Visiting while I-130 pending - ties to home country?

[Wingnutfish 18]

Hi there everyone,

We're about to send in our I-130 package, and my wife (alien spouse, I'm the USC) needs to travel to the U.S. for a workshop for several weeks starting in a few days (I'll be remaining in Taiwan during her visit). She already has the proper visa for visiting the U.S., and I guess USCIS won't have received the I-130 package yet anyway when she enters - however, she is married to a USC (me), so I wonder if that might raise some flags for immigration.

I know that it's normally recommended that an I-130 beneficiary be ready to provide proof of ties to their home country when visiting the U.S. during the process, but can someone give me some ideas of what she might provide? I've heard of apartment leases, bank statements, etc. She has these, but they're completely in Chinese. Does that mean we would have to have them translated before they'd be useful for providing evidence at the border?

Any advice is much appreciated.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Ties back home should be things like a job contract or a letter from her employer stating when they expect her back. A hone mortgage contract, payment schedule or rental agreement. Sometimes I've seen suggested insurance documents foe cars. Also, ensure she has her travel itinerary and return ticket information.

The fact that her husband is back home and she can show it's a bonafide work trip will probably be fine though. My husband lives in London with me and we've both travelled to the US at times for work trips with petitions pending.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Oh, and on translations, just get a letter from her employer and have that in English. It seems crazy to have everything translated. Other people may suggest more translation, but I don't see why a letter wouldn't be sufficient.

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks for the advice. I'm afraid it's too late to get a letter from her employer though....she's leaving very soon. I guess maybe we'll have to hope the flight itinerary and documentation of the purpose of her trip will be enough.

[lost_at_sea 995]

Thanks for the advice. I'm afraid it's too late to get a letter from her employer though....she's leaving very soon. I guess maybe we'll have to hope the flight itinerary and documentation of the purpose of her trip will be enough.

The fact that she's left you at home may well be enough re-assurance for them anyway. I'm sure it'll be fine! She should just be clear and honest and only offer answers to the questions they actually ask "Purpose of trip?" She should just say business and maybe what kind. When I've travelled on business, they inevitably ask what kind and what I do for a living, and that's about enough to make them happy.

Edited June 8, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Wingnutfish 18]

Yeah, I think it'll be fine too. Theoretically, it seems like they could still be suspicious even with her leaving me behind - maybe they'd think I was coming to join her later or something - but yeah, I doubt they'll even ask that many details. Thanks again for the input!

[The Mean Lady 604]

If they are overly suspicious of her, they'll get their own translator to look at the documents.

[fcat 79]

Ive traveled to the US 4 times (2 weeks, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 7 weeks) to see my wife since my I-130 application was sent in January, its nothing at all to worry about, just a normal visit. They do not know at the entry point that you have an application in progress, don't think there's going to be a big red screen flashes up or anything like that, there isn't, as far as they know you are just a regular visitor, and you are. Answer their questions, nothing more, don't say and tell them things they don't ask, don't have a stack of papers in your hand ready to give them, just keep them away and bring them out if asked for anything.

[FlyCal 0]

Ive traveled to the US 4 times (2 weeks, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 7 weeks) to see my wife since my I-130 application was sent in January, its nothing at all to worry about, just a normal visit. They do not know at the entry point that you have an application in progress, don't think there's going to be a big red screen flashes up or anything like that, there isn't, as far as they know you are just a regular visitor, and you are. Answer their questions, nothing more, don't say and tell them things they don't ask, don't have a stack of papers in your hand ready to give them, just keep them away and bring them out if asked for anything.

Would this not be withholding pertinent information from the IO? I've gone across a number of times on business too, but I always disclose the fact that I am in the immigration process, but that the trip I am going on now is for business purposes only (which is the case).

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks for the information and the perspectives! I'm not too worried now. She has a round-trip ticket and her purpose in the country is well-documented, so I think she'll be fine.

[The Mean Lady 604]

Would this not be withholding pertinent information from the IO? I've gone across a number of times on business too, but I always disclose the fact that I am in the immigration process, but that the trip I am going on now is for business purposes only (which is the case).

no, it's not really pertinent.

It would only be considered lying by omission if you were purposely answering questions in ways to avoid saying certain things.

There's no harm in not bringing up things that aren't pertinent to the situation.

per·ti·nent

/ˈpərtn-ənt/

Adjective

Relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.

Reason for travel: work

Immigration: Not pertinent in this situation =]

[fcat 79]

Would this not be withholding pertinent information from the IO? I've gone across a number of times on business too, but I always disclose the fact that I am in the immigration process, but that the trip I am going on now is for business purposes only (which is the case).

It would if you were asked by the IO and didn't answer or lied in your answer.