Just had a client send me a copy of an AOS rejection letter. It was rejected because wife decided she just had to go home and wouldn't wait for her parole to arrive. Husband then carried it to her in Russia and she used it to re-enter.
The attorney advice was to WAIT until parole was approved and in hand before going anywhere.
The rules under 8 CFR 245.2(a)(4)(i)(A)-Departure of an applicant. . .shall be deemed abandonment of the application constituting grounds for termination of any pending application for adjustment of status, UNLESS the applicant was PREVIOUSLY granted advance parole for such absences. . . .
USCIS is getting much better at catching this stuff. SO, just because your wife's cousin did it two years ago and got away with it, your result may be much different.
