Got pulled aside into an office at JFK with I-551 stamp

[Quarter 2]

I just wanted to share my experience on this. I didn't want to bring a flimsy paper with me while I was traveling abroad, so I made sure to get an I-551 stamp on my passport to show to the CBP agents. I was at JFK and was pulled aside into an office as they wanted to verify my stamp to make sure it's legit (?). I ended up waiting for maybe 20 minutes, and there wasn't much exchange of words other than basic questions of where I was traveling from.

 

I thought getting the stamp would avoid such an experience, but I guess I was wrong. At least my 10-year GC finally arrived while I was away.

[-Trinity- 513]

Hey, I think they just want to make sure its legit. We had this at the Orlando Airport too. We sat there for about an hour or so,
There were other people waiting for their turn,so I guess its something they do randomly.
They apologized, and explained that they had to do this to verify the paperwork. It didn't bother me at all, just wanted to go home after an 11 hour flight.

[Sukie 1,464]

I'm glad this worked for you.  All of us must prepare for being pulled into secondary - even those with green cards.  Know your rights.  Know what symbol (I-551 stamp), paper (I-797-C Plus Expired Green Card), or visa (in your passport) authorizes your entry into the United States, and know how to explain it.

 

Best of luck along the way.

 

Sukie in NY

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

JFK used to stamp EAD Approval on K1 visa when they entered the USA about 10 years ago.

[Quarter 2]

41 minutes ago, -Trinity- said:

Hey, I think they just want to make sure its legit. We had this at the Orlando Airport too. We sat there for about an hour or so,
There were other people waiting for their turn,so I guess its something they do randomly.
They apologized, and explained that they had to do this to verify the paperwork. It didn't bother me at all, just wanted to go home after an 11 hour flight.

 

Yeah same here lol. All I wanted was to get home after a long flight.

 

42 minutes ago, Sukie said:

I'm glad this worked for you.  All of us must prepare for being pulled into secondary - even those with green cards.  Know your rights.  Know what symbol (I-551 stamp), paper (I-797-C Plus Expired Green Card), or visa (in your passport) authorizes your entry into the United States, and know how to explain it.

 

Best of luck along the way.

 

Sukie in NY

 Definitely need to know your rights for sure! I finally submitted my naturalization application today, hopefully I won't have to deal with this in the future!