Expired Permanent Resident Card Stolen - Currently on 18 month i-751 extension

[Keeb4Rez 0]

Hi all,

 

My Canadian wife had her purse stolen a couple of weeks ago. In it, was her expired permanent resident card (among a lot of other things). 

 

She's currently here in the united states on the I-757 - 18 month extension letter stemming from our I-751 case.  The letter states that the expired card + letter = evidence of status.

 

After the theft, I called the USCIS phone number and talked to a phone rep. She said that even though its expired, we should apply for a replacement. We did  it online and paid the fee for the replacement card and the biometrics.

 

This morning, my wife had her biometrics appointment for the I-751 case.  I was *hoping* they'd be able to take care of both cases at once since they're both asking for biometics.  

 

The agent said that wasn't possible but also said that there was no point in replacing her expired card. That she didn't need it -- that the extension letter + a police report for theft+ her canadian passport are enough.  My wife asked the rep if it was possible to get the fee back if its not necessary (I realize it said it was non-refundable when we submitted it) -- and the rep said that she should write a letter explaining that she really needs the $$ b/c she's pregnant + COVID downturn (this seems like a really terrible idea when you're trying to show that you can support yourself).

 

My questions are...

 

a) Do they even replace expired cards or was the phone rep incorrect (and i just wasted like $500 -_-)?

b) Will the the extension letter + a police report + her canadian passport really work  for traveling or will it just depend on how friendly the agent is?  

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

Edited December 11, 2020 by Keeb4Rez

[mindthegap 2,590]

1 hour ago, Keeb4Rez said:

After the theft, I called the USCIS phone number and talked to a phone rep. She said that even though its expired, we should apply for a replacement. We did  it online and paid the fee for the replacement card and the biometrics.

 

🤦‍♀️

 

1 hour ago, Keeb4Rez said:

a) Do they even replace expired cards or was the phone rep incorrect (and i just wasted like $500 -_-)?

Nope. A total waste of money.

 

1 hour ago, Keeb4Rez said:

b) Will the the extension letter + a police report + her canadian passport really work for traveling or will it just depend on how friendly the agent is?  

Probably eventually, but a serious boatload of hassle incoming if you try to come back into the US with that combination.

The expired card is useless without the letter, and the letter is useless without the card.

Honestly not worth the aggro.

 

You need to make an infopass appointment for an I-551 stamp in a passport- which acts as valid proof of permanent residence instead of the card + letter combo - which is exactly what the prat on the phone should have told you to do. 

The good news is the stamp is free of charge. 

Edited December 11, 2020 by mindthegap

[igoyougoduke 1,660]

1 hour ago, Keeb4Rez said:

Hi all,

 

My Canadian wife had her purse stolen a couple of weeks ago. In it, was her expired permanent resident card (among a lot of other things). 

 

She's currently here in the united states on the I-757 - 18 month extension letter stemming from our I-751 case.  The letter states that the expired card + letter = evidence of status.

 

After the theft, I called the USCIS phone number and talked to a phone rep. She said that even though its expired, we should apply for a replacement. We did  it online and paid the fee for the replacement card and the biometrics.

 

This morning, my wife had her biometrics appointment for the I-751 case.  I was *hoping* they'd be able to take care of both cases at once since they're both asking for biometics.  

 

The agent said that wasn't possible but also said that there was no point in replacing her expired card. That she didn't need it -- that the extension letter + a police report for theft+ her canadian passport are enough.  My wife asked the rep if it was possible to get the fee back if its not necessary (I realize it said it was non-refundable when we submitted it) -- and the rep said that she should write a letter explaining that she really needs the $$ b/c she's pregnant + COVID downturn (this seems like a really terrible idea when you're trying to show that you can support yourself).

 

My questions are...

 

a) Do they even replace expired cards or was the phone rep incorrect (and i just wasted like $500 -_-)?

b) Will the the extension letter + a police report + her canadian passport really work  for traveling or will it just depend on how friendly the agent is?  

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

a) replace an expired green card ?? i dont think that will happen

b) Yeah they are going to allow that.  Police report is not a replacement for expired green card 

 

 

[Keeb4Rez 0]

Thank you both!

[mindthegap 2,590]

Yes, they may have told you dink information on the mis-information line (hey, this is USCIS) but it is your responsibility to check exactly what you are filing...

 

I mean, it isn't as if it is on the very first page of the instructions for the I-90 (ie, the form you filed) or anything....

 

 

Kinda hard to miss 🤷‍♀️

 

 

[Keeb4Rez 0]

1 hour ago, mindthegap said:

Yes, they may have told you dink information on the mis-information line (hey, this is USCIS) but it is your responsibility to check exactly what you are filing...

 

I mean, it isn't as if it is on the very first page of the instructions for the I-90 (ie, the form you filed) or anything....

 

 

Kinda hard to miss 🤷‍♀️

 

 

You're right -- I probably would have noticed that if we filed by paper. We electronically filed from my.uscis.gov using a mobile device and I'm not sure that it ever provided that disclaimer. Good to know though -- thank you!

[da95826 387]

A i551 stamp is your only option to have proof of her LPR status. 

[igoyougoduke 1,660]

7 hours ago, Keeb4Rez said:

 

You're right -- I probably would have noticed that if we filed by paper. We electronically filed from my.uscis.gov using a mobile device and I'm not sure that it ever provided that disclaimer. Good to know though -- thank you!

your filed adjustment of status online ? this is news to me 

[Keeb4Rez 0]

On 12/11/2020 at 10:01 PM, igoyougoduke said:

your filed adjustment of status online ? this is news to me 

No -- sorry. The adjustment was online -- we did it last June. The i-90 was for card replacement was online from her my.uscis account.

[Keeb4Rez 0]

err i meant "the adjustment wasn't online"