POE failed to stamp visa!

[deeshla 0]

Hi everybody,

I have a strange and frustrating issue! My husband and I filed DCF in Casablanca, Morocco. He came over here a few weeks ago through JFK POE. He tells me they were very busy and he ended up translating for other immigrants. They asked him a few questions and then said "welcome" and sent him on his way.

Nobody stamped his passport!

Now, after waiting for 2 weeks for a SS card and the permanent resident card, we get a f**cked-up letter in the mail from the USCIS service center in Texas stating that the POE failed to stamp the passport (duh) and in order to receive a green card we must send proof of a POE stamp. Did you read that? They are asking us for proof of something that they failed to provide. The letter literally contradicts itself within one paragraph.

Anybody else have this issue? We are thinking of going to Congressman's office tomorrow to see what can be done.

Any advice or theories about this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Amanda

[meauxna 15]

Look up 'Deferred Inspection'.

[meauxna 15]

hi, I guess I should have added more..

Deferred Inspection is a function of the Customs & Border Patrol (cbp.gov). I'd expect you will have to go back to the airport or the nearest correct office (see their website) and get your business taken care of--this does happen every now and again.

When you go, take all the evidence you can--case paperwork etc AND any proof you have that he arrived when he did: bording passes, ticket receipt etc.

That's my best idea.

If you want to put the letter language up verbatim, it might say something else?

[deeshla 0]

hi, I guess I should have added more..

Deferred Inspection is a function of the Customs & Border Patrol (cbp.gov). I'd expect you will have to go back to the airport or the nearest correct office (see their website) and get your business taken care of--this does happen every now and again.

When you go, take all the evidence you can--case paperwork etc AND any proof you have that he arrived when he did: bording passes, ticket receipt etc.

That's my best idea.

If you want to put the letter language up verbatim, it might say something else?

Thanks, it makes more sense now.

I looked at the letter again. It states that the POE "failed to stamp the application materials" at the airport and that we need to send in "proof of a stamp of entry at the POE" -- but they stamped NOTHING. It looks like he never even went through an airport at all. In fact his passport is blank expect for the visa that the consular pasted in there and one exit stamp in Casablanca.

Hoping this won't get too bad. But I will take your advice and start calling tomorrow.

Thanks again!

[meauxna 15]

Thanks, it makes more sense now.

I looked at the letter again. It states that the POE "failed to stamp the application materials" at the airport and that we need to send in "proof of a stamp of entry at the POE" -- but they stamped NOTHING. It looks like he never even went through an airport at all. In fact his passport is blank expect for the visa that the consular pasted in there and one exit stamp in Casablanca.

Hoping this won't get too bad. But I will take your advice and start calling tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Examine the Immigrant Visa very carefully---the endorsement is put there and it might blend in.

The letter might be referring to something else besides the visa, but that's unlikely.

It should resolve fairly easily--the other deferred inspections that have posted came out fine.

[deeshla 0]

Thanks, it makes more sense now.

I looked at the letter again. It states that the POE "failed to stamp the application materials" at the airport and that we need to send in "proof of a stamp of entry at the POE" -- but they stamped NOTHING. It looks like he never even went through an airport at all. In fact his passport is blank expect for the visa that the consular pasted in there and one exit stamp in Casablanca.

Hoping this won't get too bad. But I will take your advice and start calling tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Examine the Immigrant Visa very carefully---the endorsement is put there and it might blend in.

The letter might be referring to something else besides the visa, but that's unlikely.

It should resolve fairly easily--the other deferred inspections that have posted came out fine.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this tip. It has saved me literally hours of frustration.

The USCIS office in Texas knew NOTHING and gave me the run around. But I called CPB as you suggested and they are taking care of it -- we are Fedexing the passport and they will stamp it as if they were stamping it the day he arrived in country.

I suppose this sort of thing makes them look bad, and in fact, the officer said this is the ONLY time he has even encountered someone who was able to slip through immigration without a stamp. Strange.

Again, THANKS. I HEART VJ!

[broma25 2]

Is it possible for you to drive back to the airport and get the stamp, I would be reluctant to send my passport to them in the mail, who knows how long it would take to send it back

[zyggy 9]

Thanks, it makes more sense now.

