Lost EAD Card while traveling abroad, how do i return to the US?

[mustang85635 182]

9 minutes ago, Amandaishere said:

Will provide an update when we have one. 

 

He actually decided to take a shot at making his flight, after about 4 hours of questioning/processing/confusion they cleared him from the flight from Paris. However, he had missed the direct flight home so they decided to route him through London.

 

In London he was almost sent back again, but after a few hours they sent him on a flight. He of course missed the direct flight home and but will be at a port of entry this evening - we will see if he is admitted. Then will be routed home. Fortunately the airlines keep rebooking him after he's been held by immigration. 

Painful waiting game...  Any advice is appreciated!

Great advice. If he's sent back, we will aim for Frankfurt and see what can be done!

Of course they will admit him if he makes it to the US. He has got all the approval notices with him and they have everything in the computer. No need to worry about that. You saved yourself 500 bucks which is good but there was definetly luck involved . ! 

Edited January 21, 2018 by mustang85635

[caliliving 606]

6 hours ago, mustang85635 said:

Of course they will admit him if he makes it to the US. He has got all the approval notices with him and they have everything in the computer. No need to worry about that. You saved yourself 500 bucks which is good but there was definetly luck involved . ! 

yeah if he makes the flight POE will let him in! good job with everything! you got lucky - this is when i say be nice and respecful to the people and work your magic! he wont be sent back! good job:) 

 

[randomstairs 303]

With the copy of the card and the approval notice you should be able to board the plane and the CBP officer should parole you in. I don't think the consulate will help much. AoS is that strange gray area where no clear rules exist. It is still risky but I would recommend just doing it, board the plane and hold on to your copies. I read about another case here where they got no help at the consulate but after arriving to PoE everything turned out okay. It is in officer's discretion to parole you in. 

 

The risk of missing your interview is much higher than the risk of losing your money for the ticket. You are in good status and with some potential delays they will let you in.

 

 It's good you have all the EAD copies saved!  Now, don't lose that passport  

[Amandaishere 6]

Thank you everyone! Got in late last night after about 40 hours of traveling, on an original 16 hour itinerary!

 

We got really luck - the airlines were our biggest hurdle as they had no idea what to do with me and many of the managers interrogated me quite rudely and aggressively, acting as if I was trying to run some sort of scam. Kept a cool head and tried to be as polite as possible and eventually was cleared at each airport, always just minutes after the next flight was closed to boarding!

 

In the US it was a breeze. Everyone was nice and verified my paperwork without hesitation - I was anticipating that to be the hardest element but it was no worries there. The immigration officers laughed about my experience but didn't express any concern. 

 

I always carry copies of just about every receipt and approval notice I've received, along with a copy of my EAD card (that saved me) so would caution everyone to do the same! 

[Amandaishere 6]

10 hours ago, randomstairs said:

With the copy of the card and the approval notice you should be able to board the plane and the CBP officer should parole you in. I don't think the consulate will help much. AoS is that strange gray area where no clear rules exist. It is still risky but I would recommend just doing it, board the plane and hold on to your copies. I read about another case here where they got no help at the consulate but after arriving to PoE everything turned out okay. It is in officer's discretion to parole you in. 

 

The risk of missing your interview is much higher than the risk of losing your money for the ticket. You are in good status and with some potential delays they will let you in.

 

 It's good you have all the EAD copies saved!  Now, don't lose that passport  

As a note, my wife did email the consulate at Paris but didn't want to call their emergency line and this is the message we received when the office opened monday morning. Glad I didn't wait and go that route first! Strange gray area, indeed...

 

Thank you for your inquiry.  If your spouse filed for adjustment of status in the United States and was travelling with an advance parole/temporary card that were stolen, he may not qualify for a boarding foil as he is not yet a permanent resident.  You may inquire after U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Officers based at U.S. Embassy Rome, Italy regarding his current status, . https://it.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/rome/sections-offices/dhs/uscis/contacts/   If USCIS confirms that he is entitled to apply for a boarding foil at U.S. Embassy Paris, he will need to make an appointment on the following website https://ais.usvisa-info.com

 

Sincerely,

 

Immigrant Visa

Visa Unit

U.S. Embassy Paris, France

 

 

Official - Privacy/PII 

UNCLASSIFIED

[randomstairs 303]

12 hours ago, Amandaishere said:

Thank you everyone! Got in late last night after about 40 hours of traveling, on an original 16 hour itinerary!

 

We got really luck - the airlines were our biggest hurdle as they had no idea what to do with me and many of the managers interrogated me quite rudely and aggressively, acting as if I was trying to run some sort of scam. Kept a cool head and tried to be as polite as possible and eventually was cleared at each airport, always just minutes after the next flight was closed to boarding!

