Homesick...

[madiartzer 41]

Not a question, just need a place to sort of vent where people might understand what I’m going through.

Not being able to go home for Christmas is absolutely crushing me. I don’t have advance parole and I was really hoping to have been able to see my family at Christmastime. I’m very very close to my family, so this will be a first for me. Not to mention my grandpa who has been a father figure to me, is ill, and the thought of not being there and this being his last Christmas terrifies me and just makes me emotional whenever I think about it.

Christmas is my favourite time of year, so I’m trying not to dread it or anything. After living somewhere I don’t know anyone, not being able to work, and not being able to go anywhere to meet new friends or anything...I just wanted to spend one week at home, with my family, you know? They don’t make this process easy on the immigrant at all. 

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

18 minutes ago, madiartzer said:

Not a question, just need a place to sort of vent where people might understand what I’m going through.

Not being able to go home for Christmas is absolutely crushing me. I don’t have advance parole and I was really hoping to have been able to see my family at Christmastime. I’m very very close to my family, so this will be a first for me. Not to mention my grandpa who has been a father figure to me, is ill, and the thought of not being there and this being his last Christmas terrifies me and just makes me emotional whenever I think about it.

Christmas is my favourite time of year, so I’m trying not to dread it or anything. After living somewhere I don’t know anyone, not being able to work, and not being able to go anywhere to meet new friends or anything...I just wanted to spend one week at home, with my family, you know? They don’t make this process easy on the immigrant at all. 

Have you filed your I-485, I-131, and I-765 yet?

[Liam2021 583]

Unfortunately, that's one big disadvantage of K1. Hope you will get the interview for AOS soon.

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

3 minutes ago, H&T said:

Unfortunately, that's one big disadvantage of K1. Hope you will get the interview for AOS soon.

or approved I-131 for advance parole.  The OP arrived in the US in June.

Edited November 18, 2018 by missileman

[NikLR 13,227]

You haven't updated your timeline so Im unsure when you filed for AOS.  But if your grandfather is ill you may want try for emergency AP. The worst they can say is no and you're no worse off than you are now.  

It does suck when you cant see family. It was 4 years between seeing many of my family. 

[Boiler 45,657]

When did you file for AP?

[nightingalejules 678]

45 minutes ago, madiartzer said:

Not a question, just need a place to sort of vent where people might understand what I’m going through.

Not being able to go home for Christmas is absolutely crushing me. I don’t have advance parole and I was really hoping to have been able to see my family at Christmastime. I’m very very close to my family, so this will be a first for me. Not to mention my grandpa who has been a father figure to me, is ill, and the thought of not being there and this being his last Christmas terrifies me and just makes me emotional whenever I think about it.

Christmas is my favourite time of year, so I’m trying not to dread it or anything. After living somewhere I don’t know anyone, not being able to work, and not being able to go anywhere to meet new friends or anything...I just wanted to spend one week at home, with my family, you know? They don’t make this process easy on the immigrant at all. 

Hugs from a fellow Canadian! I'm so sorry that all the backups at USCIS are making things hard for you. I mean, it does for everybody, but especially for those who are depending on AP to be able to travel. It didn't used to take so long. And the first Christmas away from home and family is always tough - especially when you didn't actively choose to do something else.

For now, try to come up with some fun things for your new family (ie you and your husband) to do that will establish some new Christmas traditions. Last year, hubby and I threw a Boxing Day party - since Boxing Day isn't really a thing here in the US, it was a cool way to bring some of my traditions to my new home!

[madiartzer 41]

5 hours ago, NikLR said:

You haven't updated your timeline so Im unsure when you filed for AOS.  But if your grandfather is ill you may want try for emergency AP. The worst they can say is no and you're no worse off than you are now.  

It does suck when you cant see family. It was 4 years between seeing many of my family. 

I was under the impression there had to be a death or something like that to be granted emergency AP...would my grandfather just being ill be enough?

[Crazy Cat 41,978]

21 minutes ago, madiartzer said:

I was under the impression there had to be a death or something like that to be granted emergency AP...would my grandfather just being ill be enough?

"my grandpa who has been a father figure to me, is ill, and the thought of not being there and this being his last Christmas terrifies me ".......that would qualify in my book......good luck.

[Boiler 45,657]

Just get the medical evidence.

[NikLR 13,227]

I agree with both of the above.  You can certainly try!

[madiartzer 41]

3 hours ago, Boiler said:

Just get the medical evidence.

I guess this would be like papers from his cardiologist appointments and the hospital?

[Loren Y 2,755]

I feel for you, and wish you the best. As I type this I am at a ice cream shop with my fiancee visiting her friends before she leaves with me tomorrow to move to the United States. We visited her family all over the country these past few weeks, and I keep telling her it is going to be tough, but she insists she is ready and as long as I am with her she will be fine. I hope so because I worry so much she will be in the same situation. I have her enrolled in school for advanced English, and many other things I hope to keep her busy with. I had internet installed at her mom's house so she can video chat with most of her family anytime she wants.  Good luck to you, and I hope for the best. Try for the emergency AP, like everyone said, isn't going to hurt to try.

[debbiedoo 2,339]

canada isn't that far and doesn't have visa requirements. Can your family come here?

[madiartzer 41]

2 hours ago, debbiedoo said:

canada isn't that far and doesn't have visa requirements. Can your family come here?

My grandfather is too ill to travel, it takes 2 flights to get to where I am in Texas.

My mom could come, and we’re planning a trip for her. It’s just really costly for her as she’s going through a really nasty divorce with my dad. It’s just unfortunate timing all around. I’m going to try for the emergency AP and fly over there the first chance I get.