STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

shopgirl82 · Chanel

Can Non-U.S. citizens go to mexico?

luckylily · Gucci

The problem isn't with getting into another country, it is getting back into the U.S.

When my husband was getting his Green Card he couldn't travel outside the U.S. He had to stay here until his GC was approved. If he travelled outsite the U.S. during that time, U.S. customs would not have let him back in to the country.

I know our situations are different and getting a GC is different from obtaining citizenship, but I'd be very careful about leaving the U.S. while his paperwork is being processed. It's such a pain to get all that paperwork done, I'd hate to see it get messed up after you've gotten so far.

Alikat · Kate Spade

I agree with luckylily, I'd take great care before planning a trip to Mexico.

I would have him check with INS before leaving the country because they might just ask for a passport, and if he can't get back in that would be a real mess. Plus the INS would be pissed that he left the country when he wasn't supposed to.

dc · Dooney & Bourke

I really would not risk it in the current climate. Please don't - if it goes wrong or there's some misunderstanding and he messes up his chance for a GC, you'll hate yourselves. Wait just a little while, then go. In the long view, it's worth it just to be patient.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

yeah, thanks for everyone's advice...it's not like we were going to go and risk anything. i just couldn't remember if non-u.s citizens could go or not.

it just sucks because problems with "getting back into the country" makes him sound like this horrible criminal or something. he has lived here for over 12 years, paid taxes, never even gotten a speeding ticket. the system is just sooo slow. and not only that, is he is getting his citizenship through his company, so he has to stay with them until he gets it (and they know that, so they work him soo hard). he makes super good money, but he's better off somewhere else.

aghhh. sorry about the rant. i'm just frustrated because i'm tired of not being about to travel abroad with him.

honey · Gucci

i just sent you a pm, but i remembered something that i didn't include in the pm. if he's getting his citizenship, not his green card, then he's not necessarily obligated by law to stay with the employer. in order to become a citizen he would need to have his green card first, and have it for a certain amount of time. if he already has his green card then he's authorized to work for anyone he wants to. he doesn't have to stay with the employer who sponsored him. i'm not sure what you're exact scenario is, but i work on employment based immigration and we advise clients to stay with their sponsor employer for 6 months after receiving their green card just to avoid any semblance of impropriety, but legally after he gets his green card he can work for whoever he wants. so he doesn't have to stay with an employer who treats him poorly. anyway, just pm me if you want more info.