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Theo7854

I-551 Stamp in Damaged Passport

By Theo7854 in Removing Conditions on Residency General Discussion

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Theo7854 Newbie

Theo7854   0

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Hi all,

 

I have been struggling to find the answer to my question and was hoping someone may know the answer. I understand that a (valid) I-551 stamp in an expired passport, when presented along with a valid passport, is deemed acceptable for entry back into the US. However, my passport has been declared damaged (however, the page with the I-551 stamp, as well as the page with my information, are both completely intact). I am currently outwith the US so getting another stamp is not a possibility. Will I be ok to present my damaged passport (with the intact stamp) as proof of residency (I would really like to avoid the hassle of filing for a form I-131A) when I return to the US? I know you are definitely supposed to file form I-131A if the greencard/I-551 is damaged, but technically my I-551 itself is intact, it is just the document to which it is affixed that is damaged.

 

Thank you very much in advance for all help!

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Lil bear Experienced

Lil bear   3,831

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37 minutes ago, Theo7854 said:

Hi all,

 

I have been struggling to find the answer to my question and was hoping someone may know the answer. I understand that a (valid) I-551 stamp in an expired passport, when presented along with a valid passport, is deemed acceptable for entry back into the US. However, my passport has been declared damaged (however, the page with the I-551 stamp, as well as the page with my information, are both completely intact). I am currently outwith the US so getting another stamp is not a possibility. Will I be ok to present my damaged passport (with the intact stamp) as proof of residency (I would really like to avoid the hassle of filing for a form I-131A) when I return to the US? I know you are definitely supposed to file form I-131A if the greencard/I-551 is damaged, but technically my I-551 itself is intact, it is just the document to which it is affixed that is damaged.

 

Thank you very much in advance for all help!

Are you arranging  to get a new passport from your home country ? 

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Lil bear Experienced

Lil bear   3,831

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2 minutes ago, Theo7854 said:

Yes that's correct.

I know you can use an expired passport with the stamped visa, so common sense says you should be fine but I’m not CBP and common sense does  always prevail ! 😬

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MohU3 Explorer

MohU3   57

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18 hours ago, Theo7854 said:

Hi all,

 

I have been struggling to find the answer to my question and was hoping someone may know the answer. I understand that a (valid) I-551 stamp in an expired passport, when presented along with a valid passport, is deemed acceptable for entry back into the US. However, my passport has been declared damaged (however, the page with the I-551 stamp, as well as the page with my information, are both completely intact). I am currently outwith the US so getting another stamp is not a possibility. Will I be ok to present my damaged passport (with the intact stamp) as proof of residency (I would really like to avoid the hassle of filing for a form I-131A) when I return to the US? I know you are definitely supposed to file form I-131A if the greencard/I-551 is damaged, but technically my I-551 itself is intact, it is just the document to which it is affixed that is damaged.

 

Thank you very much in advance for all help!

 

You should be fine. With your fingerprints on the borders they should be able to verify everything with the stamp and the passport and the new passport if you get it before your return

01I-751 #1 - March 2015 (Jointly filed)

April 2015: Bio-metrics completed

11/30/2018 Interview Notice for 01/07/2019

01/07/2019: Withdrawn at the interview due to divorce and another 751 filed after the divorce and switched to the waiver case

 

I-751 #2 - March 2017 (Waiver)

April 2017: Bio-metrics completed

01/07/2019: Interview

01/14/2019: Approval Notification via Email

03/15/2019: Had to file I90 since no card was sent

01/28/2020: Card is being produced (I751)

02/03/2020: Card in hand (I751)

 

N-400 #1 Feb 2016 (Pending)(3-year Rule) 

February 2016: N-400 filed under the 3 year rule.

