Case Was Received At My Local Office

[gc@gc 184]

8 minutes ago, Inna&Chris said:

So u think there is a possibility of getting case changed?

 

i think your case will be approved pretty soon

[jeffkadrliktorr 99]

4 hours ago, Shanshanjamrock said:

 tired of waiting my mom is very sick and i need to go visit her i really dont want to trevel on stamp in my passport. 

Just go. I visited family using my extension letter and expired green card. When I got back to the US the customs agent said "welcome home" and it was fine.

[Natonstan 129]

On 3/16/2018 at 5:52 PM, jeffkadrliktorr said:

Just go. I visited family using my extension letter and expired green card. When I got back to the US the customs agent said "welcome home" and it was fine.

 

I got the exact same response when visiting England back in October, coming back through atlanta airport with my expired GC and extention letter, he took both from me, did a bit of typing then said Welcome Home, I was surprised there was no issues whatsoever, there's nothing to worry about.

[cyclone27 710]

Issue is with the airlines - never USCIS coming back in.

[Leo7777 243]

2 hours ago, cyclone27 said:

Issue is with the airlines - never USCIS coming back in.

Yes, and many here keep ignoring that fact.

[David and Sinthea 50]

9 hours ago, Leo7777 said:

 

 

12 hours ago, cyclone27 said:

Issue is with the airlines - never USCIS coming back in.

 We traveled internationally with my husband's expired green card and a copy of the extension letter. We thought it best to keep the original at home because the  Words on the original scratched off so easily. Coming home, the airline wouldn't except the copy and so my husband stayed behind. I went ahead and sent their original but tried  Calling another airline about their policy. They said they  Would take a copy so I booked a ticket  For the next day. He arrives at the counter and they denied him again. When he finally got their original  We booked another ticket. The airlines still gave him ####### with the original, But he got to board. When he arrived and the United States he handed the customs agent his green card and  Almost forgot the extension letter. Husband handed the extension letter and the agent glanced at it and returned it. No questions asked.

 

 The biggest problems is the airline's. They don't want to be   Fined $5000 for letting somebody come through that doesn't have legitimate documentation. They themselves don't even know what the documentation should  Be as we observed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time trying to go through.

 

What I don't understand is why USC IS can't issue a more durable type of notification, like a cheap card rather than the letter? Or a sticker that can go on the green card just like they do for the DMV?And why does it not say that the original is necessary for travel?

Edited March 19, 2018 by Sinthea

[gc@gc 184]

25 minutes ago, Sinthea said:

 

 We traveled internationally with my husband's expired green card and a copy of the extension letter. We thought it best to keep the original at home because the  Words on the original scratched off so easily. Coming home, the airline wouldn't except the copy and so my husband stayed behind. I went ahead and sent their original but tried  Calling another airline about their policy. They said they  Would take a copy so I booked a ticket  For the next day. He arrives at the counter and they denied him again. When he finally got their original  We booked another ticket. The airlines still gave him ####### with the original, But he got to board. When he arrived and the United States he handed the customs agent his green card and  Almost forgot the extension letter. Husband handed the extension letter and the agent glanced at it and returned it. No questions asked.

 

 The biggest problems is the airline's. They don't want to be   Fined $5000 for letting somebody come through that doesn't have legitimate documentation. They themselves don't even know what the documentation should  Be as we observed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time trying to go through.

 

What I don't understand is why USC IS can't issue a more durable type of notification, like a cheap card rather than the letter? Or a sticker that can go on the green card just like they do for the DMV?And why does it not say that the original is necessary for travel?

 

which airlines and which airport?

 

[David and Sinthea 50]

2 hours ago, gc@gc said:

 

which airlines and which airport?

 

Puerto Vallarta,  Mexico. 

The first  Attempt was American Airlines. 

The second Attempt was United. 

The 3rd attempt when he was allowed to board was with American.

 

Customs was In Phoenix Arizona.

