Going back to US alone with Advance Parole

[Maya&Matt 2]

Hi,

I am going back to the US in 2 days by myself and I am a little worried about entering alone with the advance parole.

Here is my background: my husband and I got married, we filed for AOS last January, and I obtained and AP for a family emergency. I also had to renew my passport while I was here ( in Spain) so now I will be entering the US with my new passport and my old one (not valid) because I have the k1 visa there, with my i94 from last november.

This i94 is now expired. Here are my questions:

What forms do I have to fill on the plane before getting to the POE?

Can I go to the us citizens/greencard holders line at the POE or should i go to the visitors line?

Is the inmigration officer going to take my i94 from my old passport as it is now expired? Will I have any problems because of this?

And finally, should I expect any problems for travelling alone?

Thanks for your help, I am getting a little worried...

[Hypnos 6,579]

Your old passport, K-1, and I-94 are irrelevant to your new entry, do not show them or allude to them in any way.

Simply use your new passport and your AP (probably your EAD if you have a combo card).

There is nothing to worry about, people do this every day.

[newacct 688]

Well, you should have handed in the I-94 at the airport when you left the U.S. It shouldn't be problem, but have it just in case.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Keep the old I-94 in case you need to show it at your interview. As Hypnos said, there is no need to show your old passport or anything else. You'll get a new I-94 with an AP stamp on it.

[TBoneTX 47,531]

*** Thread moved from main AOS/Family-Based forum to Working & Traveling forum -- topic involves travel issues rather than an AOS process issue. ***

[Andy and Pui 16]

Is the name in your passport different from your name on your AP? If they are you might want to have a certified copy of your marriage license with you for when you go back to the US and customs. Pui had to use an emergancy AP a little over a year ago and when she went through customs the customs agent was more curious how she knew about the emergancy AP then anything else. Good luck.

[Maya&Matt 2]

Thank you all for your help!

My name is the same in my passport than in my AP as I haven't changed my name after getting married.

I'm a little confused about the i-94, should I keep the expired from my old passport for the AOS interview or should I give it to the immigration officer because I was suppose to do so when I left?

And can I go to the greencard holders line at the POE?

Thanks again!

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

CBP told me to keep the old I-94, because they said technically with the AOS app I shouldn't have it anymore. The I-94 should be a part of the AOS evidence (which it is, you send a copy of it though, not the original). AP was a separate, parenthetical exit and reentry. We did that, and at the interview, the IO was relieved to see we had the original I-94 (he looked in the passport for it and saw the AP one and gave a funny look. Then I jumped in and said "we have the original I-94! which I had in a baggie and he smiled and got more relaxed).

On the other hand, I am sure that people give up their I-94s all the time when they use AP, because they don't ask about it. So, do what you want... I think if they didn't take it already, then you should keep it for evidence, but that is me.

Edited March 2, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[newacct 688]

CBP told me to keep the old I-94, because they said technically with the AOS app I shouldn't have it anymore. The I-94 should be a part of the AOS evidence (which it is, you send a copy of it though, not the original). AP was a separate, parenthetical exit and reentry. We did that, and at the interview, the IO was relieved to see we had the original I-94 (he looked in the passport for it and saw the AP one and gave a funny look. Then I jumped in and said "we have the original I-94! which I had in a baggie and he smiled and got more relaxed).

On the other hand, I am sure that people give up their I-94s all the time when they use AP, because they don't ask about it. So, do what you want... I think if they didn't take it already, then you should keep it for evidence, but that is me.

Hmm, that's interesting. But then if you don't hand it in, how is the government supposed to know when you left the country? (the usual purpose of handing in the I-94?)

When did CBP tell you this? When you re-entered on the AP? But isn't that kinda too late to get the information for people who may have already handed it in when they left on AP? If what the CBP told you is correct, how are people supposed to know that they are not supposed to hand in the I-94 when they leave on AP?

Edited March 3, 2013 by newacct

[hmh33 117]

The government know that (and when) you left the country because of airline manifests.

The I-94 thing is not a big deal, but I agree that it's probably best to keep it to show at interview, if requested.

[Harpa Timsah 13,260]

Hmm, that's interesting. But then if you don't hand it in, how is the government supposed to know when you left the country? (the usual purpose of handing in the I-94?)

When did CBP tell you this? When you re-entered on the AP? But isn't that kinda too late to get the information for people who may have already handed it in when they left on AP? If what the CBP told you is correct, how are people supposed to know that they are not supposed to hand in the I-94 when they leave on AP?

As stated above the US knows when you leave from flight manifests. The I-94 does not tell them when you left.

CBP told me this when I called them to inquire, prior to leaving on AP.

[Maya&Matt 2]

Thanks again for all your help!

I will not show my old passport unless they ask for it, and I will try to keep my old i94 for the interview.

Thanks for the advise!