 

In the US it was a breeze. Everyone was nice and verified my paperwork without hesitation - I was anticipating that to be the hardest element but it was no worries there. The immigration officers laughed about my experience but didn't express any concern. 

 

I always carry copies of just about every receipt and approval notice I've received, along with a copy of my EAD card (that saved me) so would caution everyone to do the same! 

Great! Sounds very similar to that other case I remember. The consulate is usually clueless, the airlines are the biggest problem and the Immigration at PoE is perfectly understanding. Logically it wouldn't make any sense if your AoS status literally depended on the physical card. Airlines are tough because they have most to lose if you're not allowed the entry. 

 

Must have been a relaxed, joyful trip

[Natalia Gómez 0]

On 21/1/2018 at 4:20 PM, Amandaishere said:

Will provide an update when we have one. 

 

He actually decided to take a shot at making his flight, after about 4 hours of questioning/processing/confusion they cleared him from the flight from Paris. However, he had missed the direct flight home so they decided to route him through London.

 

In London he was almost sent back again, but after a few hours they sent him on a flight. He of course missed the direct flight home and but will be at a port of entry this evening - we will see if he is admitted. Then will be routed home. Fortunately the airlines keep rebooking him after he's been held by immigration. 

Painful waiting game...  Any advice is appreciated!

Great advice. If he's sent back, we will aim for Frankfurt and see what can be done!

Dear mandashire

Im right now experiencing the same situation. My wallet was stolen where my EAD  with advance parole was. Could you tell me which was your port of entry and what questions the official ask you. I also have a copy of my lost card and the approval notifications.

thanks

[marc941 137]

On 3/22/2018 at 4:09 AM, Natalia Gómez said:

Dear mandashire

Im right now experiencing the same situation. My wallet was stolen where my EAD  with advance parole was. Could you tell me which was your port of entry and what questions the official ask you. I also have a copy of my lost card and the approval notifications.

thanks

I hope your situation has already been resolved, but in case it hasn't, and for anyone else that runs into this in the future ... my husband just went through this mess. He was stuck in the D.R.    Despite everyone (including USCIS) telling us to contact the embassy for assistance, the embassy cannot issue a "Transportation Letter" or a "Boarding Foil" unless you are an LPR (Greencard holder).  USCIS has proven to be completely useless and clueless.  Our local field office director didn't know what to do, and checked with the regional director, and they concurred that they couldn't help us process a replacement parole document.  They contacted the field office director in D.R. who indicated they also were unable to.  They basically said "maybe" if you send in a request to the national processing center (complete with the $575 fee required for replacement of a lost document) that they might be able to help.  It's been 3 weeks since I overnighted that application package to the Chicago lockbox with "Emergency Advance Parole Request" written in red sharpie on the outside, along with a cover letter inside explaining that my husband is stranded out of the country, and I've yet to receive ANY activity.  They haven't cashed the check.  They haven't send me a receipt notice.  They haven't rejected or returned the application.  They haven't texted, emailed, mailed, smoke signals, nothing. 

 

Luckily, I found another avenue to get my husband home.  A half dozen different CBP officers told me they'd be able to admit my husband to enter the country, although it wouldn't be quick & easy, and would take a few hours.  The airline turned out to be the biggest obstacle.  That's because of the huge fines ($4,300) they get from CBP for bringing someone to the US without proper travel documents.  It turns out that CBP operates a special hotline/department called RCLG, Regional Carrier Liaison Group.  Their purpose is to field calls from the airlines about customers with problems with travel documents.  It took 2 weeks of fighting with the airline and escalating my way up to management, but finally got the airline to agree to call RCLG.  I think they just didn't know the process or didn't want to be bothered with it.  Ultimately, they called, and RCLG gave the recommendation to allow my husband to board the plane, which absolved them of the liability and potential fines.   When he arrived in Fort Lauderdale, they only asked a few basic questions about where/why he traveled and how he lost the parole document.  He provided them with a copy of the police report.  It took several extra hours on each end of the flight, but he finally made it back.  What a mess.  I'm so disgusted with our government and USCIS right now.  CBP turned out to be the most helpful in all of this.  USCIS and the State department couldn't have been less helpful.

[doggieandsam 765]

17 hours ago, marc941 said:

Luckily, I found another avenue to get my husband home.  A half dozen different CBP officers told me they'd be able to admit my husband to enter the country, although it wouldn't be quick & easy, and would take a few hours.  The airline turned out to be the biggest obstacle.  That's because of the huge fines ($4,300) they get from CBP for bringing someone to the US without proper travel documents.  It turns out that CBP operates a special hotline/department called RCLG, Regional Carrier Liaison Group.  Their purpose is to field calls from the airlines about customers with problems with travel documents.  It took 2 weeks of fighting with the airline and escalating my way up to management, but finally got the airline to agree to call RCLG.  I think they just didn't know the process or didn't want to be bothered with it.  Ultimately, they called, and RCLG gave the recommendation to allow my husband to board the plane, which absolved them of the liability and potential fines.   When he arrived in Fort Lauderdale, they only asked a few basic questions about where/why he traveled and how he lost the parole document.  He provided them with a copy of the police report.  It took several extra hours on each end of the flight, but he finally made it back.  What a mess.  I'm so disgusted with our government and USCIS right now.  CBP turned out to be the most helpful in all of this.  USCIS and the State department couldn't have been less helpful.

thank you, this was an excellent tip and i hope will help out somebody in a similar situation in the future.

