I've seen everywhere that it may be possible to expedite the travel papers with sufficient reason. The problem is I don't know exactly how to go about this. And for that matter how fast would it go through since I'm not sure when I'll need it.

I'll give you the back story so you can understand where I'm coming from. First off I'm living in the US and have filed my I-485 and I-765. That's all going smoothly enough so far other than having to be patient (and having to scramble to get to my biometrics appointment because of having basically 14 hours notice!!). I didn't file the I-131 at the same time because I didn't think I would be travelling before everything got approved. However my dad's health has taken a turn for the worse (he has cancer that is basically spreading everywhere) and I'd like to be able to see him before he dies and go to the funeral for that matter.

I'm pretty sure that's grounds for expediting the I-131 (and if it's not it bloody well should be) but how exactly do I go about that. Write a letter and send it in with the form? Send in the form and then phone? As of yesterday the Chicago office is processing August 31, 2005 so basically I'd not see my dad even if I'd filed it at the same time as my other forms. So needless to say I'm a bit worried about the timing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Schedule an info pass appointment at your regional USCIS office, bring documentation as to your fathers condition, and file for AP in person. They usually will grant AP in cases like that.

http://infopass.uscis.gov/

I was just reading on another forum about just such a situation.

http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?...c=20929&hl=

Good luck.

Thanks a bunch! We'll give it a try and let you know how it goes.

I went to the local office in Seattle (Infopass appointment) with a letter from my Mom's doctor, which stated her condition, and why it was necessary for me to return to Canada. I got my AP documents that very day, while I waited.

Make sure you take the completed form I-131 and take the required number of passport photos and any other required documentation with you.

Good luck.

We went in with the I-131 in Portland, OR on Tuesday with a letter from my dad's doctor. Didn't make an InfoPass appointment, just walked in, which honestly I was a little stressed about. Thankfully my hubby is very calming or I'd have been in tears just from the stress. She told us my papers would be ready on Thursday morning and that they'd call for us to pick them up. I'm sadly a little stressed again because they haven't called, and I have a flight booked for this evening out of Portland. I didn't make the flight arrangements until I knew I'd have the papers but now I'm worried again.

We're leaving in an hour to go to the office where I'm praying they'll have my papers waiting. If they don't have them to hand to me am I screwed if I leave the country, or are they just necessary when I'm reentering the US? My dad passed away yesterday and if I can't leave tonight after she promised the papers would be ready I'm going to be upset. Bad enough that I couldn't make it in time to see him alive, but my mom really needs me there now.

Sadness on top of the stress will make me break down there if the papers aren't ready. Heh oh well, I guess I'll go with whatever comes.

Thanks for all the help in any case. And on a happier note I got my interview notice in the mail yesterday. I guess God figured I needed some happiness to balance the sad.

I am so sorry for your loss.... I am sure if they dont have them ready they will do it there and then....

Please have a safe trip my thoughts are with you....

Kezzie