Traveling with Combo Card during I-485 process

[jk221 2]

I've applied for my temporary green card (adjustment of status, i-485 from K-1 visa) in December, last year.

This week, I received my combo card (which both includes work permit and advance parole).

 

I know that the card says that this card "does not guarantee re-entry to the United States" but I have also seen A LOT of people who have traveled outside the country with the same case as mine.

I want to know if it is safe to travel outside of the country for a month as I am planning to visit my family.

 

If you can share your experiences or know anything about the current situations regarding my case (relating to any new immigration news or drafts signed, etc),

PLEASE share!

 

Thanks in advance .

[Ermin&Zijada 141]

I do not have an experience, but my husband would want more than anything to be able to visit his family this summer and we have made the decision to wait until he gets his GC because we just don't feel it is worth the risk traveling on the Combo Card. Not too long ago people were being stopped even with a GC and the current immigration climate is so unstable. I do think it matters what country you plan on visiting as surely some countries get more scrutiny than others. If you do choose to travel with the combo card please let us know how your experience went. 

[DanielTan 21]

Hi jk221, 

 

If I may ask, when in December and from what state did you apply for your combo card? I applied the first week of January from California and still waiting. 

 

I have heard mixed posts about people using the Advance Parole. Some people being afraid of using them and some people saying it is perfectly fine. In my case, I do plan to use it a couple times. 

 

 

[jk221 2]

@DanielTan,

This is my  timeline, I hope this helps!

 

I sent my package to the Chicago office on 11/30/17

Case was received on 12/4/17

NOA1 for i-485, i-131, i-765 was received by mail on 12/11/17

NOA2 for i-485 was received by mail on 12/15/17

had Biometrics appointment on 1/4/18

status was changed to "case is ready to be scheduled for an interview" on 1/31/18

Received approval notice for EAD & AP on 3/29/18

 

[DanielTan 21]

Hi @jk221, 

 

Thank so much. Good to hear that your EAD and AP were approved already. You also got your interview very fast for your change of status. That is awesome. 

 

Hopefully I'll get my notices soon too. 

 

Thanks again. 

[doldolme 0]

I used my combo card traveling back to Taiwan and back to the US without any problem. Just that when I passed the immigration in SFO I had to go to the office for a check, basically just showed them my passport/combo card and answered a few questions, nothing scary at all. My friend who's now a green card holder experienced the same process when she was a combo card holder. 

[KeratNY 76]

On 4/5/2018 at 1:12 PM, DanielTan said:

I have heard mixed posts about people using the Advance Parole. Some people being afraid of using them and some people saying it is perfectly fine. In my case, I do plan to use it a couple times. 

 

 

A court case has all but settled this matter. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/14_1120_memo_arrabally.pdf

You should not be denied for overstay, as you have not "departed" the US and no bar has been triggered. But you otherwise need to be admissable. 

[DanielTan 21]

Thanks to everyone for responding. Really appreciate it and it helps me calm down a little. 

 

Still waiting for my EAD combo card. It has been around 4 months already. Ill let you know of any updates. 

 

Thanks again. 

[jk221 2]

Hey everyone!

It's been a while since I posted this topic, just an update.

I came back to the U.S. with no problem except like other people have said, you do have to go to secondary room for the immigrations to give you another stamp on your passport. (literally an A/P stamp)

I initially came through at the LAX, which is a huge airport, so naturally there were a lot of people waiting in front of me when I got to the secondary room.

I did end up missing my connecting flight to Houston, but the immigrations gave me a note to pass to the airlines, saying I got held up with them. The airline booked me the next flight for free, so it was all good.

 

But when in the secondary room, they didn't even ask me any questions, I just waited 2 hrs for my name to be called and when they called my name I got my combo card and passport, then I was good to go!

So for those who are thinking of traveling with an EAD/AP card, go for it! 

[Teemo 252]

5 hours ago, jk221 said:

Hey everyone!

It's been a while since I posted this topic, just an update.

I came back to the U.S. with no problem except like other people have said, you do have to go to secondary room for the immigrations to give you another stamp on your passport. (literally an A/P stamp)

I initially came through at the LAX, which is a huge airport, so naturally there were a lot of people waiting in front of me when I got to the secondary room.

I did end up missing my connecting flight to Houston, but the immigrations gave me a note to pass to the airlines, saying I got held up with them. The airline booked me the next flight for free, so it was all good.

 

But when in the secondary room, they didn't even ask me any questions, I just waited 2 hrs for my name to be called and when they called my name I got my combo card and passport, then I was good to go!

So for those who are thinking of traveling with an EAD/AP card, go for it! 

Thanks for the update, always helpful and nice to see how things work out for people.

