Hello everybody I need your help.
I had a situation yesterday with CBP and with these documents. The situation is that I haven't had the GC because USCIS made a typographical error in the length of time allowed with LPR, which was 10 years but really should have been 2 years (it should be noted that USCIS successfully approved my application for residency, the error was typographical in the GC), thus, USCIS asked me to return that GC of the typographical error the next day.
So, I have been using the I 551 stamp from 2021 to 2023. The last stamp already expired in May 2023. From the day the error occurred (2021), I requested a replacement of the card, which USCIS gave me an answer this year (May 2023) that they were not going to replace my 2-year temporary residence card because my case was in the process of removing conditions, which I applied last year.
Perfect. I also received the letter I 797 in January of this year, which indicates in its first line "We have extended the validity period on your Form 1-551, Permanent Resident Card, (also known as a Green Card) for 36 months from the date of expiration. During this extension, you are authorized to work and travel. This notice, presented with your expired Permanent Resident Card, is evidence of your status and employment authorization...".
This year I have traveled internationally on two occasions with the expired I 551 stamp and the I 797 letter, I have not had any more problems than the airlines corroborating with other colleagues if these documents are correct and when entering to USA 99.9% customs send me to a second inspection.
The inconvenience arose yesterday in the second inspection, where the CBP officer questioned me about the expired stamp saying that it was not related to the letter I 797. He asked me if I had a letter that corroborated something about the expired stamp (?), he said he would make an observation in the system for the same situation that I mentioned previously and that basically I must have a new I 551 stamp in my passport.
With this long context of my situation, for travel and work purposes, is a new I 551 stamp required? In the event that this situation escalates in the future in the sense of entering to USA, what would happen when being with the CBP? What would happen if my entry into the country is not valid? What I can do?
Thank you so much!
English is not my first language.