US Immigration from Colombia

My wife is now in the fourth year of waiting for her AOS. We filed this past September (2024) for the renewal of her work authorization (which she received) and advanced parole, which hasn t been received and could be another year of waiting. We re contemplating going to speak with an immigration lawyer about our case to see what we should do. We live in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale area), looking for any recommendations for attorneys.

Hello everybody!
First of all, big thanks to this fantastic community! It s been incredibly helpful since I started my visa journey.

I d love to hear from fellow Latino green card holders about their recent experiences with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when returning to the U.S. in 2025 especially after long trips of 4 to 6 months.

Also, has anyone re-entered recently while their re-entry permit was still in process? Was presenting the I-131 receipt enough?

Not gonna lie, I m a bit concerned about the possible changes in immigration policies and how the new administration s stance on immigration might affect our experience traveling and returning to the U.S. as green card holders.

Here s my case and most recent experience:

• My IR1 visa was approved in May 2024, and I entered the U.S. for the first time three weeks later, staying for two weeks.
• Due to work, my family and I couldn t move right away and will only be able to relocate permanently in May 2025.
• During my first U.S. entry, I explained this to the officer, who said it wasn t an issue since it was under 12 months. He mentioned the re-entry permit for those staying abroad over a year and advised me to keep my work contract handy for future CBP inspections.
• I returned to the U.S. in December 2024, after 175 days abroad (almost 6 months). The CBP officer questioned why I wasn t permanently living in the U.S. yet. He was pretty intense and seemed surprised by my time outside the country.
• He warned me that my situation could be flagged for abandonment and that I might have to go before a judge to prove I hadn t given up my residency. After I explained my circumstances, he strongly recommended applying for a re-entry permit. Even though I wasn t planning to be out for over a year, and I was set to move in less than five months from that day. He mentioned that "upcoming immigration policy changes could make this step even more necessary."
• My lawyer believes that the officer likely flagged me in the system, so I went ahead and applied for the re-entry permit. However, processing takes 14.5 months. USCIS and my lawyer confirmed that I can travel after biometrics and just carry the I-131 receipt as proof that my permit is in process.

Now, my big question is: What are other green card holders experiencing when re-entering the U.S.?

The officer s warning about upcoming immigration policy changes has me wondering what s coming next. Has anyone faced similar questioning at CBP? I d love to hear your stories, insights, and any advice!

Thanks in advance! Looking forward to your thoughts.

Hi!!!

I need help doing the I-751. What do I need to include in the package. I am very confuse, the payment for this form is $750.00? Do I need to include Biometrics too or not? Please Help!

My wife had filed for the renewal of her work authorization and advanced parole, because she's still waiting after three years for the AOS process for the green card. She received the work authorization, but not the advanced parole renewal, which could take up to a year.

She has an elderly family member (whom raised her after her biological mother abandoned her) that is at the end of life. My wife says she will leave to attend the funeral, with or without the travel permit. I'm trying to get her to get emergency travel authorization, the paperwork from home is slow. What can of worms will open due to her leaving without the travel authorization? I'm hoping that she will not have to restart the process.

We're really frustrated with the lack of progress, while others get their green cards within a year of arriving.

Hello!

Please help! Twice we have uploaded the police certificate obtained online at policia.gov, and twice we have received the following message from the NVC: Please replace this with an acceptable police certificate from a correct issuing authority.

As far as we know and according to embassy website, that's where we supposed to obtain the police certificate. I'm not sure what to do next.

Thanks for your help in advance

Santos and Luisa