Travelling internationally with i-551 stamp.

[Constantine1234 1]

Hi everyone! Anybody travelled with i-551 for the first time? My i-751 has been pending since 2013 and im travelling internationally with i-551. I heard if its for the first time, you have to undergo a secondary inspection. What is it all about? Thanks!

[dhlunar 25]

Your I-751 has been pending for over a year?

[Constantine1234 1]

Yeah. I did everything already, still uscis couldnt tell me whats going on. Maybe they misplaced our papers. Well anyway, will the i-551 and expired green card ok to travel back to united states? What is a secondary inspection?

[Cheezees 1,514]

Can you apply for citizenship? That would FORCE them to adjudicate your case immediately.

[Nevin 12]

Dude if its over a year then check your timeline. You can apply for citizenship.

[khwaidee1 196]

Hi everyone! Anybody travelled with i-551 for the first time? My i-751 has been pending since 2013 and im travelling internationally with i-551. I heard if its for the first time, you have to undergo a secondary inspection. What is it all about? Thanks!

We came through LAX twice and off a cruise ship once. All 3 times through secondary. The time at LAX was annoying and time consuming. Our CBP Officers treat the arrivals like s**t. I was totally embarrassed. They kept yelling at everybody in English. The large majority were Chinese students on student visas whose English was not that good. We had to speak to 4 different officers, once 3 at once. They went over why we had a 551 stamp each time (because DHS put the wrong date on the GC and we were waiting for a replacement). They kept checking the system etc. The worst was when we got off the cruise, the "nice" but not very bright young lady only looked at the expired 551 (we were now onto our second one waiting for a replacement GC). After waiting for over an hour right in front of her I finally heard her say something to her friend about the need to detain my wife (this after watching two other ladies led out in handcuffs). At this point I'd had enough and pointed out that she was looking at the expired 551 (this after they had taken my wife's passport to another room twice.) It is a pain, always added an hour+ to our arrival and saw how we treat arriving immigrants. I can't wait til my wife can get a U.S. Passport!

Edited January 28, 2015 by khwaidee1

[Ms Hogan 295]

Hi everyone! Anybody travelled with i-551 for the first time? My i-751 has been pending since 2013 and im travelling internationally with i-551. I heard if its for the first time, you have to undergo a secondary inspection. What is it all about? Thanks!

To respond to your question... secondary processing is when you are sent for further "discussion" regarding your travel. When you cross the border you first speak to an officer and they either allow you in or send you over to secondary processing to speak to another officer further. Depending on what's going on they may ask for more information or clarification on your documents and such. I really look at it as a way to not hold up the line. If you're not totally straight forward and simple then they send you over to secondary so they can get the details they need to make their decision about entry.

What was the expiry date of you extension letter?

What is the date of your stamp?

How long ago did you get married and become conditional resident? One of the other posters mentioned you might look into applying for citizenship depending on your timeline.

[khwaidee1 196]

To respond to your question... secondary processing is when you are sent for further "discussion" regarding your travel. When you cross the border you first speak to an officer and they either allow you in or send you over to secondary processing to speak to another officer further. Depending on what's going on they may ask for more information or clarification on your documents and such. I really look at it as a way to not hold up the line. If you're not totally straight forward and simple then they send you over to secondary so they can get the details they need to make their decision about entry.

What was the expiry date of you extension letter?

What is the date of your stamp?

How long ago did you get married and become conditional resident? One of the other posters mentioned you might look into applying for citizenship depending on your timeline.

At LAX they have a big room they send you to. They take your passport and the sheet from the CBP officer at the POE. There is a CBP officer at the front door seated at a desk. Every few minutes she barks out instructions to the room. She takes your passport and gives it to someone behind the glass. On the wall is a bunch of slots. They put your passport in a slot which basically is how they process them. Then, after your passport has been moved over and over again, they call you up to the window. You're asked why you have a 551, where you got it, (despite the fact that it is written on the 551 due to GC having DHS error, replacement ordered).(And, I had our I-90 receipt, copy of wife's GC, copy of our marriage license, wife's driver's license that we showed to them.) They then look at the computer and tell you to have a seat. You get called up again and go through it all over again. Finally, we get called up and there are now 3 CBPs, asked the same thing, they look intently at the screen, told to sit down. Finally, passport is returned and we are escorted by 2 CBPs back the initial POE check in where we are processed and allowed to get our bags and go through customs. I felt like we were treated poorly but I was not going to say anything at that time!

[Constantine1234 1]

Thank you for all your replies. I got my i-551 last september 2014. I wish i can apply for citizenship but unfortunately, we are on the process of divorce while i-751 is still pending. What do they usually ask on the secondary inspection? Are they gonna scrutinize me for having i-551?

[khwaidee1 196]

Thank you for all your replies. I got my i-551 last september 2014. I wish i can apply for citizenship but unfortunately, we are on the process of divorce while i-751 is still pending. What do they usually ask on the secondary inspection? Are they gonna scrutinize me for having i-551?

No scrutiny, they just want to make sure it's the real deal. But, our CBP officers lack a lot of people skills so you kind of end up feeling like you did something wrong. They'll ask why you have the stamp, where you got it etc. Bring a copy of your GC (if you have one) marriage license, I-90 receipt or anything else you might have to show a valid GC.