Where to keep NOA Extension Letter for i751 ROC?

[CG&LGG 27]

Hi all,

 

My husband received his NOA Extension Letter for i751 ROC this week. His GC expires in April. Logistically, what is the best thing to do with with the extension letter once his GC expires? It is two very thick sheets of paper, which would be impossible to keep in his wallet along with his GC. 

Would it be okay to scan the letter into a PDF and keep on his phone and maybe also keep a photocopy in the car? And if for some reason he was asked for it explain thats a scan or photocopy and the original is in our firesafe?

I know if we plan to travel he needs the original for reentry, but I just don't want that letter to get destroyed being folded up in his wallet or something.

Any ideas are welcome!

[MiraW 58]

When I had the letter, I just stored it at home, with my green card and passport. The only id I carry with me is my drivers license. There was another thread discussing whether we should carry our green card on us.

Scanning it and store it on his phone is a good idea. 

 

[CG&LGG 27]

36 minutes ago, MiraW said:

When I had the letter, I just stored it at home, with my green card and passport. The only id I carry with me is my drivers license. There was another thread discussing whether we should carry our green card on us.

Scanning it and store it on his phone is a good idea. 

 

Thank you!

Yeah I did a search and a lot of the threads about it were closed because it advocated breaking the law and they disabled accounts for posting about breaking the law. And I don't want that to happen to mine.

(NOTE TO ADMIN: I am not asking about breaking the law, I am just asking advice about what to do with our extension letter so it doesn't get damaged.)

My husband keeps his GC with him at all times. With him being Latino and us living in Florida, thats a risk he doesn't want to take, and I don't want him to either. But I think we will do the PDF scan of the letter, photocopy in the car, and a file on his phone that doesn't require a data connection to access.

[cyclone27 710]

Do what you are comfortable with.  Like the previous user my wife’s card and letter stay in a secure place until needed.

 

Any rate seems in your case keep the original extension letter safe and then have a copy of it close by and electronic version available. In reality in most cases you only need the letter for travel outside the US.

 

 

 

 

[sddude89 31]

5 hours ago, CG&LGG said:

Hi all,

 

My husband received his NOA Extension Letter for i751 ROC this week. His GC expires in April. Logistically, what is the best thing to do with with the extension letter once his GC expires? It is two very thick sheets of paper, which would be impossible to keep in his wallet along with his GC. 

Would it be okay to scan the letter into a PDF and keep on his phone and maybe also keep a photocopy in the car? And if for some reason he was asked for it explain thats a scan or photocopy and the original is in our firesafe?

I know if we plan to travel he needs the original for reentry, but I just don't want that letter to get destroyed being folded up in his wallet or something.

Any ideas are welcome!

I can only tell you what you are supposed to do.

Legally, you are supposed to carry proof of permanent residence at ALL times. This means any of these:

1) An unexpired Green Card

2) An expired Green Card with extension letter

3) A passport with I-551 Stamp.

 

Yes, the letter is thick, yes, carrying the passport around is a pain.

But, legally, that's what you are supposed to do.

See it this way. A photocopy of the letter is as bad (or good) as the photocopy of  a valid green grad.

 

Now, on to the other angle of your question.

What will be the consequences of being pulled over by a border patrol agent, etc. and not having a current green card but just a copy? (or  expired GC + extension)?

Anecdotal experiences here and other forums seems to be that nothing happened other than some arguing, stress and wasted time with the officer to be finally let go.

But anecdotal experiences are no guarantee of anything, right?

 

Chances are you will be able to carry on with your life without having to carry the original extension letter or without a current green card.  Just like you would be able to drive at 70mph on a 65mph freeway mostly without issues. 70mph is still breaking the law though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 1, 2018 by sddude89

[mindthegap 2,537]

1 hour ago, sddude89 said:

 

Legally, you are supposed to carry proof of permanent residence at ALL times. 

 

264 (e) states:

"e) Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

 

 

 

 

Note:  A 'Registration Certificate' is defined in 264.1 -here: https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-11261/0-0-0-28035/0-0-0-28040.html

Amongst many other documents, it lists the I-94 (not applicable), I-766 (not applicable), and of course the I-551 CARD (expired) - note that it does not mention temporary I-551 or stamp variants. The I-797C is not listed.

Also in that list:

 (c)    Replacement of alien registration. Any alien whose registration document is not available for any reason must immediately apply for replacement document in the manner prescribed by USCIS.  

 

 

It could therefore be argued that since no valid 'alien registration card' nor 'certificate of alien registration' has been issued after the expiry of the GC, during the first yr of ROC, or in the second year of ROC, then there is none that can be carried, and by applying for a replacement alien registration card, (by filing the I-751) and as you are not permitted to file an I-90 while in ROC, your legal obligations have been fulfilled, as you can't carry something that doesn't exist. 

 

Edited February 1, 2018 by mindthegap

[sddude89 31]

Just now, mindthegap said:

 

264 (e) states:

"e) Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both."

 

 

 

 

Note:  A 'Registration Certificate' is defined in 264.1 -here: https://www.uscis.gov/ilink/docView/SLB/HTML/SLB/0-0-0-1/0-0-0-11261/0-0-0-28035/0-0-0-28040.html

Amongst many other documents, it lists the I-94 (not applicable), I-766 (not applicable), and of course the I-551 CARD (expired) - note that it does not mention temporary I-551 or stamp variants. The I-797C is not listed.

Also in that list:

 (c)    Replacement of alien registration. Any alien whose registration document is not available for any reason must immediately apply for replacement document in the manner prescribed by USCIS.  

 

 

It could therefore be argued that since no valid 'alien registration card' nor 'certificate of alien registration' has been issued after the expiry of the GC, during the first yr of ROC, or in the second year of ROC, then there is none that can be carried, and by applying for a replacement alien registration card, (by filing the I-751) and as you are not permitted to file an I-90 while in ROC, your legal obligations have been fulfilled, as you can't carry something that doesn't exist. 

 

This is wishful rationalizing and not conclusive.

 

Do as you please. And feel free to argue with an officer the above quotes.

People pulled over have been asked for the original letter. Search the threads.

 

I am not going to say what I did when all I had was GC and extension letter. But it was practical and convenient. And I am not going to rationalize that it was legal or not.

 

Cheers,

[sddude89 31]

Also, check this on the NOLO legal website (Advice by lawyers) where they say that Passport and I-551 stamp really needs to be with you at all times.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/do-i-really-need-carry-green-card-me.html

 

But it is bulky!!! 

 

[CanadianGrrl 8]

For me, it's not a matter of bulk, but I am worried about losing or damaging it. I always take my GC/Letter with me when we're going to be further from home (there are numerous immigration checkpoints around). 

[sddude89 31]

32 minutes ago, CanadianGrrl said:

I am worried about losing or damaging it.

For sure!!!

Anybody is.

And this applies to green card, passport with stamp, extension letter, etc.

It is not easy or fast to replace any of the docs above.

[little immigrant 800]

Whether you decide to carry it on you or not, I'd definitely make copies of everything and have them in a safe place and the cloud.

 

If I remember correctly I used to carry a backpack during ROC time and I had everything on me haha I'm so glad that's no longer necessary. However I still have the passport card on me at all times. It's such a habit

[CG&LGG 27]

Thank you, everyone!! I really appreciate all the responses, honesty, and transparency!

Thank you again!