Back to the US with AP

Hello my fellow dreamers!

I had not had a chance to share my AP story with everyone. I know that it is always beneficial to hear from someone else that is going through the same thing you are. This forum has helped me so much.

First of all I decided to apply for AP after I saw no hope in CIR to be approved. I have a very sick grandma back in my home country and I thought that it was worth the risk and money.

So after much thinking and reading about other peoples' experience I applied for AP on 1/8/14. I sent a doctors note that I got from the doctor that is treating my grandma In Honduras. I sent information of her relationship with me ( both our birth certificates). I also included in my personal statement the fact that my dad passed away while I was living here and I never got to see him again. I requested a multiple entry parole because I need to finalize some legal things from my fathers' inheritance.

I asked for an expedited parole. Wrote it all over the applications. When I called USCIS to check on the status of app I found out it had not been considered as an expedited app. I went ahead and requested them to expedite it over the phone.

On Feburay 14 I was approved and a AP document was sent to me. I can not explain with words the emotions I felt at that moment. I was given advance parole for the period of a month (USCIS did not grant me multiple entries). I had to go ahead and buy the tickets just a week in advance from my date of travel. My employer knew about my plan to travel so luckily I did not have any issues with that.

I was back in Honduras for 17 days. I had not been back home in 10 years. I had forgotten how much family I really had. I was so happy that I was able to see them all.

When I left the US what amazed me the most was that no one asked me a thing about my advance parole. Since we live our daily lives with the idea we can not leave this country we forget how easy it really is to leave it. No one asked me anything. I was so nervous, 10 years without leaving this country is a long long time. I made a stop at El Salvador for about an hour. I was already super emotional there. Then it took about 20 mins to get to Honduras. I could not believe I was back in Honduras after so long. My heart was filled with so many emotions.

When arriving there I got to use the CITIZENS LINE, HA!

I had an amazing experience in Honduras, got to see most of my family and most importantly I got to see my grandma.

After some very short 17 days it was time to go back to the US. When checking-in in Honduras they looked over my AP made sure I was still within the time frame allowed and then had no problem. They checked my AP again when boarding the plane. I arrived at the IAD airport on what appeared one of the last flights of the day. I arrived at around 1 am. The airport was pretty empty. I went on the non citizens line this time. I went to the officer where I presented my AP. He asked me if I had any food, I said I brought cookies. I swear all of this took only about 3 mins. A picture was taken of me. I was so amazed, how could that be it?

I asked one of the people who help there how come my AP was not stamped. I was advised I would go onto a second inspection. I went to another room where there were about 10 of us. Presented my AP docs and starred at them until someone was looking over them. They called my name and advised me I was free to go.
NOT EVEN ONE QUESTION ASKED. I know that some people might not be religious but my AP experience was so smooth from beginning to end that I know God was by my side. Also the prayers from my grandma and family helped a lot.

I was back to reality after some awesome 17 days. It was worth it for me. I had an amazing time back in Honduras and I can not wait for the day that I can travel the world without any fear of any sort. Being in Honduras and seeing how much poverty there is made me think about how blessed I am. I am glad I can live in this country where I feel mostly safe. I am extremely thankful and grateful for the opportunity to see my grandma again. I also would like to mention. That although I was happy I was sad at the same time. 10 years is a long time. My grandma is so different from 10 years ago and so are many of my aunts and uncles. The worst feeling for me was knowing that my mom can not go to Honduras and see my grandma.

I hope my AP experience helps some of you dreamers. Life is about taking risks sometimes. I was tired of feeling "trapped" and if this opportunity was opened to me why not take it.

I'm so happy for you! I haven't been to Mexico since I was 7, I'm 22 now. I can imagine the emotions you must have felt. I'm planning on going to so my question is what did the doctors note include ? And did u get it translates? And what is multiple entry parole.

That settles it - I'm buying my plane tickets for 3 weeks today (already have the AP).

Thank you so much for sharing.

Awesome.

Awww that's great! I'm glad you got to go back and visit your home country also for you to see your grandmother and other family you have there I'm sure it was awesome!

I'm glad everything went OK for you! Btw you really communicate yourself well in writing. You've got a talent.

Thank you that is so very kind of you to say.

The doctors note include my grandmothers condition and it specified that her medical situation as critical. My US citizen cousin and I translated letter and she signed off stating that she has translated the med letter. BTW it was not a random letter. It came in official paper that can only be purchased by doctors that are registered.

If you look online and even of this forum there are multiple of forums and websites that help you with applications like this one.

I know how you feel! I was the same. So many emotions seeing my aunts and cousins after 13 long years. It was great I had fun. The cities I went to Mexico felt a lot to cities in the USA though. I can't wait to go back again without a problem. I want to apply again, this time I want to see my father. My pride won over me and couldn't forget that he left us when we were little, we had a good economic life with him. After he left my mom decided to come here. I'm going to forgive him this time.

It is important to forgive. I would give all my life to have one more day with my day. I know it must be hard to forgive but it is an important part pf growing up.