Advance Parole

Hello,

I wanted to start off by saying that if you are thinking of doing the advance parole or have applied for it but are unsure if it is worth it. DOOO IT AND GO. I cant stress enough that you should go and take this opportunity! If you waste this opportunity you will regret it!
I almost did not go myself since my family did not want me to go out of the country because of the fear of me not coming back. Thank fully i was able to read other peoples experience and see that it is 100% worth it. Reason i am typing my experience so hopefully people who don't want to go will go.

*Most of this experience is for Mexico city*
I filed my documents in December 2016 and my received date was 12/27/16. My Notice date was 4/25/17 , i finally received my I-979 Notice of action on 5/3/17
I later received my I-512L Parole document on 5/5/17. I do not recommend you book your flight until you see those documents since you can not leave the country until you have them. Since they get mailed separate it may take a few days after you receive your notice (3-6days). How do you know if you received the correct documents? The Parole documents will have your face on them.

My Trip. I planned to leave on 5/11/17 and return on 5/14/17. (vacation until 5/15/17)
*Tip: If you are taking vacation for this please make sure you take the day after your return day off. 1*You will need the rest and 2*If you miss your flight or delay a flight you have a back up day to get to work. *This happened to me*

PACKING! Pack Light , I do not recommend you take more than a backpack on this trip unless you ABSOLUTELY have to. You need to move quick and fast at the airport and not having to wait for luggage keeps you flexible for changes may it be because of the flight/TSA or Immigration.
Me and my boyfriend took a backpack Each. We did not bring anything besides 5 outfits/socks/underwear and a pair of sandals (also a toothbrush)

LEAVING! Green Bay Wi - Chicago - Mexico city. Our Flight was at 1pm, the TSA at greenbay was easy, showed my ticket, ID. Took off my shoes passed my backpack, PEW 10 minuets later i was waiting 40 mins for my flight.
At Chicago we had a 1 1/2 hour wait for the next plane. This was great because it took me 40 minuets to get trough the TSA (VERY BUSY PLACE). Again thankfully since we only had a back pack we took off our shoes, got patted down showed passport and done. PEW waited 30 minuets for the flight. Getting on you will need to show your passport/Ticket. (You will not be able to print your Tickets online you will need to go to the counter so prepare that in your timing)

Arriving! WELCOME TO MEXICO CITY!!! On the Plane they will give you a form to fill out, it will ask where you are going, how long you will stay, address you will stay at, if you are carrying over 10k cash.Please note if you are traveling with a U.S Citizen they will need to go in another line to check in. If you are a Mexican citizen you will just walk up show your passport and be on your way. (you will be asked to fill out that form BUT they don't really care)
I got there at night (9pm) and the traffic was HELLISH. DO NOT DRIVE IF POSSIBLE. I had my uncle pick me up but if you need a ride i recommend you pick a Uber, it is cheaper and safer than a taxi.

*Quick TIP* Exchange your money AT THE AIRPORT. Do not wait to exchange or pull money at a ATM in mexico. Counterfeiter money is a problem near the airport (specially 50$ bills).

WHAT TO DO! I got to see my grandmother in the mornings but since she had to do her Dialysis we had all afternoon to do things. Here is what i saw and what i recommend you see.
**Pyramids in Teotihuacán this place is hot. WEAR SUNSCREEN, also put on lotion if you chafe.. because you will chafe! Also a lot of street vendors so try not to buy everything**Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, this place is awesome! the buildings are amazing. **Palacio de Bellas Artes this is a huge place with a lot of vendors so again don't buy everything. **Monumento a la Revolución great place, you will need money. It is amazing but if you are afraid of heights i do not recommend this.
**El Zócalo I love this place, the history and beauty of this place reminds me how beautiful mexico is. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (this was done in 3 days)

QUICK TIPS! Carry your phone and wallet in your front pocket (do not bring your passport). Pick-picketers are real and they will take your stuff.
**CARRY TOILET PAPER** i don't care if its a roll or if you just shove some in your back pocket but most of these places DO NOT give you toilet paper in the bathroom OR charge you for a few squares. you have been warned.

PACKING!(again) I will not deny i bought some items in mexico, i bought a hand woven blanket and candy. The candy i bought was sealed in big factory bags. Please remember do not bring back anything that has Fruit,Vegies,animal products or dirt of any kind. If you are not sure do not pack it because at the TSA stop they will check your bag and if they believe its one of those things they will take you to a secondary room and this may take 10-30 mins depending. I bought a Lava rock and i was told i could go to a secondary room and try to claim it or abandon it. I saw the line of people and decided to leave my precious rock behind.
If you pack candy or stuff pack it on top of all your stuff so if they do pick your bag they can just look over it and call it a day.

QUICK TIPS! Wear comfortable shoes, standing sucks.

IMMIGRATION! Have your passport and documents at hand at all times. Again U.S citizens need to go trough one line and you will need to go trough a different line. Give them your documents and prepare to be taken to another room. (items i gave them with my wallet, My Drivers licence, Work Permit Card, my I-797 and both my copies of my I-512L, Passport, and SocialSecurity card).
My Mexico to Chicago flight was delayed so when i landed in Chicago i missed the last flight back home. Due to this i was Ready to wait for a longggg time in immigration. *Side note* if you are traveling with a U.S citizen please make sure they ask if they can go with you. My boyfriend was allowed to go because it was 8pm and there was only 1 other person in that room.
I was told to sit and they reviewed my items. I was mentally preparing myself for any questions they may ask, where i lived, what i did for work, why i was here with a guy, my favorite color i was nervous but READY! but it only took 5 minuets for them to come back out and tell me i could go. I was so confused that when i got up and got my documents i actually followed the officer because i thought he meant go with him. He turned around and told me go as in leave. It was awkward and i felt embarrassed but everything was fast and good. No question no nothing (maybe because it was late? unsure). I checked my passport and it was stamped and dated, they also handed me back the forms i gave them and they were stamped and sign, I heard sometimes they keep those forms , Again i don't really know but as long as the passport is stamped you are golden.

*QUICK TIPS* When you are with customs please know that they have the right to look at everything in your phone! If you have things that you do not feel comfortable with immigration looking over, deleted it. I deleted all the Txt messages my mother and lawyer sent me. I also deleted my outlook App and sighed out of any social media i had (plus deleted some pictures i did not want other people looking at).

SIDE TIPS!
*Before you leave make sure to call your bank. You will not be able to use your card unless you check in with them.
*If you want to use your phone without Wifi please make sure you check in with your cellphone provider and get a international SIMS card. This may take 1-3 days so check or else you will be only be able to use your phone in WIFI areas.

Last piece of advice, no matter what country you go to.
Enjoy yourself.
I saw my grandma and it may be the last time i ever see her, i enjoyed my time with her and all my family. I saw family that i haven't seen in 16 years and met new family i never knew i had. I saw my home country again as an adult and cried like a baby when i had to leave. Take the chance and be brave, the good that comes from this is more than a piece of paper with a stamp. It helps you remember who you are where you come from and that people outside of this place still care for you. I don't mean to be pushy since everyone has there own individual opinion and circumstances but i don't regret the decision i made and i feel 1000% times better in doing it.

Prepare, Plan and Enjoy.

-Good luck on your trip.