An argument could be made that the USA is increasingly becoming a police state.  Now, I’m not saying that life here is anything like being in prison.  But in order to leave the country with my wife, I have to complete USCIS Form Number I-131, Request for Advance Parole.  If the all mighty and powerful bureaucratic machine deems us worthy, dispensation in the form of early release from the confines of U.S. borders could be ours!

After perusing 8 pages of governmentese instructions for said from I-131 (the form itself is only 5 pages long) I came to the conclusion that our situation does not precisely fit one of the categories for for which “parole” will be considered.  I could perhaps make a compelling case for parole given Jee Yeun’s need to deal with real estate issues, but seeing as how there is a 3-6 month timeline for processing the I-131 (which means I could potentially have the green card before a parole is approved), I’ve reached the logical decision that it’s not worth the time and effort to even apply.

I guess there’s nothing to be done now except to accept that I won’t be returning to Korea anytime soon.  Fuck parole, I’ll serve my time like a fine and proud American.  And hopefully early next year I shall be released.