Travel with Extension Letter?

[Carolyn 1]

Ok, I know that you are supposed to be able to travel out of the country with your extension letter, but has anyone ever had problems with this?

My husband is contemplating flying home to Morocco to deal with a family emergency, but doesn't want to encounter any problems getting back in the country. He would feel more comfortable getting the I-551 stamp in his passport.

Does anyone know if our local ASC would give him the stamp? A part of me thinks that they would IF he had specific travel plans/brought his ticket, but he doesn't want to take the risk of leaving if there is any chance he wouldn't be allowed to return.

Also, we haven't received a biometrics appointment yet...if he was to receive it for the time he is gone, how would we be able to reschedule it? Do you make an Infopass appointment? Do you have to call someone?

BTW, He would probably only be gone for 10 days or so.

Thanks in advance,

Carolyn

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My wife has similar concerns. Airport officials in India take it upon themselves to harass Indian citizens leaving for foreign countries. I have heard anecdotes of 'exit officials' detaining LPRs with expired GC's and a valid I-751 because they weren't familiar with the I-751.

[Cassie 8]

I think Reinhard (Mr. Big Dog)'s wife had the same concerns travelling to Ethiopia, and if I remember correctly, they got the stamp as insurance.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Cassie got a url to his thread handy? If not, I can look for it. Just being lazy

[Cassie 8]

lemme look, ya lazy bum

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Don't worry about it. I'll PM Big Dog.

[Cassie 8]

that'll work

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My wife has similar concerns. Airport officials in India take it upon themselves to harass Indian citizens leaving for foreign countries. I have heard anecdotes of 'exit officials' detaining LPRs with expired GC's and a valid I-751 because they weren't familiar with the I-751.

Well, we went to Newark.

We got an I-551 stamp in her passport, for 1 year from today. However, they took her expired green card away. They also told us to expect an interview in the next 6 months for final adjudication of the I-751. I don't know why, we did interview for the 2-year card already.

[iamsam 0]

I traveled with expired GC, and the letter saying I've been extended for a year. Prior to my trip, I called the USCIS and they told me if I had that letter, I should be fine. Well...

I went to Colombia, and upon re-entry (in TX) to the USA, I was taken to a back room for "checking out your greencard". My passport, GC, and letter was taken by a guy who spent about 15 minutes "checking" things out. Whatever he was "checking" for, I have no idea.

Anyway, the guy calls me over to his desk, gives me my stuff, and says "thanks" and that was it.

I quickly got my luggage and a cab, always looking behind my back for running customs officials...

Edited April 21, 2008 by iamsam

[charlie & yeng 0]

I just returned from Singapore and had no problems going either way. There was some careful reading of the letter during check-in on both sides. When I got back, I had about 14 days before the end of my extension. The immigration officer asked how long ago I submitted my paperwork and I told him almost a year ago and he said "a year???" then let me through.. that was it. I my POE was Seattle this time. I'm sure some other airports might've treated the situation differently but I think that if you bring the ORIGINAL extension letter together with your expired greencard, they really have no grounds to give you a hard time if you return before the extension is expired.

[rrp 0]

My wife has similar concerns. Airport officials in India take it upon themselves to harass Indian citizens leaving for foreign countries. I have heard anecdotes of 'exit officials' detaining LPRs with expired GC's and a valid I-751 because they weren't familiar with the I-751.

As I learned, the 'back room' guys seem to like the I-551 stamp. And like I've said before, having all three - the expired GC, letter and stamp - does not guarantee escape from being 'checked out' in the back room. The bottom line is, its nothing to worry about - they let you in when they've looked into your file and that's what counts.

VJ Troll, what does LPR stand for? They wrote that into my entry stamp this time. In all the past times its been ARC.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

One meaning of LPR is Legal Permanent Resident. I don't know what it means in the context of your question though.

[Chikikiki 0]

I read this thread last weekend hoping my wife would not have any trouble coming back from Mexico with the expired GC, and the letter saying you've been extended for a year...

She ended up in th "back room" for 2.5 hours at the international terminal at LAX waiting to be checked on along with several other people. She finally came out at 12:30am