Help! I lost my green card

[MaleAlpha 314]

2 minutes ago, xyz12345 said:

Years ago, after I drove away from Big Bend National Park in Texas, I was shocked to learn of an immigration checkpoint close by. Didn't have immigration papers with me at that time but they just asked for my driver's license, looked at my file online, asked to check my car and let me go. (And I  returned as fast as I can to Florida ).

 

I think your demeanor helps in these kinds of circumstances. If you look like you have nothing to hide, you'll have an easier time. IMHO.

 

 

 

It seems land crossings accept DLs in place of green card. I have done it twice at Tijuana. In both instances, I had the GC in my pocket but the Border Patrol guy asked me for my DL so I only gave him that and he let me through. It looks like they are able to pull up your immigration information on their computers with your DL.

[Crazy Cat 41,884]

9 hours ago, Going through said:

Right...but a SS card and DL doesn't determine legal status in the US,

To get a driver's license here in Texas, you MUST prove your legal status in the US.  I had to show my US passport......and that was even after I provided a valid DL from another state.

Edited August 28, 2017 by missileman

[Murph4865 597]

15 minutes ago, MaleAlpha said:

It seems land crossings accept DLs in place of green card. I have done it twice at Tijuana. In both instances, I had the GC in my pocket but the Border Patrol guy asked me for my DL so I only gave him that and he let me through. It looks like they are able to pull up your immigration information on their computers with your DL.

Everyone's information is tied to the DL now a days it shows them everything even if u have been in military

[Murph4865 597]

5 hours ago, MaleAlpha said:

You are probably the only one who carries an SS card. It's not even safe and not recommended.

If you look on the paper the SS card is attached to, it says keep it in a safe place!

Where did u hear it is not safe i have carried it all my life, i m 51 and some times you have to show it in the spur of the moment like if u are driving around and decide to stop n by new car u have to show it or maybe at the bank.

[Boiler 45,522]

I have never been asked for the card, the number yes.

[Going through 5,671]

34 minutes ago, Boiler said:

I have never been asked for the card, the number yes.

Same here...The only time I was ever asked for the physical card was by H&R Block the first time I ever filed taxes in the US after my first job, and the first time I opened up a US bank account after becoming a PR (and only then because I had limited US identification at the time).  Any other time, I've just been asked for the SS number, not to see the actual card.

[MaleAlpha 314]

1 hour ago, Murph4865 said:

Where did u hear it is not safe i have carried it all my life, i m 51 and some times you have to show it in the spur of the moment like if u are driving around and decide to stop n by new car u have to show it or maybe at the bank.

I have never been asked for or ever had the need to show my SS card except during employment. Only the number is required. It's one thing if you have a bad memory and can't remember the numbers so you have to carry the card around. Other than that, it's of no use and an SS card is certainly something you don't want to lose.

[Going through 5,671]

1 hour ago, Murph4865 said:

Where did u hear it is not safe i have carried it all my life, i m 51 and some times you have to show it in the spur of the moment like if u are driving around and decide to stop n by new car u have to show it or maybe at the bank.

I don't think I've ever "purchased a new car at the spur of the moment"---wish I had that kind of money....I didn't know one is required to show the physical SS card when purchasing a car, either.

[Boiler 45,522]

SS number has nothing to do with buying a car.

[Hypnos 6,576]

It's a really bad idea to carry your SS card around with you day-to-day.