Lost Green Card

[RoseEinar 27]

My husband received his permanent resident visa in March, and since then he's moved over here and we've left my parents' house for our own place. We didn't change the address that his card would get sent to, however, thinking that it might cause more problems than just leaving it alone. Well, it turns out that was a mistake because my father lost his card. He remembers the letter coming to the house (although he thought it was from the state we live in, I had to explain that's not what the Department of State is) but now can't find it. I'm wondering if anyone else has been through this, and how long from filing the I-90 did it take to get their card? USCIS website estimates 9-11 months but they also say it takes that long to get the card in the first place and it actually only took about 2 months... I'm hoping the process is not so long, and not very stressful! I could just kill my father. I thought we were done with these damn forms for at least a few years!

[Christy&J 837]

5 minutes ago, RoseEinar said:

My husband received his permanent resident visa in March, and since then he's moved over here and we've left my parents' house for our own place. We didn't change the address that his card would get sent to, however, thinking that it might cause more problems than just leaving it alone. Well, it turns out that was a mistake because my father lost his card. He remembers the letter coming to the house (although he thought it was from the state we live in, I had to explain that's not what the Department of State is) but now can't find it. I'm wondering if anyone else has been through this, and how long from filing the I-90 did it take to get their card? USCIS website estimates 9-11 months but they also say it takes that long to get the card in the first place and it actually only took about 2 months... I'm hoping the process is not so long, and not very stressful! I could just kill my father. I thought we were done with these damn forms for at least a few years!

wow !! I am speechless

 

I have no advice for your case, just can't believe my eyes that I read it !

[RoseEinar 27]

I know, it's like a nightmare after waiting so long for everything!

[Roel 7,192]

23 minutes ago, RoseEinar said:

My husband received his permanent resident visa in March, and since then he's moved over here and we've left my parents' house for our own place. We didn't change the address that his card would get sent to, however, thinking that it might cause more problems than just leaving it alone.

Permanent resident is required to update his/hers address with USCIS.  Always. Until they receive citizenship. No matter if you think it can cause problems or not. 

 

"

Penalties for Failure to Comply

A willful failure to give written notice to the USCIS of a change of address within 10 days of moving to the new address is a misdemeanor crime. If convicted, you (or the parent or legal guardian of an alien under 14 years of age who is required to give notice) can be fined up to $200 or imprisoned up to 30 days, or both. The alien may also be subject to removal from the United States. (INA Section 266(b)). Compliance with the requirement to notify the USCIS of any address changes is also a condition of your stay in the United States. Failure to comply could also jeopardize your ability to obtain a future visa or other immigration benefit."

 

 

Edited June 18, 2018 by Roel

[RoseEinar 27]

Oh wow didn't know that! I'll go update it right now.

[Eric-Pris 1,606]

I still don't get why people don't have their green card locked up in a safe place.   Losing it should never happen.

 

Yes, I know it says that you have to carry it on you at all times.  My parents were green card holders for 20 years, they NEVER (not once) had it on their person.  And somehow they survived and are now citizens.  So it's possible to not carry it on your person.

 

[geowrian 22,337]

You're required to carry it on you by law. But it's not enforced....a copy of it is all one would need to see to verify your status if somebody actually needed to see it (barring employment verification, entry into the US, etc., which need the physical card obviously).

[ronniebreda 120]

Don't place the blame on your father. It is/was you and your husband's responsibility and you put it in the hands of your father. You took the chance of something going wrong leaving it to your father to handle and now you and your husband deal with the consequences. 

[RoseEinar 27]

I wasn't actually looking for moral life lessons here, the point of this was more to ask if other people had gone through the same thing and had any useful advice. But thanks for all the judgements.

[ronniebreda 120]

19 minutes ago, RoseEinar said:

I wasn't actually looking for moral life lessons here, the point of this was more to ask if other people had gone through the same thing and had any useful advice. But thanks for all the judgements.

Then you probably should not come on a public forum and say you could kill your father, even if it is just a phrase of words. 

[Going through 5,671]

5 hours ago, RoseEinar said:

My husband received his permanent resident visa in March, and since then he's moved over here and we've left my parents' house for our own place. We didn't change the address that his card would get sent to, however, thinking that it might cause more problems than just leaving it alone. Well, it turns out that was a mistake because my father lost his card. He remembers the letter coming to the house (although he thought it was from the state we live in, I had to explain that's not what the Department of State is) but now can't find it. I'm wondering if anyone else has been through this, and how long from filing the I-90 did it take to get their card? USCIS website estimates 9-11 months but they also say it takes that long to get the card in the first place and it actually only took about 2 months... I'm hoping the process is not so long, and not very stressful! I could just kill my father. I thought we were done with these damn forms for at least a few years!

Can't blame your dad for  something that was your responsibility in terms of updating  your address once you moved.

Everything at USCIS is pretty much backlogged right  now....9 months for a replacement card sounds about right, hopefully it arrives sooner.

 

Just ensure they have the correct address now.

[pushbrk 12,908]

The stamp next to the visa in his passport substitutes for a green card for a year.  

 

Search the house thoroughly and if you don't find it, you already know what to do.

 

Did the Social Security Card arrive?  Do you have that?

 

The card came from USCIS, not the Department of State.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.

[Miss Accountant 6]

I know that this is super frustrating, but the good thing is that your husband has only lost the card, he's still a permanent resident with all the benefits that that entails. So he can still work and travel just like any other permanent resident, he will just use the stamp in his passport rather than the green card itself. Honestly the worst part of the situation is having to pay the ridiculous fee for the new card lol

 

We lost my husband's card in late August of last year, and received the replacement in early April of this year, so about eight months in total. 

[RoseEinar 27]

Thank you pushbrk and Miss Accountant, I really appreciate your comments and the fact that you can recognize hyperbole when you see it.

We do have his social security card, although we had to go apply directly at the local social security office even though we did check the "yes" box when we filed the last round of paperwork (it's been a while now and I've blissfully forgotten, I think that part was with the DoS? I wonder now whether the letter that came really was his green card, wouldn't that be just too much... I did check with USCIS and they said it was delivered though so I'm pretty sure it's gone) - the lady at the social security office said in her experience they only submit the paperwork for the SSN about half the time! And we do have the stamp in his passport which should be good until the replacement card comes. It's still a little unnerving, given the political climate, but it isn't the end of the world. We just got the letter informing us of our biometrics appointment so at least things seem to be rolling. Thank you again for talking to me like a human being who made a mistake instead of treating me like a responsibility-shirking homicidal monster. I wish everyone the best of luck with whatever future mistakes lie in their path and I hope they encounter compassionate people to help them through when they need it.
 

Edited July 16, 2018 by RoseEinar
missed space between words