exwife may need to stay in Colombia for an extended period of time. What do we do?

[wayno 10]

My ex wife (still living together but she has been in Colombia since December) may need to stay in Colombia for longer than 6 months. What do we do?

 

I'm panicking in a way she doesn't know because her ticket back is for this Thursday, which will be 5 1/2 months out of the US this year. Why I'm worried is that she called tonight from a hospital. It seems her mom had a stroke or possibly worse. The call went dead and I haven't been able to get up with her. But I'm not trying really hard because of what I know she is going through as she is close to her mom. She has family with her and me being her ex (though still close) I don't want to impose too hard. As of this moment, I don't see her flying home this Thursday so I understand she needs to getnhere by the end of May to keep it under 6 months.

 

I figured I'd ask here as time may be an issue and I don't want here to lose her permanent residence status.

 

So, if she has to hang out in Col for some time, how long would it typically take to get an appointment here in the US to get her passport stamped. We live in MD and everything has gone through the Baltimore service center.

 

Any ideas on what would need to be done? I'm sure she would have to fly here to get it stamped and then return to Col. 

 

Thanks for any help I can receive. This just came up and I know she has a lot on her mind right now so I don't want to bring any of this up to her, but I feel I need to at least learn the process.

 

Yes, I plan to call USCIS in the morning if I can actually get through to a person. I just hope they can give me some general info about the process, though with the past history dealing with them, they need a case number and her on the phone. 

[TBoneTX 47,504]

I would directly telephone any CBP port here in the U.S. to ask for advice.

Go here and scroll down a bit to "Locate a Port":

https://www.cbp.gov/about/contact/ports

Maybe pick a smaller port and call around midday on a weekday.

 

Explain to the agent who answers that you need definitive information about reentry for a (permanent resident?) after longer than a 6-month absence.  If the agent is busy, ask for the shift supervisor.  Tell them the visa type that your then-wife used to enter, and succinctly explain.

 

Then, pick a completely different CBP port and call it with the same queries.

If the answers match, you can pretty much rely on the information.

If answers differ, call a third port.

 

Do this, and be sure to return to this thread with your findings.  Good luck to you, and prayers for ex-mom-in-law.

 

P.S.  Update your VJ timeline if information is incomplete.

Edited May 14 by TBoneTX

[wayno 10]

Thank you for the reply.

 

I did a quick call to Ft Lauderdale and he said there would be no problem unless more than a year. He stated it would be a good idea to have something from the DR. or hospital in Medellin as she would just go through a secondary screening.

 

I also called USCIS and the agent stated, as well, that there would not be a problem. She would would go through secondary (so to think of layover time when getting a new ticket) and that she should get a letter from the Dr. or hospital. I asked if I should mail her a copy of the deed to our house and proof of bank account, etc and he stated it would be a good idea so things would go smoothly. BTW, I stated "infopass" to get to an actual person!

 

So it looks like everything will be OK as far as keeping her green card and being allowed in.

 

If a year or more overall,  he stated to fly in to get a reentry permit for her next trip (or whatever its called) or visit the consulate in Colombia so her residence won't be cancelled. But if that long, there would be no problem of a quick trip here to get cleared and than go back.

 

Thanks again. I'm not even going to bring this up to her right now as she is too much of a mess right now, (I had to call the airline to cancel/but keep open her ticket) but at least I know she'll be allowed back, just a few more questions than normal at Customs and Immigration I suppose.

[TBoneTX 47,504]

13 hours ago, wayno said:

it looks like everything will be OK as far as keeping her green card and being allowed in.

Agreed.  The advice that you got is sensible.  Commendations also on your organizational capabilities and your concern for your ex-wife.