I looked at the letter again. It states that the POE "failed to stamp the application materials" at the airport and that we need to send in "proof of a stamp of entry at the POE" -- but they stamped NOTHING. It looks like he never even went through an airport at all. In fact his passport is blank expect for the visa that the consular pasted in there and one exit stamp in Casablanca.

Hoping this won't get too bad. But I will take your advice and start calling tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Examine the Immigrant Visa very carefully---the endorsement is put there and it might blend in.

The letter might be referring to something else besides the visa, but that's unlikely.

It should resolve fairly easily--the other deferred inspections that have posted came out fine.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this tip. It has saved me literally hours of frustration.

The USCIS office in Texas knew NOTHING and gave me the run around. But I called CPB as you suggested and they are taking care of it -- we are Fedexing the passport and they will stamp it as if they were stamping it the day he arrived in country.

I suppose this sort of thing makes them look bad, and in fact, the officer said this is the ONLY time he has even encountered someone who was able to slip through immigration without a stamp. Strange.

Again, THANKS. I HEART VJ!

I would not send it in if I were you. This is too important to trust the CBP to do the right thing without you there to explain and direct them what you need and why. Remember the person who talked to you on the phone may not be the one who gets the envelope and may have no idea what to do with it. Take the time, get in the car and drive to the nearest CBP POE and get the passport stamped.

[deeshla 0]

Thanks, it makes more sense now.

I looked at the letter again. It states that the POE "failed to stamp the application materials" at the airport and that we need to send in "proof of a stamp of entry at the POE" -- but they stamped NOTHING. It looks like he never even went through an airport at all. In fact his passport is blank expect for the visa that the consular pasted in there and one exit stamp in Casablanca.

Hoping this won't get too bad. But I will take your advice and start calling tomorrow.

Thanks again!

Examine the Immigrant Visa very carefully---the endorsement is put there and it might blend in.

The letter might be referring to something else besides the visa, but that's unlikely.

It should resolve fairly easily--the other deferred inspections that have posted came out fine.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this tip. It has saved me literally hours of frustration.

The USCIS office in Texas knew NOTHING and gave me the run around. But I called CPB as you suggested and they are taking care of it -- we are Fedexing the passport and they will stamp it as if they were stamping it the day he arrived in country.

I suppose this sort of thing makes them look bad, and in fact, the officer said this is the ONLY time he has even encountered someone who was able to slip through immigration without a stamp. Strange.

Again, THANKS. I HEART VJ!

I would not send it in if I were you. This is too important to trust the CBP to do the right thing without you there to explain and direct them what you need and why. Remember the person who talked to you on the phone may not be the one who gets the envelope and may have no idea what to do with it. Take the time, get in the car and drive to the nearest CBP POE and get the passport stamped.

New York is too far from Tennessee and I am due (pregnant) in 5 days. You do the math

I did talk directly to an officer who will personally stamp it and send it FedEx overnight. We just need this so badly (so he can get his green card and driver's license etc). The officer was very apologetic - he did mention this was the only time he had heard of this happening with an immigrant visa.

[meauxna 15]

New York is too far from Tennessee and I am due (pregnant) in 5 days. You do the math

I did talk directly to an officer who will personally stamp it and send it FedEx overnight. We just need this so badly (so he can get his green card and driver's license etc). The officer was very apologetic - he did mention this was the only time he had heard of this happening with an immigrant visa.

Why does it have to go to New York?

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/tn/

See if they can't help you out locally. Get the NY guy back on the phone and tell him to make it happen.

[dmartmar 1]

I have a strange and frustrating issue! My husband and I filed DCF in Casablanca, Morocco. He came over here a few weeks ago through JFK POE. He tells me they were very busy and he ended up translating for other immigrants. They asked him a few questions and then said "welcome" and sent him on his way.

Nobody stamped his passport!

Now, after waiting for 2 weeks for a SS card and the permanent resident card, we get a f**cked-up letter in the mail from the USCIS service center in Texas stating that the POE failed to stamp the passport (duh) and in order to receive a green card we must send proof of a POE stamp. Did you read that? They are asking us for proof of something that they failed to provide. The letter literally contradicts itself within one paragraph.

I don't know who's worse. The agent who "failed" to stamp your husband's passport or your husband who "failed" to get it stamped.

