Lost Green Card After I-797C Notice

[AB&BB 2]

Hello,

My wife and I received her I-797C notice on March 25, 2023. Last Thursday we went in to sign our tax filing documents and took in all her documents and IDs as we always do. The last thing I remember from handling her green card was placing it on the counter of the front desk in case the receptionist needed to make a copy. I thought I collected it and placed it back in our bag that we keep all of her documents in. However, the following day we noticed it was missing. We have checked everywhere multiple times, including going back to the filing office we visited, talked to the front desk and the CPA, and checked the parking lot. They checked with the cleaning staff but no one has found it. We checked the car, our clothes, the folders -- everywhere. Somehow it disappeared and we have no idea how.

We ended up filing a police report that same day we noticed it was missing to report it lost. I went to the post office to see if they had received it in any of their boxes but they said there is no way of knowing that. I see on the back of the photocopy we have it says:

"If found, drop in any US Mailbox. USPS: Mail to USCIS, 7 Product Way, Lees Summit, MO 64002"

My question is, if someone picked it up and followed those instructions and it ends up back at the USCIS office in MO, will they mail it back to us?

I know the form I-90 is what you need to file to replace a lost or stolen card but if it is supposed to make its way back to USCIS by default (if someone doesn't toss it in the trash or keep it) then why do we need to file an I-90? We are hoping it will turn up within a couple of days but I want to see if we should wait for USCIS sends it back to us (if it's found) before filing an I-90.

Any advice or tips will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[randomstairs 304]

If you've already filed a police report, the card is invalid (or it will be, if it reaches the CBP and other agencies). The I-90 the way to go at this point. 

[AB&BB 2]

Hello randomstairs, thank you for your response. I appreciate you taking the time to read and reply. I just have a couple of questions:

Since the green card was already expired in October 2022 and the I-751 is already being processed, won't that take priority over an I-90? In other words, since we already have the extension from the I-751 (I know that needs to be in conjunction with the green card) and we are waiting for the conditions to be lifted, doesn't that make it unnecessary to replace the card? 

Or did we screw up any chance of that with filing the police report?

Thank you again for your time.

[OldUser 7,003]

I doubt you will receive replacement card with I-751 pending. However, to get I-551 stamp that could be used for proof of status, USCIS typically wants to see I-90.

 

You can try getting Infopass and getting passport stamp before filing I-90. If successful, you don't need it.

 

Extension letter on its own is worthless. Extension letters also won't extend the stamp.

 

Police report is useful to prove you did due diligence when naturalizing. 

 

Of course you will receive 10 year GC eventually if you don't apply for N-400.

Edited March 26 by OldUser

[AB&BB 2]

Hi OldUser, thank you for your reply. Is there a guide on "How to" "getting Infopass and getting passport stamp?" I've never heard of either of those so I wouldn't know where to start.

Thank you again for your reply and your time.

[Unlockable 7,315]

***Thread moved to General Immigration related topic section of the forum.

 

VJ Moderation

[Noname93 200]

10 hours ago, AB&BB said:

Hi OldUser, thank you for your reply. Is there a guide on "How to" "getting Infopass and getting passport stamp?" I've never heard of either of those so I wouldn't know where to start.

Thank you again for your reply and your time.

Call uscis and say Infopass. Explain the situation and you should get an appointment

[AB&BB 2]

UPDATE: 3/29/2024

I called USCIS for InfoPass appointment and I explained our situation. The agent told me that we could set up an appointment to receive an I-551 stamp at one of their office locations. We received a verification number and the phone number they will call us from and we should receive a call within 30 days. I asked if we need to file the I-90 before or after this appointment and she said that we do not need to file the I-90 since our I-751 is in processing. I asked if filing the police report for the lost card would cancel that processing or cause any problems with it and she said that it would not. Is her information accurate? 

[AB&BB 2]

On 3/29/2024 at 9:13 AM, AB&BB said:

I asked if we need to file the I-90 before or after this appointment and she said that we do not need to file the I-90 since our I-751 is in processing. I asked if filing the police report for the lost card would cancel that processing or cause any problems with it and she said that it would not. Is her information accurate? 

Anyone have an answer for this? Should we go ahead and file the I-90?

[OldUser 7,003]

I think you'd just keep getting stamps until I-751 is approved. Extension letter is no longer relevant for travel as it doesn't extend the stamps. The only reason I'd file I-90 is to get a stamp but if you get it without, then there's no point.

Edited March 31 by OldUser

[AB&BB 2]

Hi OldUser, thanks for your quick response!

So just so I understand you correctly: you think we can just go to the InfoPass appointment and get the stamp WITHOUT filing an I-90 first?

If her statement turns out to be incorrect, would there be any consequences beyond just a rejection if we did not file the I-90 before showing up to the appointment?

Thank you again for your responses and knowledge. I really appreciate your kindness.

[OldUser 7,003]

4 hours ago, AB&BB said:

Hi OldUser, thanks for your quick response!

So just so I understand you correctly: you think we can just go to the InfoPass appointment and get the stamp WITHOUT filing an I-90 first?
 

There's only one way to find out for sure - to go and try. I'd bring receipt for I-751.

 

4 hours ago, AB&BB said:

If her statement turns out to be incorrect, would there be any consequences beyond just a rejection if we did not file the I-90 before showing up to the appointment?

No consequences, it's safe. If you don't get it, you can always try again and/or file I-90 and try with it.

[AB&BB 2]

19 hours ago, OldUser said:

There's only one way to find out for sure - to go and try. I'd bring receipt for I-751.

 

No consequences, it's safe. If you don't get it, you can always try again and/or file I-90 and try with it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your response!! I REALLY appreciate your help!! It really helps a lot in a time like this with so much worry and anxiety about the process. Thank you again!