No more I-551 stamps????

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

Hello!

 

I got this response from my senator's office today. I have to get another I-551 stamp in early June to replace the one I got in 2021. I applied for naturalization in December 2020, more than 6 months before my green card expired.

 

"While we wait for the inquiry response from USCIS, I wanted to follow up with you regarding your passport stamp. I looked into the situation and it appears that USCIS is no longer issuing these stamps to extend one’s LPR status. The only way to get an extension now is to submit form I-90 to renew your LPR card. If there is a need to travel once the stamp expires, you have the option to file your I-90 online where they will send you a receipt notice which serves as proof of your extension and you will be authorized to work and travel with that 12-month extension (12 months starting from the date your green card expires). "

 

For real?

R.

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

That sounds correct to me since your card which expired was a 10 year card.

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

1 hour ago, Eli the Barrowboy said:

Hello!

 

I got this response from my senator's office today. I have to get another I-551 stamp in early June to replace the one I got in 2021. I applied for naturalization in December 2020, more than 6 months before my green card expired.

 

"While we wait for the inquiry response from USCIS, I wanted to follow up with you regarding your passport stamp. I looked into the situation and it appears that USCIS is no longer issuing these stamps to extend one’s LPR status. The only way to get an extension now is to submit form I-90 to renew your LPR card. If there is a need to travel once the stamp expires, you have the option to file your I-90 online where they will send you a receipt notice which serves as proof of your extension and you will be authorized to work and travel with that 12-month extension (12 months starting from the date your green card expires). "

 

For real?

R.

that seems right. if you didnt file for renewal technically your documents have expired and how will they stamp you if you have no extension filed. 

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

I applied for citizenship in December 20202, rather than renewing my green card, which was set to expire in June 2021. That made me eligible for a I-551 stamp in my passport because I applied for citizenship more than 6 months before my green card expired.

 

I have an extension until June 2022, the I-551 stamp which I got in June 2021.

 

I'm not sure why they removed the option of getting a I-551 stamp for people who decide to become citizens rather than renew their green card. Another $500+. Sigh.

[Mike E 11,739]

27 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That sounds correct to me since your card which expired was a 10 year card.

How can that be correct when the N-400 was filed 6 months before the green card expired? 
 

https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
 

“Lost or Expiring Permanent Resident Card: If you lost your Permanent Resident Card (commonly called a Green Card) or your card expired, you generally must still file Form I-90 even if you have applied for naturalization. However, if you properly file Form I-90 or you filed your Form N-400 at least six months before your Green Card expired, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status. “

[Mike E 11,739]

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-2
 

“Though USCIS may issue temporary evidence of LPR status in the form of an Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, USCIS does not provide such stamps to applicants with a pending Form N-400 unless they filed a Form I-90 or filed Form N-400 more than 6 months before the expiration of his or her PRC.”

 

So your USCIS field office is not confirming to the policy manual. Until it can cite a memorandum that says otherwise, it owes you an I-551 stamp provided you have an emergent need for one.  
 

Regardless if your adit is good until June 2022, I don’t see why USCIS owes you an appointment to get a stamp until 30 days before your stamp expires.  

Edited March 8, 2022 by Mike E

[Dashinka 24,499]

I agree with @Mike E, it might be that the Senator's office doesn't really understand your situation.  I would call the USCIS appointment line and I believe you are to request stamp to get to a real person.

 

Good Luck!

[Mike E 11,739]

Just now, Dashinka said:

I agree with @Mike E, it might be that the Senator's office doesn't really understand your situation.  I would call the USCIS appointment line and I believe you are to request stamp to get to a real person.

 

Good Luck!

The current stamp is good through June 2022.  I suspect this is why USCIS won’t grant another stamp today.  

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-2
 

“Though USCIS may issue temporary evidence of LPR status in the form of an Alien Documentation Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, USCIS does not provide such stamps to applicants with a pending Form N-400 unless they filed a Form I-90 or filed Form N-400 more than 6 months before the expiration of his or her PRC.”

 

So your USCIS field office is not confirming to the policy manual. Until it can cite a memorandum that says otherwise, it owes you an I-551 stamp provided you have an emergent need for one.  

I thought so, Mike. I'll update the Senator's office to that policy manual.

 

[Dashinka 24,499]

Just now, Mike E said:

The current stamp is good through June 2022.  I suspect this is why USCIS won’t grant another stamp today.  

Yeah I missed that, so 30 days before it expires.  I also wonder what that stamp has to do with telecommunications  .

[Mike E 11,739]

1 minute ago, Eli the Barrowboy said:

I thought so, Mike. I'll update the Senator's office to that policy manual.

 

In May 2022, after you try USCIS again in May 2022.  

[Eli the Barrowboy 16]

Oh, I wasn't trying to get one today. My need is to get one in June if I don't have the naturalization issue settled by then (latest USCIS estimate is October 2022).

 

I just don't want there to be any over lap on me not being able to leave the country as my dad is elderly and covid is still a threat where he lives..

[Crazy Cat 41,857]

37 minutes ago, Mike E said:

How can that be correct when the N-400 was filed 6 months before the green card expired? 
 

https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
 

“Lost or Expiring Permanent Resident Card: If you lost your Permanent Resident Card (commonly called a Green Card) or your card expired, you generally must still file Form I-90 even if you have applied for naturalization. However, if you properly file Form I-90 or you filed your Form N-400 at least six months before your Green Card expired, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status. “

Thanks.  You're right

[Adujarric 67]

2 hours ago, Mike E said:

How can that be correct when the N-400 was filed 6 months before the green card expired? 
 

https://www.uscis.gov/n-400
 

“Lost or Expiring Permanent Resident Card: If you lost your Permanent Resident Card (commonly called a Green Card) or your card expired, you generally must still file Form I-90 even if you have applied for naturalization. However, if you properly file Form I-90 or you filed your Form N-400 at least six months before your Green Card expired, we may issue you an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunications (ADIT) stamp as temporary proof of your lawful permanent resident status. “

I guess i was lucky because when i filled for my N-600 my GC had been expired for over 5 years and no one even mentioned it to me at any point of my process.