ADVANCE PAROLE

Please note that the advance parole program under DACA has been suspended. ISCIS will no longer approve advance parole requests associated with DACA.

How To Obtain Travel Documents

From a Dreamer, an Immigration Form Provider, an Immigration Resource Center and the U.S. Government

Requirements of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

For the official government travel document, filing instructions, fee and other needed information, visit www.uscis.gov/i-131.

To ensure your Form I-131 is accepted for processing:

• Fill out the form completely and accurately

• Sign the form.

• Pay the correct filing fee.

• Read our Lockbox Filing Tips.

• To receive an e-Notification when your Form I-131 has been accepted, complete Form G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance and clip it to the front of your application.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: You cannot apply for advance parole while your request for deferred action is still pending. If you leave the United States while your request for consideration of deferred action is pending, your deferred action request will be denied.

Once USCIS approves your request for consideration of deferred action, you may file Form I-131 to request advance parole to travel outside of the United States. If you travel outside the United States without first receiving advance parole, USCIS will automatically terminate your deferred action. You must submit Form I-131 with specific documentation depending on the agency that deferred action in your case. If USCIS deferred action in your case, submit a copy of your Form I-797, Notice of Action. If U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deferred action in your case, submit a copy of the ICE order, notice, or letter. USCIS will only grant advance parole if your travel abroad will be for educational, employment, or humanitarian purposes. You must indicate the purpose on the Form I-131 as described below:

• Educational purposes, such as semester abroad programs or academic research;

• Employment purposes, such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, training, or meetings with clients; or

• Humanitarian purposes, such as travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative.

Travel for vacation is not a valid purpose.

You may not file Form I-131 online. Please check the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131 for information on where to mail your application.

For additional information about travel outside the United States and filing for advance parole, read Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals: Travel Documents

Regarding all queries, go to www.uscis.gov for more information about USCIS and its programs, including forms, filing instructions and fees.  Applicants with additional questions can call USCIS Customer Service at (800) 375-5283 or use the InfoPass system on the website to make an appointment at their local USCIS office.

Immigration Forms Provider

Traveling with DACA

If you are granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), you are generally free to travel within the United States. However, it is always wise to be aware (and even avoid) if traveling in states that do not support DACA. When traveling, you should always carry the following identification:

• A copy of your I-821D approval notice (DACA)

• Your Employment Authorization Card (work permit)

• A state ID/driver’s license (if available) or passport

In general, you should avoid traveling abroad with DACA. If you must travel outside the U.S., you will first need to obtain permission in the form of an Advance Parole document. Here’s how:

Step 1:

Understand the Guidelines for Traveling Abroad with DACA

After you have been granted DACA, you may apply for Advance Parole for one of the following purposes:

• Educational: such as semester abroad programs or academic research

• Employment: such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, training, or meetings with clients

• Humanitarian: such as travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit an ailing relative

It is also important to understand that Advance Parole will only be provided for the dates requested. So plan for travel delays. Your Advance Parole document must still be valid when you re-enter.

Step 2:

Contact an Experienced Immigration Attorney

You should always consult with an experienced immigration attorney before traveling abroad with DACA. Depending on your situation, there could be serious risks associated with traveling abroad. You can get help finding an attorney here.

Step 3:

Prepare and File Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

After a short consultation with your attorney, you may even be able to request Advance Parole on your own. Prepare and file an Application for Advance Parole (Form I-131). Be sure to include a letter that reinforces your request. For example, if you are traveling for work purposes, have your employer write a letter stating why it is necessary for you to make the trip.

Source: https://citizenpath.com/traveling-daca/

Dreamer Tells Her DACA Travel Story

Traveling abroad with DACA: Iliana’s experience, advice, and timeline!

Iliana was born in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. in 1995 with her parents and brother on Tourist Visas (which expired a few years after). She grew up in Turlock, CA. Iliana and her brother navigated the educational system being undocumented until the signing of DACA in 2012. She attended Turlock High School and graduated from CSU-Fresno in 2009 with a degree in Mathematics. She is currently a 4^th year doctoral student at Claremont Graduate University pursuing a M.A. in Economics and Ph.D. in Education. She has been an advocate for immigrant rights, providing information and assistance to undocumented students interested in pursuing higher education.

