Tweet
Traveling with Advance Parole while on TPS
Hey guys,
I know many of you all are each going through unique experiences when it comes to dealing with immigration here in the US. But I want to give you guys just a little bit of my story to put some of you at ease and to answer some questions to those that may have it.
First of all, a little background. I arrived to the US as a child from El Salvador, 6 years old to be exact as a stowaway, in other words I wasn't admitted and arrived illegally. Fast forward a couple of months and my father managed to obtain the first TPS I was granted by USCIS. Once that TPS expired it was not renewed again until roughly the age of 15/16. As of then up until now I have help the status of TPS. I have worked, obtained my drivers license, gotten married, opened a business, etc in all that time up until now. I am currently 25 years old. I do not have any criminal background problems. No jail, no probation. The only thing that shows up on my 7 year driving record is a speeding ticket.
When Trump announced that TPS was to be revoked and that this past renewal would be the last I decided to apply for the advance parole as previously me and my wife had spoken to a family immigration attorney who advised me that leaving the country and coming back in PAROLED would be my best option in regards to adjusting my immigration status. Please be aware that I have been married almost 3 years (Nov 8th to be exact) and currently my wife is 4 months pregnant. I know many will try to apply for residency through marriage if possible but I was advised not to do it to soon as it could be a red flag. Fast forward to this year. I applied for TPS renewal, EAD & Advance Parole somewhere between March 8th through the 15th. I received the notice in the mail as well as email and tracked my case through the online portal that they offer. I was approved for my TPS about 3 1/2 months in and received it in the mail. About 3 weeks later I got the notice that I was approved for the advance parole and to expect the letter in the mail. (Please note that you don't always get a combo card, I freaked out when I got my EAD and did not see where it said I could also use it as a travel document) You more likely than not will receive a separate letter in the mail.
Once I got my travel letter, I booked my flight about a month out and prepared myself mentally. Side note, I had not up to this point been to El Salvador since I left, 19 years ago. My stay was arriving on the 18th and departing on the 22nd. The leaving process is quick and efficient. I flew out of Orlando International MCO, same airport I would be flying back into. When flying out they look at your passport, boarding ticket, luggage, etc.
On my day back to the San Salvador Intl Airport, I arrived very late. The immigration line was backed up and I had maybe 30 mins to spare before I flight started to board. I have never begged in my life as I did that day. By beg, I mean make friends in line, talk to those around you, ask for help from some of the employees. Do what you can, don't for a second think you'll look foolish or feel ashamed as its very important for you not to miss your flights. Luckily I met this nice young couple who were nearing the front of the line and allowed me to cut ahead of them. Once I made it to immigration (still in San Salvador) they requested my passport, advanced parole letter, and EAD. All went well, approved and pushed through. It maybe took 10 minutes. Once that was done I had my luggage checked and was allowed through.
Believe me, I was running to my gate which happened to be gate 17 out of 22. Again, don't pay any attention to those around you I was not going to pay $300 because of a missed flight lol. Once I made it down to the lower gates, they have a line separating you per destination (I flew Avianca if anyone cared lol), the line had at least 30 people in it, and I had maybe 10 minutes at this point since it had already been announced that my flight was boarding. I went up to an employee and advised her of my hurry and soon departing flight. I was assisted to the premier guest line and was put through first. So remember if you are in a crunch, open your mouth! Do not let fear keep you down.
They ran my luggage through a scanner again and once completed I was pointed to my gate. Not only was I sweaty once I arrived at my seat but I had been seated no more than 10 minutes before the plane started to move. Lucky me, lol. Btw, keep in mind in order for you to avoid all the hassle I experienced get there in time. 3 hours is more safe than not. I also did do my pre-check in through the email confirmation I received and boy did it help as I was abler to get my bag weighed and tagged within 5 minutes compared to those in the check in line.
Once I arrived to the Orlando International Airport, you are directed to the immigration lines, right side is for permanent residents and citizens, left is for non-citizens. Once it was my turn, I handed over my passport, travel document, and EAD card. The gentleman took my fingerprints and my photo. He asked me 2 questions, where I traveled too, why I traveled there and how long I stayed. He was nice, polite and direct. He also did advise me since I had a TPS and advance parole that I would need to be taken to the back for 2nd processing. He was nice about it and escorted me. I sat down with about 10 other people in a waiting lobby. Behind a desk to my left was an officer named Mr. King. Serious looking, deep voice, tall, etc. I sat down for about 30 minutes before I heard him call my name. The names he called out were of the passports he was stamping and travel documents he was approving and paroling. So if he called your name, you were good to go! Many others got called before me, I freaked out just a tad bit. But be patient, smile, pray a little and wait your turn. I also was told by my attorney that traveling was a risk. I knew that. But I have bigger plans and will not let my fears control my destination.
Finally he called me. Handed me my signed passport & letter and told me I was good to go. Before I left, I did ask him in case I needed to travel again if I was able to. He grabbed my letter and read it once more and pointed to me where it does state that I am allowed multiple entries until it expires. He was nice and helpful about it and even bro'ed me as he handed it back lol.
I have never felt such relief as I did walking out of that office. I smiled and knew that I was going to see my wife and that I had just jumped a huge hurdle in my immigration journey.
I end my story here in hopes that it helps some of y'all and remember to always have faith and smith regardless of the situation. Always have a back up plan. My wife had our attorneys number, we have family members willing to help financially if needed, etc. Expect the best, prepare for the worst. Best of luck to you all and on with your journeys.
