Carry extension letter to expired green card?

[KristineGB 56]

Just got my extension letter. Do we now have to carry this everywhere we go (when not travelling) along with the green card? 

[Daphne . 1,913]

You can make a copy for ‘every day use’ if you want. I would keep the original safe.

 

I never have it with me, only when I travel. 

[KristineGB 56]

1 minute ago, Daphne K said:

You can make a copy for ‘every day use’ if you want. I would keep the original safe.

 

I never have it with me, only when I travel. 

Thanks!

[Lil bear 4,276]

1 hour ago, KristineGB said:

Just got my extension letter. Do we now have to carry this everywhere we go (when not travelling) along with the green card? 

Theoretically yes as per the law 

[KristineGB 56]

10 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Theoretically yes as per the law 

Thanks. What do you do?

[Lil bear 4,276]

40 minutes ago, KristineGB said:

Thanks. What do you do?

I carried a photocopy of my GC on me at all times .. if i had an extension  letter i would have carried a copy of that too   I know it was not fully meeting the legal requirement but i was concerned about losing the original .. but i cannot and do not encourage any one to do anything except what the law states. 

[Mike E 11,742]

We carry it when we are “close enough” to the southern border because Border Patrol  does set up checkpoints.  

 

We are in the process moving to within 100 miles of the southern border and so technically should carry the letter with us.  Practically BP’s permanent internal check point is stationed 70 miles south of where we plan to live so, the letter will normally stay in a safe.   
 

A couple weeks ago, on I-10, near the Arizona / California state border, we did see a BP pick up truck parked on the shoulder. The  idea of my wife being hand cuffed and fastened to the open truck bed of the officer’s vehicle in 100 degree heat didn’t appeal to me. Therefore  I decided to pull over, fetch her letter and gc that was secured in our car’s trunk and she kept it with her until we reached out destination.  It sits in the hotel room safe as I write this.  
 

When you spend time on or south of I-10 in or west of Texas, definitely carry the letter until you have a solid grasp of where BP sets up shop.  

[KristineGB 56]

52 minutes ago, Mike E said:

We carry it when we are “close enough” to the southern border because Border Patrol  does set up checkpoints.  

 

We are in the process moving to within 100 miles of the southern border and so technically should carry the letter with us.  Practically BP’s permanent internal check point is stationed 70 miles south of where we plan to live so, the letter will normally stay in a safe.   
 

A couple weeks ago, on I-10, near the Arizona / California state border, we did see a BP pick up truck parked on the shoulder. The  idea of my wife being hand cuffed and fastened to the open truck bed of the officer’s vehicle in 100 degree heat didn’t appeal to me. Therefore  I decided to pull over, fetch her letter and gc that was secured in our car’s trunk and she kept it with her until we reached out destination.  It sits in the hotel room safe as I write this.  
 

When you spend time on or south of I-10 in or west of Texas, definitely carry the letter until you have a solid grasp of where BP sets up shop.  

Thank you so much for such a detailed input. I love this so I get a better idea when travelling within the US (which is rare). I live in rural Ohio so maybe not much of an issue but it does still scare me. Not sure if cops look to ask for GC when pulled over for a traffic incident. 

[JP John 65]

I have pictures of both on my phone

 

[KristineGB 56]

1 minute ago, JP John said:

I have pictures of both on my phone

 

Thanks this is a good idea

[Loren Y 2,756]

I keep them on my phone, but have been stopped 2-3 times when traveling with my wife along the southern border. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, California, think I have been stopped with her in all of these states, and not once have they asked for any proof of her immigration status. we both show our Nevada state ID/ License, and are sent on our way after maybe a few questions. This was always at a mobile checkpoint they seem to set-up whenever they seem board and want to look like your tax monies are being put to good use. Unless you are rolling in a van or truck loaded with people that look like illegal immigrants, I don't think you will have an issue. I was once stopped by myself years ago, long before I even met my wife and had a real issue at one of these checkpoints coming back from Mexico driving back to Nevada. They really grilled me by myself, and searched my car ( A smart car none the less, like I was hiding a lot in that thing), but still sent me on my way. My wife carries a nice color copy of the front and back of her green card with her, but the original stays in the safe at home( come with us when we travel outside the US only), I'm not going to be out 500 dollars because it gets lost. I told my wife not to worry, if they lock her up I'll get her out... LOL. I know the law states must have it on you at all times, but there are a lot of laws I really kinda don't follow to the letter, and I still get thru life with little hassle.

Edited June 18, 2022 by Loren Y

[Mike E 11,742]

Heading north from El Paso into New Mexico I always had to produce my original green card to a BPO. 

Edited June 18, 2022 by Mike E

[TBoneTX 45,813]

Read the first post in this thread, please:

 

 

[KristineGB 56]

12 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Read the first post in this thread, please:

 

 

Ive seen many old posts but this was 2015. Things change so much with USCIS. But thank you as this helps too

Edited June 19, 2022 by KristineGB

[Mike E 11,742]

8 minutes ago, KristineGB said:

Ive seen many old posts but this was 2015. Things change so much with USCIS. 

This has nothing to do with USCIS.  
 

Conditions at airports have not changed at airports since @TBoneTX posted.  I’ve seen reports in the past year of aliens on  domestic flights get inspected.  If the airport is within 100 miles of navigable water, CBP doesn’t even need a reason to inspect you.  
 

 

Of course you should have your full original I-551 when traveling by domestic commercial air. This includes your original extension letter.  

 

 

Edited June 19, 2022 by Mike E