Why was I asked to show Green Card

[cappucino 1]

Does anyone know why I had to show my green card to the ticket agent of the airlines that printed my boarding passes? This was in Canada, right before I walked through customs and immigration on my way to the gate.

[john & jean 37]

THAT AGENT HAS NO AUTHORITY, AND SHOULD BE REPORTED

[belinda63 3,047]

Actually it is the airlines responsibility to not permit the boarding of someone on a flight if they do not have the proper paperwork to enter/transit the countries the flight is going. If they allow a person on without the proper papers then ummmmmm what will happen when the plane lands?

Since I don't know the specifics of your situation I cannot give a specific answer to your question.

[Markieboy 104]

Actually it is the airlines responsibility to not permit the boarding of someone on a flight if they do not have the proper paperwork to enter/transit the countries the flight is going.

Really? First time I've heard that. The only documentation that airlines have asked are ticket and passport. Nothing regarding immigration status (green card, immigrant visa) were asked...ever.

The responsibility lies with Immigration. They will decide whether or not to permit one to enter the country of arrival.

If they allow a person on without the proper papers then ummmmmm what will happen when the plane lands?

IIRC, a person arriving in another country, without proper documentation, would be detained and eventually deported back to his home country.

Unless things have changed...

Edited June 18, 2010 by Markieboy

[Indy90 21]

Really? First time I've heard that. The only documentation that airlines have asked are ticket and passport. Nothing regarding immigration status (green card, immigrant visa) were asked...ever.

The responsibility lies with Immigration. They will decide whether or not to permit one to enter the country of arrival.

IIRC, a person arriving in another country, without proper documentation, would be detained and eventually deported back to his home country.

Unless things have changed...

While it is true that immigration is the ultimate control, the poster is right that the airlines have the responsibility to check visas, passports, etc. I am sure the rules vary by country, but airlines can get in trouble for allowing people to board without proper documentation. Whenever I travel to a country that requires a visa for a USC to enter (like Brazil), the airline (be it Delta, American, etc.) verifies that I have a proper visa. I have heard multiple stories of USCs that were not allowed to board their flight to Ecuador because their passport expired within 6 months...something that is not permitted in Ecuador. At check in lines overseas while traveling to the US, I have seen people refused a boarding pass because of an incorrect visa or expired passport, because the airline holds some responsibility for making sure that its passengers will be admitted (aka have the right documents).

I am a little curious why showing the green card was a necessity, unless the OP was not traveling with a Canadian passport.

[cappucino 1]

While it is true that immigration is the ultimate control, the poster is right that the airlines have the responsibility to check visas, passports, etc. I am sure the rules vary by country, but airlines can get in trouble for allowing people to board without proper documentation. Whenever I travel to a country that requires a visa for a USC to enter (like Brazil), the airline (be it Delta, American, etc.) verifies that I have a proper visa. I have heard multiple stories of USCs that were not allowed to board their flight to Ecuador because their passport expired within 6 months...something that is not permitted in Ecuador. At check in lines overseas while traveling to the US, I have seen people refused a boarding pass because of an incorrect visa or expired passport, because the airline holds some responsibility for making sure that its passengers will be admitted (aka have the right documents).

I am a little curious why showing the green card was a necessity, unless the OP was not traveling with a Canadian passport.

I was traveling with a Canadian passport and upon greeting the agent handed it over as my id. I am still not quite understanding why I needed to show my green card, I didn't when I crossed at the same place at Christmas, it doesn't seem like their issue if you have a passport. But maybe Canada is being very careful, they certainly security screen at a much higher level then the U.S.

[wayno 9]

Perhaps it was a one way ticket and the attendent wanted to verify that you had a reason for not leaving the U.S. I have no idea on US requirements for Canadians but as stated they have the responsibility to make sure you have all required documents.

My wife is Colombian so she needs a visa (or C.R. residence) to go to Costa Rica. Whenever she would leave the U.S. on a one way ticket to Costa Rica the airline attendents would need to see her C.R. resident card before issuing a boarding pass. Me, as a U.S. citizen have had to buy several refundable return trip tickets over the years on one way flights to Costa Rica or Venezuela or show some kind of proof I was on a boat there. The airline atendents in Costa Rica also won't give my wife a boarding pass upon returning to the U.S. without seeing her green card. Before she was a resident (just a b1/b2 visa holder)she needed a return ticket to Costa Rica or they couldn't issue a boarding pass.

