I-751 September 2016 Filers

[BFP XX 62]

Me too ?

 

I've been told to carry my expired GC and the original extension letter from USCIS (and of course my passport and second license) for travel. Does anybody have any other advice for traveling while in limbo with this? I'm a little uncomfortable with it too. Thanks ?

[loismei 1]

I used the expired green card and extension letter to travel to UK in Dec with my hubby. It worked fine but need to have lots of explanation with the airline because not everyone know what the extension letter means. However, I went with my hubby. So, I have no idea if people will get detain by themselves, especially after the Executive Order...

[BFP XX 62]

I'm traveling with my husband and  4 other US citizens for a group vacation. We are going to Jamaica and Mexico, so I'm a little worried that they won't understand the letter. 

 

We live in AZ and there are many Border Patrol Checkpoints, and several times when visiting on the 'Visa Waiver' I was asked to produce a Visa... And when I said 'I don't need a visa, I'm traveling on the Visa Waiver, the agents would look immediately concerned, and didn't understand that I didn't need a visa! While I never had any major issues, it was obvious that they weren't familiar with that side of immigration.

 

A valid GC is very common and easy to identify... But I don't know how often they see these extension letters, and it's got me a little worried... Especially with the executive order, as you say... ?

[mechanicalshasta 1]

My wife and I traveled to Peru in December 2016 and she carried her GC with extension letter.  We didn't have any issues returning into the country.  Tomorrow morning (3/3) she'll be returning from Peru by herself, also carrying GC and EL, under the new administration.  I'll post an update how that goes.

[Wingnutfish 18]

My wife and I visited Taiwan for a month recently, and returned using her expired green card and the letter (and passport of course). Immigration agents at San Francisco airport instantly recognized the letter and knew what was going on. No trouble at all. I don't remember the airline even asking - if they did, they didn't give her any trouble.

[BFP XX 62]

Thank you, that's reassuring to hear!

 

And thank you Mechanicalshasta! Let us know how she gets on... Hopefully very smoothly! ?

[Beginning777 6]

At what time should anyone apply to have their passport stamped for another 1 year green card; in the interim of appling for citizenship?

[zuluweta 250]

On 3/2/2017 at 8:01 AM, Ketsuban said:

No, California is working on petitions submitted in May 2016 and Vermont is working on December 2015. 

 

Ugh. This limbo status is excruciating. 4.5 months to go then I get to apply for citizenship. Hopefully, the 10-year GC gets to me before then.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

1 minute ago, zuluweta said:

 

Ugh. This limbo status is excruciating. 4.5 months to go then I get to apply for citizenship. Hopefully, the 10-year GC gets to me before then.

I'm gonna wait it out until 5 years. I'm getting annoyed having to keep proving I'm not using my husband for a Green Card. After ROC, I just want to either do an I-90 every 10 years or apply for citizenship based on residency length only. No more nosing into my life. That's just my personal beef, I'm not saying it's a bad idea to go for the marriage-based citizenship after 3 years. 

[mechanicalshasta 1]

Update:  My wife landed at IAH at 650 am. She passed through immigration/customs with GC and EL without issues. By 740 am we were leaving the airport. 

[loismei 1]

 

On 9/12/2016 at 7:56 PM, ColGil said:

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to say hey. My GC was due to expire 10/8/16 but I was moving house in July so I was waiting on change of address on bills and utilities before filing my I-751 so I'll be a fellow September filer instead of July.

Best of luck to us all.

Thanks for the updates! 

[zuluweta 250]

Hey folks, I have a question. I took the GRE test recently. There was a question on the waiver/consent form: "Are you taking this exam in the country of your citizenship?" Of course I checked the 'No' box.

 

Well, the test proctors asked me to show proof of legal immigration status before they would let me take the test. I showed the expired green card and they said that won't do. It's a good thing I had my extension letter but I had to explain its validity and how it extended my resident status till September 2017.

 

I had to control myself because they were not immigration officers so I didn't understand why they asked to see proof of legal immigration status. The only reason I didn't raise a ruckus was because I had to take the exam ASAP and I didn't want this 'drama' to affect my mental and emotional state while taking an exam.

 

So are pencil pushers like test proctors allowed to ask for proof of immigration status? There seems to be something wrong with this picture!

[loismei 1]

15 minutes ago, zuluweta said:

Hey folks, I have a question. I took the GRE test recently. There was a question on the waiver/consent form: "Are you taking this exam in the country of your citizenship?" Of course I checked the 'No' box.

 

Well, the test proctors asked me to show proof of legal immigration status before they would let me take the test. I showed the expired green card and they said that won't do. It's a good thing I had my extension letter but I had to explain its validity and how it extended my resident status till September 2017.

 

I had to control myself because they were not immigration officers so I didn't understand why they asked to see proof of legal immigration status. The only reason I didn't raise a ruckus was because I had to take the exam ASAP and I didn't want this 'drama' to affect my mental and emotional state while taking an exam.

 

So are pencil pushers like test proctors allowed to ask for proof of immigration status? There seems to be something wrong with this picture!

Hi! I think it's valid for any agents to ask for our legal status. The only things we have right now is an expired GC and the extension letter. The expired GC itself doesn't grant us anything.

 

I have the similar situation for applying schools and jobs. I need to explain to them that I'm applying to remove condition for GC and the extension letter is the evidence. Seriously, not everyone knows what the letter means and they may even challenge if the letter is real. So, be nice and patience! I think they can even call the USCIS to get validation for the extension letter. I hope it helps!

[BFP XX 62]

Thanks for the update! That makes me feel somewhat better ? Glad your wife is home safe ?

[zuluweta 250]

On 3/3/2017 at 11:27 AM, Ketsuban said:

I'm gonna wait it out until 5 years. I'm getting annoyed having to keep proving I'm not using my husband for a Green Card. After ROC, I just want to either do an I-90 every 10 years or apply for citizenship based on residency length only. No more nosing into my life. That's just my personal beef, I'm not saying it's a bad idea to go for the marriage-based citizenship after 3 years. 

 

I plan to use a lawyer for the citizenship phase. There could be more restrictions on green card holders coming up so I'd rather be done with all the uncertainty. More power to you if you don't feel like having to prove the bonafides of your marriage yet again.