February 2016: Bio-metrics completed

04/29/2016: Interview Notice in the mail For 06/08/2016

06/01/2016: Interview was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances (probably cause the 751 was still pending)

01/16/2019: Case changed online again to interview was scheduled for 03/06/2019

03/06/2019 The Interview (Can't be approved since I'm not eligible for the 3 year rule anymore, will have to file again under the 5 year rule, FML)

03/09/2019: Official Deny letter Via certified mail

 

N-400 #2 March 2019 IOE (Pending)(5-year Rule) 

03/09/2019: N-400 filed online under the 5 year rule (Within 72 hours of the interview)

03/09/2019: NOA1 via web Portal

03/18/2019: NOA1 in the mail

03/19/2019: NOA2 via web Portal. Bio-metrics for 04/02/2019

03/21/2019: Successful early walk-in Bio-metrics

01/22/2020: Case changed to Interview was scheduled for 03/06/2020

03/16/2020: Denied for a dismissed criminal case 3 years ago

04/22/2020: Filled N336 to appeal the decision

 

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H-M Explorer

H-M   169

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: India
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19 hours ago, Theo7854 said:

Hi all,

 

I have been struggling to find the answer to my question and was hoping someone may know the answer. I understand that a (valid) I-551 stamp in an expired passport, when presented along with a valid passport, is deemed acceptable for entry back into the US. However, my passport has been declared damaged (however, the page with the I-551 stamp, as well as the page with my information, are both completely intact). I am currently outwith the US so getting another stamp is not a possibility. Will I be ok to present my damaged passport (with the intact stamp) as proof of residency (I would really like to avoid the hassle of filing for a form I-131A) when I return to the US? I know you are definitely supposed to file form I-131A if the greencard/I-551 is damaged, but technically my I-551 itself is intact, it is just the document to which it is affixed that is damaged.

 

Thank you very much in advance for all help!

In my opinion, your safest option is to apply for I-131A.

 

A visa/I-551 stamp on an expired passport is usually valid along with a new passport, but I am not sure about rules for damaged passport. And sometimes common sense does not prevail. Why take a chance of being denied boarding by an ill-informed airline employee or risk having issues with CBP at the POE due to your damaged passport!

 

I remember reading this incident in the news sometime back on how things can go bad during international travel (I am not suggesting this is in any way related to your specific circumstances)

https://www.thetravel.com/couple-denied-entry-bali-dog-chewed-passport/ 

 

Good luck!

N-400 timeline:

Spoiler

5/9/2022: N-400 Received by USCIS

5/9/2022: Biometric Reuse Notice

7/5/2022: Received Interview Scheduled Notice

8/12/2022: Interview @ Cincinnati Field Office, Approved same-day

9/9/2022: Completed Oath Ceremony

 

ROC timeline:

Spoiler

01/06/2019: 90-day ROC filing window open

01/07/2019: Sent I-751 petition to USCIS Dallas Lockbox via USPS 2-day Priority Mail

01/09/2019: ROC package delivered by USPS to PO Box

01/14/2019: Received USCIS text message with receipt number starting with LIN-xxxxxxx

01/15/2019: Check cashed, Added receipt# to USCIS account (myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov), Current Status: "We received your case, You do not need to do anything at this time"

02/14/2019: Submitted e-request for non-delivery of receipt notice

02/28/2019: Received e-request response. Receipt notice was never initially sent and we should receive it in 10-14 business days

03/04/2019: Received original NOA1 letter with 18 month extension

08/09/2019: Received biometrics appointment letter, scheduled for Aug 19

08/14/2019: Completed early walk-in biometrics appointment on Aug 13, Status changed on myUSCIS site to "Fingerprint Review Was Completed"

01/02/2020: Case status updated to "New Card Is Being Produced"

01/03/2020: Case status updated to "Case Was Approved"

01/06/2020: Received I-751 Approval Notice in the mail 

01/09/2020: Received 10yr Green Card in the mail

 

I-751 ROC Package Contents, Assembly & Photos:

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/693181-i-751-january-2019-filers/?do=findComment&comment=9522611

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/693181-i-751-january-2019-filers/?do=findComment&comment=9522687

 

AOS timeline:

Spoiler

12/21/2015: I-485 Received by USCIS

12/24/2015: I-485 NOA date

02/26/2016: Biometrics Appointment

04/04/2017: Interview @ Louisville Field Office

04/06/2017: I-485 Approved

04/12/2017: GC Received

 

 

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mindthegap Experienced

mindthegap   2,521

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Filed: Lift. Cond. (pnd) Country: United Kingdom
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Posted (edited)

Should be fine.

