Advance Parole

First of all I have to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you who have shared your experience on this site. Because of you I had the courage to travel outside of the US into my homeland, Mexico after 20 years of living in the states.

I applied to for Advance Parole through DACA November 4, 2016 – for work purposes. I actually needed to be out of the country for a work conference so I went into my local USCIS office to request an Emergency parole (back in November) – which was denied because according to them it was not an emergency. Therefore, I had to wait the “normal process” which took about 2.5 months. The caveat here is that I originally applied for specific dates of travel (in November 2016) that obviously were expired by the time I was granted AP. For that reason alone I was so scared to take the leap of faith and leave the country.

I traveled from Denver to Mexico City on March 1 – 8. Like most of you that have already traveled I was trying really hard to enjoy the trip and not think about the much anticipated return, but I couldn’t. I was really nervous when I landed in Mexico City I was nearly crying. I knew that there was nothing I could do to change the fact that upon my return I would be facing uncertainty. So I took the decision to enjoy my short time in Mexico and make the best of it – take it from me – best decision!!
I went to Valle de Bravo, Ixtapa and pretty much saw the most iconic places in Mexico City (El Zocalo, Polanco, Condesa, Lomas de Chapultepec, Basilica de Guadalupe, Coyoacan, Centro, Etc).

The takeaway here is to take that leap of faith, nothing anyone will tell you will be comforting enough – it’s inevitable you will feel scared. But the truth is, I’d take the chance again if I had it because the feeling of coming back safe and sound if MAGNIFICENT! If you are approved already take it, we don’t know what tomorrow brings. All we have is the present and we must take advantage of every single opportunity!

Carpe Diem and God Bless you All!

FUN FACTS:

• The AP Document had dates valid for: ONE DAY | ONE ENTRY | February 23, 2017 – April 29, 2017
• The officer kept both AP documents and only stamped my passport – not sure if this has happened to someone else?
• Traveled through Houston to Mexico City – Documented in Houston - Denver final destination
• Submitted November 4, 2017
• Approved January 29
• Received the documents in the Mail February 23
• Travel Dates: March 1 -8