 

For all those scared to travel with AP,  it's understandable, don't be! Hundreds of people a day use AP to get into the country with no problems beyond a long a wait in secondary inspection. Even those who have overstayed or who entered the country illegally who have AP routinely get in, and getting denied is very much the extreme exception. Virtually all CBP officers are very familiar with combo cards now and it is a routine matter to inspect you, check the systems to make sure it is still valid, you haven't committed any crimes SINCE the combo card was granted, and then send you on your merry way. From what I've seen/read, 2 hours is about normal. 

On 4/5/2018 at 12:45 PM, Ermin&Zijada said:

I do not have an experience, but my husband would want more than anything to be able to visit his family this summer and we have made the decision to wait until he gets his GC because we just don't feel it is worth the risk traveling on the Combo Card. Not too long ago people were being stopped even with a GC and the current immigration climate is so unstable. I do think it matters what country you plan on visiting as surely some countries get more scrutiny than others. If you do choose to travel with the combo card please let us know how your experience went. 

@Ermin&Zijada totally understand why you're nervous about it but I have researched this at length and spoken to people ad nauseam about this, re-entering with AP happens hundreds of times a day and it is normal and routine. People may be "stopped" or scrutinized with green cards or AP but they are almost always let into the country, pending customary inspection and as long as no new crimes were committed, you don't lie about anything at the port of entry, etc.  So please don't let deter you from an important family trip! I have an important one coming up myself and I couldn't be happier that I am going now instead of when I get my green card in (hopefully) 6 more months. Happy to elaborate further or point to more resources if this will make the difference in whether you choose to travel on AP or not. 

Edited June 13, 2018 by Teemo

[Ermin&Zijada 141]

12 minutes ago, Teemo said:

Thanks for the update, always helpful and nice to see how things work out for people.

 

For all those scared to travel with AP,  it's understandable, don't be! Hundreds of people a day use AP to get into the country with no problems beyond a long a wait in secondary inspection. Even those who have overstayed or who entered the country illegally who have AP routinely get in, and getting denied is very much the extreme exception. Virtually all CBP officers are very familiar with combo cards now and it is a routine matter to inspect you, check the systems to make sure it is still valid, you haven't committed any crimes SINCE the combo card was granted, and then send you on your merry way. From what I've seen/read, 2 hours is about normal. 

@Ermin&Zijada totally understand why you're nervous about it but I have researched this at length and spoken to people ad nauseam about this, re-entering with AP happens hundreds of times a day and it is normal and routine. People may be "stopped" or scrutinized with green cards or AP but they are almost always let into the country, pending customary inspection and as long as no new crimes were committed, you don't lie about anything at the port of entry, etc.  So please don't let deter you from an important family trip! I have an important one coming up myself and I couldn't be happier that I am going now instead of when I get my green card in (hopefully) 6 more months. Happy to elaborate further or point to more resources if this will make the difference in whether you choose to travel on AP or not. 

If you dont mind me asking what country did you visit with your AP? 

 

We have already come to terms with the fact that we will wait for the GC. It might be fine now, but a new immigration executive order could go out at anytime and we do not want to jeapordize what we worked so hard to achieve. 

[Teemo 252]

26 minutes ago, Ermin&Zijada said:

If you dont mind me asking what country did you visit with your AP? 

 

We have already come to terms with the fact that we will wait for the GC. It might be fine now, but a new immigration executive order could go out at anytime and we do not want to jeapordize what we worked so hard to achieve. 

I have read hundreds of stories of people who have traveled all over the world with AP. Of course if one were to travel to Syria or Iran, one may be scrutinized more than others. But other than those types of hotspots, you can travel virtually anywhere. Here's one with a 8 year overstay just as an example, again there are hundreds more I have read. https://www.***removed***/experience/218660-Travel-with-advance-parole.html. I also spoke to 3 different lawyers, one of whom all he does is AoS cases for the last 16 years, and they helped reassure me that what they have heard from their thousands of clients in the same situation, is that only something extraordinary would result in a denial at the port of entry for someone who has a valid AP and has an I-485 pending. Btw that also applies to green card holders. Only US citizens are GUARANTEED entry. 

 

IMO, your executive order fear is unwarranted. After the chaos of the first travel ban, the Trump administration learned that all executive orders need to be instituted in an orderly way with lots of advance heads-up. Secondly, the BIA (controlling immigration appeals court) ruled on AP a few times, including Matter of Arabally (https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/14_1120_memo_arrabally.pdf) and it is "established procedure" in CBP now.  Sessions the attorney general himself COULD theoretically overturn that, like he did for another court case today, but again it would take months to actually issue guidance and then institute. Let's pray he doesn't though. 

 

I understand you have made your decision already and it's none of my business. My only point is that it's good to know the facts and while your fear is understandable, both the law, and the implementation of the law, as well as the fact that hundreds a day over the past 6 years, constituting hundreds of thousands of people, do it with no problem, are good counterpoints. (I got those rough statistics from the 3 experienced immigration lawyers I consulted). It's good to know all the facts. Those are what make me comfortable traveling with AP, and I overstayed my tourist visa for 3+ years. 

Edited June 13, 2018 by Teemo