Congratulations on receiving approval for your Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Advance Parole! This is a significant milestone, allowing you the opportunity to travel outside of the United States for humanitarian, educational, or employment reasons, and then re-enter. To ensure that you are fully prepared for this exciting yet critical venture, here is an expanded guide on the essential things you should know, along with a comprehensive checklist of items to bring with you.
Advance Parole Traveling Tips
- You are guaranteed to return to the U.S. on your approved Advance Parole as long as your DACA is current, you have a current foreign unexpired passport, and you return before the Advance Parole expires. Have so much fun on this trip!! If you let your DACA expire or you think that you can return to the U.S. after the expiration of the Advance Parole document, you will NOT be permitted back to the U.S. on that document. You can seek Humanitarian parole, but that is hard to get approved.
- Even if you have a prior removal order or a criminal record, you will be permitted to return to the U.S. The Customs and Border Patrol officer (CBP) does not have the grounds to refuse you to return to the U.S. based on these things unless they believe that you are a risk to U.S. national security. That is VERY rare and I am sure that this does not apply to you as you are not a risk to U.S. national security!
- You do NOT have to do the thing or visit the person that you based your Advance Parole on. The CBP does not even ask you that question. For example, if you were going to visit a family member but did not actually visit the family member, that is still completely fine. You do not have to stay a long time outside of the U.S. You can even go for a day!
- Bring your foreign passport, your DACA (I-821D approval notice), the Employment Authorization (EAD) or “work permit”, and the original Advance Parole Document with your photo on it. Make a copy of these documents and give them to someone else that you might be traveling with or to a friend at home. Just on the safe side.
- You can return in a car, in a plane or on foot. Just remember, the most important thing is that you present yourself to a CBP officer with the documents and get your Advance Parole document stamped.
- You are entitled to have your stamped Advance Parole returned to you. You need that to prove your parole into the U.S.
- Return on or before the date your Advance Parole is expiring. Do NOT cut it close. Emergencies happen, flight delays happen, life happens.
- If you are flying, arrive at the airport earlier than when you planned. Add another hour for any expected delays when you are checking in and the ticket agent has to review your documents and make sure that they have the required documents to give you the boarding pass.
- Yes, you can travel to another country even if it is not your mother country while you are out of the U.S. on advance parole as long as you have a right to go to that country or have a visa to that country. For example, if you are going to Mexico, and you want to travel to Guatemala, you can do that, and then return to the U.S. Just make sure that you have a right to go to that country also.
- Consult with an immigration attorney after you return to determine if you can now apply for your lawful permanent residency (LPR). This could be your golden opportunity.
Familia America Can Help Answer Any Questions You May Have
Navigating the complexities of DACA Advance Parole can seem daunting, but you're not alone. Familia America is here to guide you every step of the way. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to providing personalized support tailored to your unique situation. Whether you have questions about your upcoming travel, or you're looking to understand the options for lawful permanent residency upon your return, we're here to help. Don't hesitate to reach out to us for a consultation. Together, we can make your dreams of exploration and legal residency a reality. Start your journey towards a brighter future with Familia America. Contact us today.
