seth2013

I never received my oath letter, online in the documents tab or in the mail. Since the interviewing officer told me my ceremony would be May 15 (this Tuesday) I called the number yesterday, punched in the secret code to get a live person and they ended up faxing me the letter for the ceremony. So, Tuesday is the big day!

I never received my oath letter, online in the documents tab or in the mail. Since the interviewing officer told me my ceremony would be May 15 (this Tuesday) I called the number yesterday, punched in the secret code to get a live person and they ended up faxing me the letter for the ceremony. So, Tuesday is the big day!

Will it increase your chances of approval? Absolutely not. If anything it will decrease your chances. The more ties he has to the USA, the lower his chances. He was denied before with an American girlfriend. Now his first-born child will be there. That's one of the strongest bonds to break. 

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who have passed their interviews and who've taken their oaths!
 
This morning at around 4am, I got the bi-weekly automated email I receive from USCIS saying "there are no updates at this time."
 
Then at 11am I received an email from the ELISdonotreply@uscis.dhs.gov email.  IT WAS BLANK.  Talk about suspenseful.
 
Anyhow, I checked my case status online using my receipt number and it says my interview has been scheduled!  Fingers crossed and hopefully the information will be uploaded by tomorrow.

Congrats, Seth!  Do you have your Oath date yet?

Hi guys,
 
Just a quick update if anyone is following.
 
I did receive a call from the same IO agent on Tuesday this week actually and he told me that my file is in Philly and now he is ready to interview me. So I asked him, do I wait for the letter for my interview? and he said, no let's schedule it now and we can do it whenever you want :)!!!! I was like, for real? He said yes! So we scheduled one for next Tuesday afternoon.  He said he will tell the security guys that I will be coming in and just to show my original appointment letter  ....
He then gave me his phone number and he told me to call him if something else came up and if I needed to postpone or something.
 
Wow - talking about personal individualized service!
We'll see how it goes I guess next week- thanks guys and wish me luck! Will update once I have my interview!

You need to understand how lottery system works. It is not first come first serve, it is based on cut off numbers. You can be first person in the world to turn documents in but if your number is high enough and cut off numbers in the bulletin for the region high enough, that person will never get a green card. Please, again - your VJ veteran - read about how DV works.
Yes, they select more winners than visas are available, hence my example above a not everyone will apply so they want to make sure they give out all available visas in a fiscal year. The fact that he has to turn his documents in to get visa, is obvious, timing is fairly irrelevant unless he's terribly late. 
Note that winners are announced in May, interviews start in October and last through September of next year. Whether he sends DS-260 on May 30th or September 15th makes zero difference.

This is completely incorrect and should not be repeated.  You are allocated a case number and, each month, the Visa Bulletin will state which case numbers are current and ready for interview.  I know because I'm a Diversity Lottery Winner.  I submitted my paperwork rather quickly but had to wait until my case number was ready before I was called for an interview.

You can't take electronic devices into the embassy or field office. 

Take a paper copy of your tax returns......you can save that tree by taking your own cup to Starbucks.....which is exactly what my wife and I do.....

That's not true at all, where are you getting this information? You simply submit a copy of your expired GC and valid 1yr extension letter. Nowhere on the instructions for N400 does it say that you need a valid GC to apply for N400. 

Hello everyone

What to share some key points of application and bits of Interview experience. 
Some details might be interesting and I’ll try to mention what I see gets discussed, asked ..
 
This forum is helpful as much as we all share as much as we can.
 
Regular 5 year rule application, family based gc.
Applied just month before 5y date.
 
Docs - form filled in online like everyone else  - and in addition to that uploaded green card front and back.
Decided to upload only drivers license as it had my first address so it was a proof of first address in the application. 
 
I did not upload my child birth certificate as some recommend to do it ..
I did bring it to interview and i was not asked for it .. 
 
Taxes wise - I decided to bring something to interview and not upload.
Had with me the last(2017) year return as I already had it
accepted. Never was asked for it...
 
I did give a thought to make passport photos for interview 
as I read some folks  still are asked for them but then decided to not do it. 
I was not asked passport photos at interview.
 
I did not file taxes first two years so I answered yes to that big ‘have you ever’ question
as recommended here and everywhere else.  
What was interesting officer went over this with me and since I was not required - I did not
have income - what happened the office changed that answer to ‘NO’!
That was interesting turn but I did not object. So if not filing taxes question is one
of your worries be ready for this kind of turn
 
I’ve had  several long trips to home country and I thought I might get asked about them..
All below six month but long. One was even 178 days. No questions on interview ..
 
