Femke Muntz

Update: I boarded with an ESTA in Amsterdam and arrived in the US on Nov 21 with my husband, kids, and pets, presented my expired green card and got in with no issues. The immigration officer asked me when the last time was that I entered as a permanent resident. I told him for a wedding in 2018. He asked me if I ever meant to abandon my status. I said absolutely not. He said ok. You can go, just file an I-90 and you're good. Never felt so lucky.

Hi everyone, I'm new here looking for advice, please. I have a pending I-130 since March 13th 2022. My husband is American, and we have five children. I've been a permanent resident before for 10 years but let my card expire 4 years ago and have been living in my home country the Netherlands since 2015. I am planning to travel on an ESTA to visit my husband and three kids end of November. The two little ones are with me. I know it's a big risk and I might be denied entry. What would be the best possible way to do this? 1. I travel alone with my youngest two and get return tickets for us three as proof. What other proof could I show? 2. My husband comes to get me and the kids and we all fly back and show return tickets for us three or 3. I travel completely alone without kids.. with a return ticket just for me. Also, will it help if they see I've been a permanent resident for ten years with no bad record, and is it better to say on my ESTA that I'm not employed or self-employed? I'm an artist making very little money. I wonder what immigration would see as more of a risk. Thank you all!