Green Card and ESTA issue

[Ewan 28]

Just had an interesting chat with a helpline advisor at US Customs and Border Protection. I called them because of a problem that has arisen twice.

 

I was issued a 10-year family-based Green Card last year and moved to the US. But I also had an existing ESTA that was authorized in 2020 (I renewed it when I saw the previous one was expiring). It was never used because of Covid and the travel ban.

 

At my point of entry last year, I was told by an officer there was a problem and that I wasn't authorized to enter. I was sent for secondary inspection, where after a nervous wait a supervisor explained that my existing ESTA was clashing with my Green Card. He said he would sort it out, by which I thought he meant permanently.

 

Last week I went to a family wedding in the UK. When I returned, an immigration officer pointed out that I had a "Travel Not Authorized" ESTA in the system. She said that as a supervisor she knew the Green Card trumped that but that a less experienced officer might not. She advised me always to ask for a supervisor if there was an issue.

 

Today I called US Customs and Border Protection to ask about this and if there was a way for my ESTA to be removed. The advice I got was that when my Green Card was issued, it stopped the ESTA approval because you can't have both. Fair enough - but I was told this cannot be removed because it's an automated system and I will just have to explain the situation if I'm challenged again. Furthermore, my "Travel Not Authorized" ESTA now does not have an expiry date (they usually expire after two years) and will always be there.

 

I'm assuming other people must have experienced the same issue but I can't remember reading about it on VisaJourney.

 

 

Edited March 30, 2022 by Ewan

[Mike E 11,723]

Apply for global entry.  

[Ewan 28]

4 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Apply for global entry.  

Good idea. Hadn't thought about that. Thanks!

[P055UM 259]

33 minutes ago, Ewan said:

Just had an interesting chat with a helpline advisor at US Customs and Border Protection. I called them because of a problem that has arisen twice.

 

I was issued a 10-year family-based Green Card last year and moved to the US. But I also had an existing ESTA that was authorized in 2020 (I renewed it when I saw the previous one was expiring). It was never used because of Covid and the travel ban.

 

At my point of entry last year, I was told by an officer there was a problem and that I wasn't authorized to enter. I was sent for secondary inspection, where after a nervous wait a supervisor explained that my existing ESTA was clashing with my Green Card. He said he would sort it out, by which I thought he meant permanently.

 

Last week I went to a family wedding in the UK. When I returned, an immigration officer pointed out that I had a "Travel Not Authorized" ESTA in the system. She said that as a supervisor she knew the Green Card trumped that but that a less experienced officer might not. She advised me always to ask for a supervisor if there was an issue.

 

Today I called US Customs and Border Protection to ask about this and if there was a way for my ESTA to be removed. The advice I got was that when my Green Card was issued, it stopped the ESTA approval because you can't have both. Fair enough - but I was told this cannot be removed because it's an automated system and I will just have to explain the situation if I'm challenged again. Furthermore, my "Travel Not Authorized" ESTA now does not have an expiry date (they usually expire after two years) and will always be there.

 

I'm assuming other people must have experienced the same issue but I can't remember reading about it on VisaJourney.

 

 

Thanks for a tip. I had never heard of this issue so it is good to be aware of it.

[Crazy Cat 39,284]

Seems to me that would be fairly common issue for any Green Card holder who previously had approved or denied ESTA.