Edited November 16, 2006 by dmartmar

[zyggy 9]

It does not have to happen in NY.. you can do a deferred inspection at ANY CBP POE. Look at the link that meauxna gave you, go to the one that is closest to you and see what they can do for you.

Edited November 16, 2006 by zyggy

[Captain Ewok 1,900]

I have a strange and frustrating issue! My husband and I filed DCF in Casablanca, Morocco. He came over here a few weeks ago through JFK POE. He tells me they were very busy and he ended up translating for other immigrants. They asked him a few questions and then said "welcome" and sent him on his way.

Nobody stamped his passport!

Now, after waiting for 2 weeks for a SS card and the permanent resident card, we get a f**cked-up letter in the mail from the USCIS service center in Texas stating that the POE failed to stamp the passport (duh) and in order to receive a green card we must send proof of a POE stamp. Did you read that? They are asking us for proof of something that they failed to provide. The letter literally contradicts itself within one paragraph.

I don't know who's worse. The agent who "failed" to stamp your husband's passport or your husband who "failed" to get it stamped.

Why are you being so mean? Your PM box is full btw.

[Marilyn. 340]

I have a strange and frustrating issue! My husband and I filed DCF in Casablanca, Morocco. He came over here a few weeks ago through JFK POE. He tells me they were very busy and he ended up translating for other immigrants. They asked him a few questions and then said "welcome" and sent him on his way.

Nobody stamped his passport!

Now, after waiting for 2 weeks for a SS card and the permanent resident card, we get a f**cked-up letter in the mail from the USCIS service center in Texas stating that the POE failed to stamp the passport (duh) and in order to receive a green card we must send proof of a POE stamp. Did you read that? They are asking us for proof of something that they failed to provide. The letter literally contradicts itself within one paragraph.

I don't know who's worse. The agent who "failed" to stamp your husband's passport or your husband who "failed" to get it stamped.

Why are you being so mean? Your PM box is full btw.

I am not sure what his problem is

Edited November 16, 2006 by MarilynP

[deeshla 0]

I have a strange and frustrating issue! My husband and I filed DCF in Casablanca, Morocco. He came over here a few weeks ago through JFK POE. He tells me they were very busy and he ended up translating for other immigrants. They asked him a few questions and then said "welcome" and sent him on his way.

Nobody stamped his passport!

Now, after waiting for 2 weeks for a SS card and the permanent resident card, we get a f**cked-up letter in the mail from the USCIS service center in Texas stating that the POE failed to stamp the passport (duh) and in order to receive a green card we must send proof of a POE stamp. Did you read that? They are asking us for proof of something that they failed to provide. The letter literally contradicts itself within one paragraph.

I don't know who's worse. The agent who "failed" to stamp your husband's passport or your husband who "failed" to get it stamped.

Huh? Was it my husband's responsibility to stamp his own passport and complete his paperwork, then craft a green card and send it to himself? When he got to immigration at JKF they asked him to translate for other immigrants and made him wait. After that they started the process then just left him standing there. After several minutes he asked the officer "Is that all?" The officer said "yes" so my husband left the room and went to his next gate. He did think it strange, but this is his first time passing through a US POE, I don't really expect him to know the procedure.

Anyway, all is well now. The officer has already stamped the passport and is overnighting it to us FedEx. I really wanted the NYC stamp, not a local stamp (I talked to the director at the most local CBP here in Tennessee) to deter future incompetency and silliness in the future (who knows what immigration will chose to question? Expecially someone from a Muslim country). It was all handled pretty well by JFK Customs I think. I suppose this would embarrass them politcally if people knew they were letting people "slip in."

It does not have to happen in NY.. you can do a deferred inspection at ANY CBP POE. Look at the link that meauxna gave you, go to the one that is closest to you and see what they can do for you.

I talked to the director of my local Customs and Border Patrol. He agreed with this in theory but said that Imiigration being a different section of DHS might question why the stamp said "Nashville" instead of "New York." He did say he was willing to do it, though.

In the end, actually Fedexing the pasport to JFK has been easier -- mainly because I am full term pregnant and (obviously) husband cannot drive here yet (no green card, no DL, etc.). It was handled quite well by one officer in NY - he personally stamped it today and has overnighted it to us.

Just FYI, future reference....

Thanks for all advice.