Infopass experience - I551 stamp after PR approval

[jasmine7103]

My greencard was approved last thursday. After the little hiccup (see my other post), I made an infopass appointment to get the stamp on my passport so that I can go on our honeymoon in 2.5 weeks.

I thought INS improved their customer service...but the clerks were pretty rude. A door was shut on my face purposely when I tried to entered the building. When I got to the first window, he asked what I was there for. I told him that my PR was approved but I need to leave the country in 2.5 weeks and I'd like to get a proof of approval. He said "that's not how it works". I told him that I've read somewhere (here but didn't say that) that you could get a stamp until you get your actual card. He asked for the approval letter. I told him I didn't get anything at the interview. He said "you need that letter". I showed him a copy of my appointment letter, he rudely pushed it away and said "what is this, you can't use that". "I asked for some sort of document at the interview but the officer said no" Then he asked for my Advance parole document. I showed him and told him that I was told AP becomes invalid once PR is approved. He said "No, it says it's valid till this and that day. Just use this to come back in" I didn't want to disagree and piss him off so I kindly asked if I could speak to the officer. Remember this is just a guy at the first window, not the actual officer. I didn't understand why he was giving answers there to start with.

So waited for 45 minutes and got to talk to a nice officer. I explained the situation. She said that I'd have to re-schedule my appointment in two days and come back to talk about this because it hadn't been a week since the interview! WHAT??? She said at that time, she'd talk to her supervisor and see what they can do. She'd need to see the ticket for my trip. I told her what the first clerk said about using AP. She said "No no, you cannot use AP to come back" hmmmmm 3 people from the same government office telling totally different things. My interview officer told me there was no way I could travel until I get my GC in hand. Second person says use AP. The third person says not to use AP but there might be a possibility...

I'm praying and hoping that I'd get the card in the mail before the trip. I made another infopass appointment just in case.

Just thought I'd share my experience. Wait 1 week after the interview if you need to make an infopass appointment!!

[PraetorianXI]

The fun adventures with USCIS... we should write a book

[austriacus]

Well, I'll be happy to share my very different experience too. I didn't raise the issue of the I-551 stamp at all at the interview. Our IO said at the end of the interview that our DO's (San Antonio) policy is to not let people walk out the door after their approval at the interview without some sort of immediately usable documentation. That said, he takes the I-551 stamp from his drawer or desk (to me it seemed like he magically made it appear out of thin air) and stamped my passport before handing it to me.

[PraetorianXI]

My IO was a somewhat in a hurry during my interview, so he did not stamp my passport or give me an approval letter... he did not even tell me about the I-751!

But 1 week later I made an infopass and a nice lady officer just asked me what I needed and she had to spend 30 minutes going through files, to find mine, she did so happily. Then stamp my passport with the i-551

So, it is all about who you get that day... some people are nice, some people are nice pricks.