Did NOT Receive I-94 at POE for my K-1 Visa Activation

[Sam and Ben 2]

Call asap, hopefully they can provide you some help.

And inquire about the bank account first before getting too concerned - I was added to Ben's account and credit card without one (mind you, the credit card isn't doing anything for my score, but still... I gets to spend money. ). This was all at Chase.

I hope it all gets cleared up soon, Ashen. ((hug))

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Sounds like they've got a lot of people who know what they're doing at Detroit POE

It's too bad you need to be a citizen.....maybe I could get a job there & make it easy for people immigrating over, hehe

[J&K 0]

When I crossed, they gave me the stamp and the I-94.

When I applied for my SSN, I kept getting rejected because they couldn't find me in the SAVE system. Turns out, Buffalo screwed up somehow, and when I went to an infopass, they told me I'd have to go back to a POE to get it resolved.

I went to Dulles and the CBP was very helpful and I believe he had me fill out another form.

You SHOULD be able to just go to LAX (if that's you're closest international airport) to get help from the CBP officers there.

But, like others have mentioned, I would call them to find out.

Hope everything works out ok for you!

[ashenflowers 5]

Thanks guys. I think going to a 'closer' POE or deferred inspection station would help a lot. I haven't had a chance to call them yet, but will asap.

Do you guys think I would need to do this before getting married? I am getting married next week on the 20th. I don't know if when I go to LA that they will stamp me a new date rather than my original entry date... and if they stamp it and give me an I 94 AFTER my marriage... welllll that's a whole new can of worms. lol

[milimelo 4,205]

Hope this helps: http://www.lawa.org/welcome_LAX.aspx?id=1204

[Anh map 2,098]

From what I've seen posted on this subject the "replacement/new" I-94 expiry would be stamped according to your original entry date.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

They failed to issue you with an I-94 that had the correct information on it - that is their error, not yours. That qualifies as 'incorrect information'. They should be able to correct the problem at the deferred inspection station. It is not USCIS that issues I-94 - it is the CBP which is why you need to go back to a 'border'.

[ashenflowers 5]

They failed to issue you with an I-94 that had the correct information on it - that is their error, not yours. That qualifies as 'incorrect information'. They should be able to correct the problem at the deferred inspection station. It is not USCIS that issues I-94 - it is the CBP which is why you need to go back to a 'border'.

Yeah, good point. That is why I was concerned that they might not consider it their error though... i.e. a USCIS error specifically, since as you mentioned the CBP is the one that messed up. Still, it was certainly by no fault of my own. I gave them everything they needed to process it properly.

Unfortunately I am waiting for a home phone... still. Which was supposed to be ready today, but is not. So I can't call until tomorrow to see about getting it straightened out. Sigh

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Ugh, Ashen I'm so sorry you're having this problem. "Little" issues like this cause the most stress and aggravation, I can certainly understand that!

I hear airports can be very helpful in resolving these types of errors. A fellow VJer here was imputed into the computer system as a K-2 instead of a K-1, went to the local airport and had the information amended rather quickly. No appointment or anything was needed. I would probably call first and explain your situation and see if they can help, like the others suggested.

I think filling without the I-94 may be worth a try, but I understand why you'd be hesitant to do it. I'm just thinking of all the people from Canada who have crossed, married then filled AOS. These people didn't have I-94's. I know its a different situation but if not having one can be overlooked in certain situations then why not yours? However, there is still the issue of an SSN, which you'll probably want before you get your EAD...

Sorry you're being put through this stress!!

When I crossed, they gave me the stamp and the I-94.

When I applied for my SSN, I kept getting rejected because they couldn't find me in the SAVE system. Turns out, Buffalo screwed up somehow, and when I went to an infopass, they told me I'd have to go back to a POE to get it resolved.

I went to Dulles and the CBP was very helpful and I believe he had me fill out another form.

You SHOULD be able to just go to LAX (if that's you're closest international airport) to get help from the CBP officers there.

But, like others have mentioned, I would call them to find out.

Hope everything works out ok for you!

Thanks for that information J&K. Something is wrong with my information in the SAVE system and I booked an infopass appointment for Friday to see how to get it resolved. So it looks like I may have to go to the airport to have it fixed? That's fine as long as someone actually fixes it!

