Need Emergency Travel to Father's Funeral in Canada. Problems with Green Card. Help.

[sapha12 2]

Hey,

I'm in a mind-bogglingly difficult situation.

Last night, I received word that my Dad passed away in Canada. I am aiming to travel in the next day or two to Canada for the funeral. My I-485 was approved about a week and a half ago and my green card showed up this past Wednesday. The problem is, on my green card, someone at DHS made a mistake and put the wrong picture and signature on my card, so I need to replace it. I have my AP on my EAD, but since my Green Card appeared, it pre-emptively expired my EAD/AP. I called USCIS customer service and they said to make an appointment with my local office (Kansas City) to get a stamp in my passport to be able to re-enter the US, but is that what I have to do? Do I have to file an I-131 to get Emergency AP? Do I have to call the National Benefits Center (which I've tried half a dozen times, but the number refuses to connect)?

I would be unendingly grateful for any help. Thank you.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Yep. Make an infopass asap

[sapha12 2]

That's the plan. Under which category? And what do I bring with me/need to bring with me? And what do I say to them?

"You need Service on a case that has already been filed
You are a new Permanent Resident and have not yet received your Permanent Resident Card
You want to file an application in person
You need information or other services
You need a form.
You are a United States Military Member, Military Retiree or a Military Dependant" ?

Edited May 2, 2016 by sapha12

[Pitaya 2,577]

Yep. Make an infopass asap

Agree.

Of the options you mention:

you need information or other services

Edited May 2, 2016 by Pitaya

[canadian_wife 1,823]

Information or other services seems to be the catch-all

Good luck

[sapha12 2]

Thank you.

What do I tell them and what do I need to bring with me?

[ryna 132]

Hey,

I'm in a mind-bogglingly difficult situation.

Last night, I received word that my Dad passed away in Canada. I am aiming to travel in the next day or two to Canada for the funeral. My I-485 was approved about a week and a half ago and my green card showed up this past Wednesday. The problem is, on my green card, someone at DHS made a mistake and put the wrong picture and signature on my card, so I need to replace it. I have my AP on my EAD, but since my Green Card appeared, it pre-emptively expired my EAD/AP. I called USCIS customer service and they said to make an appointment with my local office (Kansas City) to get a stamp in my passport to be able to re-enter the US, but is that what I have to do? Do I have to file an I-131 to get Emergency AP? Do I have to call the National Benefits Center (which I've tried half a dozen times, but the number refuses to connect)?

I would be unendingly grateful for any help. Thank you.

Sorry to hear of your situation but, yes, if your I-485 was approved, you should be able to get an I-551 stamp in your passport on the spot at your local USCIS office, especially given the circumstances. The I-551 is functionally equivalent to a GC. Make the infoPass appt ASAP and they should be able to resolve it right then and there.

Thank you.

What do I tell them and what do I need to bring with me?

Just tell them your situation and I would bring: the I-485 approval letter, the bad GC, your EAD/AP and your foreign passport.

Actually, it's been a while since my wife's AOS, so I don't even remember if there is an I-485 approval letter but you should have your LPR Welcome Kit that came with the GC, if I recall correctly.

Edited May 2, 2016 by ryna

[sapha12 2]

Thank you. You have no idea how helpful that is.

I appreciate that more than you could ever know.