On the interview I was quite stressed .. and was trying to act normal
Also it was hot in the room
I don’t remember questions but they were not the most difficult.
Civis test goes in interesting way - questions were printed on some
blank and looked like officer was reading them and writing down my answers in blanks. I guess
that is how process is to document our interviews and this is added to your case.
After first six or seven correct answers I was not asked the rest of it .
 
Final statistic point - already 2 week and my status is still - ceremony
will be scheduled. Officer mentioned I might go in May but Im kind of
bumed no date no info and no letter yet :-(

Changing my name to red font
 
================================== Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox (12) ================================== UserName........|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|...ECD....|I751M/Y|CSC/VSC|Apprvd Excitingjourney.|10/10/14|11/30/17|12/05/17|12/05/17|12/21/17|01/02/18|01/08/18|02/12/18|02/23/18|Tampa, Fl.........|NBC....|Aug/18....|Jul/16.|CSC....|Y Snorlux.........|02/27/15|11/30/17|12/06/17|12/06/17|12/29/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Newark, NJ........|IOE....|Aug/18....|Dec/16.|CSC....|Waiting USdream123......|02/21/13|11/30/17|12/07/17|12/05/17|12/26/17|--/--/--|03/28/18|05/15/18|--/--/--|El Paso, TX.......|IOE....|Feb/19....|.......|.......|...... USdream124......|02/21/13|11/30/17|12/07/17|12/05/17|12/26/17|--/--/--|03/28/18|05/15/18|--/--/--|El Paso, TX.......|IOE....|Feb/19....|.......|.......|...... Dilmera.........|11/29/14|12/01/17|12/08/17|12/08/17|12/19/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Holtsville, NY....|IOE....|Jan/19....|Oct/16.|VSC....|Y Trini123........|05/12/12|12/01/17|--/--/--|12/05/17|12/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|New York City, NY.|IOE....|..........|.......|.......|...... Ustron..........|03/01/13|12/05/17|12/10/17|12/11/17|12/19/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA.......|.......|..........|.......|.......|...... Lordofemrys.....|03/05/15|12/06/17|12/11/17|12/11/17|01/04/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Jacksonville, FL..|IOE....|Dec/18....|Dec/16.|CSC....|Waiting Serpentine87....|02/07/15|12/09/17|12/14/17|12/14/17|01/03/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Houston, TX.......|IOE....|Mar/19....|Dec/16.|CSC....|Waiting austex..........|07/31/13|12/12/17|12/15/17|--/--/--|01/04/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX........|IOE....|Sep/19....|.......|.......|...... N400Dallas......|03/12/13|12/15/17|12/19/17|12/22/17|12/29/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX........|IOE....|Sep/19....|.......|.......|...... Cheesemonstah...|03/17/15|12/17/17|12/19/17|12/29/17|01/12/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Newark, NJ........|NBC....|..........|.......|.......|...... ================================ USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox (10) ================================ UserName........|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|...ECD....|I751M/Y|CSC/VSC|Apprvd Babe18..........|11/17/14|11/27/17|12/06/17|12/04/17|12/13/17|--/--/--|02/01/18|03/08/18|--/--/--|San Bernardino, CA|IOE....|Jun/18....|Sep/16.|CSC....|Waiting yul250..........|02/26/15|12/01/17|12/05/17|12/11/17|01/12/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Los Angeles, CA...|IOE....|Sep/18....|.......|.......|. Fox77...........|09/04/14|12/01/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|01/02/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Wichita, KS.......|.......|..........|Jul/16.|CSC....|Y Starkilla09.....|03/04/15|12/02/17|12/08/17|12/07/17|12/26/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA.......|IOE....|Oct/18....|Dec/16|CSC.....|Waiting drwho007........|03/13/13|12/13/17|12/20/17|12/18/17|01/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Fresno, CA........|IOE....|May/19....|.......|.......|. Anubabes268.....|09/16/14|12/14/17|12/20/17|12/19/17|01/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX........|IOE....|Oct/19....|Jun/16.|CSC....|Y vvg.............|10/22/12|12/14/17|12/18/17|--/--/--|01/02/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Denver, CO........|IOE....|Mar/19....|.......|.......|. Anynonmus.......