[ashenflowers 5]

So, just to give everyone an update... I went to L.A. today, and was able to get my I-94. I can only hope that it's correct. They didn't make me pay the $6. Not that I'm complaining, but still. lol The thing they stapled into my passport is the white card that was at the bottom of the form... aka the departure record. I also had to fill out an additional form... I forget which one it was though. But oh well.

Anyways, I went to the deferred inspection site. They were able to help me. yay for that. Now I get to find out what I can actually do with this I-94. lol

[Carlawarla 1]

So, just to give everyone an update... I went to L.A. today, and was able to get my I-94. I can only hope that it's correct. They didn't make me pay the $6. Not that I'm complaining, but still. lol The thing they stapled into my passport is the white card that was at the bottom of the form... aka the departure record. I also had to fill out an additional form... I forget which one it was though. But oh well.

Anyways, I went to the deferred inspection site. They were able to help me. yay for that. Now I get to find out what I can actually do with this I-94. lol

Glad you got that done and that it wasn't a $300.00 touch! Sorry that this wasn't done when it was supposed to have been done.

[Krikit 1,163]

Excellent news, Ashen!

Some people have had to pay for the I-94, some haven't. Definitely none of the people who came through an air POE..... that cost is covered in the airline fees. Maybe they were using that line of thinking.

[Sam and Ben 2]

So glad you got it without further issue, Ashen.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Glad you have that all worked out for you Ashen. Best wishes for a quick and speedy AOS !!

[Jojomackio 1]

"Sorry for the multiple posting. It would appear that I need to file for I-102, which carries a fee of $320, and processing time of 2.5 months (average), from what I've found online. I'm actually quite furious. Some CBP official's mistake is costing us this HUGE expense and HUGE delay?!? And now I don't even know if we will get what we need in time to file AOS before 90 days from our POE is up? We're getting married next week, but I don't know if we'll end up in trouble for not filing AOS immediately. I really don't want to wait that long for this. Not to mention we'd have to wait that much longer for me to have what I need to file for EAD and AP, and a SSN!??! #######?!? I'm seriously upset. I don't know what to do. We don't have the luxury of time or money right now... They might as well have told us we were denied... that's basically what this feels like right now..."

Hi There, first off I want to say sorry if what I say here is covered already, there have been so many replies I only skimmed most of them, which means you are getting lots of support which is great! Secondly, I would like to say that I feel your pain and the CBP officer did the EXACT same thing to me.

I too had so much on my mind at crossing after previously being denied by the very same officer and at the time being 35 weeks pregnant! I guess I just trusted them to provide me with everything I needed (silly me). Anyhow, I would like to point out that you CAN GET AN SSN without your I94, The SSA office will be satisfied with the stamp and the visa in your passport, they were with mine. I applied for an SSN before we were even married and got it a week later.

I did not notice that I needed the actual I94 record number until we applied for AOS, and i included a letter with my application stating I was not provided one upon entry and that the arrival stamp is all that was given to me.

After this I have tried to get my drivers license here, which they also said that I need the I94 record number. I told them I was just given a stamp and they gave me the website ti where I could look up my file and retrieve my I94 record (www.cbp.gov/I94). I did this and of course no record was found. If you have not tried it perhaps you may have a record on file there.

So I then , after some research, realised I can file the I-102 and request a new I94 record number. I noticed the huge filing fee and was obviously disgusted. The AOS fee is atrocious enough especially since most of what we provide we have already given during the K1 process, but thats another rant. I did notice however that at the very bottom of the page on the USCIS website for the i-102 form it states that if an i94 was not provided or a mistake was made on the record to no fault of you own then YOU DO NOT NEED TO PAY THE FEE. So I have sent in the form without the fee and a short letter stating why I am requesting the record and making it clear I was not provided or given any direction as to how to attain an I94 upon entry.

So I will see what happens.

I would go ahead and get your SSN and file for the AOS if I were you and you think your time is running low. Atleast they will see you are married and that you satisifed your obligation under the K1 visa. Even if they need you to send in more documents to prove the I94 later and delay the AOS..it beats deportation!

Best of Luck!