Advance Parole - Rejection Notice - HELP!

Hello everyone,

In late February 2013, I sent an application for advance parole to study abroad in Germany from Aug 2013 to February 2013.

In addition to Forms G-1145 and I-131, a copy of I-821D and I-765 approvals, a copy of my EAD card, social security card, passport identification page, 2 passport-sized photos, and money order of $360 from M&T Bank made payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security, I sent in the following supporting evidence:

A letter explaining my educational reason for requesting advance parole, provisional acceptance letter from the university's faculty director of the exchange program, the study abroad program brochure, and a copy of my student page showing that I am a political science and German double major. In short, my application was complete and I did everything correctly.

The only possible mistake I made was on "Part 8: Signature", I wrote my signature and signed the date as my birthday instead of the date I signed. A day after sending in application, I realized this and immediately sent the same application with the corrected signature date, along with a very detailed letter of when I sent in my application and my sincere apologies for the inconvenience. *I don't think this is the problem but including it to explain my full story*

I received a rejection notice in the mail yesterday with the following reason:

"The check amount is incorrect, or has not been provided. Please review the Form Instructions for fee information. Please resubmit the application/petition package with the appropriate fees to the address listed on the bottom of this page."

On the I-131 Instruction form, it says:
"The fee for advance parole or a Reentry Permit is
$360"
"No biometric fee is required for advance parole applicants"

As a DACA applicant, I already did biometrics regardless, and I wrote a money order for $360, as stated in the application instruction form. All paper I sent was returned to me, including the second application with corrected signature (the letter I sent with it was highlighted and since it came together, I assume this isn't the problem). However, I did not get my $360 fee back, which I'm supposed to get as well.

I called USCIS Customer Service twice for an hour, and they told me I should have received my fee. They also said the best thing I could do is make an appointment at a local USCIS office to discuss the matter, but how effective will this be? My German professor went above and beyond to extend the finalization deadline to June 1 given my situation. I'm crushed and if they're saying the fee was the problem (and I clearly sent in the money), what did I do wrong? What do I do from here? Please help & I am sorry this is so long

Ouch, that sucks.

Maybe someone at the USCIS office can make some phone calls to the Service Center where you sent your application and they can get some information on what happened to your money.

from what i read in the instructions any applicant between the ages of 14 and 79 must submit the $85 for biometrics regardless of having before it again. thus making the total for AP $445 and not $360.

That's for a re-entry permit (Application Type A) If you scroll down, you will see Advance Parole - Type D for approved I-821D applicants. The Biometrics fee is $0.

The issue here wasn't the amount of money the applicant sent, the issue is that USCIS said the money was "not provided" and when they returned his application to him he didn't get his money order back.


OP, do you have the receipt for the Money Order? I would make an appointment with a USCIS office and show them the receipt.

I have the receipt for the money order, and I made an appointment to speak with an immigration officer for next Monday (the earliest time possible). Thanks for the help! I really hope it works out.

Should've paid with a check. You could have proved that the check was processed easily.

If I were you I would check with the bank that issued the money order whether or not it has been cleared before you go to your immigration appt. Good luck!

I think it will be resolved by contacting them and telling them what happened. Post back when you resolve this, I am also interested in visiting Germany.