Educational AP Experience in France

Hello all,

I am back in the US after presenting at a conference in Paris and I'd like to share my experience since this community has made this entire thing possible for me.

I was EWI from Mexico at a young age and acquired about a year and a half of unlawful presence before DACA came out so was subject to the 10 year ban if I left without permission. I wrote a research paper and got it published in an international journal so was invited to speak at a conference in Paris. I had about 2 months notice so I was able to get a professor to write me an endorsement letter and gather all the paperwork I needed (did the paperwork myself). I did not request expedited. In my packet I had:

• Copy of Form I-131
• Copy of Form G-1145
• Copy of EAD Card
• Copy of Form I-797
• Copy of Prof Letter
• Print of Conference Website Pages
• 2 Passport pictures (name and A-number on back)
• $360 Check to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”

About a month later I received an RFE asking for a humanitarian reason to travel such as an ill family member and birth certificates to show connections to said family member. At this point I had about 3 weeks left until the conference and the school already bought me tickets so I was pretty pressed for time. What I missed in the original packet was a letter explaining the purpose of the travel which now seems obvious to include given all the different cases they get but it was not made clear in the instructions. Anyway I wrote a letter clearly explaining that I was applying for Educational purposes and signed the bottom stating it was all true. I attached my school transcript, had my professor also clearly state educational purposes, and explained that all I needed to travel to France was the AP document since they allow Mexican visitors without visas. I sent it in next day air early AM but you cannot do overnight to PO Box addresses so I sent it to another address that would reroute to the proper place. They received it the next day and sent the acceptance the following day. The online check status site said they sent me the documents I requested on the day I expected it to get there and then in the next day and even now it simply says they received my RFE. My guess is that they processed it really quickly! I'm not exactly sure when I received the documents because I was away for that week but when I got back the yellow envelope was there waiting in the mailbox. I had about a week left before the conference so there was time to book an airbnb and learn some french before the trip. I requested six days even though I was only staying for four but they gave me ten days. My girlfriend, a USC, also came along so we could have our first international trip and to keep me safe of course.

Leaving the country was the easiest part. I simply showed them my passport and they let me through like any other domestic flight. They asked me what my purpose for leaving was and I told them to present work for my school at a conference. The border patrol getting into France at CDG airport was very easy as well since they didn't even look at me and just stamped my passport.

We had some time to relax and sight-see before the conference so we went to all the famous monuments and museums and took pictures. Spent some time in the Louve, Notre Dame, and Eiffel Tower and on tour buses around the city. We had a good time and weren't really worried about not being able to return. We took some pictures at the conference of me speaking just in case they needed more evidence but we tried our best to not let that affect our enjoyment of the city and the experience we get to have together abroad.

Getting back in at the CDG airport was a little strange because the people there had no idea about my situation (and the french aren't the best english speakers/readers). I showed them my passport and they asked if I had a green card or a visa and I told them I had a special travel document. I gave it to the agent but they wanted to verify with their supervisor who spent some time reading it over. The agent then asked me if they needed to stamp anything and I told them they would stamp it in the states. The agent then asked the regular questions of what I was doing there, how many days I stayed, where did I stay, if anyone gave me anything or if I have liquids, share things, food in my bags. They let me through, I printed my boarding pass, and got ready for the 7 hour flight back.

On the way back to the PHL airport there were two lines one for USCs and PRs, and the other for visitors. We went in the USC/PR line but we only saw automated machines that scan your passport so we had to go to the visitor line. When I went up to the agent I gave them my passport, EAD, and AP documents. The agent asked what my purpose for leaving was and if I was OTP. I told the agent I wasn't sure what OTP was and the agent asked if I was waiting on a green card. I told the agent yes and the agent took my fingerprints and sent me to secondary inspection to get my documents stamped. The agent put my documents inside a folder and told me to give it to the people in secondary inspection.

Inside the secondary inspection room, there were a couple of people waiting to be called up for further questioning. My girlfriend had to wait outside because it was pretty packed so I told her not to worry and that it should only take about half an hour. Basically they call you up in order and ask you questions specific to your case to ensure that you aren't a threat to society. There was this teacher from overseas that was going to teach some kids and the officer was very keen on making sure that the teacher had a plan put together to verify that the teacher was actually a teacher. There was this couple that was trying to adjust status but the officer asked them individually what their marriage date was and they gave different answers so the officer gave them a hard time, like a really hard time. Then I figured out that OTP means one time parole for the purposes of AOS. Anyway they called me up and the officer looked very confused. The officer asked if I was on a VISA or anything like that and I said all I had was DACA. Officer acknowledged with an "ah dreamer" then asked what the purpose of my trip was. Then asked me to sit down and went up to the supervisor who proceeded to explain how to fill out the form. Was called back a minute later and asked how old I was when I was brought to the states, where I was brought in, and if my parents are still here. Officer stamped both my AP documents kept one gave me the other and also stamped my passport with the same stamp for the purposes of AOS. Officer told me it was valid for a year and let me go.

Left the airport called my parents to let them know the good news and then back at school catching up to the work I missed. Cleared my EWI so next step is AOS through marriage! It's been a journey so I'll be glad to help if you have any questions for me.

thats amazing! thank you for sharing your experience !!!

Shit like this makes me so happy but so incredibly jealous at the same time. Good luck!

This was an awesome read. Thanks for giving me hope. Im about to apply for AP for family visit to see my ailing Grandmother... I actually didn't think about it, but i still may have to prove family ties to my grandmother even in addition to the letter i have from overseas... anybody thats ever done that kinda AP, please chime in on what other proofs i should include other than the medical letter

I sent my Birth Certificate, my dads and my grandmother's.

thank you for sharing. I am about to apply soon and I am so nervous. I am so scared. What did you say when they asked about your parents? I came when I was 14 and my parents still live in the US but they are not legal.

I told them the truth that they are still living in the states. Those questions were more for their own curiosity than for an accept/deny decision since they already stamped it when they talked to their supervisor. To get rid of the nervousness you should think about the risks and have plans for resolving any issues. I had a bunch of paperwork handy incase they didn't believe any part of my story and I also had a school lawyer on call in case things turned sour. I didn't know for certain that they would let me back in but I took the chance since I figure the school fighting for my return would be more persuasive than any of my other AP options later in life. Lots of others have reported success so that also convinced me to do it sooner before laws change.

I am applying soon as well just waiting for a few documents. I want to do it myself without a lawyer but I am so scared to mess it up. I did my DACA on my own and it worked out fine but this seems much scarier.

I apologize if these questions sound stupid but I just want to be sure.

For question 6, Class of admission what should I answer? Is it the type of passport/visa I have?

I am from Brazil and I only have my passport no visa anymore. I plan to travel to Europe and Brazilians don't need a Visa to travel through Europe.

Also for part 2: Application Type

I believe the correct answer should be 1d. "I am applying for AP to allow me to return to the US after temporary foreign travel.

For part 3: Date of intended departure.
My trip will be between 3-5 days. I don't have the exact answer because it will depend on my job. Also the travel date might differ a few days. Does that have to be 100% accurate?

I will be leaving most likely on 1/18/2016, 1/19/2016 or 1/20/2016 but I don't have the exact one.

And then for question part 5: Since you became a permanent resident of the US, have you filed a federal income tax return as a non resident or failed to file federal income ta return because you considered yourself to be a nonresident.

I'm not sure what to answer here. I've been here for 16 years, got my DACA in 2012 but ever since I started working I always paid my taxes. Now with my social and before with a tax id. What do I answer for this question?

I really appreciate the help.

Thank you!