HALP...I screwed up!!!

[Minya's wife 25]

So my husband received his 10 year GC two weeks ago. Today, I had the old and the new one in my hand, intending to put the old one with the immigration related paperwork, and the new one in his wallet. I had the *bright* idea to cut off a corner of the old one before filing it away, to designate it as no longer valid. Well guess what, I freaking cut the corner off the new one!!! Its the bottom left corner, so not the magnetic strip, but I realize that the cut makes the card 'mutilated' therefore subject to replacement, right? Does anyone know how long that usually takes? We have tickets and are set to travel out of the country on July 21st. Is there a chance that we'd have the replacement card in hand before then? My husband taped back the small piece I cut off the card, but you can still tell its been damaged. Could it cause a big problem if we leave the country without the replacement in hand?

[v333k 59]

So my husband received his 10 year GC two weeks ago. Today, I had the old and the new one in my hand, intending to put the old one with the immigration related paperwork, and the new one in his wallet. I had the *bright* idea to cut off a corner of the old one before filing it away, to designate it as no longer valid. Well guess what, I freaking cut the corner off the new one!!! Its the bottom left corner, so not the magnetic strip, but I realize that the cut makes the card 'mutilated' therefore subject to replacement, right? Does anyone know how long that usually takes? We have tickets and are set to travel out of the country on July 21st. Is there a chance that we'd have the replacement card in hand before then? My husband taped back the small piece I cut off the card, but you can still tell its been damaged. Could it cause a big problem if we leave the country without the replacement in hand?

OK - first of all, the card is replaceable. The only thing is I am not sure how long it will take to replace it.

When did his card get approved? If more than 60 days, then you can claim that you never received it and try to get a replacement - probably this will save you around $300 or more... or you can just apply for a replacement and go through the process again. I think it will be around 90 days (my guess) since that's the standard for most applications.

*Edit*

Just remembered the have a processing time table - they claim 3.5 months for I-90 forms at VSC...

Edited April 26, 2010 by v333k

[Minya's wife 25]

OK - first of all, the card is replaceable. The only thing is I am not sure how long it will take to replace it.

When did his card get approved? If more than 60 days, then you can claim that you never received it and try to get a replacement - probably this will save you around $300 or more... or you can just apply for a replacement and go through the process again. I think it will be around 90 days (my guess) since that's the standard for most applications.

*Edit*

Just remembered the have a processing time table - they claim 3.5 months for I-90 forms at VSC...

100 days is too long, we have less than that...and our plane tickets are non-refundable $1200 a pop. The card just got approved, two weeks ago, we just received the damn thing about a week ago. I read the I-90 instructions, and they require an all new biometrics which is built into the fee which totals $370. I am so mad at myself....ugh!

So worst case scenario...what can happen if one enters the US with a 'slightly damaged' GC?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Bummer! I wonder if you can get a stamp in his passport to get you through the current crisis. Info pass time, and I think you need to practice your best sad puppy dog look for the interviewer.

[w8inglongtime 29]

OK - first of all, the card is replaceable. The only thing is I am not sure how long it will take to replace i

If more than 60 days, then you can claim that you never received it and try to get a replacement -

Come on V333k i can't believe you will even suggest the OP do such a thing. I hope you're kidding

[Cécy 44]

Do you still have the letter of extension you received when you applied and is it still valid?

If so I would at least take that with you.

Regarding your vacation. Well you could pretend it just happened when they ask for the green card and let them know you plan to get it replaced asap. Small lie but that's about all I can think about. I mean how would they know that it didn't happen on the day you're supposed to fly?

[Nyte 1]

My wife's GC had incorrect information on it. We promptly filed the paperwork to have it replaced, and went to an infopass to try and get the 551 stamp. The adjudicating officer said that they could not give the stamp without the NOA from the 90. Maybe wait until you get the NOA?

[v333k 59]

Come on V333k i can't believe you will even suggest the OP do such a thing. I hope you're kidding

Well.......

not sure how I meant it... but it is a pretty heafty price for such an innocent mistake...

It looks like the best solution for the OP is to file the I-90 and get an I-551 stamp so they can guarantee entry. Most probably, since the biometrics are current, then they will not require another biometrics but the fee will have to be paid.

