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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
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52 minutes ago, Karman said:

Coming back to USA via santa teresa port

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.

52 minutes ago, Karman said:

Since it was holiday season, the cbp officer said that they are short staffed

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.

52 minutes ago, Karman said:

as per them I think two people did something illegal and got caught and I think they brought some drugs.

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

52 minutes 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"

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.

52 minutes ago, Karman said:

I realized that crossing border via land is more pain then via air.

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.

52 minutes ago, Karman said:

They also charge me $6

Interesting -- why?

52 minutes ago, Karman said:

I was flagged for inspection

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.

Edited by TBoneTX

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(!).

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
3 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

I've been across just about every Texas/Mexico crossing

I forgot to add:  When Mrs. T-B. got her Advance Parole (on paper, back then), I took her to Nuevo Progreso, in the lower Rio Grande Valley between McAllen/Reynosa and Brownsville/Matamoros.  It's an extremely tourist-heavy port.  We presented ourselves for re-entry a bit after 5 p.m., so all the CBP supervisors had left.  The agent who saw us knew what an AP was, but he had never personally processed one.  He ended up enlisting a colleague's help, and it was "off to the races."  Parts of this were quite comical, such as when they rooted through the supervisor's desk to try to find the correct stamp and tried to determine precisely what to enter into the computer.  It was all that Mrs. T-B. & I could do to keep from laughing.  At the end, we graciously thanked both agents, and they appeared to be relieved that their trauma was over. :) 

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(!).

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: El Salvador
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Hi All! happy & healthy New Year :)

 

A few questions to the experts in this forum @TBoneTX @sandranj
 

1. Do I submit my naturalization to Vermont Center? 

2. If my VAWA green card got approved Feb. 2020 - when can I apply for naturalization? I know we are allowed to do so in 3 years but remember some prior threads that we can submit 3 months before the 3 years?

 

Thanks all! 

Edited by nap_o
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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: El Salvador
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also, if anyone has gone through the naturalization process from VAWA or knows of any checklist or other threads in this forums would be great!

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Filed: Other Country: Brazil
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On 12/29/2022 at 7:43 PM, anonymousVAWApet said:

Question about the I-131...

 

If you have a pending 485 and receive Advance Parole (Form I-131), would it be unwise to travel if you have unlawful presence?

 

I'll try to rephrase:

 

Unlawfully present. Filed 360, 485, 765, and 131. If granted 131, okay to travel?

 

 

If you never filed for asylum and if you are not in removal proceedings  then you can travel ok.

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On 12/29/2022 at 6:43 PM, anonymousVAWApet said:

Question about the I-131...

 

If you have a pending 485 and receive Advance Parole (Form I-131), would it be unwise to travel if you have unlawful presence?

 

I'll try to rephrase:

 

Unlawfully present. Filed 360, 485, 765, and 131. If granted 131, okay to travel?

 

 

Can you please share your timeline?

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26 minutes ago, sandranj said:

If you never filed for asylum and if you are not in removal proceedings  then you can travel ok.

dear Sandranj and VJ family,

Happy new year 2023
What about an expired passport with unlawful presence, can a person travel with just  travel document while i485 is pending?? Not in removal proceedings or asylum or anything.

Edited by Fantastico!!!
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13 minutes ago, Fantastico!!! said:

dear Sandranj and VJ family,

Happy new year 2023
What about an expired passport with unlawful presence, can a person travel with just  travel document while i485 is pending?? Not in removal proceedings or asylum or anything.

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

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Filed: Other Country: Brazil
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5 hours ago, Bergamo said:

 

Hello everyone 
Someone stole my combo card ( c9 ) Vawa pending approval 

I need to travel Bcs I have attend family function 

what is the best option ? Apply again ?

I have police report 

help 

thanks 

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.

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Filed: Other Country: Brazil
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1 hour ago, Fantastico!!! said:

dear Sandranj and VJ family,

Happy new year 2023
What about an expired passport with unlawful presence, can a person travel with just  travel document while i485 is pending?? Not in removal proceedings or asylum or anything.

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

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Filed: Other Country: Brazil
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1 hour ago, Reto said:

Can you please give me a link to read about this. Thank you. 

Reto I am answering questions here for  17  years without charging anyone, and filed hundreds of cases without charging as well (I  am attorney), but if you need  Law information you should hire an attorney who can send you the USCIS memos and Laws.I don't have time to research the law/memos to send to VJ members.

 

 

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