Traveling Without a Green Card?

[USUY2010 4]

Hello all!

I thought our journey was finally over for the next 3 years, but it appears that it's not meant to be so. I received a Welcome Notice on Feb. 3 saying that I will be mailed a Permanent Resident Card soon. My brother is getting married at the beginning of March, and so I made travel arrangements to go back to my home country Feb 26. However, the GC is nowhere to be seen. When I went to the interview, I asked to get my passport stamped, and the IO said she couldn't do it unless I had a plane ticket. She recommended me to get a plane ticket and make an InfoPass, to get my passport stamped. I did all this and when we went to our InfoPass the lady there told us I should've already received my Welcome Packet and my Green Card too, so she couldn't stamp my passport. I thought the Welcome Packet was the Welcome Notice that I received, but now I am unsure. We need some advice on what to do next. My plane leaves Feb 26. We still haven't got any Green Card. I tried calling USCIS, but there wasn't anything they could do, since 30 days haven't passed already. And we can't make another InfoPass appointment because all the slots are taken. I'm starting to freak out a bit. Thanks in advance for any input!

Ah! Another curious fact, although I received the letter of approval dated Feb 3. the system has my date of approval as Feb 8. And so I have to wait 30 days as of Feb 8. to properly complain. *sigh*

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Oh no! Infopass sounds good, but I don't understand what you wrote. The Infopass person said she couldn't give you a stamp because you received your welcome letter? Did you explain that your GC has not come in the mail? (I am sure you did, just want to get the story/make sure I have it right).

Have you received any "card production" emails?

I'd keep checking infopass appts - maybe someone will cancel. So lame... so sorry!

Maybe someone else will have a neat trick that can solve everything

Best of luck.

And... you said journey over for 3 years, if you are newlyweds, you do know you have to apply to remove conditions in 2 years, right? (I thought I remembered that you guys were newlyweds)

[USUY2010 4]

Hello Harpa! Thanks for your quick reply! I'm so sorry, I was so flustered, I just quickly typed things and I'm sorry if it doesn't make much sense.

In 2 years we have to remove conditions, that is right.

I received a "Card Production E-mail", and the Welcome Notice letter on the mail. The USCIS site shows the application in "Post-Decision Activity" though.

We did explain to the lady at InfoPass that our GC had not arrived on the mail. She tried to blame it on us living on an apartment or moving out. Things which are not true, we live in a house and we haven't moved since we started the process. After this she said that the post office must have it and that I need to talk to the post office. Then my husband tried asking if there's any kind of tracking number if we were to contact the post office, to which she started talking about the application number. So I think this woman was just really not very competent, and not very helpful.

Thanks for your support! We are really hoping it arrives soon, or a spot opens at the InfoPass, otherwise I think we'll just have to do a walk-in.

[juliava 80]

You must get back there on an Infopass, as you can't come back to US if you don't have at least a stamp in your passport.

That lady that you initially spoke to lives on a different planet.

Sorry for what you are going through!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Agreed about making another Infopass appointment. Keep trying at all hours and times. Select all options that are available to find one with a slot open. The woman who wouldn't help you was being ridiculous. Take your proof of travel plane tickets, take the invitation, take the welcome letter and tell her that while the green card has supposedly been ordered, it has not arrived and you are about to miss your brother's wedding as well as lose the money for the tickets that you were told to buy by someone acting on behalf of USCIS. If the person says that this is not possible and you have to wait, ask to speak to her supervisor. Be polite but be firm. You are an approved permanent resident and legally you are supposed to have proof of your status in your possession at all time. You are asking for that proof - the I-551 stamp in your passport. It doesn't need to be for a full year - it can be for 3 months or 6 months or whatever. You are doing your best to comply with US regulations, have imminent need to travel and can prove it, and request proof of your legal status.

Time is short but you may also wish to approach your Senator or Congressman and ask for their help. They have staff who work on immigration levels and sometimes in cases like this they can pull the necessary strings to get done what should have been done without this hassle.

Hopefully, your actual green card will arrive in time regardless of what else you get done.

Good luck.

Edited February 19, 2011 by Kathryn41

[USUY2010 4]

Thanks very much Kathryn. What you said really helps us. I was trying to be polite last time, and I think I let the person just get away with it. We are checking InfoPass several times a day so when we see an open slot, we'll take it. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your help!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Or . . . you just take a deep breath and wait for your card to arrive the coming week. I would be surprised if that didn't happen.

[juliava 80]

It won't hurt to also check the other USCIS office in Norfolk, VA. It might take you about 2 hours to get there, but you never know, they might not be that busy as the Fairfax one.

Good luck!

[USUY2010 4]

Good news everyone! The card arrived today! I can now go home and be a part of my brother's wedding! I'm overjoyed! And just in time too, because we were planning on going to InfoPass tomorrow if the card didn't arrive today.

Just one more question. My card says Permanent Resident, although I though I'm a conditional resident? Is this what the card normally says? Or could it be a mistake? In any case the expiration date is in 2 years. So I think it's a conditional resident card.

Thank you very much for your patience! Can't tell you how much we appreciate everything you've done for us so far! Thank you!

[doctorbeat 6]

Yep, I believe you are a conditional permanent resident for two years, then you can apply to have the conditions removed and get a 10 year card.

The card you have at the moment is a green card, and can be used just like the 10 year version.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Yay! Amazing!!

You are a permanent resident, and have all the same rights as a person with a 10-year GC. The only difference (the conditional part) is you have to apply to remove conditions in 2 years, not just renew your GC when it expires.

Have a great trip!

[USUY2010 4]

Thanks Harpa! I'll enjoy being home, especially for such a nice occasion!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That's great news! Congratulations! Safe travels and enjoy the wedding .

[juliava 80]

Good news everyone! The card arrived today!

Yay!!!! Good news!!!! Enjoy your vacation!!!!

[USUY2010 4]

Hey all!

Haven't been here in a while, but thought I'd update. My vacation was really great, though towards the end I was yearning to come back. Time has flown by now, and now I have a job and have started school. Things couldn't be going any better. Once more thanks for all the support you've given us!