 

after reading all these stories about lost EAD / AP, I have decided to stop carrying my combo card in my wallet.

[Natalia Gómez 0]

On 28/3/2018 at 11:12 PM, marc941 said:

I hope your situation has already been resolved, but in case it hasn't, and for anyone else that runs into this in the future ... my husband just went through this mess. He was stuck in the D.R.    Despite everyone (including USCIS) telling us to contact the embassy for assistance, the embassy cannot issue a "Transportation Letter" or a "Boarding Foil" unless you are an LPR (Greencard holder).  USCIS has proven to be completely useless and clueless.  Our local field office director didn't know what to do, and checked with the regional director, and they concurred that they couldn't help us process a replacement parole document.  They contacted the field office director in D.R. who indicated they also were unable to.  They basically said "maybe" if you send in a request to the national processing center (complete with the $575 fee required for replacement of a lost document) that they might be able to help.  It's been 3 weeks since I overnighted that application package to the Chicago lockbox with "Emergency Advance Parole Request" written in red sharpie on the outside, along with a cover letter inside explaining that my husband is stranded out of the country, and I've yet to receive ANY activity.  They haven't cashed the check.  They haven't send me a receipt notice.  They haven't rejected or returned the application.  They haven't texted, emailed, mailed, smoke signals, nothing. 

 

Luckily, I found another avenue to get my husband home.  A half dozen different CBP officers told me they'd be able to admit my husband to enter the country, although it wouldn't be quick & easy, and would take a few hours.  The airline turned out to be the biggest obstacle.  That's because of the huge fines ($4,300) they get from CBP for bringing someone to the US without proper travel documents.  It turns out that CBP operates a special hotline/department called RCLG, Regional Carrier Liaison Group.  Their purpose is to field calls from the airlines about customers with problems with travel documents.  It took 2 weeks of fighting with the airline and escalating my way up to management, but finally got the airline to agree to call RCLG.  I think they just didn't know the process or didn't want to be bothered with it.  Ultimately, they called, and RCLG gave the recommendation to allow my husband to board the plane, which absolved them of the liability and potential fines.   When he arrived in Fort Lauderdale, they only asked a few basic questions about where/why he traveled and how he lost the parole document.  He provided them with a copy of the police report.  It took several extra hours on each end of the flight, but he finally made it back.  What a mess.  I'm so disgusted with our government and USCIS right now.  CBP turned out to be the most helpful in all of this.  USCIS and the State department couldn't have been less helpful.

Thanks for sharing this information. Luckily I arrived yesterday and was paroled in. very similar to your husband experience.

[randomstairs 303]

It's surprising to me that there is no formal mechanism in place for lost AP cards abroad. All these stories are similar in that the embassy or USCIS are not the right addresses. The parole is in discretion of CBP and if you can prove that you had a valid AP (copy of the card or the approval letter) they will let you in. 

[Nadya Wong 0]

On 4/10/2018 at 5:53 PM, Natalia Gómez said:

Thanks for sharing this information. Luckily I arrived yesterday and was paroled in. very similar to your husband experience.

Dear Natalia, I am in the same situation right now. I am currently in Moscow and I tried to talk to Russian airlines about RCLG. But they rejected.

USCIS in Moscow sent our case to humanitarian branch and official timings are from 60 to 120 days.

Please share what Airlines did you use to come back?

I am thinking to fly to another country and talk to Airlines there. 

Thanks in advance.

[Nadya Wong 0]

On 3/29/2018 at 6:12 AM, marc941 said:

I hope your situation has already been resolved, but in case it hasn't, and for anyone else that runs into this in the future ... my husband just went through this mess. He was stuck in the D.R.    Despite everyone (including USCIS) telling us to contact the embassy for assistance, the embassy cannot issue a "Transportation Letter" or a "Boarding Foil" unless you are an LPR (Greencard holder).  USCIS has proven to be completely useless and clueless.  Our local field office director didn't know what to do, and checked with the regional director, and they concurred that they couldn't help us process a replacement parole document.  They contacted the field office director in D.R. who indicated they also were unable to.  They basically said "maybe" if you send in a request to the national processing center (complete with the $575 fee required for replacement of a lost document) that they might be able to help.  It's been 3 weeks since I overnighted that application package to the Chicago lockbox with "Emergency Advance Parole Request" written in red sharpie on the outside, along with a cover letter inside explaining that my husband is stranded out of the country, and I've yet to receive ANY activity.  They haven't cashed the check.  They haven't send me a receipt notice.  They haven't rejected or returned the application.  They haven't texted, emailed, mailed, smoke signals, nothing. 

