Travelling with different passport while holding F-1 Visa
I'm in a bit of a dilemma and would love some guidance.
I hold two foreign passports (let's call them Passport A and Passport B). I'm currently an undergraduate student at a US university and hold an F-1 visa through Passport A. I had to submit Passport A to an Italian consulate in the US as part of a study abroad visa application, so I am not currently in physical possession of it. I do have an expired version of Passport A, but obviously can't use that to travel.
I am currently outside of the US and need to re-enter the country briefly before my study abroad program begins (my flight to the US is scheduled for mid-August). My plan is to enter on Passport B with an approved ESTA, pick up Passport A once the Italian consulate returns it, and then fly to Italy for my program in mid-August. I won't be doing anything school-related during those few days in the US.
However, I'm nervous about whether immigration officers will flag that I'm entering on a different passport than the one tied to my F-1 status.
My questions:
- Has anyone been in a similar situation?
- Is entering on ESTA while holding active F-1 status on another passport likely to cause issues at the border?
- Is there anything I can do to prepare or protect myself in this situation?
Any advice is appreciated!