I am now preparing to fill out my AOS through my wife. God Bless.
I know many of you all are each going through unique experiences when it comes to dealing with immigration here in the US. But I want to give you guys just a little bit of my story to put some of you at ease and to answer some questions to those that may have it.
First of all, a little background. I arrived to the US as a child from El Salvador, 6 years old to be exact as a stowaway, in other words I wasn't admitted and arrived illegally. Fast forward a couple of months and my father managed to obtain the first TPS I was granted by USCIS. Once that TPS expired it was not renewed again until roughly the age of 15/16. As of then up until now I have help the status of TPS. I have worked, obtained my drivers license, gotten married, opened a business, etc in all that time up until now. I am currently 25 years old. I do not have any criminal background problems. No jail, no probation. The only thing that shows up on my 7 year driving record is a speeding ticket.
When Trump announced that TPS was to be revoked and that this past renewal would be the last I decided to apply for the advance parole as previously me and my wife had spoken to a family immigration attorney who advised me that leaving the country and coming back in PAROLED would be my best option in regards to adjusting my immigration status. Please be aware that I have been married almost 3 years (Nov 8th to be exact) and currently my wife is 4 months pregnant. I know many will try to apply for residency through marriage if possible but I was advised not to do it to soon as it could be a red flag. Fast forward to this year. I applied for TPS renewal, EAD & Advance Parole somewhere between March 8th through the 15th. I received the notice in the mail as well as email and tracked my case through the online portal that they offer. I was approved for my TPS about 3 1/2 months in and received it in the mail. About 3 weeks later I got the notice that I was approved for the advance parole and to expect the letter in the mail. (Please note that you don't always get a combo card, I freaked out when I got my EAD and did not see where it said I could also use it as a travel document) You more likely than not will receive a separate letter in the mail.
Once I got my travel letter, I booked my flight about a month out and prepared myself mentally. Side note, I had not up to this point been to El Salvador since I left, 19 years ago. My stay was arriving on the 18th and departing on the 22nd. The leaving process is quick and efficient. I flew out of Orlando International MCO, same airport I would be flying back into. When flying out they look at your passport, boarding ticket, luggage, etc.
On my day back to the San Salvador Intl Airport, I arrived very late. The immigration line was backed up and I had maybe 30 mins to spare before I flight started to board. I have never begged in my life as I did that day. By beg, I mean make friends in line, talk to those around you, ask for help from some of the employees. Do what you can, don't for a second think you'll look foolish or feel ashamed as its very important for you not to miss your flights. Luckily I met this nice young couple who were nearing the front of the line and allowed me to cut ahead of them. Once I made it to immigration (still in San Salvador) they requested my passport, advanced parole letter, and EAD. All went well, approved and pushed through. It maybe took 10 minutes. Once that was done I had my luggage checked and was allowed through.
Believe me, I was running to my gate which happened to be gate 17 out of 22. Again, don't pay any attention to those around you I was not going to pay $300 because of a missed flight lol. Once I made it down to the lower gates, they have a line separating you per destination (I flew Avianca if anyone cared lol), the line had at least 30 people in it, and I had maybe 10 minutes at this point since it had already been announced that my flight was boarding. I went up to an employee and advised her of my hurry and soon departing flight. I was assisted to the premier guest line and was put through first. So remember if you are in a crunch, open your mouth! Do not let fear keep you down.
They ran my luggage through a scanner again and once completed I was pointed to my gate. Not only was I sweaty once I arrived at my seat but I had been seated no more than 10 minutes before the plane started to move. Lucky me, lol. Btw, keep in mind in order for you to avoid all the hassle I experienced get there in time. 3 hours is more safe than not. I also did do my pre-check in through the email confirmation I received and boy did it help as I was abler to get my bag weighed and tagged within 5 minutes compared to those in the check in line.
Once I arrived to the Orlando International Airport, you are directed to the immigration lines, right side is for permanent residents and citizens, left is for non-citizens. Once it was my turn, I handed over my passport, travel document, and EAD card. The gentleman took my fingerprints and my photo. He asked me 2 questions, where I traveled too, why I traveled there and how long I stayed. He was nice, polite and direct. He also did advise me since I had a TPS and advance parole that I would need to be taken to the back for 2nd processing. He was nice about it and escorted me. I sat down with about 10 other people in a waiting lobby. Behind a desk to my left was an officer named Mr. King. Serious looking, deep voice, tall, etc. I sat down for about 30 minutes before I heard him call my name. The names he called out were of the passports he was stamping and travel documents he was approving and paroling. So if he called your name, you were good to go! Many others got called before me, I freaked out just a tad bit. But be patient, smile, pray a little and wait your turn. I also was told by my attorney that traveling was a risk. I knew that. But I have bigger plans and will not let my fears control my destination.
Finally he called me. Handed me my signed passport & letter and told me I was good to go. Before I left, I did ask him in case I needed to travel again if I was able to. He grabbed my letter and read it once more and pointed to me where it does state that I am allowed multiple entries until it expires. He was nice and helpful about it and even bro'ed me as he handed it back lol.
I have never felt such relief as I did walking out of that office. I smiled and knew that I was going to see my wife and that I had just jumped a huge hurdle in my immigration journey.
I end my story here in hopes that it helps some of y'all and remember to always have faith and smith regardless of the situation. Always have a back up plan. My wife had our attorneys number, we have family members willing to help financially if needed, etc. Expect the best, prepare for the worst. Best of luck to you all and on with your journeys.
I am now preparing to fill out my AOS through my wife. God Bless.
Comment