New I-751 Not picked up during Shutdown

[Eric The Wait 40]

My wife's 2 year Green Card Expires 2/16/19. I am gathering evidence and won't be able to file the I-751 until first week in January, 2019. Unfortunately, even though the USCIS is open, the mailing facilities for USCIS are operated by private contractor and it appears USCIS won't accept new applications during the government shut-down because the mailing services will be halted.

Therefore, if the government shutdown lasts longer than 2/16/19, I am worried that USCIS will not have received our I-751 until after the deadline of 2/16/19, and my wife will be deported forthwith for late filing. Not a good feeling.

Here is a quote I read from "Sound Immigration" an online service, which raises my concern:

"USCIS is funded by the (large) application filing fees that it charges. For that reason it should continue to operate as normal even in the event of a shut down. An exception is the E-Verify program, which is used by some employers to screen employment authorization. It is also likely there will be a delay in USCIS accepting new applications. That is because the mail acceptance facility (called the Lock Box) is actually run by independent private contractors. Government contractors will be halted by the government shutdown. "

 

I would welcome any comments on this issue.

[kris&me 572]

So send it to the address via UPS of fed ex

[Eric The Wait 40]

Great tip Kris and Me. Thanks very much!!!

[AstroCanada 206]

In any case, if they are not picking up ROC applications from the lockbox during the shutdown, you can't possibly have the delay held against you. 

[NikLR 13,227]

8 hours ago, AstroCanada said:

In any case, if they are not picking up ROC applications from the lockbox during the shutdown, you can't possibly have the delay held against you. 

Well considering you have 90 days before the expiration, they could.  It's been good to go since 11/21/18.  

In the OP's defense, I didn't send mine right away either and it's hard to know if there's going to be a govt shut down or not.  But if it lasts until Feb, we all have more issues than if they will consider this a late filing. 

[Eric The Wait 40]

Thanks so much NikLR and AstroCanada for your thoughts. 

The problem is proving receipt if it goes to the Lockbox, which is why Kris & Me's suggestion is so good. I checked that address on the form and for Post Office it is a P.O. Box Lockbox, but for United Parcel Service (UPS) the address looks like this: 
USCIS
Attn: I-751
2501 S State Hwy 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067

So, that looks like an actual place and UPS does have tracking. My plan is take photos of everything as I put it into the shipping box. Then I will take photographs of the box as addressed. Then I will take a photograph of me handing it off at the UPS Service Center with the date shown. Then I will follow the tracking. I will mail it by mid-January, at least one month before deadline.

This way, should the Government declare it's late and begin deportation proceedings, I will at least have something to argue at the deportation trial: !. We made a good faith attempt to deliver on time. 2. We deny it was late. 3. In the event the Deportation Judge does not think we met our burden of proof to show it wasn't late, then we will argue extraordinary circumstances (government shutdown) impaired the government from receiving it. 

I've got to take steps because my understanding is the Removal of Conditions MUST be received by deadline or it's automatic deportation and there is no way to stop the deportation for lateness. 
 

[jg121783 3,915]

I was not aware until now the government shutdown may affect the delivery of I-751 packages. I am in the same situation as the OP. My wife and step son's green cards expire on the 13th of next month. Now I am a little worried. So is it a good idea to use UPS or FedEx instead of USPS? This is what I get for waiting until the last minute I guess. I would hope if you made a good faith effort to send in everything on time and the shutdown delays the delivery the government would cut you some slack but this is the government we are talking about here.

[NikLR 13,227]

If there is a UPS address then use it!