Travel outside you while the 1 year extension letter expired

[utst10 0]

I have a friend who traveled outside the US to Maylasia. She took the one year letter extension with her but forgot it expired.

She has lived in the USA for over 10 years. She has a good career, properties, and family over here. When she left, the one year extension letter expired.

The US emabassy abroad said she has abandon her status and denied her Advance Parole.

Is there anything she can do? Or if someone can recommend a lawyer in Houston.

Thanks!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

How long was she out of the US ? If over a year then there is little she can do as she has shown that she isn't residing in the US. She could try fo ra returning resident visa but that is iffy at best.

[utst10 0]

She left for 3 weeks. She applied for a new green card over a year ago and got the AP letter which expire this May.

Because of her work, she never followed up on the AP letter. She travelled outside the US for Thanksgiving (3 weeks) this year.

She lived her over 10 years, have a good paying job and never comitted any crimes.

She even graduated from the University of Houston (4 years degree).

[milimelo 4,479]

Does she have her expired green card (is it a 10-yr card or 2-yr) with her and a copy of receipt that she submitted for renewal? Also, work contract, lease of apartment in the US - you know, the usual ties showing she is a resident in the US?

She could chance it and catch a flight to the US and then if/when CBP raises issue request hearing in front of an IJ.

[utst10 0]

She has the 10 yr GC and the NOA one year extension letter.

She works for a Fortune 500 company and own a house.

She only went on vacation for 3 weeks!

She was stopped in Qatar by Immigration and won't let her travel to the USA.

I thought that was strange they checked her letter there.

[Dave&Roza 748]

She has the 10 yr GC and the NOA one year extension letter.

She works for a Fortune 500 company and own a house.

She only went on vacation for 3 weeks!

She was stopped in Qatar by Immigration and won't let her travel to the USA.

I thought that was strange they checked her letter there.

She needs to go to the nearest US Embassy, show them the expired GC, and ask for a travel document. The card is expired not her status. The airlines is not allowing her to board the airplane as she does not have a valid document to enter the US with. She has an expired GC, but her LPR status is still valid. Unlike the 2 year GC, when it expires so does your LPR status unless you file for ROC. The CBP will see her file and see that she is a LPR and just has an expired GC with an application pending. She just needs to get proper documentation so she will be allowed to get on the airplane home.

Good luck to her,

Dave

P. S. After all this trouble she might want to file for citizenship as that eliminates the need to renew the GC. As long as the passport is valid you can travel and re-enter the US. For others out there, that is why it is important to check all documents for validity when travelling outside the US especially those needed to get you back into the US.

Edited December 4, 2013 by Dave&Roza