 

 

[Dashinka 24,705]

7 hours ago, Sinthea said:

 

 We traveled internationally with my husband's expired green card and a copy of the extension letter. We thought it best to keep the original at home because the  Words on the original scratched off so easily. Coming home, the airline wouldn't except the copy and so my husband stayed behind. I went ahead and sent their original but tried  Calling another airline about their policy. They said they  Would take a copy so I booked a ticket  For the next day. He arrives at the counter and they denied him again. When he finally got their original  We booked another ticket. The airlines still gave him ####### with the original, But he got to board. When he arrived and the United States he handed the customs agent his green card and  Almost forgot the extension letter. Husband handed the extension letter and the agent glanced at it and returned it. No questions asked.

 

 The biggest problems is the airline's. They don't want to be   Fined $5000 for letting somebody come through that doesn't have legitimate documentation. They themselves don't even know what the documentation should  Be as we observed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time trying to go through.

 

What I don't understand is why USC IS can't issue a more durable type of notification, like a cheap card rather than the letter? Or a sticker that can go on the green card just like they do for the DMV?And why does it not say that the original is necessary for travel?

My wife traveled with the original as well as a couple of copies.  At one point in China the Chinese Delta representative reviewed the original and asked to keep it.  Understandably, my wife said no, but she could have a copy of it which the representative gladly accepted.  Otherwise, we have had no issues traveling with her EL and expired GC after 3 more trips.

 

As to not taking the original, this kind of fails to follow the rules.  To my knowledge, the POE CBP are sticklers about seeing the original as well.  What would have happened if your husband had been allowed to travel but CBP detained him?  Have you done this before and been allowed entry with a copy?

[KVE 29]

I also checked my extension letter case number and it says my case was received at my local office on March 5th! Hopefully, I get my N400/ROC combo interview soon!

 

20 hours ago, Natonstan said:

 

I got the exact same response when visiting England back in October, coming back through atlanta airport with my expired GC and extention letter, he took both from me, did a bit of typing then said Welcome Home, I was surprised there was no issues whatsoever, there's nothing to worry about.

I've travelled 4 times on the extension letter and had no issues, often they ask where I was staying (when I flew threw Canada). One guy even called me "brother" and told me that I should make sure I get my stamp, he said he was worried that I might get trouble if I travel after the extension letter expires.

 

I've never had such a nice guy at the border, I've only ever had real questions coming to the USA on ESTA or when I go back to the UK (even though I'm a UK citizen) but I think it's because they are trying to assess the purpose of my US spouse visiting the UK with me.

 

19 hours ago, cyclone27 said:

Issue is with the airlines - never USCIS coming back in.

I try to fly through Canada because it costs me 30-50% less than my closest US airport. The guys at the US-Canada border are so nice, only time I got a couple questions was when I travel with my US spouse and kids - when solo they are fine.

 

I did print out the page from the handbook on what the extension letter means just in case.

[KVE 29]

4 minutes ago, Bill & Katya said:

My wife traveled with the original as well as a couple of copies.  At one point in China the Chinese Delta representative reviewed the original and asked to keep it.  Understandably, my wife said no, but she could have a copy of it which the representative gladly accepted.  Otherwise, we have had no issues traveling with her EL and expired GC after 3 more trips.

 

As to not taking the original, this kind of fails to follow the rules.  To my knowledge, the POE CBP are sticklers about seeing the original as well.  What would have happened if your husband had been allowed to travel but CBP detained him?  Have you done this before and been allowed entry with a copy?

 

I didn't have any issues using the extension letter in Shanghai, the lady looked at it and never even said a word to me. I'm glad I didn't have any issues, would have been embarrassing as I was traveling with a bunch of executives from my company.

[Val2014 30]

Hey guys, on 3.9.2018 i called the 800 to find out the exact location of my case, since I was getting conflicting information (Online my case was saying it was transferred meanwhile during my i551 appointment the IO told me my case was not transferred) so like many of us, i wanted answers. So i call the 800 number & the teir1 officer said i would recieve a call back in 3-5 days. Online (case tracker site) I noticed on the 3.9.2018 it gave a message saying the my T1 request was being assigned. Then on 3.13.18 it changed again and said it was assigned to an officer & then on 3.16.2018 it changed again saying it has been assigned. Has anyone experienced this before? I simple call back has taken more than a week and has been reassigned twice. Is this normal?

