Pending Form I-131 Re entry permit approval
I would like to ask the community if there is any one who had the same experience as my son's case right now and get your opinion before I call the USCIS for updates since reaching them by phone really takes time.
Our application was received by USCIS on May 20 and my son had his biometrics on June 9, 2026 related to this application and went back to Philippines to complete his last year in senior high school on June 13. This is our second time applying for this permit, the first time we had it approved within 2 months with 2 years validity that expired last June 23, 2026. Upon checking the processing time this year it showed 16 months which is way beyond his intended stay outside US.
My question is, does he has to re-enter here in the US by Dec 13 to avoid the 6 months absent outside US or will it still be safe to just wait there in the Philippines and max the 1 yr outside US hoping that the permit will be issued before that? Another question is, worst case scenario that he stays there till mid July which is the target graduation day, will it be a problem for him when he returns in the US after a little bit over a year if he still will not get hold of the permit or the notice and biometrics proofs will be enough for him to present to the CBP officer or he may be denied entry?
Please share with us if you know of any one or yourself had experienced similar to this. He will be staying here for good with me and my other son next year and continue his college here. With the situation in immigration right now, I am just so scared to take the risk.
Thank you for your time and responses.