My I-551 stamp is expiring! Please advice?

[Pikku 0]

Hello everyone! This is the first time I find this forum, and honestly, it has some amazing information.

So here is my question, My I-551 is expiring soon (very soon! Sep 5th!) I have been a conditional resident for over 5 years (but that is another story).

I had made my appointment for August 28th about two months ago I think, to renew my stamp, and now the issue is that ISSAC is going to go through my city, and where the immigration office is located ( 1 hr drive) so everyone has been told to go to the local shelters while it passes. ( I am terrified of driving through ISSAC!)

I tried looking for other appointments later on, but there are non until Sep 7th.

My question is, will I be penalized in some way if I go to the Sep 7th appointment, with my stamp expiring on Sep 5th?

Any advice is appreciated it!

Edited August 25, 2012 by Meaw Meaw Meaw

[canadian_wife 1,808]

Do you have a valid green card? If yes, why do you need the stamp?

Good luck

PS - how have you been a conditional resident for 5 years?

[Anh map 2,098]

1 - Be prepared for many many questions from VJ members about why you are conditional after 5 years. (You don't have to answer, just don't be surprised)

2 - Check to see if the office will be open that day. When you call to check you ask about rescheduling after the expiration. This is not something that you want to rely on answers from this or any forum. It is your status that is in jeopardy, not ours.

Edited August 25, 2012 by Anh map

[Pikku 0]

Thanks for your answers! Well, my status is legal and permanent it seems. I'm not surprised as to why you guys would be curious of to why I have been conditional for 5 years, to be honest wit you EVERYONE I speak to is very surprised, but I have no issues telling my story because there might be someone out there with a similar case:

I posted a little of story here, but I will paste it here too.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/385325-citizenship-as-a-conditional-resident-possible/page__pid__5640262#entry5640262

"A little more in depth: I received my Green card as a minor (I was 15), first I was given a resident VISA stamped on my passport (valid for 1 year), after a year I received a Green Card (with conditions) that would expire on a year as well.

I received my Resident status, because my mother married, and my stepdad adopted me, when they were doing my mom's process they had an awful lawyer, USCIS lost their documentation... and to make a long almost 10 year long journey short, USCIS thought they were a fraud and sent them to Immigration Court.

They spent a long time on court, and since my mom's process was pending, and I was a beneficiary of said process, and it was being investigated for fraud, my conditions were not removed, but since my mom and dad's process was not denied either, I was given a I-551 stamp for a year.

I went to an interview around 3 times, during these years , and took 4 rounds of bio metrics (1st paid, other 3 courtesy of USCIS) I went to all interviews with both my parents, (1st officer took my expired GC away from me, not having it with me has given me TONS of issues believe it or not) and they all said that when my mom's process was approved or denied my removal of condition will be as well, but that I would receive a stamp every year.

So, years go by, and FINALLY My mom's process was approved 2 YEARS ago! (yaaay!) , We Immediately went to USCIS for my case, and were told to wait, I call or go about every 6 months. Now I have been a perm resident (with conditions) for 6 years. I go get my little stamp every year, and I am always told that it is being reviewed, or that it's pending and I get a new stamp..."

So, long post made short, my mom is happily a permanent resident now (no conditions since 2 years ago) and will apply for citizenship next year (when her 3 yrs are completed) and since my status depended on her case being approved, USCIS says I will be fine, but my case is being reviewed..and I always get a stamp.

I called them and apparently they will be closed if weather conditions continue, closest appointment would be 2 days AFTER my stamp expires , I wonder if it works like when GC holders do not renew in time, that they do not get their status removed,I am jsut afraid that I will get some penalty.

I appreciate any answers

Edited August 26, 2012 by Meaw Meaw Meaw

[Anh map 2,098]

Looks like the weatherman has solved your problem. All you have to deal with in convention traffic.