Traveling right after green card interview - HELP!!

[nadiachr13 0]

Hi,

 

I had my green card interview earlier today and I'm very frustrated. The lady who interviewed me and my husband said she "recommended me for approval" and gave me an official paper stating this and mentioned that I would probably receive my card in 7-10 days. We were super happy, but then she said that from now on my EAD/AP combo card is no longer valid for traveling outside the country and I can't until I have my green card in hand...

 

We have a trip to Mexico planned for this Friday (in three days) and we would be back Sunday that same weekend so I feel very upset about this. We booked this many months ago and paid for everything and it's for a big family event. She said she could give me a stamp that would allow it, but only if it was an emergency, which she assumed it wasn't. 

 

We left very discouraged but I started googling stuff seeing different things online. Some people don't recommend it saying you'll be denied, others have done it with no problems, others got the stamp without any mention of an "emergency" so obviously I feel really conflicted...

 

We then call USCIS Contact Center to hear if I can get this stamp ASAP. We called two times to talk to different people (just to be on the safer side, to see if they agree) and both were surprised to hear our story and both said that for sure we can travel and there is no reason the AP combo card wouldn't work (it doesn't expire until April 2020). In the system our application still says "pending" and like I said she only "recommended that we get approved" so I don't what to take from that... 

 

Right now, I don't know what to do! I really, really want to go - it's a very important trip, so please refrain from the "Why risk it"-comments. I feel so defeated and scared -- who is telling the actual truth here... I don't want to be detained at the Mexican border in case those officers are "agreeing" with the lady that interviewed me and not the USCIS Contact Center. 

 

Can someone please tell me what their experience is with this? 

 

Thank you!

- Nadia

Edited October 8, 2019 by nadiachr13

[mushroomspore 3,044]

You absolutely cannot use the AP anymore. Since your interview has passed, it's no longer valid. A similar thing happened to me last year. I was able to make an Infopass appointment for the day after our interview and got a stamp because I showed our tickets and flight info, which had all been booked months before.

 

However I believe the Infopass appointment system has been changed since then. I don't know how exactly it works now but I think you have to call the service center to make an appointment. Your only options are to say whatever you can to get an appointment a d get that stamp or eat your losses and stay in the US until you get your card.

 

33 minutes ago, nadiachr13 said:

 

Right now, I don't know what to do! I really, really want to go - it's a very important trip, so please refrain from the "Why risk it"-comments. I feel so defeated and scared -- who is telling the actual truth here... I don't want to be detained at the Mexican border in case those officers are "agreeing" with the lady that interviewed me and not the USCIS Contact Center. 

 I'm sorry but why WOULD you risk it? You paid a lot and it's important but so is your legal status in this country. You just went through a process that is not getting easier or faster as time goes on. You won't just be detained at the border; you'll be forced to stay in Mexico and start all over again from square one with gaining legal status to permanently return to your American spouse in the US.

[mushroomspore 3,044]

40 minutes ago, nadiachr13 said:

 In the system our application still says "pending" and like I said she only "recommended that we get approved" so I don't what to take from that... 

The system says that on YOUR end. It shows a lot more detail for CBP agents when they look you up at the border.

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, nadiachr13 said:

it doesn't expire until April 2020

Use the AP combo card: