Original extension letter

[LindaB 0]

Just wanted to let you know to make sure you have the original extension letter with you when you cross the border. I travel across back and forth to Canada for work every day and I have always carried a copy (just like I did with all my other immigration documents) and today when I came home in the Nexus lane the border guy asked where I was going, when I said home, he asked my status and took my card and extension letter. When he saw it was a copy, he said that was no good that it had to be the original letter and then made me go into secondary. He actually was the one who helped me inside too and said that they used to take copies but now that they have so much forgery/fraud going on that they require the original. After he verified me in the computer, I was good to go. I was worried they would make my husband bring the original to the border (we are a 1/2 hr drive away) before they would let me in. Just wish I would get approved and get my card so I don't have this hassle any more.

[Okalian 41]

Just wanted to let you know to make sure you have the original extension letter with you when you cross the border. I travel across back and forth to Canada for work every day and I have always carried a copy (just like I did with all my other immigration documents) and today when I came home in the Nexus lane the border guy asked where I was going, when I said home, he asked my status and took my card and extension letter. When he saw it was a copy, he said that was no good that it had to be the original letter and then made me go into secondary. He actually was the one who helped me inside too and said that they used to take copies but now that they have so much forgery/fraud going on that they require the original. After he verified me in the computer, I was good to go. I was worried they would make my husband bring the original to the border (we are a 1/2 hr drive away) before they would let me in. Just wish I would get approved and get my card so I don't have this hassle any more.

You're absolutely correct. Before visiting Egypt in March, I stopped by USCIS to get a stamp (even though I had the original letter, but wanted the stamp as a back up). I asked her if it's a good idea to make a copy of my extension letter. She said a letter isn't sufficient. It was just as good as having a copy of your greencard versus carrying the real one! So if you lose your letter while you have a copy, make sure you get an I-551 stamp.

Edited October 30, 2010 by Okalian

[FreeAgent 1]

It's all BS. It's already in the system in your file. You should be able to travel without any letter, once they run your green card through a computer all the details are there. It simple doesn't make any sense in year 2010 to rely on a piece of paper.

[Okalian 41]

It's all BS. It's already in the system in your file. You should be able to travel without any letter, once they run your green card through a computer all the details are there. It simple doesn't make any sense in year 2010 to rely on a piece of paper.

Even better, why not just run your fingerprint without the need to scan a greencard?

That's not gonna always work. The so-called system isn't really as inter-connected as we may think Thus the need for genuine paperwork .