[Krys & Nova 2]

I was traveling with a Canadian passport and upon greeting the agent handed it over as my id. I am still not quite understanding why I needed to show my green card, I didn't when I crossed at the same place at Christmas, it doesn't seem like their issue if you have a passport. But maybe Canada is being very careful, they certainly security screen at a much higher level then the U.S.

It's normal... When entering Canada you can use your Canadian passport, but when leaving and returning to the US, you have to show your green as proof you are able to stay in the US. You can only use your Canadian passport if you were returning to Canada after a visit from the US.

[cappucino 1]

It's normal... When entering Canada you can use your Canadian passport, but when leaving and returning to the US, you have to show your green as proof you are able to stay in the US. You can only use your Canadian passport if you were returning to Canada after a visit from the US.

So no, it was not a one way ticket. I had a return flight back to the U.S. I understand that I need to show my green card to customs and immigration, but questioning why United airlines needed to see it.

Edited June 24, 2010 by cappucino

[Bobby+Umit 161]

So no, it was not a one way ticket. I had a return flight back to the U.S. I understand that I need to show my green card to customs and immigration, but questioning why United airlines needed to see it.

This BIA may shed some light on your situation.

Not sure of the Canadian immigration laws, but airlines are suppose to check that you have some form of ID (passport/GC/etc) that will allow you travel overseas (or coming back to the US) - they can be fined (by DHS) if they do not do that.

They were probably seeing if you had a passport/gc to enter Canada - if you didn't, they would be stuck bringing you back, and paying a fine.

When I travel overseas, the airline people always ask to see my passport.

They also check it when I come back to the US.

[wayno 9]

^^^^ I think you got your answer in your last statement. You said it was not a one way ticket, it was the return ticket back to the US. That is the same as a one way from anywhere to the US. You need to show proof of leaving the US. That proof will be either a ticket continuing on or proof of residence (green card). They will need to see either before issuing a boarding pass.

In simple terms, unless you are a resident you cannot stay indeffinatly in the US. You must show proof you are going to leave (a ticket out of the US) or proof of residence (a green card).

[trailmix 77]

^^^^ I think you got your answer in your last statement. You said it was not a one way ticket, it was the return ticket back to the US. That is the same as a one way from anywhere to the US. You need to show proof of leaving the US. That proof will be either a ticket continuing on or proof of residence (green card). They will need to see either before issuing a boarding pass.

In simple terms, unless you are a resident you cannot stay indeffinatly in the US. You must show proof you are going to leave (a ticket out of the US) or proof of residence (a green card).

Yes, good point wayno, in effect you did have a one way ticket.

[Krys & Nova 2]

So no, it was not a one way ticket. I had a return flight back to the U.S. I understand that I need to show my green card to customs and immigration, but questioning why United airlines needed to see it.

That's weird... I know alot of Canadians (with GC)that travel btw Canada and the US.. I've never heard them being asked for a green card to ENTER Canada (always the opposite). Just one of those weird things that happen at airports

[trailmix 77]

That's weird... I know alot of Canadians (with GC)that travel btw Canada and the US.. I've never heard them being asked for a green card to ENTER Canada (always the opposite). Just one of those weird things that happen at airports

She was on her way back to the U.S., not entering Canada.

[Craneman 2]

I fly to and from Brasil all the time, so does my wife, she is Brasilian.

To check in for the flight to Brasil, at the ticket counter you mut show a valid Brasilian visa or valid Brasilian passport.

At the Gate to board the plane again you visa and passport are validated.

Brasil will fine a U.S. airline if some one without a valid visa makes it to Brasil.

This happened to a coworker his visa was expired by 2 days, he was detained in the Rio aiport and "deported" ON THE NEXT Plane back to the U.S.

The airline was fined by the Brasilian government for both the originating airport and Atlanta for not catching the expired visa.

When I board the plane at the originating airport in Brasil I must show my U.S. passport then again show U.S. Passport at the ticket counter in the Rio airport, then again show U.S. Passport at the baording ramp of the airplane.

My wife must show her Green card and her Brasilian passport at the originating airport, the same process Green Card and Brasilian passport again at the Rio ticket counter, then the same thing again Green Card and Brasilian passport at the boarding ramp to the airplane.

I do not know about you, but she is proud of her Green Card !!!

IT IS the airlines resposibility to ensure proper credentials to board an intenatonal flight.

Being asked to show the Green card once is an inconvience ???

Does anyone know why I had to show my green card to the ticket agent of the airlines that printed my boarding passes? This was in Canada, right before I walked through customs and immigration on my way to the gate.