Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

DACA Recipient

Illegal immigrant to Green Card Holder

Dec. 19, 2004- Crossed the Mexico-USA border with a coyote #Illegally (9 years old)

Sept. 9, 2012- Became a DACA recipient #ThanksObama

Dec. 24, 2013- Became engaged to USC
Dec. 4, 2014- Married USC #iloveyouAlex

During March 2015 My husband and I spoke to several immigration lawyers but they all told me I was not able to file for a green card with-in US borders because of my illegal entry, back in 2004. So I had to travel to my native country, Honduras, to do so. I did not like the idea because I was afraid it could be denied and I would never be able to come back into the USA. Also, we had a 3 month old baby.

My lawyer recommended to travel with my Daca and Advance parole. Entry into the USA with AP&DACA is not guaranteed so I was uneasy about traveling. She said I wouldn't have any issues being paroled back in because I wasn't a criminal or a threat to the community.

July 3 2015- Husband filed I-130(Family Petition)

Nov. 8, 2015- Filed I-131(Advance Parole) for family reasons, my brother was having back surgery.
Dec. 2, 2015- Received I-131 Approval Letter.

I-131 was granted (Dec. 15, 2015-Jan. 2, 2016)

Dec. 18, 2015- Traveled to Honduras with DACA AND Advance parole.

Dec. 26, 2015- Came back to Miami Fl. from our week long trip. I gave the officer my IDs, passport, advance parole letters, and my DACA.
My husband and I were taken into a little room, others were also waiting. It took almost 30 minutes, we weren't asked anything. Another officer called my named, stamped my AP and said have a nice day.
I was so relieved.

Feb. 23, 2016- Mailed out I-485, I-765, I-131

Mar. 1, 2016- I received receipt letters for all three applications.

Mar. 15 , 2016- Received Fingerprint appointment letter.

Apr. 3- Got fingerprints done at the USCIS (Miami Field Office)

May 4, 2016- Received I-765 and I-131. (Employment and AP card) while I-485 interview is pending.

Oct. 13 interview scheduled for nov. 16, 2016
Oct. 17 interview cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances"- probably the elections.

Oct.25 interview rescheduled for Dec. 13 in Miami Dade USCIS offices.

Dec. 13- my husband, the kids and I all went to the interview with my lawyer. The officer called us in for the interview but gladly it wasn't much of an interview. He asked me to raise my right hand and swear not to lie etc. he reviewed all of my documents and started talking about his family. I was a little nervous but he was super kind and made me feel comfortable. I was lucky to get such a nice officer, I guess. He said "your green card application has been approved, it should arrive in 2 to 6 weeks". We were stoked! We cheered said thank you and hugged. I wanted to cry. He didn't even ask me one question. Maybe because there was no doubt out marriage was a set up.

I received my card right before Christmas 2016 which is also my birthday and I just cried. All of my life i never thought this moment would come. It took a lot of hard work and money but it happened.

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Awesome, must feel amazing to finally be a PR.

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Must be nice

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Congrats! The application seemed to have taken some time, but the end result was worth it I imagine.

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Thank you for sharing this with us!

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Congrats!

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Damn. I'm tearing up as I'm reading this. Congrats!

So you waited to file your I-485 after you came back from your AP, right? Cause I feel like people usually file it pretty soon after the I-130.

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

Congrats now you don't have to worry like we will these upcoming days.
This was exactly my plan but a deportation order stopped me from doing AP. Also EWI.

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

I want to do the same. I'm pending with my daca but I'm getting married anyways. My girlfriend is US citizen and I had a tourist visa expired in 2012 but i never left to mexico. You think once i get married i can apply right away?

Re: Illegal immigrant-DACA- to green card holder
 

I applied right away. Almost 2-3 weeks after marriage. I've received my receipts so far and just waiting for my fingerprint appointment. If you can, try to get the shots and evidence needed for the application and your USCIS Physical.