Lost/Stolen Permanent Resident Card While Abroad

[1900 0]

Hi all,

My wife and I finished our process last December. Everything's been great. She's adjusting very quickly even though she has missed Mexico on occasion.

Anyway, we decided it would be good for her and my in-laws to have her and our 7-month-old son travel home with my parents on their customary May visit. By the time we can afford to go as a family, he'll have grown a lot and her family kept asking us to visit this year... Compromise.

We're from a very rural part of Mexico.

Yesterday, they went into the city to visit a sick friend. Unfortunately, my sister left her purse in their car and the wrong person noticed.

My wife and my mother's permanent resident cards were in her purse.

I've looked online and it looks like they'll be able to get a transportation letter at a consulate so they can return and file an I-90. However, I called USCIS, was referred to the Guadalajara consulate itself, and was told by their representative that they did not service non-US citizens.

The information I've received has been inconsistent and everyone I've talked to sends me to someone else.

Their flight is scheduled for the weekend after next.

Does anyone have any knowledge of the policies for the transportation letters? Are they only offered at select consulates? Appointment required?

Who is responsible for these? USCIS? DHS? The Consulate?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TBoneTX 45,024]

One of the consulates can help you, si man.

In my time of dealing with consulates, I refused to put up with any #######. Play the USC card incessantly until you get results. If someone gives you static or tries to deflect responsibility, get his or her name, and say, "Are YOU a U.S. citizen? No? Then immediately transfer me to your highest supervisor who IS a U.S. citizen and who IS available to answer his or her phone at this moment. Your failure to do so will result in severe consequences."

Keep doing this until you reach an American, si man.

Did you (or your wife or her mother) happen to keep photocopies of both sides of their green cards? If so, do you have access to these?

Let us know what eventuates. Good luck, si man.

[1900 0]

Thanks for the support, man. Here's an update:

They went to the US embassy in Gaudalajara today and had no luck. Apparently they don't have any ties to USCIS and can't issue a transportation letter.

They're going to have to travel across the country to get their letters.

What a nightmare.

They're considering taking a flight to Tijuana and crossing the border by land with their passports. I don't know if that's an option but they were told that would work.

I'll call CBP tomorrow and see if that's the case. I'll also call the embassy in DF to see how long they'd take to get the letters done.

Thanks again.

[TBoneTX 45,024]

What a headache, si man!

They're considering taking a flight to Tijuana and crossing the border by land with their passports. I don't know if that's an option but they were told that would work.

Depends who told them...

I'll call CBP tomorrow and see if that's the case. I'll also call the embassy in DF to see how long they'd take to get the letters done.

Good idea to call CBP -- call an actual port (Tijuana or another) and ask to speak with the shift supervisor. If he confirms what you were told, get his name or badge number for your relatives to use as ammunition if they're given any flak at their actual port.

Keep us informed, si man.

[1900 0]

Looks like we might have it all sorted out. The day after driving to the Guadalajara embassy, my sister called the DF embassy. They were a lot more helpful.

Thank God.

The person she spoke to contacted the airline and let them know what was happening. They also let customs know in the airport they're flying into. No transportation letter needed. They just need to take the police report with them along with filled out I-90s and their passports.

[TBoneTX 45,024]

Outstanding, si man! You (and the ladies) must be quite relieved. Let us know how smoothly things go during the actual return.