Back to the US from Canada

[YpsiFella 20]

Hi,

In 2006 I successfully navigated my way to a green card (with a lot of help from the folks on this site). My wife and I moved to the US and lived there until June 2011. My job was coming apart at the seams and with the economy and my age it was clear I wasn't going to find anything quickly. An opportunity came up in Canada where we had lived before we moved to the US (she is a USC but had Canadian PR status).

Last week we were headed to Seattle to pick up visiting relatives. I was detained because I had not officially abandoned my status in the US. I was taken in and signed an I-407. To make a long story short my green card had been stolen - and reported stolen prior to my departure from the US. I signed the form and was admitted to the US no problem - total delay 45 minutes or so. Have even been back to the US since.

My wife and I want to go back to the States. She misses her adult kids terribly. And frankly I miss the US just as badly. So, I was just as pleased to sign the I-407 and clean up my previous status. Now I am hoping there is nothing preventing me from re-applying asap. I know how ridiculous this must sound but we want to go back.

My questions:

1. am I right that signing the I-407 is a good thing and will assist me in not having my new application delayed?

2. will my having had a previous green card help or hinder or have no effect on a new application?

3. is there any simpler way to go or do I just need to bite the bullet and submit the I-130?

4. if I submit the I-130 will I have trouble crossing the border?

5. if I start the I-130 and find an employer willing to sponsor me with an HB1 visa, will my I-130 application complicate things?

Any assistance and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ed

[TBoneTX 45,536]

*** Thread moved from CR-1 Process forum to General Immigration Discussion -- topic's questions extend beyond a straightforward I-130 process and include other visa options. ***

[The Mean Lady 604]

You will have no problems visiting on a pending 130. Currently sitting in Illinois with my husband who is pending.

You won't be able to get a work visa while pending an ir1

Someone is welcome to correct me on that though as I'm thinking that's what I read but it's early and I've barely slept in days.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

3. is there any simpler way to go or do I just need to bite the bullet and submit the I-130?

Bite the bullet, if there was a simplier way we'd all be doing it.

H1Bs are not immediate, file the I130 and go with the immigrant visa, which is what you want anyway

good luck

[YpsiFella 20]

You will have no problems visiting on a pending 130. Currently sitting in Illinois with my husband who is pending.

You won't be able to get a work visa while pending an ir1

Someone is welcome to correct me on that though as I'm thinking that's what I read but it's early and I've barely slept in days.

KDH - the work visa question is one of my biggest. There seems to be contradictory opinion on that one. Where did you get the information that led you to that determination. I appreciate the help.

[velrich 50]

[KDH - the work visa question is one of my biggest. There seems to be contradictory opinion on that one. Where did you get the information that led you to that determination. I appreciate the help.

Incorrect. You can have different kinds of petitions pending at the same time.