I-751 Approval Letter. Can I travel back to US? Need Advice

[tinatin 0]

Greetings! I am in a difficult situation.

April 2012 - Received I-751notice of Extension for One year while conditional status removal is reviewed.

March 2013 - Received approval letter that Conditional Status has been removed (on plain letterhead).

May 2013 - I had to travel to Europe on family emergency. Can I come back to US? Will Customs allow me to enter US?

Extention letter expired in April 2013.

Any advice is appreciated!!!

[missicy 87]

Did you receive a new Green Card? Your I-751 was approved so you don't need extension letter anymore but you will need the new, 10-year GC to re-enter.

[tinatin 0]

My Conditional Green Card expired. Before expiry I applied for removal of condition and received I-751 extention for 1 year (this 1 year also passed). I received approval letter stating that condition was removed. I left US 1 week ago on family emergency and want to come back. Will they allow me to enter US?

[missicy 87]

Your ROC was approved almost two months ago so you should have received your new, 10-year Green Card by now. Have you received it? I doubt they will let you re-enter with the approval letter; you will need your GC to re-enter.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Greetings! I am in a difficult situation.

April 2012 - Received I-751notice of Extension for One year while conditional status removal is reviewed.

March 2013 - Received approval letter that Conditional Status has been removed (on plain letterhead).

May 2013 - I had to travel to Europe on family emergency. Can I come back to US? Will Customs allow me to enter US?

Extention letter expired in April 2013.

Any advice is appreciated!!!

The problem will be getting on the airplane to return. The airline will require a valid passport with a valid visa or GC or the expired GC and the extension letter. Once all your documentation has expired they do not know if you have been granted a new GC or not. The US government requires all airlines flying into the US to verify that the person has a good chance of being granted entry into the US. That is why they check your documents before allowing you to board the plane. The CBP people can look you up and see that you have a 10 year GC and would allow you to enter--they may give you a hard time as to why you are not carrying the new unexpired card.

You received the approval notice in March. Where is your new GC? If someone can check your mail, I would have them do so and see if the card has arrived. If it has, you can decide how you can convience the airlines that you do have a 10 year GC that is not expired.

Good luck,

Dave

Edited May 11, 2013 by Dave&Roza

[tinatin 0]

Thank you for responses!!!

I have not received new 10-year GC yet. I think I will receive it anyday now, but from Vermont SC sometimes it takes upto 6 months (in my case only 2 months passed since approval letter).

I can convince Airplane to let me to the flight, but What are my chances to enter US with approval letter, expired GC and expired 1 year I-751 extension letter at the JFK Airport with Customs?

[Dave&Roza 748]

Thank you for responses!!!

I have not received new 10-year GC yet. I think I will receive it anyday now, but from Vermont SC sometimes it takes upto 6 months (in my case only 2 months passed since approval letter).

I can convince Airplane to let me to the flight, but What are my chances to enter US with approval letter, expired GC and expired 1 year I-751 extension letter at the JFK Airport with Customs?

How are you going to convience the airlines to let you board the airpalne without proper documentation that you can enter the US? CBP is not your problem area as they have a computer that will show them you have a valid 10 year GC--the airline does not. Look at it from their stand point. If they let you board with all your expired documents and then you are refused entry to the US, THEY must take you back to the point of departure at THEIR expense. Do you think they are going to do so. I do not think you have enough Benjamins to throw at the airline employee to have this happen--I understand how the FSU works, but there are some people that just cannot be bought, BTDT.

IF you can actually get on the return flight, then you should only get s stern talking to and have some problems getting back into the US after you tell them your story. I would plan for a long time at Customs before your next flight, but IMHO you will get in as you do have a valid 10 year GC. It is just that you are not carrying it.

Good luck,

Dave

[DC85 113]

Go to the American embassy in Londong, they will issue a transportaion letter for you

http://london.usembassy.gov/dhs/cbp/expired_stamps.html

[DC85 113]

Or if somebody has access to your mail box , let them check if your GC arrived , if they find so, let them fedex it to you

[bigdog 376]

See the embassy and have someone regularly check your mail. These "emergencies" always cause issues and immigration stuff takes careful planning unfornately.