Lost Conditional Green Card Help!

[perhapsisuppose 0]

Hello Everyone, since this is my first post I will introduce myself. I am Paqui and I am a Spainard married to an American. We have used this website to guide us along but this is our first use of the forum. The users here seem exceptionally helpful so I trust that I can come to you for advice.

I lost my Green Card at a night club in New York City. We filed a police report, called everywhere and everyone who could have possibly found it, and no luck

I read that in 1 year, when my green card expires (5/19/13) that I will have to apply to have the temporary status removed with an I 751 and ultimately receive a new one. Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances common to many Americans, we can simply not afford to pay nearly 500$ for a new card since we are already saving up for next years i 751 fee. We have a copy of the Green Card, but unfortunately again, it is only the front and not the required both sides to file. Is there anything we can to to avoid paying twice (once now and once next year)? Thank you so much for all of your help.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello Everyone, since this is my first post I will introduce myself. I am Paqui and I am a Spainard married to an American. We have used this website to guide us along but this is our first use of the forum. The users here seem exceptionally helpful so I trust that I can come to you for advice.

I lost my Green Card at a night club in New York City. We filed a police report, called everywhere and everyone who could have possibly found it, and no luck

I read that in 1 year, when my green card expires (5/19/13) that I will have to apply to have the temporary status removed with an I 751 and ultimately receive a new one. Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances common to many Americans, we can simply not afford to pay nearly 500$ for a new card since we are already saving up for next years i 751 fee. We have a copy of the Green Card, but unfortunately again, it is only the front and not the required both sides to file. Is there anything we can to to avoid paying twice (once now and once next year)? Thank you so much for all of your help.

No. Not really. You have no green card which means you have no way to verify work authorization, no way to reenter the country if you leave. A copy will not do for these purposes. You SHOULD have been carryig the copy and leave the green card at home in a safe place. By law, you are supposed to carry the card with you, which means you are in violation. Not may law enforcement agencies would care though. My wife carries a COPY and can produce the card if requested.

If you go without the card you will not be able to leave the country or get a new job until you get a new green card next year.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

I read that in 1 year, when my green card expires (5/19/13) that I will have to apply to have the temporary status removed with an I 751 and ultimately receive a new one. Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances common to many Americans, we can simply not afford to pay nearly 500$ for a new card . . . .

Few can afford it. Which is why you don't show off with your Green Card in a nightclub, but keep it at the safest place you have access to. I had two Green Cards, and they lived all of their lives in a locked firesafe box which was inside a locked Steelcase steel cabinet which was in a locked room of my house. If you don't want to lose your Green Card and don't want to spend $450, I suggest that's where you keep you next one. You will take it out shortly before heading to the airport to catch an international flight, or when you travel to Mexico or Canada. To get into a bar, use your driver's license. Cheaper and much easier to replace if lost.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from K1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion; topic is not a K1 visa process topic.

[perhapsisuppose 0]

Thank you all for the help although it sure isn't what I wanted to hear In hindsight, everything you have said seems obvious and I have learned my lesson, but my predicament hasn't changed. Since we live in New York City, a safe haven for immigrants, I don't think the police are allowed to request documentation here. I could possibly get by without working or leaving the country if need be and we will have to try it. Thanks again for your help.

[Darnell 8,478]

safe haven for immigrants? you mean a safe haven for illegal aliens..

I dunno, it's up to you for what to do.

Ultimately, when a check is performed at the local police office, they WILL find yer greencard info when/if they check if yer still 'in status'.

Good Luck !

[NancyNguyen 1,657]

Well sorry dude. Save some nights out, then file a I-90. A burger flipper can make like $400 a week easily. Good luck.

[aaroncali5 2]

When you file for ROC next year you'll need a copy of the front and back of the GC but since you only have the front then you don't really have much of a choice but to file for a replacement. It's an expensive lesson but ultimately it's wise to have a valid GC in ur possession just in case you need to travel, verify for work etc. You shouldn't carry ur GC with you unless you absolutely need to. A state ID or DL is sufficient enough and it's less time consuming and much less expensive replacing a state ID card or DL than a GC.

[Messybrownhair 251]

Apply for a new one now to save the hassle from a RFE later on, which you wont be able to produce anyway. Lots of regrets here... should have made copies of both sides and not brought it to the club but whats done is done. Im sure if you really tried you would be able to save up for the fees later on

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Thank you all for the help although it sure isn't what I wanted to hear In hindsight, everything you have said seems obvious and I have learned my lesson, but my predicament hasn't changed. Since we live in New York City, a safe haven for immigrants, I don't think the police are allowed to request documentation here. I could possibly get by without working or leaving the country if need be and we will have to try it. Thanks again for your help.

Pay your nickle and take your chances. Hopefully you DID make a copy of your green card before you lost it as you need to attach a copy of it to the application for renewal AND if you have an interview, they will ask you to turn it in. If you do not have it to turn in...

If you get the green card renewed without an interview (we did) then you have to turn it in when you receive citizenship, along with "any other immigration documents"

New York City is not a "safe haven for (illegal) immigrants" and the city cannot suspend federal immigration law. This means the city authorities make little or no effort to enforce federal law regarding immigration. FEDERAL authorities do that. This is no different than MOST areas of the United States.

[Alaskan 10]

I think what he means by "safe heaven" because I live here too and I never, never walk around with the green card, just my state ID, and I haven't see federal immigration enforcement officers taking ppl without papers.. And new York is full with illegals.. If you already have a job they won't ask u for ur green card unless u are looking or apply to a new one. So just save the money and get the replacement..