I-751 NOA and travel

[nm123 0]

We just got back from a 4 day trip from Mexico, and we filed my husband's I-751 in February. His card expired at the beginning of March. We've already received the NOA1 and done the Biometrics, so we knew we were going to be okay... but we still had a little scare today...

On Saturday, when we left for Mexico, everything was fine. The ticket agents looked at our docs (expired card & NOA1) & said everything was fine. When we came back today, the customs agent seemed a little annoyed that the resident card had already expired, and he asked where we had been when the card expired. We said here, in Denver. We showed him the NOA1, which he knew was valid for travel for 1 year, but he said we shouldn't have been allowed to even leave the country. He seemed annoyed that "they let you travel with this?" (meaning the expired card) when we left, and we said yes. I asked, "Why, were we not supposed to?" and he said no. We had to go to the secondary check (into a waiting room with a counter), and we felt a little nervous even though we had all our papers in order. It took a few minutes before our name was called, and a woman at the counter said everything was fine; that they only had to verify our paperwork.

Even though we had been confident leaving the country, we were a little worried coming back. Maybe we should've tried to get the I-551 stamp before we left! Just wanted to give you all a heads up in case you need to travel. This happened at Denver International Airport.

[jkelly07 120]

you had the one year extension letter should had been good enough, the poe officer was just a ball buster,he had to show his boss he is doing some thing.some times when your sent to the room he is a higher up offer, since your extension letter has no picture, he does the work in the computer puts in you alien and case number and up comes all your information your photo your fingerprints, all matchs you good to go.

[Maeve 2]

The NOA jsut says that the Green Card is extended for a year; nothing about not being able to leave the country! And that's what its for anyway - that you can enter and leave without hassle.

I sometimes think that anyone with Homeland Security just makes things up as they go. When hubby had his AP, one border guard said that he had to get his picture taken and have the document stamped each time he crossed the border. But the second time we used the AP, that guy jsut stared at it like he didn't know what it was, then let us right in! Ugh...Can't wait til he has his citizenship and we don't have to worry about any of this again!!!

[SMOKE 1,426]

i'm thinking about getting a I-551 stamp on my wife's passport for insurance purposes.(jan. vermont filer & i'm doubting we'll have the card before we leave in late may) do i just make an infopass appointment for our local asc?

Edited April 6, 2011 by SMOKE

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We just got back from a 4 day trip from Mexico, and we filed my husband's I-751 in February. His card expired at the beginning of March. We've already received the NOA1 and done the Biometrics, so we knew we were going to be okay... but we still had a little scare today...

On Saturday, when we left for Mexico, everything was fine. The ticket agents looked at our docs (expired card & NOA1) & said everything was fine. When we came back today, the customs agent seemed a little annoyed that the resident card had already expired, and he asked where we had been when the card expired. We said here, in Denver. We showed him the NOA1, which he knew was valid for travel for 1 year, but he said we shouldn't have been allowed to even leave the country. He seemed annoyed that "they let you travel with this?" (meaning the expired card) when we left, and we said yes. I asked, "Why, were we not supposed to?" and he said no. We had to go to the secondary check (into a waiting room with a counter), and we felt a little nervous even though we had all our papers in order. It took a few minutes before our name was called, and a woman at the counter said everything was fine; that they only had to verify our paperwork.

Even though we had been confident leaving the country, we were a little worried coming back. Maybe we should've tried to get the I-551 stamp before we left! Just wanted to give you all a heads up in case you need to travel. This happened at Denver International Airport.

He seems ignorant and there is not much you can do about that except educate yourself and be prepared for idiots.

We live at the border and Alla traveked back and forth to Canada several times during her pending RoC. She always presented her green card (expired) and the NOA1 letter extending it for 1 year and never had a question.

You did the riht thing.