VAWA, Part 26

[Fantastico!!! 0]

1 hour ago, balo101 said:

You can travel. just make sure your passport is valid. 

Thanks Balo101

23 minutes ago, sandranj said:

Set up appointment with info pass and bring a copy of your I-797 regarding your advance parole and I-485, and the USCIS will stamp the advance parole for you to travel.

Edited January 3, 2023 by Fantastico!!!

[Fantastico!!! 0]

23 minutes ago, sandranj said:

You CANNOT travel with an expired passport.You must show your VALID passport to travel abroad and to return to the U.S.

Thanks Sandranj 

[Sandra G. 5,043]

On 12/27/2022 at 1:09 PM, Reto said:

A lot of people here is still married and living with the abuser with a vawa approved  wating for the GC. Some even have a wived interview. Lets just hope for the best. 

Clearly, you're confused. Nobody is talking about divorce. You can file VAWA and live with your abuser. You can go to AOS's interview while still married, but you can't live together when  you will attend the AOS interview.

Edited January 3, 2023 by sandranj

[Kely 70]

if you got your green card through vawa and get married before 3 years will you still qualify for citizenship ? My green card through vawa was approved in 2021 and i know i quality for citizenship in 2024, but I would like to get married to the love of my life this year. If i do it, will i still be able to get my citizenship next year or it will disqualify me?

[balo101 666]

40 minutes ago, Kely said:

if you got your green card through vawa and get married before 3 years will you still qualify for citizenship ? My green card through vawa was approved in 2021 and i know i quality for citizenship in 2024, but I would like to get married to the love of my life this year. If i do it, will i still be able to get my citizenship next year or it will disqualify me?

Are you marring here in the USA or in your country?

[Karman 58]

9 hours ago, balo101 said:

It would go to Vermont. You just need EAD application/AP application if you need that, copy of current EAD and 2 passport size pictures, 4 pics if you are renewing AP as well. 

Perfect thank you @balo101

 Did you hear anything about your 485 application?

[Karman 58]

8 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Interesting choice of port.  They're not used to seeing tourist traffic.  The Palomas port (leading to Columbus, New Mexico) might have been a bit easier.

Adding to their general sense of tension, undoubtedly.  CBP agents are under indescribable stress, and many are in a foul mood and are looking to nail somebody.

Yep.  Over and over through the years, I've had agents tell me, "We see a lot of weird stuff."

This is true, although in practice (and barring unusual findings during their search), they must let you in on an Advance Parole that enables multiple entries.

Not necessarily; it depends on where you enter and how busy (stressed) they are.  The smaller ports might have all that they can handle, and an unexpected Advance Parole can increase their stress.

 

I've long recommended that entrants (K-1, CR-1, AP) phone ahead to the smaller ports to tip them off as to expected or ballpark time of arrival, so that CBP can be at least mentally prepared and even arrange for an extra agent's presence.  This shows respect that these poor agents rarely get, and it can even lead to an easier experience because they appreciate the courtesy.

Interesting -- why?

This can be for specific or random reasons.  It can be as random as "every 4th vehicle" or "license plate has a W in it" or as specific as "out-of-state license plates" or something about the way the vehicle looks or how the occupants act.

 

I've been across just about every Texas/Mexico crossing, and Palomas, and I stopped at but didn't cross at Santa Teresa.  I have no qualms about land-crossings, but I do recommend picking those that are more accustomed to tourists, and calling ahead to alert them when feasible.

I was going through Albuquerque to chihuahua so that's why I chose that port.

 

Yes you are correct. The agents who was processing was under stress and wanted to process two case before me. I did thank him for squeezing by case in between and he did say that he loves his job so he is fine working under stress. I wonder how much true that is.

 

Great advice, I have their phone number and next time I will call them before to prepare them. 

 

The random inspection was very quick like 10 to 15 minutes. 

 

Thank you @TBoneTX for providing great advice over the years.

[TBoneTX 45,031]

4 minutes ago, Karman said:

he did say that he loves his job so he is fine working under stress. I wonder how much true that is.

Great question.  Some stress is positive (adrenaline), whereas other stress is draining ("no matter what I do, it isn't enough").

5 minutes ago, Karman said:

I did thank him for squeezing by case in between [...] next time I will call them before to prepare them. 

