Nadya Wong

Hi Mike,

When I realized that I lost the card I called the embassy, they scheduled the meeting with me right on the next day and asked to fill out the form for my visit.

I had a meeting with consular in  USCIS Moscow Field Office Public Liaison Unit  - not a section for visas - this unit is responsible for LPRs and citizens support abroad as I understood. I was lucky to submit my case with them, because this unit closed at the end of February in Russia. They informed me that my case is eligible for humanitarian parole. 

This is an abstract of their email:  "Upon studying your case it seems you may file another I-131 Advance parole application as you lost your previous one. Your application may receive expedited processing by our head office. Please make an appointment with our office on website. We recommend you to file I-131 form"

I prepared the package of documents + fee (ca. 540 usd - same fee as for advanced parole). The list of additional documents was the following:

Public Liason Unit in Moscow sent my case to USCIS in Chicago urgently. And all the further communication was with them.

They didn't accept my request about  expedite processing and getting a visa for reentry took me 3 months. From February till May I had to wait for my reentry visa (not an EAD, but just a sticker to passport).

I read on this forum that one people solved this by negotiating with airlines. I think that rules became more strict since then. None of the airlines allowed me on board explaining that they have huge penalties from US government for that. When my husband talked to border security officers they said that I would not be admitted without a card. I also considered flying through Canada or Mexico, but after conversations with officers we decided not to do that.

I tried to expedite the case writting to congressman - he didn't reply. Then I wrote to Senator of California and received the reply, and they were willing to help however by that time my visa was approved.

After my arrival to the USA, I thought to apply for new EAD (USCIS would issue it for free this time). But fortunately I received Green Card quite soon and didn't have to worry about new work authorization.

Mike, I hope this helps. I suggest you or your spouse who is in the USA to send documents for a new EAD card or humanitarian parole if none of airlines confirm boarding you.

It was tough time for me and my husband. I wish you all the best!

Nadya

On 3/29/2018 at 6:12 AM, marc941 said:

I hope your situation has already been resolved, but in case it hasn't, and for anyone else that runs into this in the future ... my husband just went through this mess. He was stuck in the D.R.    Despite everyone (including USCIS) telling us to contact the embassy for assistance, the embassy cannot issue a "Transportation Letter" or a "Boarding Foil" unless you are an LPR (Greencard holder).  USCIS has proven to be completely useless and clueless.  Our local field office director didn't know what to do, and checked with the regional director, and they concurred that they couldn't help us process a replacement parole document.  They contacted the field office director in D.R. who indicated they also were unable to.  They basically said "maybe" if you send in a request to the national processing center (complete with the $575 fee required for replacement of a lost document) that they might be able to help.  It's been 3 weeks since I overnighted that application package to the Chicago lockbox with "Emergency Advance Parole Request" written in red sharpie on the outside, along with a cover letter inside explaining that my husband is stranded out of the country, and I've yet to receive ANY activity.  They haven't cashed the check.  They haven't send me a receipt notice.  They haven't rejected or returned the application.  They haven't texted, emailed, mailed, smoke signals, nothing. 

 

Luckily, I found another avenue to get my husband home.  A half dozen different CBP officers told me they'd be able to admit my husband to enter the country, although it wouldn't be quick & easy, and would take a few hours.  The airline turned out to be the biggest obstacle.  That's because of the huge fines ($4,300) they get from CBP for bringing someone to the US without proper travel documents.  It turns out that CBP operates a special hotline/department called RCLG, Regional Carrier Liaison Group.  Their purpose is to field calls from the airlines about customers with problems with travel documents.  It took 2 weeks of fighting with the airline and escalating my way up to management, but finally got the airline to agree to call RCLG.  I think they just didn't know the process or didn't want to be bothered with it.  Ultimately, they called, and RCLG gave the recommendation to allow my husband to board the plane, which absolved them of the liability and potential fines.   When he arrived in Fort Lauderdale, they only asked a few basic questions about where/why he traveled and how he lost the parole document.  He provided them with a copy of the police report.  It took several extra hours on each end of the flight, but he finally made it back.  What a mess.  I'm so disgusted with our government and USCIS right now.  CBP turned out to be the most helpful in all of this.  USCIS and the State department couldn't have been less helpful.

Dear Marc941, thanks for this post it is extremely helpful. I also called CBP, but they didn't confirm on phone that they will admit me with just copies. Anyway I found the information about RCLG. Printed it out. Brought to airlines and since it was Aeroflot Russia (which has some tension with US government) they rejected me.

What airlines did you use to come back? In what city? I really need to find an alternative.

USCIS sent me to humanitarian branch, which processing can take up to several months.

Please help.

On 4/10/2018 at 5:53 PM, Natalia Gómez said:

Thanks for sharing this information. Luckily I arrived yesterday and was paroled in. very similar to your husband experience.

Dear Natalia, I am in the same situation right now. I am currently in Moscow and I tried to talk to Russian airlines about RCLG. But they rejected.

USCIS in Moscow sent our case to humanitarian branch and official timings are from 60 to 120 days.

Please share what Airlines did you use to come back?

I am thinking to fly to another country and talk to Airlines there. 

Thanks in advance.

On 6/13/2018 at 3:28 AM, Francyn said:

UPDATE: 

The only solution is to apply for humanitarian parole with request for expedition from the congressman. That is the direction we are headed in now.

 

 

Dear Francyn,

I am currently in the same situation as you are: I lost advance parole while travelling, airline denied the copy and we applied for humanitarian parole.

How long did it take you to get a parole with the help of Congressman?

Hope for your answer.

Kind regards,

Nadya