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TBoneTX

CBP at TSA Airport Checkpoints: Why They're There & How Best to Handle

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  • 11 months later...
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Morocco
Timeline

I'm so glad you posted this, it answers my question, my husband can jump on a flight with me to Vegas while AOS is pending... filed AOS after marriage, he overstayed his visitors visa.

 

Formally Known as Paris Heart   A long, long time ago       france paris GIF

 

 

N-400  APPLIED FOR CITIZENSHIP:    Interview will be Houston Tx office.

Mailed:  11/13/2023

Delivered to USCIS Lock Box:  11/15/2023

Credit Card payment processed:  11-16-2023

Received Receipt #   via Text:  11-17-2023

I-797C Receipt received:  11-27-2023

Biometrics  will be reused per letter: 11-27-2023

 

 

 

 

 

FILED  AOS FROM AN EXPIRED VISITORS VISA:

 

Sent: 9/12/16: I-130 + I-485 + I-765 (USPS)

Delivered: Sept. 15th 2016 to Chicago Lock Box

Interview Feb  21st, 2018 for I-485

Interview  May 13th, 2019 for I-130 Stokes interview ( 2 minutes)

NOID issued May 17th 2019

June 5th,2019   USCIS received my response on the  NOID// Addressed the NOID myself, No lawyer ever used in case.

July 1st, 2019  10 YEAR GREEN CARD APPROVED

July 5th, 2019   Approval letters for I-130 & I-485 received in the USPS  mail.

July 11th 2019   Green Card in Hand

 

 

 

 

     happy tom and jerry GIF

 

 

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While overstaying any visa is wrong.. wrong.., an AOS-pending applicant can travel domestically within the US.

USCIS

January 16, 2015 I-130 Mailed, Chi lockbox January 20, 2015 Priority Date, January 21, 2015 NOA1 notice date, Assigned VSC, January 23, 2015 Check Cashed, electronically March 5, 2015 NOA2

NVC

March 27, 2015 NVC received April 6, 2015 Case#, IIN# assigned April 8, 2015 Paid AOS + IV fee Invoices May 5, 2015 AOS + IV package submitted May 11, 2015 Scan Date

June 11, 2015 DS-260 submitted June 25, 2015 False checklist (for ds260).. hello? June 30, 2015 Answered checklist Aug 5, 2015 Escalated to Supervisor review Aug 13, 2015 Case Complete

Consular

Sept 10, 2015 Interview Scheduled Sept 11, 2015 P4 Letter received Sept 21, 2015 file In transit from NVC Sept 23, 2015 file at Embassy

Sept 28, 2015 Medical Oct 14, 2015 Biometrics Oct 15, 2015 Interview (Approved) Oct 19, 2015 IV visa Issued Oct 23, 2015 Passport Pickup

POE

Nov 2, 2015 Entered the US Nov 16, 2015 Applied for SSN, walk-in Nov 20, 2015 Social Security Card recd Jan 15, 2016 GC received

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline

T-Bone, thanks for the information. I see this question all the time. This is another thread that should be pinned in this forum.

Visa Received : 2014-04-04 (K1 - see timeline for details)

US Entry : 2014-09-12

POE: Detroit

Marriage : 2014-09-27

I-765 Approved: 2015-01-09

I-485 Interview: 2015-03-11

I-485 Approved: 2015-03-13

Green Card Received: 2015-03-24 Yeah!!!

I-751 ROC Submitted: 2016-12-20

I-751 NOA Received:  2016-12-29

I-751 Biometrics Appt.:  2017-01-26

I-751 Interview:  2018-04-10

I-751 Approved:  2018-05-04

N400 Filed:  2018-01-13

N400 Biometrics:  2018-02-22

N400 Interview:  2018-04-10

N400 Approved:  2018-04-10

Oath Ceremony:  2018-06-11 - DONE!!!!!!!

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Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Morocco
Timeline

While overstaying any visa is wrong.. wrong.., an AOS-pending applicant can travel domestically within the US.

Yes I agree. Leave it at that

People here often post questions about flying domestically when they're at various beginning stages of the immigration process. Answers vary from "carry your complete current documentation with you" to "you will have no problems."

Customs & Border Protection agents sometimes hang out at the TSA airport checkpoints. In August 2015, I flew out of a border-area airport in south Texas and took the opportunity to query the CBP agents at the TSA checkpoint.

T-B.: When you hang out at the TSA checkpoints, are you checking that

foreign travelers are in status?

CBP: Exactly.

T-B.: For example, what if a K-1 entrant's I-94 is expired?

CBP: We have all kinds of ways of checking their status.