Edited April 27, 2010 by v333k

[Minya's wife 25]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I guess it looks like we have to file the I-90 ASAP and hope for the best. According to the I-90 instructions, if one files for a replacement because their card was 'lost stolen or destroyed' (reason code A) then they must follow it up with an INFOPASS appointment to get an I-551 (i think that's the number) stamp in their passport to allow for travel. My only concern is that their a second reason code for which one can file an I-90, its B - card was mutilated. This reason more accurately fits our predicament, but according to the instructions, this is not a reason for which you can request a stamp in passport. So it looks like we'll be filing and stating that the card is destroyed (which it is, because any damage to the card renders it invalid...and I guess 'destroyed') and we'll do an INFOPASS appointment and hope to get an I-551 stamp to allow us to safely enter the country on our way back from vacation.

My other question relates to method of filing....according to USCIS, this is one of the forms that can also be e-filed. What are the rates of success for e-filing versus doing it the 'old fashioned' way...does anyone know?

[v333k 59]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I guess it looks like we have to file the I-90 ASAP and hope for the best. According to the I-90 instructions, if one files for a replacement because their card was 'lost stolen or destroyed' (reason code A) then they must follow it up with an INFOPASS appointment to get an I-551 (i think that's the number) stamp in their passport to allow for travel. My only concern is that their a second reason code for which one can file an I-90, its B - card was mutilated. This reason more accurately fits our predicament, but according to the instructions, this is not a reason for which you can request a stamp in passport. So it looks like we'll be filing and stating that the card is destroyed (which it is, because any damage to the card renders it invalid...and I guess 'destroyed') and we'll do an INFOPASS appointment and hope to get an I-551 stamp to allow us to safely enter the country on our way back from vacation.

My other question relates to method of filing....according to USCIS, this is one of the forms that can also be e-filed. What are the rates of success for e-filing versus doing it the 'old fashioned' way...does anyone know?

In my opinion, e-filing is faster and safer - also, your application will be received immediately so you can expect your NOA soon....

I wouldn't worry too much about the reason why you are requesting a new GC - unfortunately for you, it is another $300+ out of your pocket and into their pocket, therefore, I think USCIS is happy to do that.....

Make sure you keep your 2 year gc and the 10 year gc in a safe place until you receive the replacement.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

The 2-year card, the one you intended to mutilate for no good reason, is the only one your husband can keep as a sentimental piece for eternity. One day he might want to will it to his grand-children. How cool is that, if they in 2100 have the original Green Card of their immigrant Grandpa and 1st generation American! (Too bad that Grandma used scissors to mess it up.)

The 10-year card, the one you did mutilate, will have to be returned to USCIS when he becomes a US citizen.

I say this as politely as I can: better put the scissors away before somebody gets hurt.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Just Bob

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The 2-year card, the one you intended to mutilate for no good reason, is the only one your husband can keep as a sentimental piece for eternity. One day he might want to will it to his grand-children. How cool is that, if they in 2100 have the original Green Card of their immigrant Grandpa! (Too bad that Grandma used scissors to mess it up.)

The 10-year card, the one you did mutilate, will have to be returned to USCIS when he becomes a US citizen.

I say this as politely as I can: better put the scissors away before somebody gets hurt.

Makes sense. They destroyed the wife's EAD at the AOS interview by punching a hole in it. I was waiting for the AO to give it back as a souvenir, but he clipped that to the top of the file.

[wally 0]

My daughter lost hers. We applied for a new one on Feb. 22 and paid $370. She had biometrics on March 24th and just received the new card tocay, April 27th. Be sure to use the tear off portion of the document that the 10 year card came on with your application. This might speed it along.

[Minya's wife 25]

My daughter lost hers. We applied for a new one on Feb. 22 and paid $370. She had biometrics on March 24th and just received the new card tocay, April 27th. Be sure to use the tear off portion of the document that the 10 year card came on with your application. This might speed it along.

What tear off portion?

[Minya's wife 25]

The 2-year card, the one you intended to mutilate for no good reason, is the only one your husband can keep as a sentimental piece for eternity. One day he might want to will it to his grand-children. How cool is that, if they in 2100 have the original Green Card of their immigrant Grandpa and 1st generation American! (Too bad that Grandma used scissors to mess it up.)

The 10-year card, the one you did mutilate, will have to be returned to USCIS when he becomes a US citizen.

I say this as politely as I can: better put the scissors away before somebody gets hurt.

Scissors are put away, and nobody got hurt, except my ego.

I meant to 'mark' the 2 year card, to distinguish it from the 10 year card, so that we don't confuse the two. When we get our licenses renewed here, they cut a portion out of the old one, give it back to us w/ the temp card and it is used until the new one arrives. My thought process was sort of the same....the old one is no longer valid, let me designate that w/ the scissors. So yeah, I screwed up. Quite an expensive screw up...but there it is. Thank you for the 'lemon juice'.