 

As others stated, visas in a cancelled passport remain valid when presented with a valid passport and this should be no different.

They run your A# and receipt number anyway to verify everything - it isn’t just a glance at a physical stamp

Edited by mindthegap

CR1 / DCF (London): 2012 / 2013 (4 months from I-130 petition to visa in hand)

I-751 #1- April 2015 [Denied]

 

April 2015 : I-751 Joint filing package sent fedex next day 09:00am from UK ($lots - thanks). 
Jan 2017: Notification that an interview has been scheduled at a local office. Bizarrely still no RFE... 
Jan 2017: 2hr wait, then interview terminated before it began, due to moving my ID to another state 2 wks prior. New interview 'in a few months...maybe.'   Informed them that divorce proceedings are underway, but not finalised at this time. 
March 2017: An Interview was scheduled - marked as no-show as they didn't actually send out a notification of interview. FML 
April  2017: Filed an official complaint with the ombudsman, and have requested Senator & Congressman assistance
August 2017: Interview - switched to a (finalised) divorce waiver. Told that decision will be made that afternoon, but no problems foreseen with my case. 
October 2017: Letter of Denial received - reason given as 'I-751 petition was not properly filed'. Discovered ex-spouse made false allegations to USCIS in 2015. No opportunity given to review & refute allegations  - contrary to USCIS policy.

I-751 #2 - Oct 2017 - Mar 2021[Denied] 

 

October 2017: Within 72hrs of receiving denial notice, a new waiver I-751, divorce decree & $680 cheque, sent to Vermont via FedEx overnight 9am priority.  
Dec 2019: Filed FOIA request for full A# file
Feb 2020: FOIA request completed - entire A# file received as a .PDF; 197 pages fully redacted, and 80 partially redacted. Don't waste your time!
March 2021: I-751 #2 denied for lack of evidence. No RFE, no interview, and evidence in previous I-751 not reviewed - contrary to policy. Huge errors in adjudication.

N-400 - Feb 2018 - Apr 2021 [Denied]

 

February 2018: N-400 filed online.  $725 paid to the USCIS paperwork wastage fund

February  2019: Interview - cancelled after a four hour wait due to 'missing paperwork' on their end. Promised Expedited reschedule.

March 2021: Interview letter received, strangely dated after I-751 denial. No I-751 interview conducted. N-400 interview and test passed, given 'cannot make a decision at this time' paper due to the ongoing I-751 nightmare...

April 2021: N-400 denial received citing recent I-751 denial as basis for ineligibility, even though it should have been a combo interview 🤯

I AM JACK'S COMPLETE LACK OF SURPRISE

 I-751 Service Motion - March 2021 [Sent via FedEx & COMPLETELY IGNORED by USCIS]

 

March 2021: Service Motion request sent overnight addressed direectly to field office director, requesting urgent review and re-opening, based on errors in adjudication - citing USCIS policy, AFM and memorandums as basis for errors. This was completely ignored by USCIS.

 I-751 #3 - June 2021 - Jan 2024 [Denied]

 

IT'S GROUNDHOG DAY

June 2021: I-751 #3 (30+lbs/5000 pages of paperwork) & another $680 sent to USCIS via FedEx ($300+..thanks) .... 

June 2021: Receipt issued, card charged, biometrics waived, infopass scheduled for I-551 stamp number ten.....

Feb 2022: RFIE (no, not an RFE, a Request For Initial Evidence) received, for copies of the divorce paperwork that they already have 😑

July 2022: Infopass for I-551 stamp number eleven.....

August 2023: Infopass for I-551 stamp number twelve....

January 2024: Denial received, ignoring the overwhelming majority of the filing, abundance of evidence, and refutation of a provably false allegation. The denial also contradicts itself in multiple places, as if it was written by someone with an IQ <50.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

2024: FML. Seriously. I'm done. 

 

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