Traveling Within US

[le_chat_fou 0]

Hi! New here! Just had a quick question. I recently filed for my GC. I have received by receipts and my biometrics appointment notification about a week or two ago. I want to travel within the US by car and I will pass one BP checkpoint on the way. What documentation would I need to show? I am under the impression that the receipts can be enough? Help!

-Ana

[Alexi and Brent 0]

They will want your passport with the I94 arrival record in it. Doesn't hurt to bring along the receipts also to prove you filed for AOS if they ask.

[le_chat_fou 0]

They will want your passport with the I94 arrival record in it. Doesn't hurt to bring along the receipts also to prove you filed for AOS if they ask.

Alrighty, so passport... check

I94... expired

Actually my student visa, my opt, and my I-94 (by default) already expired by the time I filed for my AOS.

I have my tourist visa still unexpired but I doubt that will do much for me.

Should I just bring that anyway?

I also have a valid US driver's license. Would that help at all?

[Darnell 8,479]

what visa did you use to arrive in the USA ?

[Alexi and Brent 0]

This post should help. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/272072-travel-inside-the-us-after-i-94-expired/

[le_chat_fou 0]

what visa did you use to arrive in the USA ?

A G-4 visa, but that was many years ago. OK, here is some background info:

I arrived here (legally) as a temporary resident when I was 6 years old with a G-4 visa.

When the G-4 expired, my family and I got tourists visas and a few months later I began to study with an F-1 student visa.

Then, I filed (and received) an EAD, known as an OPT for students. Which is the one you get after you finish your college career.

During this time (OPT time I mean), I got married and filed for an AOS.

Now, my student visa is expired because the OPT is expired, meaning I have and expired I-94 as well.

My tourist visa happens to still be valid because we we got it, we opted for the 10-year visa.

[le_chat_fou 0]

This post should help....

It definitely did. I had a freak-out moment there! Thanks!

[Ontarkie 14,498]

~~~~Moved to Working & Traveling During US Immigration, from Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from Family Based Visas - As the question at this time is about traveling~~~~

[TBoneTX 46,125]

Bring whatever documentation you have that proves your authorization to be in the U.S. legally. The original receipt and biometrics notice should do it.

The inland CBP agents vary in their professionalism. It's wisest to assume that they're bored and are looking to bust someone.

Wherever you go, avoid the inland checkpoint south of Alpine (Texas) like the plague. This is sound advice even if you're a born U.S. citizen.

[le_chat_fou 0]

Bring whatever documentation you have that proves your authorization to be in the U.S. legally. The original receipt and biometrics notice should do it.

The inland CBP agents vary in their professionalism. It's wisest to assume that they're bored and are looking to bust someone.

Wherever you go, avoid the inland checkpoint south of Alpine (Texas) like the plague. This is sound advice even if you're a born U.S. citizen.

From my understanding, we are passing through the Sierra Blanca checkpoint. It's the one on I-10 W if you are driving from El Paso, TX to Dallas, TX. I driven through there various times in cars with Mexican plates and other with American plates. At times, they will just let everyone pass by no matter the plates or the type of car. Sometimes, they stop everyone. When, I have been stopped it really depends on the agent whether or not I will have to show anything at all. I have noticed though that if a US citizen is riding with us, they usually just glance blankly at paperwork and give it back right away. That will be the case this time. I know I'm am here legally due to my pending status, I just want to avoid time delays and hassles on our trip.

I will definitely take the original receipts, the biometrics notice, my passport, and our marriage certificate (and of course my current driver's license). I can't think of anything else at this moment in time. That should suffice, no?

[TBoneTX 46,125]

I will definitely take the original receipts, the biometrics notice, my passport, and our marriage certificate (and of course my current driver's license). I can't think of anything else at this moment in time. That should suffice, no?

It absolutely should suffice. Let us know your actual experience.

[le_chat_fou 0]

It absolutely should suffice. Let us know your actual experience.

Will do! Our car trip will occur this upcoming Monday. I'll be sure to report back as soon as possible. Thanks again!

[le_chat_fou 0]

Alrighty! I'm here in Dallas reporting back to you guys.

We got to the Sierra Blanca checkpoint. My dad handed the officer his tourist visa and I-94 and I handed him my receipts and my passport. (Note: my passport currently does not have ANY visas in it since my previous one had expired.) We had also two other passengers which happened to US citizens, but they showed the officer their paperwork after we did.

The officer did not ask us (or me) any other questions other than our destination (Dallas, TX). He then proceeded to stare at my receipts. He was staring at them so profoundly that it gave me the impression that he had never seen anything like that before. I told him that it was my receipts for my change of status and my biometrics notice. Without looking up he said, "I know what they are," and handed them back and we were waved on.

I guess I came off a little condescending to this man about documentation because his tone of voice when he responded was not very positive... whoops.

So in conclusion, the receipts and passport were enough. I was carrying our marriage license but I didn't need it. Thanks again for the responses and tips!

[TBoneTX 46,125]

the receipts and passport were enough. I was carrying our marriage license but I didn't need it. Thanks again for the responses and tips!

Thanks for the report, si man! Those guys can be grumpy, so avoid taking it personally.

[newacct 688]

A G-4 visa, but that was many years ago. OK, here is some background info:

I arrived here (legally) as a temporary resident when I was 6 years old with a G-4 visa.

When the G-4 expired, my family and I got tourists visas and a few months later I began to study with an F-1 student visa.

Then, I filed (and received) an EAD, known as an OPT for students. Which is the one you get after you finish your college career.

During this time (OPT time I mean), I got married and filed for an AOS.

Now, my student visa is expired because the OPT is expired, meaning I have and expired I-94 as well.

My tourist visa happens to still be valid because we we got it, we opted for the 10-year visa.

Visa is not relevant; it's the status granted on the I-94. What visa did you *last* enter the U.S. on? And what does it say on the *last* I-94 that you received on that last entry? If you entered as F-1, the I-94 expiration is likely to be "D/S".

In any case, even if your status is expired, you have an I-485 receipt, and that is enough to prove you are authorized to stay in the U.S. I think you can just bring your passport and I-94 (expired or not) and the receipt.