How does USCIS keep track of people leaving the country?

[ahkhan99 0]

Hi,

I have a curious question. How does USCIS know when you leave the country if are a permanent resident or a citizen? There is no I-94 card. So how do they know when someone leaves? There is no immigration when exiting the country. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Airlines are required to report their seated passengers. One person was denied AOS because the airline reported he used the return ticket . He had purchased a Rt because it was cheaper and forgot to cancel.

[N M 96]

When I last left the U.S., I had to swipe my Green Card at Delta's computerized check in machine.

Not sure if that's standard, but that's what happened flying Delta out of Denver.

Edited March 24, 2012 by N M

[D N Medellin COL 75]

Airlines are required to report their seated passengers. One person was denied AOS because the airline reported he used the return ticket . He had purchased a Rt because it was cheaper and forgot to cancel.

Yes big brother keep records of exits and entry's especially so in the post 9/11 era.

[ahkhan99 0]

I don't if there is any set process. Might depend on the immigration officer. I know of people who never had to show any green card or anything when leaving the country. I know of people on green card who have stayed out of the country for a couple of year and came back without much hassle. All the officer asks, is how long have you away. They usually answer like a couple of weeks or a month, or whatever. They are let in. Also wondering how RT would make any difference? Just cause you have a return ticket, if you are not on the flight, you are not on it. Airlines have to report, who is actually on the plane. You would have to check in to be in their system for a flight. So that doesn't make sense. Also yes, I think Big Brother knows everything...but my question is how, not if they do or not. I wonder if there are any lawyers on the forum who actually knows?

Thanks to all who replied.

[Alaskan 10]

Everytime a person leaves the country and come back the immigration officer at the airport swipe the green card and the computer show everything! So they do know how long u have been out of the country.. I know!

[Leatherneck 693]

Everytime a person leaves the country and come back the immigration officer at the airport swipe the green card and the computer show everything! So they do know how long u have been out of the country.. I know!

[ahkhan99 0]

Everytime a person leaves the country and come back the immigration officer at the airport swipe the green card and the computer show everything! So they do know how long u have been out of the country.. I know!

I have travelled a couple of times and I have never been asked to swipe my green card. Just saying, may not be consistent.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I have travelled a couple of times and I have never been asked to swipe my green card. Just saying, may not be consistent.

You have a passport. They can check your passport info as well (though I haven't heard this very often it's a method to track you). Why are you asking? Are you hoping they don't know about a certain visit?

I've never been asked to "swipe" my GC but they did take my GC info when I boarded the plane to make sure I didn't need a visa. So it'll be related to that.

[Moomin 292]

Everytime a person leaves the country and come back the immigration officer at the airport swipe the green card and the computer show everything! So they do know how long u have been out of the country.. I know!

Just to add to this reply, US couldn't care less when you leave the country and therefore won't stop you unless you owe child support or you're wanted for a crime(please correct me if it's not precise). They care about letting you back into the country.

Sometimes, the airline company's passenger lists aren't updated, and when somebody else gets to use your ticket and you haven't cancelled, then USCIS will base their decision on their findings.

For people having been out of the country for years and entering on a greencard. Well, by the time they apply for citizenship, I hope there's no record of them lying to CBP, or they'll get flat out denied. Remember that there's no limitation to having a greencard/citizenship revoked.

To sum it up; don't believe for one second that you're not monitored when boarding a plane/having reserved tickets in your name. Most people simply have no reason to look into it or be concerned because they're not going through an immigration process.

[Alaskan 10]

They don't care when u leave like u said. They care when u come back but that's what I meant. When u are coming back they do swipe ur green card or US passport. It is very unusual that they didn't swipe ur green card cuz that is like default! Green card and passport is the two things u give to the officer when u come back from an international flight plus the blue form... And they check those papers and check ur info in the computer..

[Alaskan 10]

And they ask u. How long was ur trip? Or how long u have been out of the country?

[NickD 202]

Back then, wife and I were very careful in watching those dates on her I-94, was applying for immigration and just knew she would be checked. Before that I-94 expired, she had to go back. But did read that over 85% of the illegals here, I don't know where they get these numbers, are here with overstayed visas.

So, I am gathering if you have no intentions of staying here legally, you are okay, otherwise they wouldn't say there is roughly over 9 million people here, illegally, with overstayed visas. But if you do apply for legal immigration, that is when you will have major problems.

Time outside of the country was never an issue with the I-751 ROC stage, never asked, so if you have overstayed, shouldn't be a problem, as long as you can get back in. But sure checked on those dates for naturalization. Staying just one out can lead you to major problems.

When we were approved during our AOS, had a nice woman, after we went through all that, she said their card will only be good for two years, What! What do we do next, she said you have to file a I-751, wrote that down. Then I asked about naturalization, she said, three years and the N-400, wrote that down too. Next day found and downloaded those forms, wow, we have to not only gather evidence, a lot of it, but keep records on employment, moving, and trips.

Many people come to this board and ask how are they suppose to remember all this stuff, USCIS could give you a piece of paper telling you about your future. In many cases, don't even tell you about selective service registration. That is when you quickly learn, AOS is just the start, but then you think its all over.

[Laure&Colin 268]

Last time we visited the US together, my husband (the USC) got his passport swiped at boarding just like everyone else. With optical readable passport they just need one swipe and one second to record your exit.

[Krikit 1,163]

Your data is recorded (swiped) every time you exit and every time you enter. If you take a cruise or a flight, you either enter the information online pre-flight/cruise, or they gather it at the check-in process. The first point of contact at re-entry will determine whether to admit you or to send you for additional processing. Which means they have the time and the means to look into your comings and goings, as well as anything else they want to investigate. When it comes time to apply for an immigration benefit, USCIS goes through a number of checks and will pull everything with your name on it. They do not take lies lightly.

Is this question related to application for citizenship or just a general inquiry?