6 months 7 days absence...

[Kudla]

Last year, I came into US with 8+ months of stay outside, and the CBP officer just asked me for the reason of stay and waved me in. You should have a good enough reason for your stay outside US for 6+ months. It also depends on officer to officer. There is NO clear cut answer to these questions. Some may NOT even ask you anything, and some will probe further. If it's your day, you will be waved in, without much ado.

[auditorpnine]

Kudla, got it.
but if the cbp decides otherwise, is there a provision that i can be deported from jfk itself.

[Mike E]

is it true:
if absence is 6+ months & flying etihad, immigration can -deny usa entry/ask to return- at abu-dhabi itself.

Yes at pre-clearance ports of entry, you can be denied boarding.

[Mike E]

Kudla, got it.
but if the cbp decides otherwise, is there a provision that i can be deported from jfk itself.

If you sign I-407, yes:

Otherwise, no.

[Mike E]

2.could the officer deny me entry/deport

no

[auditorpnine]

@ mike e
you mean, if the cbp insists i can plainly deny to sign i-407 & that cbp will HAVE to acquiesce and i can EXIT the airport.
will i be then treated as ANY regular lpr.
[ during the prev 5 yrs : not employed, no usa income, not filed returns with irs, not rented residence(living at inlaws) ]


also, if they decide to make me appear in front of an immigration judge:
-can i deny that too.
-if HAVE to appear, typically in how many days/where.
-can the judge then have the power/authority to revoke my gc. (i know the reply, but...)

[rnsceb3]

auditorpnine I stayed 18 months abroad and when re-entering, they let me in although I did have to go through a second check but it went well. The first office took me to the back office after asking me several questions and the second officer in the said office asked me one question which was the reason for my long absence and I explained I lost my father and he was super empathetic and let me go.

The best advice I got and that I apply to this day was given to me by an American dude who helped me apply for college 15 years ago: Just be honest with authorities and in life in general, no matter what you think is gonna happen. It's amazing how it simplifies your life.