I-94 taken from me at the airport on internal flight

[Ances 0]

Hi,

I was travelling from Berlin to New York (JFK) and then JFK-Miami. I passed through the immigration in JFK, got my I-94 and went up to catch the next flight to Miami. I have already had the boarding pass issued in Berlin for both flights. While I was standing in line to pass to the terminal the people checking the passports and boarding passes refused to let me in because on my boarding pass I had my surnames and only the first letter of my first name (I have 2 surnames and 2 names in my passport which make it together quite long) and they needed my boarding pass with my full first name, so they told me to go to the airline to get the correct boarding pass. I went and the lady who was adjusting my boarding pass took away from me my I-94. When I asked why, she told me that they collect it before the flight. I knew that this document is important, but I thought I will get another one in the next plane, it's my first time in the US and I didn't know how it works. I got my corrected boarding pass and went to the next terminal. I asked two more people at the airport before taking my plane about the I-94 and that I am travelling without it and they told me that it doesn't matter and I'm ok. Now I know it was not OK, because I need to extend my visa and I do not have a confirmation of my legal entry to the US. I don't have a stamp in my passport, the only stamp I had was on the I-94, I remember the date, but nothing else and I do not have a photo or a copy of it as I had it in my hands for half an hour.

Does anyone know what happend to this I-94? Is there a possibilty to check where is it, if they did put in the system that I left the country? What to do if I need to extend my visa?

I know this case is weird, so any help would be highly appreciated or an advice where to look for a legal advice in Washington state.

Thanks in advance,

Ana

[Darnell 8,479]

you can get another one issued (I-94) at CBP deferred/secondary inspection office.

There are many across the USA.

No need for an appointment, just go.

[jaycali 415]

Strange.

What darnell said. And. If you leave before getting a new I-94, make sure you get your passport stamped by German border guards (or the first Schengen country you enter) when you return to Germany. This can serve as proof of return, otherwise you may face problems getting a new visa to the US. Ask though, because they don't normally stamp EU citizens.

Edited November 11, 2012 by Jay Jay

[Ances 0]

OK, thanks guys, I'll go and check out in the CBP.