travel restrictions with pending I-485

[zsnyc]

Hello, any opinions / advice would be much appreciated.
Here is my situation:
My husband & I are both O-1 holders & last year decided to go ahead with the green card process (my husband filing under EB1A category with me as spouse)
Just before filing I-140 Petition, July 2007, my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer so we put application on ice.
By start of 2008 my mother had made a good recovery so my husband filed his I-140 Petition but NOT the I-485 (permanent residency application). The I-140 was processed & we are now about to file I-485.
I understand that I-485 processing takes about 3-4 months & during that time we can not leave US.
However I am very concerned that during this time, in the event of an emergency with my mother's health, my travelling to UK will nullify our application. Is there no emergency visa/travel waiver whatsover?
(fyi: my O-1 expires March 2009)

thank you, ZS

[knowledgeable]

Advance parole ...

... AP is required to travel while I485 is in process.

[zsnyc]

... AP is required to travel while I485 is in process.

I understand this, thank you;
my question is:

while I am waiting for AP to come through (usually 90 days)
what can I do if my mother has an emergency?
can I get an emergency AP & travel without 'abandoning' my I-485 application?

[knowledgeable]

This is what ...

... I got from the I-131 filling instructions on the USCIS web site:


When mailing in this request, please notate the outside of the envelope with the word EXPEDITE. It is recommended that two pre-paid, self-addressed express mailers, e-mail addresses, and a fax number be provided with any expedite request for the Re-entry Permit or Refugee Travel Document. If the expedite request is granted and you provide prepaid, self-addressed express mailers, we will use the pre-paid mailers to send you the ASC appointment notice and travel document upon completion. If you do not provide pre-paid mailers, the appointment notice and travel document will be sent via regular mail.

[PraetorianXI]

I understand this, thank you;
my question is:

while I am waiting for AP to come through (usually 90 days)
what can I do if my mother has an emergency?
can I get an emergency AP & travel without 'abandoning' my I-485 application?

You can request (at your local USCIS office) for your AP application to be expedited (they send a request to the NBC) but, it is up to the NBC to accept it or not.

For the most part, you will have to wait those 60-90 days.