YouTube influencer and DACA recipient David Dobrik left the United States for the 1st time since entering at age 6 to travel to Europe a few months ago – and can’t reenter. Early in September Dobrik took his friends and Discover+ film crew to his native Slovakia on a European travel adventure for his 18 million followers – and while traveling discovered because his Green Card has not yet arrived in the mail, he cannot reenter the United States.
DACA is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy initiated by the Obama administration which allows children of undocumented immigrants to live in the US and avoid deportation. Currently, it can take months if not years to receive Green Card approval. And once approved, the current backlog to receive your Green Card in the mail after approval can take weeks or even months.
On September, 22, Dobrik posted to his Instagram story:
“Hi guys, sorry I haven’t been too active on social media. Everyone went back home because this is taking way longer and it’s a lot harder than I thought it was getting my visa and green card.”
Chicago immigration attorney Mario Godoy advised immigrants without proper documentation should not leave the country, even for emergencies if they expect to return:
“If your Green Card or visa is expired, or you’re waiting for immigration approval, you should not leave the United States. It’s likely you will not be allowed to reenter. If you have a family emergency and have to leave, you must understand that you probably cannot return to the United States until you have approval – which could take a long time. If you are leaving the U.S. for business or vacation, that’s a big risk to take. You should consult an immigration attorney and discuss your options and if there are any alternatives.”
Customs & Border Protection on April 9, 2021, said that “airlines should not be determining admissibility of a traveler outside the parameters of the document requirements, and must check with the appropriate government agency.”
Read More:
• New Guidance On Entering the US With An Expired Green Card
An experienced immigration lawyer can prevent problems before they happen, protect your rights and help you resolve your immigration problems. Godoy Law Office serves the entire Chicago, Illinois area including DuPage, Cook, Kane, Will, and Lake Counties. To get started on your case, call 630-912-0322 to schedule a consultation with one of the experienced immigration attorneys today.
