Left Green Card at home whilst traveling internationally - Help needed

[MooseyOfficial 0]

Hi guys,

Any help or advice would be great. I left LAX for Cabo for 4 nights and left my green card at home. I'm due to return Wddnesday. I'm travelling on a valid British passport but I have no idea what I need to do to get back in to the country. My mother in law has retrieved my green card from our apartment and could theoretically meet us (I'm travelling with my US citizen wife) at LAX who she could meet once she's cleared immigration but what are the consequences of me arriving at LAX without my green card.

Any help or advice would be great as I'm kind of panicking. Thank you!

[Georgia16 2,858]

Can't she ship it over night?

[MooseyOfficial 0]

All the UPS stores she's been to said we won't get it until Wednesday even though they say they can guarantee next day in Mexico on their website. I'm at a loss to explain why they'd say that and being here I can't really intervene any more. Ugh, I'm such an idiot.

[Georgia16 2,858]

All the UPS stores she's been to said we won't get it until Wednesday even though they say they can guarantee next day in Mexico on their website. I'm at a loss to explain why they'd say that and being here I can't really intervene any more. Ugh, I'm such an idiot.

What about FedEx?

[MooseyOfficial 0]

Still too late I'm afraid. I guess because we're not in a major city the next business day rule doesn't apply. Kind of at a loss of what to do.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

DHL is probably your best option to get it there faster.

In the meantime, let her send you front and back scanned copies of your GC. Try going to the consulate with the copies to get some kind of notarized document.

I believe it should work in the same way, as you losing your passport abroad, scanned copies could be used to return to the US (if you had them pre-departure).

[Andrea&Henry 311]

I would't risk my chances, because you are already a permanent resident, I don't know if immigration officers will allow you to enter as a tourist. Try to change your flight for later this week and wait.

[MooseyOfficial 0]

I'm trying to get in touch with the consulate at this point and see if there's any advice they can give.

Thanks everyone for your input so far.

[newacct 688]

You can:

1. Get it mailed to you, if possible and reliable
2. Or, go to a US consulate and get a transportation letter

I am not sure if you can even board the flight with a British passport without a green card or transportation letter as you don't have (and cannot get) an ESTA. But if they let you board and you arrive in the US, you should present yourself to immigration officers as a permanent resident who forgot the green card, and they should be able to let you in.

[Advanced Aardvark 82]

Try calling USCIS and ask them what to do. You are not the only one to do this. It is certain they have an established procedure for this issue.

Good Luck.

[newacct 688]

Try calling USCIS and ask them what to do. You are not the only one to do this. It is certain they have an established procedure for this issue.

Good Luck.

The established procedure is to go to a consulate and get a transportation letter.

USCIS has nothing to do with this; they are not responsible for entry to the US.

[Jawaree 718]

Yep go to consulate & obtain transportation letter

If you get on the flight without that letter e sure MIL

is there B4 your arrival & tries to speak to someone

in immigration like a supervisor

[scotinmass 588]

You might find this article helpful

http://intelligenttravel.nationalgeographic.com/2010/07/26/green_cards_a_cautionary_tale/

[ricnally 259]

You might also have to pay a fine for not having it with you.,,

[Hypnos 6,578]

As stated above, you likely won't be allowed to board the flight because you don't have an ESTA, a visa, or a green card (in your possession). You would need to obtain a transportation letter from the US embassy.

You usually need to make an appointment in advance I would suggest that your relative overnighting your green card to you is going to be a simpler solution than going through the hassle of obtaining a letter, since it will probably be a couple of weeks until they can give you an appointment.

So, I would suggest rescheduling your flight for a few days and then getting your green card couriered to you. I doubt you have any option other than that or the letter.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Hypnos