Temporary green card holder, is it guaranteed my entry back in USA if I travel internationally?

[bahamamama234 25]

Hi! I need help! So my Green Card (Conditional/temporary) because my marriage was less than 2 years old, expires in 02/2017

It was granted in february of this month.

My question is, me and my husband(US citizen) want to go to Brazil for 1 month to visit my family and then come back in september of this year... Would I have any problems with immigration on my way back to the USA?

Because they gave me a hard time when I first arrived in USA, in Atlanta Georgia, they held me for 2 hours cause they said I was a pretty girl and they thought I was there for prostitution (No comments, since I was a law student in Brazil for 2 years and came from a good and well established family)

But anyway, I am afraid that if me and my husband go, they might give me problems because my green card is a conditional green card only worth for 2 years?

1- Am I authorized to visit my family in Brazil with my husband and come back, and when I come back, will it be easy for me to get in the USA again? nobody will ask me questions and give me a hard time? (yes they kinda traumatized me lol)

2- Do I need any other documents besides the Green Card to return to my home in the USA when I come back?

Thanks anyone for any help!

Edited March 14, 2015 by Jabuticaba 1

[bahamamama234 25]

Hi! I need help! So my Green Card (Conditional/temporary) because my marriage was less than 2 years old, expires in 02/2017

It was granted in february of this month.

My question is, me and my husband(US citizen) want to go to Brazil for 1 month to visit my family and then come back in september of this year... Would I have any problems with immigration on my way back to the USA?

Because they gave me a hard time when I first arrived in USA, in Atlanta Georgia, they held me for 2 hours cause they said I was a pretty girl and they thought I was there for prostitution (No comments, since I was a law student in Brazil for 2 years and came from a good and well established family)

But anyway, I am afraid that if me and my husband go, they might give me problems because my green card is a conditional green card only worth for 2 years?

* Am I authorized to visit my family in Brazil with my husband and come back, and when I come back, will it be easy for me to get in the USA again? nobody will ask me questions and give me a hard time? (yes they kinda traumatized me lol)

*Do I need any other documents besides the Green Card to return to my home in the USA when I come back?

Thanks anyone for any help!

[aaron2020 11,651]

Hi,

Entry into the US is only guarantee for US citizens.

As long as you abide by the rules, you should have no problem.

You can travel to Brazil. You need your green card and Brazilian passport. That is all.

Did you enter on a non-immigrant visa and adjusted? That might be why you had the problem with CBP last time.

[Boiler 43,363]

Only USCs are guaranteed entry.

What visa did you enter on? Sounds weird questioning.

[rodrigo&fabi 4]

You should be fine if you travel for only 1 month. While I was a green card holder I traveled to my home country, Peru, 5-6 times maybe more to visit my then girlfriend/fiance and now wife and came back with no issues. At the POE they will question you on how long you went, why, etc... they want to make sure the U.S is your permanent residence. You will need to present your unexpired green card and your passport (from your country of citizenship). Below is some information from USCIS web site.

What documents do I need to present to reenter the United States?

If seeking to enter the United States after temporary travel abroad, you will need to present a valid, unexpired “green card” (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card). When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States. For information pertaining to entry into the United States, see U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s webpage.

Does travel outside the United States affect my permanent resident status?

Permanent residents are free to travel outside the United States, and temporary or brief travel usually does not affect your permanent resident status. If it is determined, however, that you did not intend to make the United States your permanent home, you will be found to have abandoned your permanent resident status. A general guide used is whether you have been absent from the United States for more than a year. Abandonment may be found to occur in trips of less than a year where it is believed you did not intend to make the United States your permanent residence. While brief trips abroad generally are not problematic, the officer may consider criteria such as whether your intention was to visit abroad only temporarily, whether you maintained U.S. family and community ties, maintained U.S employment, filed U.S. income taxes as a resident, or otherwise established your intention to return to the United States as your permanent home. Other factors that may be considered include whether you maintained a U.S. mailing address, kept U.S. bank accounts and a valid U.S. driver’s license, own property or run a business in the United States, or any other evidence that supports the temporary nature of your absence.

Edited March 15, 2015 by rodrigo&fabi

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

You are a lawful permanent resident of the US now. The 2 year conditional green card has all the same benefits of a 10 year card. There is no difference in that aspect. The only thing different about them is that you have to file to remove the 'conditions' within 90 days before it expires. Once you prove you did not get the green card for immigration purposes only, and that your marriage is bona fide, you will receive a 10 year card. You can use them both to travel and re-enter the US just the same.

