Officer Kept Expired conditional Green Card Before Oath - is this normal? (I-751 & N-400 Combo Interview)

[Thenaturalstate 13]

I had my I-751 (Removal of Conditions) and N-400 (Naturalization) combo interview on January 17, 2025, and something unusual happened that I'm hoping to get some insight into.

 

Background:

• Filed I-751 to remove conditions on my 2-year green card.
• Then filed N-400 (3 years married to USC) with pending I-751.

 

The interview had a somewhat rocky start, but ultimately, at the end, the officer told me that both my I-751 and N-400 were recommended for approval. The officer gave me Form N-652, stating I passed the English and civics tests and that my N-400 application was recommended for approval.

 

Then came the unusual part: The officer kept my expired conditional green card, my expired EAD/AP combo card, and even my old, expired OPT card. The officer said I wouldn't need them anymore since I was recommended for citizenship.

I was surprised because I always understood that you surrender your green card at the oath ceremony, not before.

 

Current USCIS Online Case Status :

• I-751: Online status changed to "Case Approved" on January 17, 2025 (shortly after the interview). I received a courtesy copy of the approval notice online, which confirms the approval and says my new 10-year green card will be mailed in 60 days. However, it does say "Case Closed" on the left, which I understand is normal after approval, is that correct?.
• N-400: Online status changed to "Oath Ceremony Will Be Scheduled" on January 17, 2025. It says, "We placed you in line for your oath ceremony and will send you a notice..."

 

Now, I'm in a situation where I have no physical proof of my permanent resident status while I wait for my oath ceremony. All I have is an I-751 notice Letter with 48 month's Extension.

 

1. Has anyone else had an officer keep their expired green card, EAD/AP cards,  before the oath ceremony? Is this becoming common practice, or is it a potential red flag?
2. Could this lack of physical proof of status cause any issues while I wait for or when I attend the oath ceremony?
3. Is there anything I should do proactively? Should I be worried about this, or is it just an unusual but harmless occurrence?

 

I'd really appreciate any insights, similar experiences, or advice you all can offer. It felt very out of the ordinary, and I want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Thanks in advance for your help!

[Dashinka 24,752]

They did this to my wife when she got her ADIT stamp after her CGC expired.  Did the IO give you an affidavit attesting to the fact that they took your GC, and did they put an ADIT stamp in your passport? 

[Thenaturalstate 13]

8 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

They did this to my wife when she got her ADIT stamp after her CGC expired.  Did the IO give you an affidavit attesting to the fact that they took your GC, and did they put an ADIT stamp in your passport? 

Thanks for your input. After taking my expired GC, the officer didn't give me any documentation or stamp my passport. My I-751 receipt notice extends the validity of my green card for 48 months, which takes me to 2027.

 

My main concern is that I now don't have the physical, albeit expired, conditional green card. I'm worried about not having the physical card for the oath ceremony.

 

Also, I'm wondering if they only do this to specific applicants, and if so, is it a bad sign? Based on everything I've read, it just seems so unusual.

 

Did your wife face any issues for not having the physical card? 

[Crazy Cat 42,186]

31 minutes ago, Thenaturalstate said:

My I-751 receipt notice extends the validity of my green card for 48 months, which takes me to 2027.

You would also need the expired card.  The letter is worthless alone.  This was a mistake by the interview officer. Hopefully, you will have your oath soon. You probably won't need the card, but you currently have no physical evidence of status.

Just tell the representative, at the oath, that the officer took your card.  There will be no issue.

Edited 20 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Dashinka 24,752]

3 hours ago, Thenaturalstate said:

Thanks for your input. After taking my expired GC, the officer didn't give me any documentation or stamp my passport. My I-751 receipt notice extends the validity of my green card for 48 months, which takes me to 2027.

 

My main concern is that I now don't have the physical, albeit expired, conditional green card. I'm worried about not having the physical card for the oath ceremony.

 

Also, I'm wondering if they only do this to specific applicants, and if so, is it a bad sign? Based on everything I've read, it just seems so unusual.

 

Did your wife face any issues for not having the physical card? 

No, she was fine, but she had an ADIT stamp and a notice stating the card was taken, but in her case her card was taken prior to her N400 interview.  You can request an ADIT stamp if you want.

[Thenaturalstate 13]

Thank you all. I hope the oath ceremony is scheduled soon. I will inform the USCIS rep at the ceremony that the officer took my GC during the interview. I hope everything goes smoothly. Fingers crossed!

[Vickys_Mom 237]

If you made a copy of the cards, print them out and carry them with you.  It's better than nothing.

 

Regards,

Vicky's Mom

[Patrick Lee 9]

Lol, It sounded funny when I was reading your piece. Dont be scared man.Its a normal thing. Its their duty to collect expired Gcs once they are expired at points of interviews. They did same to me back in 2018. By now you ought to have a photocopy at your possession. You should be celebrating now and popping Champaign that your case has come to an end. On a lighter and funny mood, hope u wont divorce sooner?

 

[Crazy Cat 42,186]

51 minutes ago, Patrick Lee said:

Gcs once they are expired at points of interviews.

I don't think so. unless they give you an ADIT stamp as evidence of status in place of the card.  My wife and I had a combo interview.  They did NOT collect her expired Green Card until the day of her oath ceremony.  It is not normal for them to take a Green Card until the oath ceremony.  Here are the instructions on the oath ceremony letter as to items to bring:

 

• This notice with the reverse side completed. Please refer to instructions below.

• All Permanent Resident Cards ("green card") that you may have, valid or expired. 

• All Reentry Permits or Refugee Travel Documents that you may have, valid or expired.

• Any other documents USCIS issued to you that you may have, such as employment authorization cards, valid or expired.

 

Having said that, nont having the Green card at the oath ceremony will be no problem. 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Crazy Cat

[Demise 1,334]

In either case I don't think this will be a problem even if they don't believe you that they took the green card.

 

Generally USCIS wants a valid green card so you don't weasel out of paying for a renewal by instead naturalizing. So generally they will want either a valid green card or an I-90 receipt notice. I see no reason why I-751 notice wouldn't work as proof that you paid the man.

[OldUser 7,402]

2 hours ago, Demise said:

In either case I don't think this will be a problem even if they don't believe you that they took the green card.

 

Generally USCIS wants a valid green card so you don't weasel out of paying for a renewal by instead naturalizing. So generally they will want either a valid green card or an I-90 receipt notice. I see no reason why I-751 notice wouldn't work as proof that you paid the man.

I-751 notice without expired GC is only proof of payment but not proof of status or identity. Won't be a massive issue with USCIS. But may be an issue if law enforcement asks for proof of status.