Left Green card in United States...HELP PLEASE

[dimples 9]

Hello Please help ASAP! Currently in another country and left Green card in the United States. My husband was able to travel back with our daughter today but I am still here. I obtained a Police record which they will allow you to travel with once you have a valid passport but I am not sure immigration will allow me or the airline for that matter.

My husband can send me a photo copy of it once he gets there OR Fedex it over night but that puts me here for another 2 days!!! I need to get home to my baby. Any advise or thoughts!!?

Shanique

[Hypnos 6,578]

You have two choices:

(i) Have your husband mail/overnight it to you.

(ii) Obtain a transportation letter from the US embassy in your country which will act as a one-time document to let you re-enter the US.

Given that it can often take 2-3 weeks to set up an appointment for (ii), (i) is probably what you want to go with.

You will not be allowed to board the plane without either your green card or the transportation letter.

Edited September 16, 2015 by Hypnos

[dimples 9]

You have two choices:

(i) Have your husband mail/overnight it to you.

(ii) Obtain a transportation letter from the US embassy in your country which will act as a one-time document to let you re-enter the US.

Given that it can often take 2-3 weeks to set up an appointment for (ii), (i) is probably what you want to go with.

You will not be allowed to board the plane without either your green card or the transportation letter.

Thanks for your help.

[Eric & Idalia 56]

Once I read FEDEX does not deliver documents as green cards and passports. Please ask your husband to read that info from the website of the chosen company.

[Boiler 46,202]

Assuming that is true, how would they know?

[Hypnos 6,578]

I couldn't find any information regarding FedEx refusing to deliver a green card.

[dimples 9]

I couldn't find any information regarding FedEx refusing to deliver a green card.

on the phone with Fedex to confirm. thanks everyone

[Eric & Idalia 56]

Assuming that is true, how would they know?

It is true. I saw it at a Fedex location on a poster in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Green cards, passport and other personal documents were in the list of prohibited items.

How would they know? In Mexico in customs (Aduanas) they open the folders to check what was sent. Maybe at that moment. My husband and our joint sponsor sent me the I-864 for the interview and the folder was open. I knew it was customs because when I got a package from Canada and it was open as well and that time I called to know why it was open. That time was UPS.

Maybe it is just for Mexico. I don't know. Now I wish I took a picture of that poster. That's why I said better check.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Eric & Idalia

[BigDaddy28 228]

It is true. I saw it at a Fedex location on a poster in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. Green cards, passport and other personal documents were in the list of prohibited items.

How would they know? In Mexico in customs (Aduanas) they open the folders to check what was sent. Maybe at that moment. My husband and our joint sponsor sent me the I-864 for the interview and the folder was open. I knew it was customs because when I got a package from Canada and it was open as well and that time I called to know why it was open. That time was UPS.

Maybe it is just for Mexico. I don't know. Now I wish I took a picture of that poster. That's why I said better check.

Actually it's not only Mexico, it's in my home country as well. They will open the package they will make sure there isn't anything suspicious in the package. Now some countries are different as Canada and the USA, they won't open the package all the time unless when its passes by the dog or the scanner machine and something pops out. Not all countries have the same resources though.

I wouldn't send the green card in the mail though. Somebody could just steal it and than you won't have any proof of residency. I would go to the embassy and tell them your story and ask for a traveling document.

Good luck.

[dimples 9]

Thanks for all the replies. I actually took my chances and got through customs and immigrations. I explained my situation took about 30 min for secondary clearance but it all worked. I would never put myself in such a stressful situation again!! Always have green card!

[Hypnos 6,578]

Honestly, you got very lucky. They could just have easily have turned you around and sent you on the next flight back.

I wouldn't recommend doing what you did.

If you hold a Bahamian passport then technically the airline breached CBP rules by letting you board the plane without a valid visa, green card, or transportation letter.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Hypnos

[sted 1]

They would have all records on their computer data...

[Hypnos 6,578]

INA 273(a)(1) provides for a fine of $3,300 for airlines which allow a resident alien to board an aircraft inbound to the US who is not in possession of a valid entry document (i.e. their green card).

http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/carrier_info_guide.pdf

[newacct 688]

Honestly, you got very lucky. They could just have easily have turned you around and sent you on the next flight back.

I wouldn't recommend doing what you did.

If you hold a Bahamian passport then technically the airline breached CBP rules by letting you board the plane without a valid visa, green card, or transportation letter.

The OP didn't say what country they were in or how they got back, but the US does have preclearance facilities in the Bahamas. If the OP went through preclearance, the airline can't "breach rules" if the CBP already let the person through.

[Hypnos 6,578]

True.