Extension Letters now being increased to 48 months. (merged)

[Crazy Cat 41,053]

8 minutes ago, Sweetdreaming said:

Let's face it, what USCIS really should be doing is sending us actual conditional gcs with a new expiry date for 48 months from now. It's stupid to have to carry a letter around with you.

I don't think current law allows that.  

[US_VJ 59]

On 1/23/2023 at 7:04 PM, OldUser said:

This is a good question. I believe you should be OK folding it, but I don't have 100% certainty about it. I don't fold mine out of caution.

Losing it is going to be very problematic, so I do not carry the original with me (only a copy) everywhere unless I cross the border. Some say that's illegal. I also think waiting for 2+ years for replacement if I lose it, is ridiculous. 

I've been folding mine to fit my travel document holder and have been traveling with it pretty regularly--and it has been fine so far. No issues coming in and out of the US.

 

But agree that the letter is getting worn out, and it's sooo annoying not being able to use self check ins. I think I'll continue to use my 24 month letter until the 24 month period is valid, and will use the 48 month one when the 24 month period expires. 

Edited January 25, 2023 by SS_SS

[Mike E 11,732]

1 hour ago, Sweetdreaming said:

Let's face it, what USCIS really should be doing is sending us actual conditional gcs with a new expiry date for 48 months from now. It's stupid to have to carry a letter around with you.

 

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

I don't think current law allows that.  

Seems unlikely the law legislates the form factor of an extension.
 

Legend says there are stand alone ADITs with a photo that are on a larger form factor than a credit card: legend says 8.5x11 inch sheets. 
 

We also known that ADITs on a paper I-94s are getting mailed out sometimes (I’ve see two examples), and these are between letter size and credit card size.  
 

So credit card sized ADITs good for 4 more years ought to be fine.  
 

I doubt that Congress intended for RoC to be a 4 year process though.  I would think that those in Congress who voted for IRCA in 1986 would be as enraged as we are, albeit some of those would be enraged for different reasons.  

 

 

[Dashinka 24,028]

9 minutes ago, Mike E said:

 

Seems unlikely the law legislates the form factor of an extension.
 

Legend says there are stand alone ADITs with a photo that are on a larger form factor than a credit card: legend says 8.5x11 inch sheets. 
 

We also known that ADITs on a paper I-94s are getting mailed out sometimes (I’ve see two examples), and these are between letter size and credit card size.  
 

So credit card sized ADITs good for 4 more years ought to be fine.  
 

I doubt that Congress intended for RoC to be a 4 year process though.  I would think that those in Congress who voted for IRCA in 1986 would be as enraged as we are, albeit some of those would be enraged for different reasons.  

 

 

I didn't find the example of the stand alone ADIT stamp in the carrier guide, but I did find this related to those traveling with the EL.  It is funny that the boilerplate for the NOA says it does not grant any immigration status when it really does at least when combined with the expired GC.

 

[OldUser 5,873]

One intricacy @Dashinka

 

The screenshot you attached shows I-797C form for I-751. This is a copy form for original I-797. Original doesn't have the wording "This notice does not grant any immigration status or benefit". Airline and CBP won't accept I-797C, but will accept original I-797.

 

Copy is usually sent to petitioner and original is sent to lawyer depending how the boxes were checked on G-28 form.

 

The instructions on screenshot are super confusing. The written instructions are correct, mentioning I-797, but accompanied by I-797C picture which is bad.

Edited January 25, 2023 by OldUser

[Dashinka 24,028]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

One intricacy @Dashinka

 

The screenshot you attached shows I-797C form for I-751. This is a copy form for original I-797. Original doesn't have the wording "This notice does not grant any immigration status or benefit". Airline and CBP won't accept I-797C, but will accept original I-797.

 

Copy is usually sent to petitioner and original is sent to lawyer depending how the boxes were checked on G-28 form.

 

The instructions on screenshot are super confusing. The written instructions are correct, mentioning I-797, but accompanied by I-797C picture which is bad.

I guess we need to let the CBP know they need to change their picture in their carrier guide.  Maybe this is why @Mike Ehad so many issues.  

Edited January 25, 2023 by Dashinka

[Mike E 11,732]

5 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Maybe this is why @Mike Ehad so many issues.  

It’s a mixed bag whether airlines accept official  USCIS copies or not. I’ve heard of denials and acceptances.
 

However, while we were boarded each time with our  original, I can now understand why some airlines in concert with CBP deny boarding to LPRs with original USCIS extension letters. 
 

Because as @OldUser says, they are different forms and not matching what the CBP carrier guide says. 
 

My wife’s original extension letter says I-797 and not I-797C. 
 

So thanks to @OldUser ‘s catch, LPRs need to carry two extension letters: the original I-797 and the I-797C.  
 

The carrier information guide hasn’t been updated in 4 years!

 

[amour-et-foi 7]

48 months does nothing to help our situation. Spouses card initially expired May 5, 2019 and even with the 18, then 24, then 36, and now 48 month extensions her LPR will expire May 5, 2023 which is a little over 3 months from now. 100% pure garbage if nothing happens durring that time.

[Dashinka 24,028]

1 minute ago, amour-et-foi said:

48 months does nothing to help our situation. Spouses card initially expired May 5, 2019 and even with the 18, then 24, then 36, and now 48 month extensions her LPR will expire May 5, 2023 which is a little over 3 months from now. 100% pure garbage if nothing happens durring that time.

Could be a couple more years based on this poster.  Most likely an outlier, but the entire I751 process with USCIS is a huge joke.

 

 

[OldUser 5,873]

4 minutes ago, amour-et-foi said:

48 months does nothing to help our situation. Spouses card initially expired May 5, 2019 and even with the 18, then 24, then 36, and now 48 month extensions her LPR will expire May 5, 2023 which is a little over 3 months from now. 100% pure garbage if nothing happens durring that time.

Did you apply for N-400 to help pushing I-751?

Did you consider suing USCIS?

[amour-et-foi 7]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

Did you apply for N-400 to help pushing I-751?

Did you consider suing USCIS?

No N-400 yet as spouse isn't completely comfortable with English. As for suing...Don't want to put the resources into doing that. Just call after call and inquiry after inquiry.

[Dashinka 24,028]

Just now, amour-et-foi said:

No N-400 yet as spouse isn't completely comfortable with English. As for suing...Don't want to put the resources into doing that. Just call after call and inquiry after inquiry.

Have you tried your elected representative, or the CIS Ombudsman?

 

https://www.dhs.gov/topics/cis-ombudsman

[OldUser 5,873]

11 minutes ago, amour-et-foi said:

No N-400 yet as spouse isn't completely comfortable with English. As for suing...Don't want to put the resources into doing that. Just call after call and inquiry after inquiry.

Well, that means you're waiting... How long? Hard to tell, maybe another 2 years.

Edited January 25, 2023 by OldUser

[amour-et-foi 7]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

Have you tried your elected representative, or the CIS Ombudsman?

 

https://www.dhs.gov/topics/cis-ombudsman

Tried Representative. Said processing time was within range

[Rearviewmirror 396]

When do you think folks will start receiving the 48 month extension letters?