Emergency AP - help!

[fineberlin84 1]

Hello,

my status is pending (got married) and I had to send in evidence and since Nov 6th they've been reviewing it, I did biometrcis, but haven't received anything. Now I got a call that my grandmother is dying and I really need to go home and see her. I got a letter from her doctor but she's not in the hospital, basically at home on her last days... I booked a flight for the 19th next week but I couldn't get an earlier infopass appointment than the 18th. Do you think I can just walk in tomorrow and explain my emergency situation? Has anyone had similar experiences? Is it a problem that they're still reviewing my evidence at this point? How high are chances that I can leave? Anyone? Your help is much appreciated!

[C-ma'am 684]

If you leave without having your AP approved. It'll be considered as if you are abandoning your residency process and your husband/wife, will have to file for a spousal visa in order for you to come back to the US.

I don't think they'll let you do a walk-in appointment for Infopass, but you can always try. As per the experiences of other members, an INFOPASS appointment for an emergency AP doesn't mean that things will get approved the same day or even soon.

If I were you. I would cancel that flight, unless you are ok with having to file for a visa (and this hoping that you don't need a waiver to overcome and possible 3 year or 10 year bar for overstaying while out of status... which means more money and time).

I'm sorry if I sound insensitive, it's really not my intention. I'm being realistic, so you get the picture.

Edited December 13, 2012 by Celeste & C

[Villanelle 4,122]

You cant do a walk in for an info pass, especially if all the appts were booked (that means the schedule is full, theres going to be tons of people there and they are only going to see you if you have an appt scheduled)

So your choices are- try for an appt at another info pass location. It may be a further drive but they may have appts sooner.

Or- attempt to send in your expedite request over the phone by faxing it in. You would have to call the 800 number and put in a service request. What happens is you put in the request with the phone rep- it gets sent to the agent for review, it could take up to five days for them to get back to the phone center with the fax number where you can fax in your evidence. So youd have to call back every day to see if theres any 'answer' to your service request. When there is and you have a fax number, you can fax in your evidence. At that point it could take an additional 5-7 days for them to approve or deny your request for emergency travel. If its approved, they will mail out your travel papers and you will have them in 2-3 days.

If you go to an infopass location, they take your evidence and fax it directly to the service center where its approved or denied in 5-7 days and then if approved you should get the papers in the mail in 2-3 days.

[fineberlin84 1]

I'm trying to get a better appointment but it doesn't let me. Whenever I submit my information on the homepage it tells me that I already made an appointment.

I was reading in different forums that some people got lucky walking in. I hope it helps that I do have an appointment, just for another day. I will try my luck tomorrow.

Do you think when I go next week there's a chance I will get the stamp right there?

[Darnell 8,478]

i say go tomorrow. beg with the guard that you need emergency AP.

Do that once an hour until the guard has talked with the shift supervisor

and the shift supervisor has decided to let you in and plead your case.

[fineberlin84 1]

Thank you for the advise. I'll try that. Gotta be persistent!

[Villanelle 4,122]

Emergency AP isnt a stamp. Its a one or two page travel auth document that comes from MSC. The staff at infopass will take your documents (your doctors note, your own letter, or whatever it is that your submitting as proof of your emergency) and fax it over to MSC. Someone at MSC will review it. It can take them 1 day to look at it and make a decision or 7 days to look at it and make a decision. If there decision is Yes, this is an emergency and you qualify for emergency advance parole documents they will mail them to you. Depending on where you live in relation to MSC it could take 2-3 days for you to receive them in the mail.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Also if youre having trouble with the infopass scheduling, trying entering different info, because it is after all a computer, so its going to reject duplicate info, but it can be tricked easily. Select, need to file application in person, or speak to immigration officer. Enter the case number for your 485 rather then the 131.

[Darnell 8,478]

hey - any luck ? any news? you jump a plane already, la?

[fineberlin84 1]

Sorry, I meant to tell you guys earlier how it went.

So I got there at 7am in the morning and was the first person there. Security let me in with no problems, they were really nice and to be honest they just saw that I had an info pass and didn't really care for the date that was on it. I explained my situation to the girl at the front desk, she said no problem at all and made sure that I had all the evidence and papers with me. I showed everything to her and she then said that the supervisor wouldn't be there until 9 but that they would go ahead and prepare the papers and she said I should go and get a coffee or something and then just return at 9. I did that and when I came back at 9 I maybe waited for another hour or so and then the officer who had been done the papers just came to me, handed me my emergency re entry permit (good for one time only) and said have a nice trip. So yes, I can go home on Wednesday. I was really surprised how nice and understanding everyone was. It was no problem at all. They wanted a lot of papers and I am happy that thanks to all of those forums I was fully prepared and I think they appreciated that and that made everything a lot easier.

Here's what I had to present:

evidence letter from the doctor with the doctors letterhead and a diagnosis and prognosis,

the I 131 form filled out again,

the G325A form (biographical information),

2 passport pictures

Birth certificate for proof of relationship to my grandma

All the NOAs that I had from them

In addition I provided some pictures of me and my sick grandmother, a letter from my dad asking them to help us and a letter from myself explaining my reason for traveling

Passport

So yes, pleasantly surprised how well it went and again all the officers were really really nice. It's always worth trying!

Edited December 15, 2012 by fineberlin84

[C-ma'am 684]

Good! Glad that they were able to give you that authorization! Have a safe trip

[Krikit 1,164]

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother.

I am so happy you received your emergency AP in a pleasant and thoughtful manner. Can you tell us which office this was for future reference?

[Darnell 8,478]

Glad it worked out for you. When I write of 'show up at the door', sometimes people choose not to do it, and leave the country