[Leo7777 243]

11 hours ago, Sinthea said:

 

 We traveled internationally with my husband's expired green card and a copy of the extension letter. We thought it best to keep the original at home because the  Words on the original scratched off so easily. Coming home, the airline wouldn't except the copy and so my husband stayed behind. I went ahead and sent their original but tried  Calling another airline about their policy. They said they  Would take a copy so I booked a ticket  For the next day. He arrives at the counter and they denied him again. When he finally got their original  We booked another ticket. The airlines still gave him ####### with the original, But he got to board. When he arrived and the United States he handed the customs agent his green card and  Almost forgot the extension letter. Husband handed the extension letter and the agent glanced at it and returned it. No questions asked.

 

 The biggest problems is the airline's. They don't want to be   Fined $5000 for letting somebody come through that doesn't have legitimate documentation. They themselves don't even know what the documentation should  Be as we observed the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd time trying to go through.

 

What I don't understand is why USC IS can't issue a more durable type of notification, like a cheap card rather than the letter? Or a sticker that can go on the green card just like they do for the DMV?And why does it not say that the original is necessary for travel?

WOW pretty  scary.  Did you end up PAYING for three tickets?  Hard to get refunds from airlines.

[Ksenia_O 696]

4 hours ago, KVE said:

I also checked my extension letter case number and it says my case was received at my local office on March 5th! Hopefully, I get my N400/ROC combo interview soon!

 

I've travelled 4 times on the extension letter and had no issues, often they ask where I was staying (when I flew threw Canada). One guy even called me "brother" and told me that I should make sure I get my stamp, he said he was worried that I might get trouble if I travel after the extension letter expires.

 

I've never had such a nice guy at the border, I've only ever had real questions coming to the USA on ESTA or when I go back to the UK (even though I'm a UK citizen) but I think it's because they are trying to assess the purpose of my US spouse visiting the UK with me.

 

I try to fly through Canada because it costs me 30-50% less than my closest US airport. The guys at the US-Canada border are so nice, only time I got a couple questions was when I travel with my US spouse and kids - when solo they are fine.

 

I did print out the page from the handbook on what the extension letter means just in case.

I second that. My last trip from Ukraine was through Canada with Lufthansa/Air Canada.. I was so pleased with a price and service! Going trough  Customs with this 'combo", an expired green card and Ext.Letter was not an issue at all ! 

 

Also, coming back,  if you have more than one flight within US , you have to get your luggage and to 're-check-in" for the next flight along with Customs control. And that takes sometimes unpredictable time if there is a line or something else . But  I was glad it was not the case in Toronto - you just have to go through Customs, that's it! 

 

I'm pretty positive  I will use the route through Canada again! Besides, the flight fromToronto to St.Louis is pretty short, so jets  fly really low and you can see all the beauty of Canada.... It's "to die for" view from altitude!!!

[David and Sinthea 50]

5 hours ago, Bill & Katya said:

My wife traveled with the original as well as a couple of copies.  At one point in China the Chinese Delta representative reviewed the original and asked to keep it.  Understandably, my wife said no, but she could have a copy of it which the representative gladly accepted.  Otherwise, we have had no issues traveling with her EL and expired GC after 3 more trips.

 

As to not taking the original, this kind of fails to follow the rules.  To my knowledge, the POE CBP are sticklers about seeing the original as well.  What would have happened if your husband had been allowed to travel but CBP detained him?  Have you done this before and been allowed entry with a copy?

We've traveled with copies of other documents when he had his fiance visa and his combo card. We figured that the green card was the original, and that anybody who wanted to communicate with the higher powers to verify it could. You would actually think, which we were wrong to, that the airlines and their immigration representative would be able to verify just from the cardt Alone with all its fancy holographic strip and all, what the status was. No one tells you as an immigrant that the airlines or there immigration Representatives don't have access to that information.

 

As far as failing to follow the rules, what rules? Nothing on the document states to carry it with you at all times, nor does it say the original is necessary for travel. My point is, the letter should be clear on its intent and purpose, as well as make it in a form that cannot be destroyed so easily ( a whole line of the document was nearly obliterated because it was in the fold of the letter and it had scratched off)

 

What would we have done if he were detained? I guess the same thing that would happen if you were driving around and got pulled over in the US and arrested because your immigration card was expired and you didn't have your extension letter with you. You provide the letter after the fact.

Edited March 19, 2018 by Sinthea