I-551 Stamp

[cestlaviecheri 4]

Will be traveling in September and I just received my NOA1 extending my GC for 1 year. I'd like to get a stamp in my passport just in case I run into trouble entering the country using NOA1 and my expired GC.
Does anyone know if the USCIS office will take the expired GC if I get a stamp? I'm getting mixed answers in previous threads -some had no difficulty with the letter and some had problems with it. I just want to be covered, just in case. Any thoughts?

[Ryan H 3,790]

Does anyone know if the USCIS office will take the expired GC if I get a stamp?

Are you talking about re-entering the US with this question? If so, then USCIS is not the agency you would be dealing with, you would be dealing with CBP.

[BMW4me 12]

You have no problem entering the country with your expired gc and noa1 so just don't worry about it, it'd be illegal to not let you in

[Hypnos 6,576]

It wouldn't be illegal; the only people who cannot by law be prohibited from entering the country are US citizens. Granted, CBP need to have a really good reason not to admit a green card holder, but it has happened before.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Hypnos

[BMW4me 12]

It wouldn't be illegal; the only people who cannot by law be prohibited from entering the country are US citizens. Granted, CBP need to have a really good reason not to admit a green card holder, but it has happened before.

Well yea I exxagrated a bit I heard conditions like not working not paying taxes not living here, not having a permanent address etc etc other than you'll be fine no need for a stamp, stamp is nothing but will repeat the noa1 anywho, I think

[BMW4me 12]

Well yea I exxagrated a bit, I heard conditions like not working, not paying taxes, not living here, not having a permanent address etc etc, other than you'll be fine no need for a stamp, stamp is not a special power but it will repeat the noa1 anywho, I think

Well yea I exxagrated a bit, I heard conditions like not working, not paying taxes, not living here, not having a permanent address etc etc, other than you'll be fine no need for a stamp, stamp is not a special power but it will repeat the noa1 anywho, I think

[cestlaviecheri 4]

Are you talking about re-entering the US with this question? If so, then USCIS is not the agency you would be dealing with, you would be dealing with CBP.

Not CBP. Prior to leaving the US, I was thinking of going to my local USCIS office and getting the I-551 stamp, but I've read some posts that the office took their expired GC after the stamp was given. I was wondering if this is the protocol when getting the stamp.

Thanks, Hypnos and Volkan for your replies.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Not CBP. Prior to leaving the US, I was thinking of going to my local USCIS office and getting the I-551 stamp, but I've read some posts that the office took their expired GC after the stamp was given. I was wondering if this is the protocol when getting the stamp.

Thanks for clearing that up.

I do want to interject something to this discussion that hasn't been brought up. While an expired green card in combination with the NOA1 for Removing Conditions or an I-551 stamp that was received from a USCIS office will not cause you issues with CBP; border control personnel of other countries (or CO's for other countries if you need to obtain a visa) can demand to see a valid green card and are under no obligation to accept the stamp or the expired card with the NOA1.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Will be traveling in September and I just received my NOA1 extending my GC for 1 year. I'd like to get a stamp in my passport just in case I run into trouble entering the country using NOA1 and my expired GC.

Does anyone know if the USCIS office will take the expired GC if I get a stamp? I'm getting mixed answers in previous threads -some had no difficulty with the letter and some had problems with it. I just want to be covered, just in case. Any thoughts?

Your biggest problem with travelling with the expired GC and extension letter, or even the I-551 stamp, is whether the AIRLINES you are flying on will accept it. My wife's GC is expired and we will be traveling in August. I doubt the new GC will arrive by then. I have specifically asked KLM about this and I am told and have read on their website that an expired GC and the original extension letter is acceptable to gain a boarding pass. Once you arrive in the US the CBP person will scan the GC and all information will come up including that the GC is extended for 1 year. So entering the US is not where you will encounter problems, getting on the plane to come back is where the problems will occur. There have been several threads here on VJ about the airlines not accepting the expired GC and a copy of the extension letter or the extension letter and one about someone who wanted to do what you want--get the stamp--that he would lie and say he lost the extension letter.

If you want to go thru the process of making an INFOpass appointment and see if they will even give you the stamp that is up to you. Me, I am going to use the expired GC and extension lettter as I do not want to deal with the USCIS any ore than I have to. YMMV.

Good luck,

Dave

[BMW4me 12]

as I do not want to deal with the USCIS any ore than I have to. YMMV.Dave

I double that, I always try to minimize dealing with them . Not every airline employee knowledgable about US laws although they should be, I am flying non-stop so I doubt I will have issues, but yea a **ckhead can always be there for my luck

[cestlaviecheri 4]

Thank you all for your input. I will just fly with the NOA & my expired GC rather than waste my time waiting in line.

Have fun on your trips and let's cross our fingers, we don't encounter any problems coming back to the US. Thanks again.