Iliana recently traveled to Mexico with advance parole under educational purposes. She is part of a research team evaluating a privately provided, affordable comprehensive schooling model for poor families in Mexico City. She applied for advance parole to be in Mexico from July 12-26 and was approved to be there until August 19, 2015.

Iliana’s timeline:

• Submitted Advance Parole application: May 18, 2015
• USCIS received my application: May 19, 2015
• AP approved: July 5, 2015
• Traveled to Mexico: July 11, 2015
• Returned to US: July 29, 2015

Advice from Iliana:

Did you seek legal counsel for your AP application? Why or why not?

I did not seek legal counsel for my AP application because the application was easy enough for me to do on my own. I did however, request advice from a friend who previously applied.

What is one piece of advice you have for DACA recipients who are thinking of applying for Advance Parole?

Make sure you have all your paperwork up to date (DACA, passport, driver’s license, IDs, etc.). My Mexican passport (issued in the US) was expired when I traveled so I had a difficult time leaving the country (the irony!). I thought I only needed the AP document to travel, but you have to have a valid passport to travel outside the country, otherwise they will not let you out (again, the irony!). I was lucky that they let me travel with my expired passport. I missed my original flight and ended up waiting in the airport most of the day due to other airline issues.

I renewed my Mexican passport in Mexico, but it was a very complicated process. My aunt helped me get copies of my birth certificate and an appointment at La Oficina de Relaciones Exteriores in Pachuca ahead of time. However, once there, they wouldn’t accept my Mexican passport (filed in the US) because it was not filed in Mexico. They wanted a Mexican ID, which I obviously didn’t have. I explained that I hadn’t been in Mexico for 20 years and that I was undocumented, therefore couldn’t apply for a US passport. They then asked for the last passport I filed in Mexico, which I had, but it was obviously expired and cancelled so they did not accept that one either. After six hours of going back and forth and waiting in several lines they finally accepted my Mexican passport (the one issued in the US) and was given my new passport that same day. I also applied for the IFE card (Mexican electorate ID card) for future needs. That process only took about 30 minutes, but it takes about 3 weeks for the card to arrive. I explained I would be out of the country and arranged for my aunt to pick up the card and mail it to me. I panicked for a split second from the thought of having to apply for a Mexican ID and not being able to return to the US in time. Luckily everything worked out, but I highly recommend having all documents up to date before leaving.

Iliana’s experience:

What was one of the highlights from your trip abroad?

I had a wonderful time in Mexico and got the opportunity to travel to several states. I spent the first week in Mexico City and nearby towns. I visited most of the major tourist points including El Angel de la Independencia, La Catedral, El Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes, Chapultepec, Museo De Antropologia, La Basilica de Guadalupe, Museo de Frida (Casa Azul) and Xochimilco. The next week I went to my home state, Hidalgo (about 1.5 hours away from Mexico City on car), where I saw family I hadn’t seen in 20 years! I stayed with family in Pachuca, celebrated my great-grandmother’s 101^st birthday in Omitlan and visited some beautiful pinturesque towns including Real Del Monte and Huasca. We also visited Teotihuacan (about 30 mins away from Pachuca on car) and did a mini road trip to Veracruz (about 5 hours away from Pachuca on car). I had one of the best meals of my life at Mariscos Toño Bayon in Boca del Rio, Veracruz, a small, family-owned restaurant in the middle of a neighborhood, outside of the main strip… seriously, a must try! The last week consisted of visiting several states on bus. The first stop was Puebla (about 2 hours from Mexico City on bus), which had beautiful architecture, talavera and delicious food (I recommend the Chiles en Nogada and the mole).