T-B.: Would it help if they have their marriage certificate with them?

CBP: Absolutely.

T-B.: If they've applied for AOS and have their I-797 or at least a copy of their

cover-letter for their I-485, does it help?

CBP: Absolutely anything that they can provide will help a lot, and will speed things up.

T-B.: Why are you at some airports and not others?

CBP: We're at border airports and others that are ports of entry. We're not at all of them.

T-B.: But it still makes sense for legal immigrants to carry their current documentation?

CBP: Absolutely. It helps them and it helps us. It speeds things up a lot.

T-B.: I'll pass this along. Thank you.

This confirms that it makes sense to carry your most recent documentation with you until you have your green card.

I first had Mrs. T-B. carry her marriage certificate (MC) and passport with valid I-94.

Then, she carried her MC, passport, and copy of her cover-letter for AOS/EAD/AP.

Then, she carried her MC, passport, and her NOA1 (I-797) for AOS.

Then, she carried her MC, passport, and AP.

Then, she carried her first green card (= the law).

Then, she carried that green card and her cover-letter for ROC.

Then, she carried that green card and her NOA1 for ROC.

Then, she carried her 10-year green card until she became a naturalized citizen (= the law).

These documents came in handy at various stages, including at a Texas/Mexico land-crossing POE, a couple of airports, and especially inland CBP checkpoints while driving. At these last, the CBP agents are typically in poor humor and are looking to nail someone. For example, if you're not carrying your green card, they'll detain you for as long as it takes to verify that you're who you say you are.

The above is presented in hopes that it will help others.

CBP agents in poor humor, Got that right, I work with them every day for the past 23 years.

 

Formally Known as Paris Heart   A long, long time ago       france paris GIF

 

 

N-400  APPLIED FOR CITIZENSHIP:    Interview will be Houston Tx office.

Mailed:  11/13/2023

Delivered to USCIS Lock Box:  11/15/2023

Credit Card payment processed:  11-16-2023

Received Receipt #   via Text:  11-17-2023

I-797C Receipt received:  11-27-2023

Biometrics  will be reused per letter: 11-27-2023

 

 

 

 

 

FILED  AOS FROM AN EXPIRED VISITORS VISA:

 

Sent: 9/12/16: I-130 + I-485 + I-765 (USPS)

Delivered: Sept. 15th 2016 to Chicago Lock Box

Interview Feb  21st, 2018 for I-485

Interview  May 13th, 2019 for I-130 Stokes interview ( 2 minutes)

NOID issued May 17th 2019

June 5th,2019   USCIS received my response on the  NOID// Addressed the NOID myself, No lawyer ever used in case.

July 1st, 2019  10 YEAR GREEN CARD APPROVED

July 5th, 2019   Approval letters for I-130 & I-485 received in the USPS  mail.

July 11th 2019   Green Card in Hand

 

 

 

 

     happy tom and jerry GIF

 

 

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On 6/25/2017 at 1:14 AM, TBoneTX said:

Bump, for cause.

Didn't see this when first posted - seeing how much this question is asked I again propose it to be pinned. Also, so you don't have to bump it everytime @TBoneTX :D

K1 Visa & AOS

Spoiler

2016-03-19         i-129F Sent
2016-03-24         i-129F NOA1
2016-06-14         i-129F NOA2
2016-07-08         NVC Rec'd
2016-07-12         Case #
2016-07-13         NVC Left
2016-07-14         Consulate Rec'd
2016-07-19         Medical
2016-08-11         Interview Date (approved)
2016-09-06         Issued
2016-09-09         Visa In Hand
2016-10-19         POE Dallas Fort-Worth
2016-10-30         Our Halloween Wedding

2016-11-16         AOS package sent (i-485, i-131, i-765, i-864, g-325a, DS-3025)
2016-11-17         AOS package delivered to Chicago lockbox
2016-11-23         NOA1's by e-mail and text (@ 10:30 pm CT)
2016-11-26         NOA1 hard copies
2016-12-03         Biometrics appointment in mail
2016-12-07         Biometrics (Early walk-in Desoto, appointment was for Dec 13th)

2017-02-17         Notice of card in production by email and text (@8:00 am CT, i-765) - Day 92

2017-02-22         Notice of approval by email and text (@1:00 pm CT, i-765 and i-131) - Day 97

2017-02-22         Notice of card being mailed by email and text (@7:00 pm CT, i-765) - Day 97

2017-02-25         EAD/AP combo card arrived in mail - Day 100

2017-03-03         Notice of green card in production by email and text (@4:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-03         Notice of approval by email and text (@6:00 pm CT, i-485) - Day 106

2017-03-11          Green card arrived in mail  - Day 113

2018-12-03          First day to file for ROC (i-751)

 

giphy.gif

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  • Penguin_ie pinned this topic
  • 1 year later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

You're most welcome.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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  • 10 months later...
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Netherlands
Timeline

Do you think they'd accept an electronic copy of MC? 