|03/14/13|12/15/17|12/22/17|12/22/17|01/11/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Sacramento,CA.....|IOE....|..........|.......|.......|. Ck207...........|--/--/--|12/22/17|12/27/17|12/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Seattle, WA.......|IOE....|Nov/18....|Feb/17.|CSC....|Waiting ricky and elaine|08/20/14|12/27/17|--/--/--|04/01/18|01/24/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Las Vegas, NV.....|.......|..........|May/16.|CSC....|Y ================================== USCIS Chicago, Illinois Lockbox (6) ================================== UserName........|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|...ECD....|I751M/Y|CSC/VSC|Apprvd mgs2510.........|05/19/05|12/01/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI.......|.......|..........|.......|.......|. Newbie608.......|09/18/12|12/04/17|12/12/17|12/11/17|01/02/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Milwaukee, WI.....|.......|Apr/19....|.......|.......|. Everything......|10/15/14|12/07/17|12/11/17|12/11/17|01/05/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Aug/18....|.......|.......|. Chaly2..........|02/26/15|12/07/17|12/11/17|12/14/17|12/18/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL.......|.......|Nov/18....|.......|.......|. G7137...........|08/04/08|12/09/17|12/15/17|12/14/17|12/21/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Columbus, OH......|IOE....|Nov/18....|.......|.......|. silvershadow369.|10/14/14|12/26/17|01/03/18|01/02/18|01/22/18|01/23/18|01/27/18|02/26/18|04/16/18|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Jul/18....|Jul/17.|CSC....|Y ================================== USCIS Online Filing (35) ================================== UserName........|GC-Date.|..Sent..|..Cashd.|NOA.....|Fprints.|In Line.|Int ltr.|Intrvw..|Oath....|Field Office......|NBC/IOE|...ECD....|I751M/Y|CSC/VSC|Apprvd Gabreigns.......|02/25/15|12/01/17|12/01/17|12/01/17|12/19/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Jan/19....|Jan/17.|CSC....|Waiting Lual............|09/27/14|12/01/17|12/01/17|12/02/17|12/12/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|02/13/18|02/23/18|Tampa, FL.........|IOE....|Aug/18....|Jul/16.|CSC....|Y Jimleen.........|11/18/14|12/01/17|12/02/17|12/02/17|12/29/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|05/07/18|--/--/--|St Louis, MO......|IOE....|Aug/18....|Sep/16.|CSC....|Waiting seth2013........|09/17/12|12/04/17|12/04/17|12/05/17|12/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|04/26/18|--/--/--|Fresno, CA........|IOE....|Mar/19....|.......|.......|. Morris Marina...|06/06/06|12/06/17|12/06/17|12/08/17|12/29/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Saint Paul, MN....|IOE....|Apr/19....|.......|.......|. Senthamarai.....|04/09/14|12/07/17|12/08/17|12/07/12|12/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Atlanta, GA.......|IOE....|Feb/19....|Mar/16.|VSC....|Waiting Crispy..........|03/07/13|12/09/17|12/09/17|12/09/17|01/04/18|--/--/--|02/05/18|03/26/18|04/10/18|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Jul/18....|Jan/15.|CSC....|Y Wingnutfish.....|11/04/14|12/11/17|12/12/17|12/11/17|01/04/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Portland, OR......|IOE....|Sep/18....|Nov/16.|CSC....|Waiting Tekogremista....|03/10/15|12/11/17|12/11/17|12/11/17|01/30/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX........|IOE....|Nov/19....|Jan/17.|CSC....|Waiting suvaan11........|03/02/13|12/11/17|12/11/17|12/11/17|01/04/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dallas, TX........|IOE....|Nov/19....|.......|.......|. Indicatio.......|07/08/14|12/11/17|12/11/17|12/11/17|12/27/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Jose, CA......|IOE....|Nov/18....|May/16.|CSC....|Y Sue You.........|01/27/15|12/13/17|12/14/17|12/14/17|01/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Nov/18....|.......|.......|. shadow11235.....|03/13/13|12/13/17|12/13/17|12/13/17|12/20/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Antonio, TX...|IOE....|Jan/19....|.......|.......|. Manzan76........|03/11/15|12/14/17|12/15/17|12/15/17|12/28/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL.......|IOE....|Apr/19....|.......|.......|. JanosUS.........|--/--/--|12/14/17|12/14/17|12/16/17|01/05/08|--/--/--|03/05/18|04/09/18|04/13/18|West Palm Beach,FL|IOE....|Dec/18....|.......|.......|Y watashi.........