SalishSea

Do you realize that the petition approval and visa availability are unrelated?

But to deliberately omit the info seems very risky.

That’s not at all what you said in the original post.

Okay. You asked for feedback, so that’s what you’re getting. By all means, feel free to go for it. It is not a chance-based process, and no one else’s situation is relevant to yours.

I’d say chances are slim. F-1 is a nonimmigrant visa. You previously violated the terms of your nonimmigrant visa. They’ll assume you’ll do it again.

Wow, thanks so much, Ro! I’ll send these ideas to him! The deforestation thing is very disturbing. I live in a suburb at sea level, and we now have bobcats, coyotes, black bears and cougars, where even a few years ago, we did not. Every square inch is being developed into housing, and there’s not even enough of that, either.

He’s in Buenos Aires right now. I’m not sure exactly where they’re going (other than ferry to Uruguay), but he was walking through a park and saw some wild maras, and sent me a pic. They are so cute! I also love capybaras. Any recommendations?

Do you have a valid ESTA?

They can apply (you don’t apply for them/there is no petition or sponsorship), but their chances are low, because they’ve already demonstrated plans to immigrate, so why would they return home?

US International airports could be like Vegas with drive up weddings on demand…..only with drive up divorce attorneys, circling like sharks just beyond baggage claim.

Omg, congratulations!! I’d totally missed this! Btw, my son just landed in beautiful Argentina this evening!

No. That's not how any of that works. SSN is for life. The type of visa issued at the embassy is inconsequential. What matters is duration of marriage on the date of POE. Yours was under two years and you were incorrectly issued the wrong GC. This is not a bonus freebie for you. You need to get it corrected, or face potentially dire consequences.

OP says she has not filed for AOS.

Except that they are not living there.

This is 100% immigration fraud. It could badly impact whatever US immigration future she's seeking. Do not do that. US immigration takes time and proper planning, and a lack of adequate planning does not justify committing fraud.

Exactly. Detailed info on individual crossings is available electronically to the consulate.

Only you can answer this. She will need sole custody or court paperwork/written permission from the other parent to have the kids immigrate.

It is not referring to travel within the beneficiary's country of residence - just outside that country.

Well this was not smart. GCs are for living in the US. If they were not ready to give up work and home overseas, they should have waited to pursue GC. Sounds to me like they abandoned their LPR status.

I think it would be a shame to not get a passport renewal for your other child, and to miss out on a family vacation, etc. I live in Washington state. My divorce was amicable, and we did share custody and both travelled internationally many times separately with the kids. We would get a notarized consent letter from the other parent, just in case. This was years ago, and maybe international parental abduction isn’t as much on the radar these days, but hopefully there is still some system in place to prevent a non-custodial parent from unauthorized travel with the kids? I would also think that the US passport agency must have some way to prevent the reissue of a minor’s passport to a parent falsely reporting it as lost or stolen. I can’t think of any VJ members to tag at the minute, but hopefully someone with direct and recent experience will come along. Best luck to you.

Yikes. Potentially scary situation. Do you have a divorce lawyer still? I wonder what they would advise? Whatever happens, I recommend keeping their passports in a bank lockbox, accessible only by you.

Is she still illegally in the US?

What was the mix up?

Honestly, I don't think it is within your ability to do this without a very competent lawyer with excellent English language skills.

He'll laugh because he realizes he's way too smart to work for USCIS.