 

Luckily, I found another avenue to get my husband home.  A half dozen different CBP officers told me they'd be able to admit my husband to enter the country, although it wouldn't be quick & easy, and would take a few hours.  The airline turned out to be the biggest obstacle.  That's because of the huge fines ($4,300) they get from CBP for bringing someone to the US without proper travel documents.  It turns out that CBP operates a special hotline/department called RCLG, Regional Carrier Liaison Group.  Their purpose is to field calls from the airlines about customers with problems with travel documents.  It took 2 weeks of fighting with the airline and escalating my way up to management, but finally got the airline to agree to call RCLG.  I think they just didn't know the process or didn't want to be bothered with it.  Ultimately, they called, and RCLG gave the recommendation to allow my husband to board the plane, which absolved them of the liability and potential fines.   When he arrived in Fort Lauderdale, they only asked a few basic questions about where/why he traveled and how he lost the parole document.  He provided them with a copy of the police report.  It took several extra hours on each end of the flight, but he finally made it back.  What a mess.  I'm so disgusted with our government and USCIS right now.  CBP turned out to be the most helpful in all of this.  USCIS and the State department couldn't have been less helpful.

Dear Marc941, thanks for this post it is extremely helpful. I also called CBP, but they didn't confirm on phone that they will admit me with just copies. Anyway I found the information about RCLG. Printed it out. Brought to airlines and since it was Aeroflot Russia (which has some tension with US government) they rejected me.

 

What airlines did you use to come back? In what city? I really need to find an alternative.

 

USCIS sent me to humanitarian branch, which processing can take up to several months.

Please help.

[rye_212 126]

Hi, I am in the same situation.   I put my EAD/AP in my phone as I was worried my wallet might be stolen.  Phone was stolen in Madrid yesterday!   USCIS advised we contact the Embassy in Madrid. They refused to assist as Im not a Lawful Permanent Resident. 

 

My return flight is on Dec 11th and we just got notice that the Green Card interview will be in December.  I have to get back. 

 

@Nadya Wong how did you resolve?  

 

US Immigration do a pre-clearance at Dublin airport.  So I wonder if an airline flying from Dublin would be subject to less fines and therefore more willing to accept me as a traveller.  I also saw other suggestions about entering via a land border eg Canada.  Has anyone tried that? 

[Nadya Wong 0]

Hi Mike,

 

When I realized that I lost the card I called the embassy, they scheduled the meeting with me right on the next day and asked to fill out the form for my visit.

I had a meeting with consular in  USCIS Moscow Field Office Public Liaison Unit  - not a section for visas - this unit is responsible for LPRs and citizens support abroad as I understood. I was lucky to submit my case with them, because this unit closed at the end of February in Russia. They informed me that my case is eligible for humanitarian parole. 

This is an abstract of their email:  "Upon studying your case it seems you may file another I-131 Advance parole application as you lost your previous one. Your application may receive expedited processing by our head office. Please make an appointment with our office on website. We recommend you to file I-131 form"

 

I prepared the package of documents + fee (ca. 540 usd - same fee as for advanced parole). The list of additional documents was the following:

- the I-134 form filled in by my husband.

- supporting documentation for I-134 my husband's most recent payroll and tax transcripts for 2017

- my passport style photo

- cover letter for our case asking for expedite processing of parole.

Public Liason Unit in Moscow sent my case to USCIS in Chicago urgently. And all the further communication was with them.

They didn't accept my request about  expedite processing and getting a visa for reentry took me 3 months. From February till May I had to wait for my reentry visa (not an EAD, but just a sticker to passport).

 

I read on this forum that one people solved this by negotiating with airlines. I think that rules became more strict since then. None of the airlines allowed me on board explaining that they have huge penalties from US government for that. When my husband talked to border security officers they said that I would not be admitted without a card. I also considered flying through Canada or Mexico, but after conversations with officers we decided not to do that.

 

I tried to expedite the case writting to congressman - he didn't reply. Then I wrote to Senator of California and received the reply, and they were willing to help however by that time my visa was approved.

 

After my arrival to the USA, I thought to apply for new EAD (USCIS would issue it for free this time). But fortunately I received Green Card quite soon and didn't have to worry about new work authorization.

 

Mike, I hope this helps. I suggest you or your spouse who is in the USA to send documents for a new EAD card or humanitarian parole if none of airlines confirm boarding you.

 

It was tough time for me and my husband. I wish you all the best!

 

Nadya