Secondary inspection at airport with Green Card on hand

[NycBra 4]

Here is what happened. I got my green card approved on 12/2007 but I had to travel internationally for work during first week of 01/2008. So, right after interview and green card approved, I got the stamp on passport.

Green card was mailed when I was abroad. I was stopped at airport on way back and sent to secondary inspection room because I didn't have green card with me (even though I had the stamp). Person checked card was mailed while I was abroad, told me I should always carry green card at all time from now on (I would have it with me but it was mailed 3 days before I arrived back in US).

Anyway, after that episode I had to travel abroad again 3 times and at ALL times they stopped me at airport, sent to secondary inspection, hold me in the room for 2 hours, called my name, just gave my passport back (without any explanation or any question to me) and told me everything was ok and I could go. During last time my husband was with me and went to the room with me. He was very angry with the whole process. He discussed with the immigration officer at the airport and they advised us to send a letter to the Dept of Homeland Security. They couldn't say why I was always second screened. They said it could be my name is a match on a watch list (no, it is not, because I have a very uncommon name). We sent the letter but nothing got better.

Anyway... now to my question and hoping to get your opinion. I have to file my I-751 in 2 weeks. Should I mention this in my letter/documents? Should I just ignore and hope everything will be fixed now?

What I think happened is that when I first entered the country only with the stamp they for some reason put something wrong in the system as if I had lost the card, or there was a missing document, I don't know... I just want to make sure that now that I will have the 10 year green card I won't have to be sent to the secondary inspection room every time I enter the country.

Your insights are much appreciated.

[NycBra 4]

Just one more thing I forgot to mention. Before the first episode mentioned above, I had entered the US as a tourist (3 times), and when I was a student (with F1 visa) I had to travel abroad as well and NEVER got any problem at airport or immigration. The first time I was even sent to secondary inspection was after I received the Green Card. So I don't think there is any glitch on my status before then...

Still, I wonder if I should explain the situation in an addendum to my I-751 application or if I should just cross my fingers and hope all will be ok from now on.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

It sounds like they did 'flag' your name. I would write as suggested and explain what happened and request that they remove the flag from your name. You may even want to make an Infopass appointment and go in person to make that request.

I wouldn't include it in with the I-751 because it is a totally separate issue and you don't want to throw anything additional into the mix where it may get overlooked. As well, the I-751 may take some time to process whereas you probably want to get this taken care of as soon as you can. You can certainly include in your letter requesting that they remove the 'flag' from your name that you have applied for the I-751 Removal of Conditions in a timely way, as you are required to do.

Good luck.

[NycBra 4]

Thanks. I was thinking NOT to send anything with it but would like to hear others opinions. Thanks for the idea of the infopass, I didn't know I could schedule one for this reason.

[NycBra 4]

I wanted to edit my last post but the EDIT button doesn't appear. Anyway, I contacted a friend of a friend who is an immigrant attorney about my case. I wanted to share what she thought. I was going to delete this topic but the information below may be helpful to someone else.

______________________________________

"..... The officer reviewing your I-751 will not care one bit about your secondary inspection issue and will take no steps to look into it or notify someone about it. There are two reasons for this:

(1) The officer reviewing your I-751 works for the I-751 Unit in the USCIS (Citizenship & Immigration Services) while the secondary inspection issues occur under the watchful eye of the USCBP (Customs & Border Protection). Although they are all under Department of Homeland Security, they do not regularly interact and do not get involved in each other's work. There is no way that I am aware of that a USCIS officer can fix an inspection issue with CBP. As crazy as it sounds, they have different computer systems and USCIS does not regularly get involved in CBP matters. They literally get your file on their desk and adjudicate the I-751 and that's all.

(2) The I-751 officers are so overworked that they will not take on additional responsibility to help you resolve your secondary inspection issue when it has nothing to do with their job duties. Even if there was a quick fix, the I-751 officer has no time to go beyond their role.

That said, it will not help you to mention it to USCIS in the application since USCIS doesn't deal with inspection issues at the border. If you do mention it that may also raise a red flag as to why you were put in secondary inspection, and they may delay your application to make sure you have no outstanding immigration issues. It is unlikely that a red flag will be raised but it could happen.

My advice would be to not raise it with the I-751 and hope that the issue has been resolved by the time you receive your new card....."

[Nyte 1]

You should check out the following site:

http://www.dhs.gov/trip

It may help you get some answers.