I 551 Stamp

[jwcassidytx 1]

Good afternoon:

 

My wife and I have been married for almost 5 years.  I am a US citizen, my wife is a Ukrainian national.  We filed our I 751 application in October of 2016.  We received our one year extension letter valid through January 2018.  January 2018 came and went, so we had to get a I 551 stamp.

 

We recently returned from an international trip.  The CBP Agent said that all I 551 stamp holders are required for secondary inspection by CBP upon entry.  My wife and I are both Global entry holders.

 

I wanted to ask if this is indeed true; that all I 551 stamp holders must submit to secondary inspection by CBP.  This seems to defeat the purpose of having the stamp all together.

 

Thank you

[mindthegap 2,608]

Not required, but common.

[Crazy Cat 42,519]

5 minutes ago, jwcassidytx said:

This seems to defeat the purpose of having the stamp all together.

How so?  Anyone can be subject to secondary inspection by CBP based simply on the discretion of the officer. It seems to me this is just a policy intended to enhance security of borders.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Some i1551 stamp holders have not gone to secondary, while others have. Different POEs and CBP inspectors handle the extn lttrs/i551 stamps differently. Secondary provides elevated scrutiny of the stamp and letter which could be faked with little effort by bad hombres with means. 

 

The stamp is required, and is a legal document for airline boarding and US entry (since the gc and extn letters are expired). 

[Starkilla09 366]

It’s common to do so to verify the stamp, though some residents can still be checked and waived through as if they have their resident cards with them.

Edited March 4, 2018 by Starkilla09

[Crazy Cat 42,519]

1 minute ago, WeGuyGal said:

Some i1551 stamp holders have not gone to secondary, while others have. Different POEs and CBP inspectors handle the extn lttrs/i551 stamps differently. Secondary provides elevated scrutiny of the stamp and letter which could be faked with little effort by bad hombres with means. 

 

The stamp is required, and is a legal document for airline boarding and US entry (since the gc and extn letters are expired). 

Speaking for myself only, I am glad to see they are closely inspecting those entering the US.

[Crazy Cat 42,519]

One more thing.......It is much easier to fake the stamp than to fake a Green Card.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Just now, missileman said:

Speaking for myself only, I am glad to see they are closely inspecting those entering the US.

It is their (CBP's) job

[nightingalejules 678]

I haven't been pulled into secondary with my stamp yet - although I've only entered from Canada, where they're pretty familiar with whatever documentation shows up. As previously stated, anyone can be called into secondary for any reason... so of course it doesn't "defeat the purpose." The purpose is to have documentation, which you do. Obviously it's frustrating that you've paid for "global entry" and now may not be able to use it until you get your new green card, but there's nothing border security can do about that.

[Crazy Cat 42,519]

4 minutes ago, WeGuyGal said:

It is their (CBP's) job

Yes, and a policy of pulling people with 551 stamps helps them do their jobs, imo,  since faking a stamp is easy as compared to the the Green Cards......the new green cards look tough to counterfeit.

Edited March 4, 2018 by missileman

[Starkilla09 366]

It’s easy to like something until it adversely affects you. Sure there’s nothing wrong in checking the stamp even in secondary provided they can do it fast especially when you have a connecting flight to catch. The secondary inspection thing is even unnecessary because same verification and all necessary information can be gotten by the officer in front of his/her screen. I’ll speak from my own experience when I used the stamp to go home when I got my AOS approved before physically recveing my card. Upon arrival at LAX on my way back the officer said he will like to have my stamp verified and told me to stand by the corner and wait. While waiting he continues to inspected other arriving passengers waiving them through. Next thing I’m standing for 20 mins invisible and he’s acting like he doesn’t see me. I began to get frustrated and angry as I’m gonna miss my connecting flight because of this, so I called another officer just strolling by to check the stamp so I can be on my way. This other officer takes me to another empty CBP kiosk, verified stamp under UV light, checks database, ask my address, stamps my passport and sends me away making sure the other officer doesn’t see me leaving. We all want a secure country, however; there’re ways to make this country secure and still be efficient as well. Little things like these can make travel stressful for people.

Edited March 4, 2018 by Starkilla09

[Crazy Cat 42,519]

1 minute ago, Starkilla09 said:

It’s easy to like something until it adversely affects you. Sure there’s nothing wrong in checking the stamp even in secondary provided they can do it fast especially when you have a connecting flight to catch. The secondary inspection thing is even unnecessary because same verification and all necessary information can be gotten by the officer in front of his/her screen. I’ll speak from my own experience when I used the stamp to go home when I got my AOS approved before physically recveing my card. Upon arrival at LAX on my way back the officer said he will like to have my stamp verified and told me to stand by the corner and wait. While waiting he continues to inspected other arriving passengers waiving them through. Next thing I’m standing for 20 mins invisible and he’s acting like he doesn’t see me. I began to get frustrated and angry as I’m gonna miss my connecting flight because of this, so I called another officer just strolling by to check the stamp so I can be on my way. This other officer takes me to another empty CBP kiosk, verified stamp under UV light, checks database, ask my address, stamps my passport and sends me away making sure the other officer doesn’t see me leaving.

I think 2 pairs of eyes checking  a stamp is better policy than 1 pair.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

Secondary wait is a small price to pay for secure borders.

I'd rather have 10 folks be inconvenienced at Secondary than someone presenting a fake stamp and be let thru because of a risk of missing a flight connection. 

Edited March 4, 2018 by WeGuyGal

[mrs thb 331]

While it sucks to be questioned, then re questioned and is a pain in the butt, the CBP's are just doing their job.  That's what they're paid for;  to keep everyone safe. 

 

You knew walking into this process they're be hassles and bridges to cross and in due time it would all be behind you.  It's just time....and a lot more when you travel.

 

 

 

 

[mcdull 474]

23 hours ago, jwcassidytx said:

Good afternoon:

 

My wife and I have been married for almost 5 years.  I am a US citizen, my wife is a Ukrainian national.  We filed our I 751 application in October of 2016.  We received our one year extension letter valid through January 2018.  January 2018 came and went, so we had to get a I 551 stamp.

 

We recently returned from an international trip.  The CBP Agent said that all I 551 stamp holders are required for secondary inspection by CBP upon entry.  My wife and I are both Global entry holders.

 

I wanted to ask if this is indeed true; that all I 551 stamp holders must submit to secondary inspection by CBP.  This seems to defeat the purpose of having the stamp all together.

 

Thank you

I was always sent to secondary when travelling on i797