Has Anyone Entered US With Opened Envelope?

[Ryan H 3,834]

Similar topics merged.

[Maxheadspace 48]

it seems that he did answer, without a sealed envelope there will be no entry to the U.S.

Thanks Steve, but it did NOT answer the question. The previous poster assumed there was an option to return to the embassy to have it re-sealed. In this case there is not. So my question remains. It is not automatic rejection, as some travelers have entered without their envelopes even being reviewed at the POE. (Those cases were problematic, too.)

Someone recently replied to my question stating that they knew of a person being paroled-in pending review of all the material when their envelope was found to be opened. That was my suspicion (and hope), but wanted to hear from anyone who actually experienced this predicament.

So I'm still hoping to hear from someone with actual firsthand knowledge, i.e., either they or someone they knew personally experienced these circumstances. Not that I wish that on anyone!!!

Thanks anyway, Steve!

Max

[Leatherneck 693]

The beneficiaries that have posted here in the past about the opening of the sealed envelope were encouraged to return to the IV unit at whatever embassy to have it resealed. So, might be tough to find adequate first hand experience with regard POE and unsealed envelope to satisfy you.

If returning to the embassy to get the contents of the envelope checked and verified is not an option -- then what would be the option for a beneficiary that happened to get a real jerk CBP officer that denied entry and put beneficiary on the first flight back from which they came?

[Hypnos 6,578]

Not sure what you are looking for OP. You might find a couple of edge cases that managed to talk their way in (I recall someone being paroled in, as others have, although parole isn't entry and doesn't activate the K-1), but that's not how it's meant to work officially.

No idea why returning the to embassy is not possible in your situation, as that's likely the only solution. Attempting entry without the sealed envelope puts the alien at the risk of being denied entry and placed on the next flight back to the country of origin.

[Ketsuban 1,034]

There actually was a case on this board not too long ago. The person in question was forced to let the airline staff open the envelope when boarding the plane or they wouldn't let him on. There was a lot of frantic calling ahead to POE and so on and I believe that POE allowed the airline staff to reseal the envelope and things went okay, but it was VERY extenuating circumstances and there was a lot of franticness involved.

That is so weird. Did they think there was a bomb inside it or something? I didn't see that thread.

[KayDeeCee 4,896]

The one I recall here on VJ about being paroled in was due to their envelope being in their carry-on bag that was stolen at the airport. They had no envelope, not that it was opened. They contacted the USCIS and consulate and managed to get instructions on what to do. They had to re-gather their own paperwork to satisfy the CBP paroling them in, and then being able to finally get the entry as a K-1 approved and get back on track.

If the envelope is open, then do whatever you can to get it resealed. It is your best bet in order to not be turned away at your POE. OR, you try to enter with the envelope being opened, and then you report here about your experience so others will know what happens/happened.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

That is so weird. Did they think there was a bomb inside it or something? I didn't see that thread.

I wish I'd posted in it or marked it to keep it. It was about a month or so ago, maybe six weeks. It was the strangest thing ever. Apparently the airline was under the impression that they were the ones required to open the envelope and insisted the man give it over. The man argued with them, they said they weren't going to let him on the plane. He started calling his partner (can't remember if it was a wife or fiancée) to figure out what to do. There was frantic calling around and the airline and the POE communicated. I'm going to go see if I can find it, because it was a really fascinating clusterf###.

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Ah, sorry, it was a gate employee. I found the thread. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/250358-opened-sealed-envelope-at-the-airport-in-accra/

[Jon and Krissy 452]

Why in the world isn't it an option to return to the embassy and have it resealed? I'm hard pressed to come up with any reason this could possibly be true.

Thanks Steve, but it did NOT answer the question. The previous poster assumed there was an option to return to the embassy to have it re-sealed. In this case there is not. So my question remains. It is not automatic rejection, as some travelers have entered without their envelopes even being reviewed at the POE. (Those cases were problematic, too.)

Someone recently replied to my question stating that they knew of a person being paroled-in pending review of all the material when their envelope was found to be opened. That was my suspicion (and hope), but wanted to hear from anyone who actually experienced this predicament.

So I'm still hoping to hear from someone with actual firsthand knowledge, i.e., either they or someone they knew personally experienced these circumstances. Not that I wish that on anyone!!!

Thanks anyway, Steve!

Max

[corvusheart 163]

Anyone know if when you get the sealed packet if you're supposed to take out your passport or not? And if you're supposed to, how do you do it without opening the envelope?

[Jon and Krissy 452]

Anyone know if when you get the sealed packet if you're supposed to take out your passport or not? And if you're supposed to, how do you do it without opening the envelope?

You open the plastic window to remove your passport. You do not unseal the envelope proper.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Thanks Steve, but it did NOT answer the question. The previous poster assumed there was an option to return to the embassy to have it re-sealed. In this case there is not. So my question remains. It is not automatic rejection, as some travelers have entered without their envelopes even being reviewed at the POE. (Those cases were problematic, too.)

Someone recently replied to my question stating that they knew of a person being paroled-in pending review of all the material when their envelope was found to be opened. That was my suspicion (and hope), but wanted to hear from anyone who actually experienced this predicament.

So I'm still hoping to hear from someone with actual firsthand knowledge, i.e., either they or someone they knew personally experienced these circumstances. Not that I wish that on anyone!!!

Thanks anyway, Steve!

Max

"it's inconvenient" or "it would be costly to do" does not = "not an option."

Those two things pretty much cover and practical reason I can think of that it can't be returned to the embassy. Unless you're on the plane, of course. That may be different.

[christeen 966]

Anyone know if when you get the sealed packet if you're supposed to take out your passport or not? And if you're supposed to, how do you do it without opening the envelope?

You need the passport to travel, take it out of the plastic but do not open the big envelope. It is normal,for there to be a small tear or corner opened on the envelope...

[jan22 3,064]

This is a really strange series of posts -- or am I just missing something? The OP didn't get a sealed envelope, yet now he's concerned about entering the US with an opened envelope? And, the finacee is absolutely unable to return to the Embassy to get the un-received sealed envelope resealed? And, is it just me, but why would you start a post using "alas" when talking about your fiancée finally being able to travel? So much confusion.....

[bigdog 376]

Jan22, great observation. The OP should open it, try and enter, then give us the first hand information of what happened.