|01/10/08|12/17/17|12/17/17|12/17/17|01/12/17|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Sacramento, CA....|IOE....|Jan/19....|.......|.......|Y magdasal........|08/19/11|12/18/17|12/18/17|12/19/17|01/09/18|--/--/--|02/22/18|04/10/18|04/27/18|Greer, SC.........|IOE....|Jun/18....|Jun/13.|CSC....|Y USPLATINUM......|03/18/13|12/18/17|12/18/17|12/18/17|01/08/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Orlando, FL.......|IOE....|Apr/19....|Dec/14.|VSC....|Y B AND O.........|02/12/15|12/19/17|12/19/17|12/19/17|01/03/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Baltimore, MD.....|IOE....|Oct/18....|Dec/16.|VSC....|Y Ariendj.........|07/18/14|12/21/17|12/21/17|12/21/17|01/09/18|--/--/--|03/13/18|04/11/18|--/--/--|Boston, MA........|IOE....|Jul/18....|Jul/17.|VSC....|Y SaiVi...........|12/06/12|12/21/17|12/23/17|12/26/17|01/12/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI.......|.......|..........|.......|.......|Y godsgift........|08/--/08|12/22/17|12/22/17|12/22/17|01/16/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Philadelphia,PA...|IOE....|May/18....|.......|.......|. Ammapagrace.....|03/26/13|12/24/17|........|12/28/17|01/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Raleigh Durham,NC.|IOE....|Jan/19....|.......|.......|Waiting newsonys........|03/24/15|12/24/17|12/29/17|12/24/17|01/19/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Dec/19....|Dec/16.|CSC....|Waiting BlackRaven......|03/26/15|12/26/17|12/27/17|12/26/17|01/16/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Columbus, OH......|IOE....|Nov/18....|Dec/16.|CSC....|Waiting f10295..........|05/29/14|12/26/17|12/26/17|12/29/17|01/29/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Dover, DE.........|IOE....|Jun/19....|.......|.......|. leovin..........|12/01/12|12/27/17|12/28/17|12/28/17|01/16/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Francisco, CA.|IOE....|Jan/19....|.......|.......|. Calstan.........|03/21/13|12/27/17|12/27/17|12/27/17|01/17/18|--/--/--|02/22/18|04/05/18|05/04/18|Cleveland, OH.....|IOE....|Jun/18....|.......|.......|. Pundasmith......|03/11/13|12/28/17|12/28/17|12/28/17|01/03/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Mount Laurel, NJ..|IOE....|Jan/19....|.......|.......|. foxy05..........|03/24/14|12/28/17|12/28/17|12/28/17|01/17/18|--/--/--|03/14/18|04/23/18|--/--/--|Portland, Or......|IOE....|Oct/18....|Jan/16.|.......|Y reddbear........|05/--/06|12/29/17|12/29/17|12/29/17|01/16/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Detroit, MI.......|IOE....|Oct/18....|.......|.......|Y LGR-LGR.........|07/--/14|12/29/17|12/29/17|12/29/17|01/25/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Austin, TX........|IOE....|Feb/19....|.......|.......|Y varmai..........|01/--/11|12/29/17|12/29/17|12/29/17|01/11/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|San Antonio, TX...|IOE....|Feb/19....|.......|.......| immig1234.......|11/29/11|12/30/17|12/30/17|12/30/17|01/17/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|--/--/--|Chicago, IL.......|IOE....|Dec/18....|.......|.......| qan714..........|01/20/15|12/31/17|12/31/17|01/01/17|01/22/18|--/--/--|02/09/18|--/--/--|--/--/--|Santa Ana, CA.....|IOE....|..........|Nov/16.|CSC....|Waiting  
Instructions for adding/updating yourself (or assisting others) to this list: 1. DO NOT DELETE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 2. Please use your VJ name to avoid confusion.  3. Copy this whole section including instructions, legend, red lines(complete content) and paste it to your typing field. 4. Make changes in the same font and Reply. 5. Red Font = "I'm A United States Citizen"! Legend:  N-400 Fields
GC-Date: The 'Resident Since' Date located on your first green card.
Sent: Date N-400 was mailed to USCIS.
Cashd: Date your check was cashed / credit card was charged by USCIS.
NOA: Receipt Notice Date Printed on your official I-797 notification.
Fprints: Date assigned for fingerprinting (Bio-metrics). If you do your biometrics via walk-in prior to your scheduled appointment, please enter the date in bold blue.
In Line: Date you received e-notification about the start of your interview scheduling.
Int Ltr: Date you received the official letter in the mail regarding interview.
Interview: Date of your interview.
Oath: Date Oath taken.
Field Office: Your local USCIS office where you will have the N-400 interview. You can determine your field office here.
 