Both excellent!

6 minutes ago, Karman said:

The random inspection was very quick like 10 to 15 minutes.

Some are like that.  Good deal.

6 minutes ago, Karman said:

Thank you @TBoneTX for providing great advice over the years.

Thank you in return.  Your post was valuable and enabled a good mini-discussion.

-----

The larger lesson for all is that there's no need to fear a land-crossing; applying a few tips will help make this crossing easier; and having your papers in order will help the CBP agents identify you readily and thus relieve their stress.   

[TBoneTX 45,031]

It is Wednesday -- time for our Semiweekly Semiofficial VAWA-Thread Joke:

==================================

NEW YEAR'S IRRESOLUTIONS

 

I resolve to leave the toilet seat down, as long as my wife promises to leave the toilet seat up.

 

I resolve to take all the Christmas lights down by Easter.

 

I resolve to stride briskly past fitness rooms.

 

I resolve to get in shape.  (Round is a shape.)

 

I resolve to get more exercise, so I've moved the refrigerator into the basement.

 

I resolve to help all my friends gain 10 pounds, so I look skinnier.

 

I resolve to stop making the same mistake twice.  Instead, I'll make a different mistake each time.

 

I resolve to stop messing up my online passwords, so I've changed my password to "incorrect."  Now, every time I key in the wrong code, the computer reminds me, "Your password is incorrect."

 

I resolve to conserve water by taking fewer showers and baths.

 

I resolve to floss every day -- and not merely with wild abandon in the week leading up to a dental cleaning.

 

I resolve to break my New Year's resolutions.  That way, I can succeed at something.

 

[The above by Richard Lederer, Mensa Bulletin 2023 Jan;661(1):20.]

Edited January 4, 2023 by TBoneTX

[Family 3,988]

19 hours ago, Karman said:

While processing my parole the officer said " you know that it's officer discretion if they should let you in or not and I suggest not to travel with advance parole. When you get your green card then you don't have to see me and can just cross the border" Then I realized that crossing border via land is more pain then via air. They also charge me $6 and gave me a paper i-94. This whole process took 3.5 hours which is very long.   

Phew ! That was rough. Thank you for posting. Kudos for keeping your cool.

[anonymousVAWApet 4]

17 hours ago, sandranj said:

Clearly, you're confused. Nobody is talking about divorce. You can file VAWA and live with your abuser. You can go to AOS's interview while still married, but you can't live together when  you will attend the AOS interview.

 

Hey. Gotta ask if this statement is law, or from experience.

 

There is a post on this board from someone claiming that she got her green card, no interview, and still lives with her abuser. Since, she didn't have an AOS interview, your statement would still stand. Obviously, this is just one case and I can't verify.

 

I did see a Youtube lawyer say there is specific language in the law that married/separated/divorced is not considered...but maybe that is for the 360 and not the 485?

Edited January 4, 2023 by anonymousVAWApet

[lonelyheartclub 34]

I’m planning a trip out of the US since getting my GC. How has everyone found traveling through, do the officers ask any questions

[OldUser 6,482]

2 hours ago, lonelyheartclub said:

I’m planning a trip out of the US since getting my GC. How has everyone found traveling through, do the officers ask any questions

Officers can always ask questions. Even when you're a US citizen. There's nothing you can do about it. Once you an LPR (GC holder) CBP cannot deny entry to the US. You may be placed in secondary, questioned etc but cannot be denied entry AFAIK. Usually there are no questions if you only travel for short trip and have a valid GC.

[Pinkrlion 2,711]

12 hours ago, anonymousVAWApet said:

 

Hey. Gotta ask if this statement is law, or from experience.

 

There is a post on this board from someone claiming that she got her green card, no interview, and still lives with her abuser. Since, she didn't have an AOS interview, your statement would still stand. Obviously, this is just one case and I can't verify.

 

I did see a Youtube lawyer say there is specific language in the law that married/separated/divorced is not considered...but maybe that is for the 360 and not the 485?

She is a VAWA attorney. 

[God’s Grace27 4]

Good day everyone, I have a quick question. Can I travel to Puerto Rico with just my REAL state ID? I am waiting on my Vawa case and my passport from my home country has expired. I will appreciate any information.

Thank You