Traveling in south Texas after K-1 arrival (Split)

[Sun808 6]

My Fiancee will arrive soon and we'd like to visit my mom and dad in South Texas, we won't have an AOS because we will not have filed for it yet (we have a NOA1 but for the K1 visa application, not for an AOS), we may not have even married yet, as we have 90 days to do so and my parents want to see her. Does that mean she cannot visit my mom and dad in South Texas without risking deportation or a legal mess?

 

Of course we'll get married as soon as possible but it's good to know ahead of time if she isn't actually free to move about the USA.

 

Thanks for any info guys.

Edited December 22, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

****Split from existing thread****

[Dashinka 24,488]

Print out the I94 from her K1 entry.

[Sun808 6]

To anyone confused about this since it was moved from the original thread, the reason this is a concern is because when coming back from South Texas folks have to pass through an internal border checkpoint. It's the same when visiting other cities in the USA that are close to the border, there are internal border checkpoints one must pass through on the way back to the deeper interior of the USA.

Edited December 22, 2023 by Sun808

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

29 minutes ago, Sun808 said:

To anyone confused about this since it was moved from the original thread, the reason this is a concern is because when coming back from South Texas folks have to pass through an internal border checkpoint. It's the same when visiting other cities in the USA that are close to the border, there are internal border checkpoints one must pass through on the way back to the deeper interior of the USA.

Your case is a little different from the thread you replied to. Your post is perfectly clear.  @Dashinka's advice is perfectly sound.  All non-immigrants with a valid I-94 are free to travel freely within the US.   Traveling 91 days after entry via a K-1 without having submitted a proper I-485 package would not be a good idea. 

Edited December 22, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[Boiler 45,467]

K1 is a single entry visa good for 90 days

[Dashinka 24,488]

42 minutes ago, Sun808 said:

To anyone confused about this since it was moved from the original thread, the reason this is a concern is because when coming back from South Texas folks have to pass through an internal border checkpoint. It's the same when visiting other cities in the USA that are close to the border, there are internal border checkpoints one must pass through on the way back to the deeper interior of the USA.

Yes, this is what I thought as I have been through those internal checkpoints.  The I94 from the K1 entry shows she is authorized to stay in the US for 90 days.  This should suffice for any internal CBP checkpoints assuming you are inside that 90 day window.

[Sun808 6]

34 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Yes, this is what I thought as I have been through those internal checkpoints.  The I94 from the K1 entry shows she is authorized to stay in the US for 90 days.  This should suffice for any internal CBP checkpoints assuming you are inside that 90 day window.

 

Perfect, we'll take that plus the passport and good to go for at least those first 90 days!

 

And we'll get to work on the AOS as soon as she gets here too and then make sure to have the relevant documents that show the AOS is in process with us on those trips too.

 

Someday the paperwork will end, someday...

 

I appreciate the heads up!

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

13 minutes ago, Sun808 said:

Someday the paperwork will end, someday...

It will.  Just keep planning ahead and preparing.  Good luck on your journey.

[1983Electric 23]

Wow.. I live just a couple hours away near Austin and didn't even know these checkpoints existed until now.  

[TexasRafael 134]

She can travel with you anywhere inside the USA, her visa does not expire for 90 days after she is admitted in the US.  If you are flying, when she travels TSA only looks at the passport page with the picture and moves on.

[Cathi 5,747]

7 hours ago, TexasRafael said:

She can travel with you anywhere inside the USA, her visa does not expire for 90 days after she is admitted in the US.  If you are flying, when she travels TSA only looks at the passport page with the picture and moves on.

No. Her visa expires the moment she sets foot in the U.S., the k-1 is a single entry visa.

[Lil bear 4,189]

9 hours ago, TexasRafael said:

She can travel with you anywhere inside the USA, her visa does not expire for 90 days after she is admitted in the US.  If you are flying, when she travels TSA only looks at the passport page with the picture and moves on.

Correct terminology

 

K1 visa is a single use visa granting entry upon presentation

Entry using K1 results in a period of “authorised stay” of up to 90 days  

After the 90 days, the K1 user becomes “out of lawful stay” status, and is subject to deportation, unless a further period of “authorized stay” is granted by application such as Adjustment of Status. 
 

Accurate understanding and use  of terms is really critical in these processes   Many many delays denials  and refusals occur because of inadequate understanding  .. it gets really disheartening and very expensive when this happens 

[Mar_ia 17]

Yes you can. I live in Texas and traveled within including south of the border, stopped once during the night (just normal border patrol check) I showed my passport & visa (I also have my I-94 screenshot but the state trooper didn’t look for it) and I’m good to go. 
 

Previous K1 visa now GC holder. 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Mar_ia

[Sun808 6]

12 hours ago, Mar_ia said:

Yes you can. I live in Texas and traveled within including south of the border, stopped once during the night (just normal border patrol check) I showed my passport & visa (I also have my I-94 screenshot but the state trooper didn’t look for it) and I’m good to go. 
 

Previous K1 visa now GC holder. 

 

Thank you!