Air Travel with expired I-94

[clueless_in_usa 8]

I have heard before that TSA likes to take responsibilities that do not belong to them. Therefore, they tend to harass people with expired I-94 when that is not their job.

How worried should we be if we try to fly after my wife's I-94 is expired and AOS has not yet started?

How can we avoid the harassment from TSA?

All travel will be within USA, but she needs to travel with passport because she does not yet have a local ID. Any suggestions?

EDIT: Wanted to add that I am especially worried after the extra security measures due to what happened during Christmas.

Edited December 28, 2009 by clueless_in_usa

[payxibka 10,045]

I have heard before that TSA likes to take responsibilities that do not belong to them. Therefore, they tend to harass people with expired I-94 when that is not their job.

How worried should we be if we try to fly after my wife's I-94 is expired and AOS has not yet started?

How can we avoid the harassment from TSA?

All travel will be within USA, but she needs to travel with passport because she does not yet have a local ID. Any suggestions?

EDIT: Wanted to add that I am especially worried after the extra security measures due to what happened during Christmas.

START AOS!!!

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

No state ID? This is the first things to get when arriving in the US.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Why_Me

[Anh map 2,098]

I wouldn't try to define what the TSA's role is given the recent events. I'd be shocked if there wasn't extra scrutiny of those traveling on foreign passports. It's just the reality of today's world.

We recently booked a trip for my wife to go home to see the family and did the US legs in her maiden (passport) name as well. Given the Xmas events it may cause an issue at screening but I am hoping that showing her green card as well will address any potential concerns.

As soon as you can, get the AOS filed. It's great peace of mind for the both of you.

[clueless_in_usa 8]

START AOS!!!

AOS does not change the fact that the I-94 expires after 90 days.

[rsn 135]

AOS does not change the fact that the I-94 expires after 90 days.

Having an NOA1 to show that you filed would probably ease your mind. If there is any question about an expired I-94, it might be helpful to present the NOA1.

[rsn 135]

No state ID? This is the first things to get when arriving in the US.

Easier said than done. I'm not sure about your state, but in Wisconsin you must satisfy the residency requirements before you can obtain a state ID which would make it impossible to do this as one of your first tasks.

As others have stated, file for AOS before the I-94 expires to put your mind at ease.

[akdiver 3]

All travel will be within USA, but she needs to travel with passport because she does not yet have a local ID. Any suggestions?

Get a local ID.

If your state will not provide one, travel to a state that will and get one from them.

Edited December 28, 2009 by akdiver

[payxibka 10,045]

AOS does not change the fact that the I-94 expires after 90 days.

But a filed AOS provides a "pending" status to remain in the US....

[slim 1,525]

TSA shouldn't be checking the status of her visa, only the status of her passport. As long as her passport isn't expired, they should care less whether or not her visa is valid.

The only place you show TSA your documents is when you pass through the security checkpoint. All they look for is the name on the ticket matching the name on the document (in her case, a passport) and as long as those two match up - no worries.

If for some reason they get froggy, it's not too hard to have them talk to the CIS officials over at international arrivals. They should be able to clear it up for you.

[Dakine 26]

I have heard before that TSA likes to take responsibilities that do not belong to them. Therefore, they tend to harass people with expired I-94 when that is not their job.

How worried should we be if we try to fly after my wife's I-94 is expired and AOS has not yet started?

How can we avoid the harassment from TSA?

All travel will be within USA, but she needs to travel with passport because she does not yet have a local ID. Any suggestions?

EDIT: Wanted to add that I am especially worried after the extra security measures due to what happened during Christmas.

Do you have a recent link showing this. There was a problem with this over a year ago but was solved.

[slim 1,525]

If all your travel is domestic, the only thing they'll use the passport for is ID. Her visa status doesn't matter at that point, only her passport's validity.

[Ladylethal 12]

They usually just look at the page with your picture and information to see if it matches the info on the ticket, but with the state of things they might flip through to the visa part and then you might have to explain why you're traveling on an expired visa, which is why everyone is advising you to file the AOS and get the NOA1 which then shows legal status in the US.

Edited December 28, 2009 by Ladylethal

[1HappyGuy 45]

The worry about TSA employees is real. You get more scrutiny when you use your credit card than when you board an airline. Now they have new "security" policies in place that require everyone to remain in their seats during the last hour of each flight. Unless they go through the cabin announcing that the flight will arrive in just over an hour there are going to be a lot of people peeing their pants on the airlines. It might be a good time to start wearing adult diapers instead of waiting until old age.

[SuperDuper! 230]

The worry about TSA employees is real. You get more scrutiny when you use your credit card than when you board an airline. Now they have new "security" policies in place that require everyone to remain in their seats during the last hour of each flight. Unless they go through the cabin announcing that the flight will arrive in just over an hour there are going to be a lot of people peeing their pants on the airlines. It might be a good time to start wearing adult diapers instead of waiting until old age.

Isn't it sad we will now essentially be treated like prisoners on the plane: "Sit down; the bathroom is locked." "Get that pillow out of your lap, and keep your hands where I can see them."

As far as the TSA employees, they are the relatively lowest paid people with the highest amount of authority over others. They will be hyper vigiliant for sure, and will be in over-kill and over-board mode for some time. So we have to be in same mindset to protect ourselves and have all papers in order if we don't want to suffer at their hands.

Ideally, the OP will have the AOS NOA1 so you are clear under "pending status." I would also recommend you carry a copy of your marriage certificate.

And, "Oh Great," now our carry on bag and weight will be more scrutinized than ever. Flying just got more inconvenient, stressful and uncomfortable. I just hope it got an equally amount safer.