I-751 filers traveling when both conditional GC and extension letter are expired and no I-551 passport stamp

[Lanzoni 38]

Since we have a topic named "Traveling on Extension Letter?"

I thought I would start one to see if anybody traveled or heard stories of people that traveled with expired GC, extension letters and no I-551 in their passports. I heard in other forums a story of someone that did that and despite the hassle, the CBP officer finally confirmed the LPR status by looking at their system. Thoughts?

[Mollie09 1,543]

Why would anyone do that? Seems really irresponsible. You need proof of status on you at all times as a LPR, it's a misdemeanor not to.

Edited July 28, 2017 by Mollie09

[Lanzoni 38]

14 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

Why would anyone do that? Seems really irresponsible. You need proof of status on you at all times as a LPR, it's a misdemeanor not to.

Think of the following scenario. LPR has a conditional GC, filed I-751 over an year ago and still has not heard back and was not able to stamp I-551 due to lack of appointments and now has a bereavement in the family overseas...

[Mollie09 1,543]

22 minutes ago, Lanzoni said:

Think of the following scenario. LPR has a conditional GC, filed I-751 over an year ago and still has not heard back and was not able to stamp I-551 due to lack of appointments and now has a bereavement in the family overseas...

 

You can always get an InfoPass, if nothing else you can try just showing up and explaining that you have an emergency. IMO, not an excuse to show up at the border with no proof of residency, which is a misdemeanor, and risk the consequences.

[Lanzoni 38]

6 minutes ago, Mollie09 said:

 

You can always get an InfoPass, if nothing else you can try just showing up and explaining that you have an emergency. IMO, not an excuse to show up at the border with no proof of residency, which is a misdemeanor, and risk the consequences.

Lots of people are having a hard time to get infopass appointments and it's not guaranteed that one can get a walk in appointment.

[Suss&Camm 2,213]

5 minutes ago, Lanzoni said:

Lots of people are having a hard time to get infopass appointments and it's not guaranteed that one can get a walk in appointment.

If one had started the process of trying to get a stamp in good time, I don't see how that situation could occur. Also the posts I've seen about ppl showing up - if you have actually been trying in good time before the expiration date, and despite all odds not been able to get a stamp and you HAVE TO travel - I'm sure they'd listen... You'd at least have to had tried all those things.. I personally wouldn't travel without the stamp unless it was an EMERGENCY, and if it is an emergency, they WILL see you when you show up.. If the travel was for a holiday or someones birthday or something else that is well known in advance, there is no excuse either for not starting the process to try and get an infopass in time.

 

Just my opinion.

[AK_2014 113]

Keep in mind that, while the CBP officer may eventually be able to look up status, an airline employee checking documents at check-in is much more likely to take them at face value. Expired letter, no proof of status, no boarding, and no chance to get as far as a CBP officer to argue that the status is still valid though the proof has expired.

[Lanzoni 38]

10 minutes ago, Suss&Camm said:

If one had started the process of trying to get a stamp in good time, I don't see how that situation could occur. Also the posts I've seen about ppl showing up - if you have actually been trying in good time before the expiration date, and despite all odds not been able to get a stamp and you HAVE TO travel - I'm sure they'd listen... You'd at least have to had tried all those things.. I personally wouldn't travel without the stamp unless it was an EMERGENCY, and if it is an emergency, they WILL see you when you show up.. If the travel was for a holiday or someones birthday or something else that is well known in advance, there is no excuse either for not starting the process to try and get an infopass in time.

 

Just my opinion.

The problem is exactly what being on time means. July 2016 I-751 filers are still waiting to hear from the CSC on their cases. Suppose one got their extension letter in August last year like I did then being on time will necessarily be around 2-3 months from expiration date. I heard from the USCIS over the phone that unless they touched your date and you haven't heard anything then your case is not over normal processing time. 

 

But I hear you all, despite of the circumstances, the CBP officer at the border can easily tell you the same thing, no excuses and not let you in the country despite the fact that your status is verifiable... 

[Lanzoni 38]

6 minutes ago, AK_2014 said:

Keep in mind that, while the CBP officer may eventually be able to look up status, an airline employee checking documents at check-in is much more likely to take them at face value. Expired letter, no proof of status, no boarding, and no chance to get as far as a CBP officer to argue that the status is still valid though the proof has expired.

True and that can happen at home country or even during connections elsewhere, who knows...

[Mollie09 1,543]

1 hour ago, AK_2014 said:

Keep in mind that, while the CBP officer may eventually be able to look up status, an airline employee checking documents at check-in is much more likely to take them at face value. Expired letter, no proof of status, no boarding, and no chance to get as far as a CBP officer to argue that the status is still valid though the proof has expired.

Good point, wouldn't be even let on the flight without proof of status.

[shell20 746]

4 hours ago, Lanzoni said:

Since we have a topic named "Traveling on Extension Letter?"

I thought I would start one to see if anybody traveled or heard stories of people that traveled with expired GC, extension letters and no I-551 in their passports. I heard in other forums a story of someone that did that and despite the hassle, the CBP officer finally confirmed the LPR status by looking at their system. Thoughts?

Without a stamp you wouldn't get back into the country and if you did it would be with great difficulty, you probably wouldn't even be able to board the plane to come back. You can get an info pass, most appointments refresh after midnight and if there are no appointments at your local office there will be further a field.  However, in an emergency you can do a walk in, they don't broadcast this but you can. One person due to travel lost their card or it was stolen, they couldn't get an appointment, so they did an emergency walk in and were given a stamp in their passport.

[Lanzoni 38]

20 minutes ago, shell20 said:

Without a stamp you wouldn't get back into the country and if you did it would be with great difficulty, you probably wouldn't even be able to board the plane to come back. You can get an info pass, most appointments refresh after midnight and if there are no appointments at your local office there will be further a field.  However, in an emergency you can do a walk in, they don't broadcast this but you can. One person due to travel lost their card or it was stolen, they couldn't get an appointment, so they did an emergency walk in and were given a stamp in their passport.

Thanks!

[Hypnos 6,576]

As others have stated, I doubt you'd even be allowed to board the airplane under those circumstances. 

 

Airlines can be fined for allowing people to travel to the US who aren't in possession of valid entry documents. That's why they ask, ask, and then ask again before you're allowed to set foot in the plane. 

 

There isn't really an excuse for not obtaining an I-551 stamp. At the most it should take you only a handful of weeks, and that's assuming you have to wait for more Infopass slots to open up. 

[Sukie 1,447]

Do a walk-in, but do take something that shows the reason - like an email telling you that a loved one has died, or a death announcement.  If you have already been able to MAKE an airline reservation, take a copy of the reservation, too.  While we tend to think of USCIS, NVC and the ASCs as the enemy, there is usually someone who can help, if you come with a good reason, a good attitude, and, at least, a smile.

 

Best of luck to anyone who is in this situation.

 

Sukie in NY

[mindthegap 2,578]

Would be possible at a land border (albeit after extensive secondary screening by some disgruntled CBP agents), but via plane without a transportation letter it isn't happening.