Destroyed Passport

[NatHug 1]

Hello Everyone..

I have a question that maybe someone has experience with.. My wife has filled the N-400 Application and we expect an interview date in the near future. Our situation is this.. In May of 2005 after my wife arriving from Ukraine in August 2004, we had a fire that destroyed our home and all our belongings which included her passport and other documents. She did receive her green card in August 2005 and at the interview they did not ask for her passport. We did send copies of the passport when we filed and of course the I-94. We had the fire report and other proof at the interview but were not asked for it.

We tried to get a new passport throught the Ukraine embasy in Washington DC a couple of years ago but were told that she would have to travel to Ukaine to apply. We did not want to travel back to Ukraine with no assurance that she could get a new International Passport and return to the USA so we decided to just wait for US Citizenship before traveling out the the country. I did file for and receive a I-131 Travel Document (passport looking) that we used to take a cruise with.

Anyway, now I see where you are to bring your passport with you to the Citizenship interview. We have copies of the destroyed passport, the I-94 card, and the fire report showing we lost our home and possessions in a fire.

Has anyone had this problem or have an opinion?

Thanks

Edited June 8, 2008 by NatHug

[NickD 202]

Hmmm, wonder if I qualify as anyone?

According to the I-797C interview we received that looks standard.

You MUST BRING the following with you to the interview:

This letter.

Your Alien Registration Card (green card).

Any evidence of Selective Service Registration.

Your passport and/or any other documents you used in connection with any entries into the United States.

Those items noted below which are applicable to you:

It's that and/or that gives you the option of not bring your passport with any other documents you used in connection with any entries into the United States

I am trying to put myself in your shoes if that happened to us, but my years working as a engineer with all this product liability ####### has bled over into my personal life, stuff happens, and I have purchased a fireproof safe for all these documents, at least that what the warranty states, didn't try to burn my house down to test it.

That question about other documents used in any connection for entry into the USA trips me, for the first entry, including not only her passport, and a complete copy of it was part of their program for her to even get that conditional green card, the USCIS should already have. I gather for the N-400 they want to see that passport again to verify if your wife has met the residence requirements as outlined in the requirements for application in the N-400 instructions. Have to prove that you spend the minimum amount of that three year time that was actually spent in the USA and not in some foreign country someplace.

So if you have proof that her passport was destroyed in May of 2005, how could she leave or reenter this country without a passport, and perhaps a written affidavit from an employer, friend, or relative that she was here all that time would help.

In situations like this, I prefer to contact a qualified immigration attorney for proper advice, too important not to. Could try to contact the USCIS yourself for advice, but that never seems to work in getting a consistent answer.

[thedeepsea 0]

I honestly think you will be fine with the copies and the fire report. People make the Uscis out to be ruthless. Before you go to the interview USCIS does an IBIS check. They know that you have been here all along. Don't sweat it you can't provide your passport if it does not exist.

[aminabel 0]

Hello Everyone..

I have a question that maybe someone has experience with.. My wife has filled the N-400 Application and we expect an interview date in the near future. Our situation is this.. In May of 2005 after my wife arriving from Ukraine in August 2004, we had a fire that destroyed our home and all our belongings which included her passport and other documents. She did receive her green card in August 2005 and at the interview they did not ask for her passport. We did send copies of the passport when we filed and of course the I-94.

I am from belarus and my embassy told me that i will have to travel to my country and get new passport there, they just provide you with an entry document stating that you are the citizen of that country. So I think you wife can travel now with her green card, but has to stay in Ukraine until the passport is done. I have a question for you. I am going to have an interview for my green card hopefully soon, and i applied for travel document I-131 as well. You said they did not ask for passport at the interview, so I was curious about the stamp, did they put the stamp in the travel document? Thank you

[mariapoe 0]

I live in Albany NY and my friend, who is also from Ukraine (got his green card throough work) lost his passport or it was stolen or something, but they were able to give him a new one without going back to Ukraine. He did it in New York. I don't know all the details but it seems odd to me that they cannot do it without your wife going back.

Sorry to hear about the fire. I had one in my house when I was a student back in 2005 but luckily my documents servived but my laptom, may books and clothes were distroyed.

Good luck for the interview!

Masha

[NickD 202]

I was wondering, (my favorite word apparently), how can anyone travel anywhere without a passport to get a new one issued? And if you could go to another country and they don't issue you a passport for some reason, how would you come back?

You can get on the internet and find consulate offices locations for practically any country located in the USA, but most of them have that crazy notion of going in there in person to apply, even for a replacement. In the case of my wife, only four consulate offices in the USA, but fortunately for us, it's only a 700 mile trip. Just a bit too much for a one day trip in particular if you have to wait in that office 5-7 hours while they process your passport.

This leads to further wondering with the conditions of the permanent resident card, they want you to stay here and pay taxes, but even if a person wants to make a short trip to visit their family, you have to rely on a foreign passport so you are forced to maintain relationships with that former country. And that country may not be too fond of issuing you a passport since you have in effect deserted that country.

Kind of puts you between a rock and a hard place.

[Okiebollweevil 0]

Hello Everyone..

I have a question that maybe someone has experience with.. My wife has filled the N-400 Application and we expect an interview date in the near future. Our situation is this.. In May of 2005 after my wife arriving from Ukraine in August 2004, we had a fire that destroyed our home and all our belongings which included her passport and other documents. She did receive her green card in August 2005 and at the interview they did not ask for her passport. We did send copies of the passport when we filed and of course the I-94. We had the fire report and other proof at the interview but were not asked for it.

We tried to get a new passport throught the Ukraine embasy in Washington DC a couple of years ago but were told that she would have to travel to Ukaine to apply. We did not want to travel back to Ukraine with no assurance that she could get a new International Passport and return to the USA so we decided to just wait for US Citizenship before traveling out the the country. I did file for and receive a I-131 Travel Document (passport looking) that we used to take a cruise with.

Anyway, now I see where you are to bring your passport with you to the Citizenship interview. We have copies of the destroyed passport, the I-94 card, and the fire report showing we lost our home and possessions in a fire.

Has anyone had this problem or have an opinion?

I would also take a copy of the fire department report with me to assist in explaining why the passport is not available. If you suceed and receive citizenship apply for a US passport after taking the oath.

Thanks

[NatHug 1]

Thanks for all the replies..

To answer the question about the stamp.. Memphis Office did not offer a stamp when she was approved for the green card.. just told us that the card would be mailed within 30 days and since she did not have a passport we were not in a hurry. We received the card about 5 days after the interview.

Also, we did get some hope today, Our stepson had his Citizenship interview today and they ask him for this drivers license, passport or some other ID. It was only to check ID not to check anything else. I have to say that we have been to Memphis four times now for my wife and step sons for Green Cards and Citizenship and they have always been very nice and professional. Her citizenship is the last step.. I feel like they will understand the situation..

Also just for information in response to getting a passport without traveling to Ukraine.. When you get a green card you are suppose to get an "exit visa" from Ukraine which is for citizens living abroad. If you do this, then the embassy here can issue a new passport for lost or expired passports. Otherwise you can request a reentry document to get into Ukraine but then you are at the mercy of the Ukraine system to get another International Passport and this is not a easy or certain task. Thats why we decided not to take the chance..

Oh, here's funny.. I was so upset with the embassy that I e-mailed the President of Ukraine and described the situation and that my wife wanted to visit her country but could not get a passport.. About a month later I got a call from the Embassy in Washington and they ask if I sent a letter to President Yushcenko and how could they help. They helped us recover her birth certificate from Russia and explained the law situation. I was impressed that the Presidents office would contact them...

Edited June 10, 2008 by NatHug