"Life is a journey." At this moment, it's taking me to the USA to the woman I love.

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

You can try.  Best way to find out is to call ahead to your planned port of entry and ask.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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  • 4 months later...
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Kenya
Timeline
On 8/25/2015 at 12:18 AM, TBoneTX said:

People here often post questions about flying domestically when they're at various beginning stages of the immigration process. Answers vary from "carry your complete current documentation with you" to "you will have no problems."

 

Customs & Border Protection agents sometimes hang out at the TSA airport checkpoints. In August 2015, I flew out of a border-area airport in south Texas and took the opportunity to query the CBP agents at the TSA checkpoint.

 

T-B.: When you hang out at the TSA checkpoints, are you checking that

foreign travelers are in status?

CBP: Exactly.

T-B.: For example, what if a K-1 entrant's I-94 is expired?

CBP: We have all kinds of ways of checking their status.

T-B.: Would it help if they have their marriage certificate with them?

CBP: Absolutely.

T-B.: If they've applied for AOS and have their I-797 or at least a copy of their

cover-letter for their I-485, does it help?

CBP: Absolutely anything that they can provide will help a lot, and will speed things up.

T-B.: Why are you at some airports and not others?

CBP: We're at border airports and others that are ports of entry. We're not at all of them.

T-B.: But it still makes sense for legal immigrants to carry their current documentation?

CBP: Absolutely. It helps them and it helps us. It speeds things up a lot.

T-B.: I'll pass this along. Thank you.

 

This confirms that it makes sense to carry your most recent documentation with you until you have your green card.

 

I first had Mrs. T-B. carry her marriage certificate (MC) and passport with valid I-94.

Then, she carried her MC, passport, and copy of her cover-letter for AOS/EAD/AP.

Then, she carried her MC, passport, and her NOA1 (I-797) for AOS.

Then, she carried her MC, passport, and AP.

Then, she carried her first green card (= the law).

Then, she carried that green card and her cover-letter for ROC.

Then, she carried that green card and her NOA1 for ROC.

Then, she carried her 10-year green card until she became a naturalized citizen (= the law).

 

These documents came in handy at various stages, including at a Texas/Mexico land-crossing POE, a couple of airports, and especially inland CBP checkpoints while driving. At these last, the CBP agents are typically in poor humor and are looking to nail someone. For example, if you're not carrying your green card, they'll detain you for as long as it takes to verify that you're who you say you are.

 

The above is presented in hopes that it will help others.

Wueeeh and you have guts😅. Most people would pass without even asking just because no one wants to bring attention to themselves.

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  • 2 years later...

I have seen CBP on International flights out of LAX leaving the USA.  We were flying Philippine Airlines headed to Manila, they were inside the ramp before you enter the plane after you show your final boarding pass.

 

I personally thought it was dirty, we told them these people are leaving the USA, they are not entering, why mess with them.

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline
On 8/1/2022 at 6:40 AM, Palawan said:

I have seen CBP [...] inside the ramp before you enter the plane after you show your final boarding pass.

This happened to me before a flight to Ecu.  The agent asked how much money I was taking with me.  I thought, and hesitantly began, "One thousand, six hundred..." and he cut me off, saying, "That's fine."

 

Perhaps they're looking for drug-dealers or something, but I can't speculate.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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  • 5 months later...
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Argentina
Timeline
On 8/25/2015 at 1:18 AM, TBoneTX said:

People here often post questions about flying domestically when they're at various beginning stages of the immigration process. Answers vary from "carry your complete current documentation with you" to "you will have no problems."

[...]

This is good information! I noticed that at the beginning of the paragraph it says "flying domestically". What about for those who are thinking about flying internationally? I'm waiting for my GC after a K1. I have my EAD approved which works as a combo card (at the bottom it says "serves as I-512 AP"). Can it be a problem if I want travel outside of the US and re-enter?

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Australia
Timeline
8 minutes ago, Emilian said:

This is good information! I noticed that at the beginning of the paragraph it says "flying domestically". What about for those who are thinking about flying internationally? I'm waiting for my GC after a K1. I have my EAD approved which works as a combo card (at the bottom it says "serves as I-512 AP"). Can it be a problem if I want travel outside of the US and re-enter?

Not if its current. Thats what its for! 

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