Beneficiary helping petitioner move to the US to establish domicile - Border issues?

[sean.law 2]

Hello!

We just received our NOA1 today. Very exciting! The plan is for my wife (the petitioner) to move back to the US from Canada before our case goes to the NVC so she can show domicile for the AOS. Where she's planning on moving is about an hour from here so I'd like to help her with the moving. I expect I might have some problems crossing the border with us both in a moving van. If I were to bring proof that I'm returning (copy of rental lease in Canada, letter from employer stating I'll be returning to work, copy of moving van rental agreement showing the van must be returned to the Canadian location), will this suffice? Or would I be better off going in a separate vehicle?

Thanks!

[mallafri76 1,012]

Honestly, I would go in a separate car. See it from CBP's point of view, here is a USC coming in a moving van with a foreign spouse, asking to enter the US... That shows both ties to the US and intent to immigrate. In my opinion, it's just not worth the risk.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Canada regional forum.

[sean.law 2]

Right, I agree it would be hard for them to let me through. Even with all the evidence of returning I don't think they could let me do it.

Another option is to go separetly but then I need to lie to them when they ask why I'm going to the US. Plus when my wife goes over the border in the van they're likely to ask her a number of questions and surely the visa application will come up. Will this put the border guards on the look out for me? So if I were to cross after her they wouldn't allow me in? I can always go first but they might want to know where I am when my wife is questioned and it might come out that I'm already in the US. I don't think they'd like that very much. We don't want to lie so I'm not sure how to do this. Any ideas?

We might need to hire movers for her across the border so she can go solo and they can help her move. Once she's there I can attempt to visit.

[Ontarkie 13,914]

Others have gone down to help the USC spouse move.

If you're not far from the border give it a shot. Gather everything single thing you can think of from the NOA1 to dentist or doctors appointment saying you will be back for that.