~ Moved from AOS from Family Based Visas to Working & Traveling During US Immigration - topic is travel ~

[Ontarkie 13,883]

~~Duplicate thread merged. Please only make one thread for the same topic.~~

[CowBoE 429]

I suppose they can hassle anyone at entry.

Even as a USC, sometimes I get hassled by customs.

You should be fine...assuming unusual things like committing a crime in either countries.

[usmsbow 795]

Hi! I need help! So my Green Card (Conditional/temporary) because my marriage was less than 2 years old, expires in 02/2017

It was granted in february of this month.

My question is, me and my husband(US citizen) want to go to Brazil for 1 month to visit my family and then come back in september of this year... Would I have any problems with immigration on my way back to the USA?

Because they gave me a hard time when I first arrived in USA, in Atlanta Georgia, they held me for 2 hours cause they said I was a pretty girl and they thought I was there for prostitution (No comments, since I was a law student in Brazil for 2 years and came from a good and well established family)

But anyway, I am afraid that if me and my husband go, they might give me problems because my green card is a conditional green card only worth for 2 years?

1- Am I authorized to visit my family in Brazil with my husband and come back, and when I come back, will it be easy for me to get in the USA again? nobody will ask me questions and give me a hard time? (yes they kinda traumatized me lol)

2- Do I need any other documents besides the Green Card to return to my home in the USA when I come back?

Thanks anyone for any help!

1- yes

2- just your gc and passport

And by the way, your first experience was likely due to your POE. Atlanta is the biggest spot in the country for the illegal sex trade (I have no idea why). That's probably why CBP gave you a lot of problems when you entered. Since you now have a GC and will be with your husband, you shouldn't have any problems even if you return via Atlanta.

[VFittipaldi 30]

Of course it is guaranteed. Don't worry, enjoy traveling. Play by the rules though, there is only so much time you can spend outside of US on a green card so watch for that.

[ZA_35 48]

When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States.

So they can still deny you entry if they don't like your face. I'm not leaving the US once I get there until I get my US Passport.

[GurkenSalat 48]

I just wanted to say, I find this story HORRIBLE. Those agents deserve to have their backsides sued off them and to lose their jobs. How is HARASSMENT at the border allowed and even legal?! Answer: we mere mortals have no power to fight back, and that suuucks! Sorry, felt the need to rant, this annoys the hell out of me!

I was never given a hard time at the border, and I now realize it's probably because I'm white (and maybe ugly too ), and it makes me sad and mad!

Anyway, to answer the question, you should have an easy enough time re-entering with your green card, but like others have said, they can still abuse their power. Although that should not stop you from traveling. Be prepared, and good luck!

[VFittipaldi 30]

When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States.

So they can still deny you entry if they don't like your face. I'm not leaving the US once I get there until I get my US Passport.

I am sorry and i don't want to be rude but that is the most ridiculous thing i ever heard. It is absolutely not true and you should not scare people with this type of stuff especially if you have no idea what you are talking about.

[Pitaya 2,576]

I am sorry and i don't want to be rude but that is the most ridiculous thing i ever heard. It is absolutely not true and you should not scare people with this type of stuff especially if you have no idea what you are talking about.

Please review this USCIS webpage regarding International Travel as a Permanent Resident: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

From that webpage:

What documents do I need to present to reenter the United States?

If seeking to enter the United States after temporary travel abroad, you will need to present a valid, unexpired “green card” (Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card). When arriving at a port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will review your permanent resident card and any other identity documents you present, such as a passport, foreign national I.D. card or U.S. Driver’s License, and determine if you can enter the United States. For information pertaining to entry into the United States, see U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s webpage.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[VFittipaldi 30]

Please review this USCIS webpage regarding International Travel as a Permanent Resident: http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-green-card-granted/international-travel-permanent-resident

From that webpage:

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Yes that is all clear. And like i said in the post on the top if you did not stay outside of the US for longer than you are allowed to than your entrance is guaranteed and not a maybe. That is what the "determine if you can enter the United States" all about. Thousands of Permanent Residence live in the US their whole life without getting a citizenship and travel in and out all the time, i know this from experience from the community around me. So what i am saying that it is pointless to scare people without a reason on this site saying that they might not be allowed back in.