NBC: National Benefits Center
IOE: ELIS (efile)
ECD: Estimated completion date as reported in USCIS website for your case
I-751 Fields
I751M/Y: Month and Year of I-751 filing
CSC\VSC: Filed at CSC or VSC
Apprvd: If I-751 is approved. Yes or Waiting.

So we called our congressman and they did an inquiry to the local Portland office and they responded back that they are very accommodating if a child is going to age out.  So if the N400/I-751 interview test goes through without a hitch, they will schedule her oath prior to our son aging out.  We are very relieved.  One less thing to worry about.
 
 

Great news indeed. Fresno has an 8-14 month processing time range listed according to the new system. Sacramento has a 9.5-13 month range. I sent in my application just over a week after you. Hmm... 

Congratulations!  That gives me some hope! 
 
May I ask if you are filing based on the 3-year or 5-year rule?

Hi Seth, will be following your progress as we have the same field office.
 
I've been periodically checking my ECD online and within the last few weeks, it had shortened to Jan 2019 (from Feb 2019), then back again to Feb 2019....then, after reading the latest posts on here, I check again, and mine is now at March 2019.    This is a bit odd, since the N-400 processing dates were just updated and Fresno has actually gained about 5-6 weeks progress compared to the last update.  But then again, the updates I think are 2 months delayed (last update was as of Jan 31, 2018).
 
I am hoping to see progress sooner than the ECD, though.  March 2019 would mean 15 months from start to finish.

Just received an email stating there was an update on my case. 
Checked the USCIS app and it shows that the interview has been scheduled. 
The online website has not been updated yet and im expecting it to change in the next 24 hours.
 

Latest Update:
Had my second Infopass today and they told me this time that my N-400 application is stuck in Background Check (I have a clean record btw) and therefore they can't schedule an interview at the moment until the record is cleared + they added that there's nothing I can do to speed up the process.

Yes you can file the N400 online if you are eligible---see the link below.  Payment is done by credit card.
 
https://my.uscis.gov/exploremyoptions/us_citizen_through_naturalization#benefit-related-content-2
 
(I filed online in July of this year)

So this is my thought, officer thinks you are going to look for work. Not only can “see what US has to offer” be ambiguous in that sense, but it takes time and money to apply for a visa and to only have a vague answer of “touring” implies you haven’t actually done any research as to where or what you’d like to visit, yet you’re spending money on the visa and planning to fly halfway round the world on a vague notion.
It sounds suspicious. 
 
not sure they really care where else you’ve been to be honest. Why do they need to look inside your passport? The form if I recall only asks about US travel history, not anywhere else.

CO might be thinking "he's a single guy with no family in Saudi Arabia, and no home ownership, so nothing to make him go back there".
 
CO might be thinking "he's got multiple tourist visas to different countries which means he's able to spend lots of time outside of Saudi Arabia, and take lots of time off work, which proves even weaker ties to returning after travelling abroad."
 
CO might be thinking "he applied twice in 2017, and applied a 3rd time early 2018, which makes him look desperate to come to the US for some reason other than just tourism."
 
Other than your job in Saudi Arabia, do you have any other ties?

I'm assuming that the embassy will need to put some kind of stamp or something in the passport that officially extends the expiry date by 2 years.  It's not up to US CBP to keep up to date with internal policies of other countries and I'd be pretty sure that if presented with what seems to be an expired passport they'd refuse entry (as would an airline refuse boarding if he tries to fly with it). One has to assume there is something official that will extend the expiry date. 
 
Edited to add: see here, they outline the process: https://www.forum-expat-management.com/users/10520-fragomen/posts/22269-venezuela-passport-extension-process-released
 

Would this help your friend?
 
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/10/13/venezuela-extends-expired-passports-for-two-years-amid-paper-and-ink-shortages.html
 
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro signed an emergency decree earlier this week extending expired passports for two more years amid a widespread shortage of paper and ink at the government agency that issues the travel documents.

this is the first time i have heard a GC holder, staying out of the country for years, and received fine at PoE (not sure on what grounds and which law being applied there), and then allowed entry. 

After 1 year of absence from the USA, the GC is not even a valid entry document to be used to enter the USA.