY. When I got pulled over I got the standard questions about my now submitted/received I-130. The officer asked something that kinda stuck in my head. He asked "You know they track how much you stay in the US while its pending, right?" I just nodded, said yes (honestly I just wanted to get back on the road) and left.

So my question:

I cross the border weekly to see my wife and daughter. Will that interfere with my application?

Faust

If you don't have a NEXUS card you should really think about applying for one and then use it at the Whirlpool Bridge in Niagara Falls. This bridge is NEXUS only and they seem to be a bit easy going when it comes to weekly crossings vs. Lewiston/Niagara Falls/Peace Bridge plus there is never a wait there to cross and it is about a 5 minute drive to get on the interstate.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I crossed back and forth every weekend or every other weekend during my process. As someone else mentioned just be sure to bring documents to show you're not planning to immigrate yet and know that you may be denied. If you are, turn around and go home and call it a day. I never had any problems. I was never sent to secondary. I crossed at the Peace Bridge almost every time.

I waited to do my Nexus card until I had my green card to go with it.

[ChristinaG 91]

I got my NEXUS last October, and oh my goodness what a time saver it has been!!

Our I-130's were just approved, but every weekend since we filed one of us has been crossing to see the other, and **knock wood** I've had no issues.

Standard questions whether at the regular booth or the nexus booth:

Where are you going? - I name the city

Why? - to spend the weekend at my husband's house

Bringing anything in -declare if I have anything, usually say "just my clothes"

What do I do for work? What does husband do?

Sometimes though they will ask if he is a USC and who is petitioning for who... I have a bright green plastic folder on the passenger seat with all my docs - ties to Canada, copies of NOA1 and NOA2, etc....

I find the "trick" to getting the least amount of questions asked is to be friendly and smile, answer their questions politely and with as few words as possible (and I usually through in "sir/ma'am" with my responses) and only answer the question the ask..... and do NOT ever LIE or even sound vague!!

After enough times, you actually start to get to know/recognize the border guards