Jump to content
Scienceteacher15

Traveled to Dominican Republic with AP

By Scienceteacher15 in Working & Traveling During US Immigration

 Share

3 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Scienceteacher15 Explorer

Scienceteacher15   48

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

My husband and I went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This was his first time to use his AP. We made a rookie mistake and brought passport, EAD combo card with AP, marriage license, and receipt notices (accidental did not open them to check for approval letter). We forgot to bring his I-797 approval letter. We get to Southwest today and they would not allow him to check bags or get boarding pass with his combo card. My mom was able to send a picture of the letter but even printing that was unacceptable. Said he needed to have original I-797 letter fedexed! We decided he would stay in DR while I went back with my 1 year old daughter so I can physically get approval letter. They put him on flight tomorrow saying he needs to bring approval letter to drop bags and get boarding pass tomorrow? Is this common or has this happened to anyone? Any advice?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,292

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

Contacting CBP in the U.S. (perhaps Miami) might have helped, but there's no telling.

Southwest is typically the most reasonable airline, so it's hard to envision their reasoning that a photo of the actual letter was unacceptable.

This definitely confirms the general need to keep all of one's current immigration papers at hand, especially when traveling.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Scienceteacher15 Explorer

Scienceteacher15   48

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

Yes make sure you travel with the specific I-797 I-131 travel document approval form not the I-765 EAD approval form that has statements to include employment and advance parole. Southwest hires contractors to work for them internationally and they are not up to date always on what's required. Customs wants to see passport and combo card with statement on bottom but approval letter can be provided also. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...