I stayed at the Quinta Real Hotel, a lovely and elegant hotel, walking distance to the main plaza. The next stop was Oaxaca (the city is about 4 hours away from Puebla), land of warm water beaches, beautiful architecture, textiles, embroidery, jewelry, moles, mezcal and so much more. The Guelaguetza was going on that week so there were festivals all over the place, but limited hotel availability (plan early if you go this time of year). I stayed at Casa Carlota, a charming B&B style hotel, a few blocks away from the main plaza, which I highly recommend! The next stop was Puerto Escondido (about 5 hours away from Oaxaca City on bus), which looked like paradise. I stayed at Aldea del Bazar, another wonderful hotel, walking distance to a semi-private beach. This day consisted of total relaxation at the Club de Playa, Coco’s. The last stop was to Huatulco (about 2 hours away from Puerto Escondido on bus), which comprises nine bays and 36 beaches. I stayed at Hotel Fandango located in Punta Santa Cruz, with great views of the Bay and a stroll down to a private beach. The last day was spent going on boat ride along the nearby bays and beaches, where I snorkeled for the first time, so much fun! That same day I headed to the airport to return to the US.

The return was hassle-free. I flew out of Huatulco, there they asked for my passport and documentation to enter the US. I showed the attendant the AP document and explained what it was. The flight attendant had never heard of DACA or AP, but they let me through with no issues. In Mexico City (the layover) they asked for the same documents (passport and AP document) to board the plane, no questions were asked. Once in the US (at LAX), I waited in the “Visitors” line for about 45 minutes. The attendant asked for my AP document and was completely familiar with it. They took my picture and fingerprints (standard procedure for everyone) and sent me to a separate waiting room to wait for the AP document to be stamped. I probably waited about 20 minutes before they handed me my copy of the stamped AP document, no questions asked.

I hope my experience sheds light on the AP process. I am happy to answer questions about the process and/or my trip. Good luck to everyone!

Source: https://mydocumentedlife.org/2015/08/26/traveling-abroad-with-daca-ilianas-experience-advice-and-timeline/

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Travel for DACA Applicants (Advance Parole)

WARNINGS!

1. DACA applicants may not travel outside the United States until after their DACA request has been approved.

2. DACA applicants or recipients who travel outside the U.S. without being granted approval for travel will lose their DACA status.

3. You will be inspected at the border when you return, and there is always a possibility that you could be denied entry, even if the government granted you permission to travel.

How can I travel after I receive DACA?

• DACA recipients can apply for permission to travel called “Advance Parole”

• Advance Parole is an application to USCIS to allow an immigrant to travel outside the United States and return lawfully.

Benefits:

• Ability to travel abroad and return

• Opportunities to study or work abroad and visit elderly or sick relatives

Disadvantages:

• Risky! Some DACA recipients could get stuck outside the U.S.

• Approved reasons for travel are limited

• Time for travel is limited

• Costs $575 to apply

Who can apply?

USCIS will only approve travel (“advance parole”) for DACA recipients who demonstrate that their need for travel is for “humanitarian, education, or employment” purposes.*

Humanitarian:

For example: travel to obtain medical treatment, attend funeral services for a family member, or visit a sick or elderly relative.

Educational:

For example: semester abroad programs or academic research

Employment:

For example: overseas assignments, interviews, conferences, training, or meetings for work

If you have received DACA and wish to travel for one of these purposes, contact an immigration lawyer for more advice!

*Immigrants with other status may be eligible for advance parole outside these restricted purposes. They would use the same forms and follow generally the same process, but would not have to prove that their travel is for humanitarian, educational, or employment purposes.

 ©2015 Immigrant Legal Resource Center  

How to Travel Safely with Advance Parole:

1. Consult with an immigration attorney before leaving the country!

2. DO NOT miss the deadline for returning listed in your Advance Parole approval notice.

3. Leave extra time for your return to accommodate any unexpected travel delays.

4. Bring your Advance Parole approval notice and DACA approval notice with you.

5. Leave copies of your approval notices with a close relative or representative in the U.S.

6. Keep a list of emergency contacts with you.

 ©2015 Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Source: http://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/documents/advance_parole_guide.pdf