I-485 Last place of entry - I don't remember

[Timf79 3]

The I-485 asks for the last place of entry in the US (City/ State).

The problem is I do not remember where I entered the US (is was in March 2009).

In my passport the stamp is not readable.

What should I do?

[zooch76 9]

You don't remember where you entered the country less than two years ago? If I was an IO going over your paperwork, I'd think that was a little suspect (and that you possibly snuck into the country). I'd suggest really thinking hard about it - how did you arrive: fly? car? walk? boat? Try to remember that and then narrow it down. Check your credit card statements from around that time and see if you have any purchases for plane tickets, hotel rooms, etc.

Do you have an I-94? That should have a stamp on it too. Also, the stamps often have a three letter code for the POE instead of the full city name - see if you have that and try to figure it out (Google the code).

If you came here as a minor or a long, long time ago I could understand not remembering details. But IMHO, it sounds like you aren't telling the whole story.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Do you at least remember the state? Can you check your email for flight itineraries? I too find it exceptionally odd that you can not remember at least the town, or state from which you entered.

Edited November 26, 2010 by Vanessa&Tony

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

The I-485 asks for the last place of entry in the US (City/ State).

The problem is I do not remember where I entered the US (is was in March 2009).

In my passport the stamp is not readable.

What should I do?

Wow! Either you've entered the US a whole lotta times before, or you were pretty sauced the last time you entered!

Is there an I-94 stapled to your passport? That might also have a stamp on it, and it might be easier to read. The 3-letter code stamped on my wife's visa is impossible to read, but the stamp on the I-94 is clear.

Do you still have any of your travel documents? Boarding passes, itinerary? If you remember which carrier (airline) you traveled on then you might be able to get a copy of your itinerary from them. If you used a booking agent then the agent might also have a copy of your itinerary. If the company that sponsored your L-1 visa also booked your tickets then they might have a copy of your itinerary.

[Kittyfang 6]

When I filed my paperwork, I remembered where I came in, but, being the paranoid I am, I wanted to double check... So, I went on google map and looked for my PoE, then used google street view to see if the building/general area was what I remembered.

[Pegworth 2]

Do you at least remember what state it was you entered from or what city you were in last outside of the country and did you fly or drive or come in by boat? I came across in Minnesota. There is no city or town at that crossing also the crossings have different names on either side of the border.

I did the same as Kittyfang and googled the crossings and found out it's Lancaster on the Minnesota side. I don't think saying "You don't remember" is a good answer.

It might not even be acceptable I'm not sure.

One thing for sure though is it will be a red flag for USCIS. You need to think harder start from the city you last left and recall your journey from there.You need to focus because this will be one of the more minor details your going to get asked for in the whole process.

[Timf79 3]

The problem is that I used to fly to Europe and back for work alot.

Until 2009 I had 17 trips from and to the US.

Of course I remember that I came by plane, but with 17 trips to europe and back from 2006 to 2009 it gets really fuzzy remembering which one was which.

Most of the time I flew continental coming threw Newark.

Some trips I came throu Charlotte as this is normally less likely to have delays.

But thanks to your tip I noticed the 3 letters on the stamp (and I looked for it before but could not see anything) PHI, which means this time I came in through Philladelphia.

Which makes sense as I think I flew Lufthansa.

I tried to find my itinerary, but since I was laid off I do not ahve access to anything in my office or my work computer anymore....

Thanks

Tim

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

I too flew the Europe route constantly in the late '80s and up to 1994. My old passport has 31 US entry stamps and I could use my frequent flyer miles quite often to update from coach to business class. It is not uncommon for people with amnesia not to remember simple things, like whether or not their plane landed in Miami, New York, or Los Angeles (those were my personal POEs), but usually checking those entry stamps in the passport helps putting the puzzle together. Also try to remember if you saw yellow taxi cabs or palm trees when leaving the airport building.

[Timf79 3]

The problem woudl be that whereever I landed I would connect to Pittsburgh (where I lived from 2006 to 2009).

And let's be honest here airport buildings all look similiar from the inside.

Anyhow, since the stamp has PHI or PHL. It must be Philly since this is where Lufthansa connects and I would have only flown over Newark, Philly, Charlotte or Chicago.

Cheers

Tim

[RICARDO4EVA2 194]

I'm late to this stange puzzle but Glad the OP was able to get it resolved with the solutions given by all the members above...

Edited November 26, 2010 by RICARDO4EVA2