Alien Card Renewal, traveling soon!

[Mommyto5girls 0]

I am a Canadian citizen who was granted permanent residency in 1984(when I was 4 years old)along with my parents and younger brother. I hold a P43 category(sorry...I tried to figure out what that meant but can't find that category).

I am travelling to Puerto Rico(which I realize is in the US)on March 10th for a cruise with my company, husband and one of our daughters(both my husband and daughter are American citizens). I will NOT have to go through customs in the airport as we are porting in and out of San Juan. I didn't realize my alien card was going to be required for travel because we will be visiting other non-US countries on the trip, and on top of it...didn't realize my alien card had expired in August. This morning I filed for a renewal of my 10 year card.

So...the question is, what can I do to ensure that I will be able to come home with my family as planned. I have my valid Canadian passport, Illinois drivers licence, and receipt of application for renewal. I have read about a I-551 stamp but am not certain that it is a thing of the past. I did try to gain as much information as possible before coming here with my question. So sorry for the inconvience!

[milimelo 4,541]

I am a Canadian citizen who was granted permanent residency in 1984(when I was 4 years old)along with my parents and younger brother. I hold a P43 category(sorry...I tried to figure out what that meant but can't find that category).

I am travelling to Puerto Rico(which I realize is in the US)on March 10th for a cruise with my company, husband and one of our daughters(both my husband and daughter are American citizens). I will NOT have to go through customs in the airport as we are porting in and out of San Juan. I didn't realize my alien card was going to be required for travel because we will be visiting other non-US countries on the trip, and on top of it...didn't realize my alien card had expired in August. This morning I filed for a renewal of my 10 year card.

So...the question is, what can I do to ensure that I will be able to come home with my family as planned. I have my valid Canadian passport, Illinois drivers licence, and receipt of application for renewal. I have read about a I-551 stamp but am not certain that it is a thing of the past. I did try to gain as much information as possible before coming here with my question. So sorry for the inconvience!

Make an infopass appointment on uscis.gov website (any option - case status), bring your receipt and passport, expired green card and ask for I-551 stamp.

[Boiler 45,939]

You will need the stamp, GC's usually take a long time.

[Mommyto5girls 0]

Make an infopass appointment on uscis.gov website (any option - case status), bring your receipt and passport, expired green card and ask for I-551 stamp.

That's where I found the snag in that plan...I couldn't figure out which case status to choose...I don't want to make anyone angry or make a wrong choice on the form for the infopass...I couldn't find the right option in their selections...

[Mommyto5girls 0]

Make an infopass appointment on uscis.gov website (any option - case status), bring your receipt and passport, expired green card and ask for I-551 stamp.

I see you are from Evanston, Illinois...I am in Woodstock. We are talking Chicago right?

[milimelo 4,541]

I see you are from Evanston, Illinois...I am in Woodstock. We are talking Chicago right?

Yes, Chicago USCIS office which is on 101 West Congress Parkway.

[Mommyto5girls 0]

Thanks so much for the help! I have the appointment for the info pass on the 22nd! Is getting a stamp a pretty easy thing to do?

[milimelo 4,541]

Thanks so much for the help! I have the appointment for the info pass on the 22nd! Is getting a stamp a pretty easy thing to do?

Since you have a receipt of filing, it should not be a problem.