Traveling while removing conditions pending

[observatorka 197]

I don't know what to do. I cannot get to my local USCIS, there were no available appointments, now they are closed for a week because they are relocating. I set up alarms for 6am to check availability. Nothing! I'm gonna be traveling in a middle of May, coming back end of May. My letter is good until June 7th. Will they let me into the country? Do I need this stamp? Can I get a second extension letter from the main USCIS office if I call? Everything is on the edge of a knife. I'm stressed and bummed that it's taking that long to approve my GC. :((

[observatorka 197]

2 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

Your entry before the extension letter expiry should be fine! I found appointments were opened up around midnight local time, so you might try middle of the night alarm!

I usually don't go to bed before midnight, tried midnight too. It looks like everything is canceled because of their moving process.

[andy78 178]

Why are you waking up at 6 am? To get an appointment on the same day? Appointments are usually scheduled at least a couple of weeks in advance. I suggest that you look now for an appointment date in May before your travel date. As far as I know, they do not issue a second extension letter.

Edited April 21, 2017 by andy78

[observatorka 197]

33 minutes ago, andy78 said:

Why are you waking up at 6 am? To get an appointment on the same day? Appointments are usually scheduled at least a couple of weeks in advance. I suggest that you look now for an appointment date in May before your travel date. As far as I know, they do not issue a second extension letter.

To schedule an appointment at least couple weeks in advance!!! That's why I want to schedule now, to do it before I travel in May.

But there are no appointments available. 

 

Edited April 21, 2017 by observatorka

[observatorka 197]

33 minutes ago, Dee elle said:

mmmm    You'd hope an expiry date is just that and common sense and logic says travel back before that date is what is needed, but I do understand your concern.. USCIS manages to get our thinking all messed up doesn't it!!

I'm freaking out! I know! I will come back 12 days before it expires and I'm still going crazy.

[neilsqueen 433]

Are there any other locations you can try and make an appointment at that are close to your home?  I understand your concern.  There are always unforeseen circumstances that can occur that might delay your reentry date back into the country before your letter expires ie sickness, plane delays, etc.  Technically you are going to be ok with your timeframe and your letter.  You can travel safely up until June 7th.  Hope you can find another location to get a stamp at so as to put your mind at ease.  This whole process can really mess with your head.  I can't wait until my husband is eligible for citizenship next year so we never have to worry about this again!!!

[observatorka 197]

3 minutes ago, neilsqueen said:

Are there any other locations you can try and make an appointment at that are close to your home?  I understand your concern.  There are always unforeseen circumstances that can occur that might delay your reentry date back into the country before your letter expires ie sickness, plane delays, etc.  Technically you are going to be ok with your timeframe and your letter.  You can travel safely up until June 7th.  Hope you can find another location to get a stamp at so as to put your mind at ease.  This whole process can really mess with your head.  I can't wait until my husband is eligible for citizenship next year so we never have to worry about this again!!!

Nah, I will just go with the flow. The closest office is basically in Chicago, I don't have time to arrange a trip to Chicago for a stamp.
I will keep trying to schedule an appt, I have 3 weeks before I leave. Maybe I will get approved before that date too. We will see.

[neilsqueen 433]

1 minute ago, observatorka said:

Nah, I will just go with the flow. The closest office is basically in Chicago, I don't have time to arrange a trip to Chicago for a stamp.
I will keep trying to schedule an appt, I have 3 weeks before I leave. Maybe I will get approved before that date too. We will see.

I don't blame you.  That's a long haul to get to Chicago.  I'm sure all will be good.  Have a blast on your trip!

[observatorka 197]

1 minute ago, neilsqueen said:

I don't blame you.  That's a long haul to get to Chicago.  I'm sure all will be good.  Have a blast on your trip!

Thanks! Take care!

[nyc-and-india 0]

In my experience, the border agents we encountered in our travels before our ROC approval (this week!) were all very knowledgeable and understanding about the extension letter and never questioned its validity, let alone raised an eyebrow.

 

We traveled with the letter and the expired green card both. In one case, we traveled with the green card alone within just a week or two prior to its expiry (had the extension letter at home, but technically the green card was still valid at that time, so...). We found in that case and more often than not that the agent just said something to the effect of "don't forget that your green card/extension letter will expire soon -- make sure to file your ROC/get your stamp on time!"

 

Just be confident and likewise be able to talk confidently and calmly about your paperwork that's been filed and/or your plan to get a stamp before the extension expires. Hope your experience is as easier as ours were!

[David & Diana R 1,005]

8 hours ago, observatorka said:

I'm freaking out! I know! I will come back 12 days before it expires and I'm still going crazy.

If it were me I would cancel my travel plans.  But that's just me.  I tend to err on the side of caution.  It would suck if you traveled and you got someone in a bad mood at the re-entry point and you were denied entry.  Good luck and God Bless,  Aloha, David

[observatorka 197]

1 hour ago, David & Zoila said:

If it were me I would cancel my travel plans.  But that's just me.  I tend to err on the side of caution.  It would suck if you traveled and you got someone in a bad mood at the re-entry point and you were denied entry.  Good luck and God Bless,  Aloha, David

I'm not gonna cancel $2400 tickets just because, I was saving money for couple years to go and visit my family. Like everybody else said, my status as a legal resident was granted until June,7th and there is no reason to deny entry. 

[David & Diana R 1,005]

3 minutes ago, observatorka said:

I'm not gonna cancel $2400 tickets just because, I was saving money for couple years to go and visit my family. Like everybody else said, my status as a legal resident was granted until June,7th and there is no reason to deny entry. 

Jeeze you don't have to get mad!  You asked for opinions and I gave you mine.  If you come on here asking for advice don't kill the messenger.  Hopefully you get back in???

[observatorka 197]

3 hours ago, nyc-and-india said:

In my experience, the border agents we encountered in our travels before our ROC approval (this week!) were all very knowledgeable and understanding about the extension letter and never questioned its validity, let alone raised an eyebrow.

 

We traveled with the letter and the expired green card both. In one case, we traveled with the green card alone within just a week or two prior to its expiry (had the extension letter at home, but technically the green card was still valid at that time, so...). We found in that case and more often than not that the agent just said something to the effect of "don't forget that your green card/extension letter will expire soon -- make sure to file your ROC/get your stamp on time!"

 

Just be confident and likewise be able to talk confidently and calmly about your paperwork that's been filed and/or your plan to get a stamp before the extension expires. Hope your experience is as easier as ours were!

Thank you! I'm aware of the whole situation. I had my Infopass scheduled in March but I canceled it because it was too early to get a stamp. I didn't want to waste my time, their time, appointment that could be used by somebody else. Right now when I'm trying to schedule a new appt I found out that they are moving to a new location, they are closed and they don't process appt requests. My status is granted until June,7th. I'm gonna figure it out.

[observatorka 197]

5 minutes ago, David & Zoila said:

Jeeze you don't have to get mad!  You asked for opinions and I gave you mine.  If you come on here asking for advice don't kill the messenger.  Hopefully you get back in???

I don't get mad. I just don't get your reasoning that I might be denied because of somebody's mood.