Transportation Letter

C

cafeconleche

Registered Users (C)
Hi guys,

I was looking for the post where someone lost a travel document in Russia, and was able to get a transportation letter to go back to the US. I have a problem. I don't have any document because USCIS is taking their sweet time to process it, and I'm stuck abroad with nothing to travel with. The US consulate in Amsterdam says transportation letters are only for those who lose their GCs, but I read on this forum about someone who could use the letter as a passport. Any information about this would be helpful.

Thanks.
 
What is your present status? Your signature line says that you are already a GC holder. With what document(s) did you last leave the United States?
 
Hi Thankful,

I left with the Re-Entry Permit. However, I had to stay abroad for longer than its validity, because it was issued for 1 year instead of 2 despite the fact that I didn't fall under the category for a limited validity Re-Entry Permit. So they said send it in, and we'll send you a new one. This hasn't happened, and I've been sending them a fax every other day telling them that I have no way to travel without it. Isn't there someone on this board who lost a travel document and was able to get a letter from USCIS to board a plane?
 
Gc?

You mention that you have a GC. If you have it I recommend to not wait anymore and just travel with it to USA, at the POE deal with everything they will listen to your case and they will see that you are PR and you had a RP and it's validity. They thing is Do not wait more time outside if you have a valid GC ust get yourself here and deal with it here. IF you wait more time outside having a valid GC they will think that you didn't really want to come back. Fly here They will not deport you !!! SFO have usually very compassionate officers and very knowledgeable about asylum and GC and all that.
Good luck
 
You will need some king of document to board the plane. Airlines can be a pain in the ass in that aspect...
 
Where is your green card?

ask your attorney to work through AILA channels to get the attention of USCIS management.

I am really surprised that you allowed your document to expire before returning to the United States.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
cafeconleche said:
Hi guys,

I was looking for the post where someone lost a travel document in Russia, and was able to get a transportation letter to go back to the US. I have a problem. I don't have any document because USCIS is taking their sweet time to process it, and I'm stuck abroad with nothing to travel with. The US consulate in Amsterdam says transportation letters are only for those who lose their GCs, but I read on this forum about someone who could use the letter as a passport. Any information about this would be helpful.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

If I understand your story correctly you cannot get a transportation letter because your RP is expired not lost.
 
Oh, I guess my story is NOT clear, hehe. Oke. Here it is.

I wa issued an RP that was valid for 1 year instead of 2. (May 2008 - May 2009). I asked around, even at an Infopass, and was told that it was probably issued for 1 year in error because 1) I haven't been outside the US for 4 of the last 5 years and 2) this is my first RP. So, I wrote USCIS a letter in July saying this, even giving the names and ranks of USCIS officers who told me to ask for the RP to be corrected. In the meantime, I had to travel abroad, which is where I am. I was supposed to stay abroad until June, because I am studying, so with the RP I had, this wouldn't have been possible, and I don't have an NP. So, I sent them a fax last month, and they sent me a letter finally asking me to send in the RP so that they could send me a new one. I did so VERY reluctantly, but I did include a letter telling them that I needed it back urgently because I have NO other document with which I can travel, and that I wanted it expedited. I waited a couple of weeks, and then sent them another fax asking them what was taking them so long, and that I needed the RP by 15 December. They sent a letter saying it would take 30 to 60 days to correct it. Idiots. So, I've sent a fax every week since then (6 in all) asking them to hurry up. I also contacted my senators yesterday, telling them my situation. I have to call them today and tell them how urgent it is. To see what my options are, I went to the US consulate to see if I could get a Transportation Boarding Letter in case USCIS really screws up, and I was told that, NO, they couldn't do anything for me. I was quite surprised, because I read on this forum that someone lost an RTD in Russia, and was able to get some sort of letter to get back to the US. So, now I just have to pressure USCIS somehow.

I know I am REALLY stupid for having sent them my RP while I'm abroad, and that I should have waited until I returned to the US (I should have been in the US for 1.5 months by now). I don't have an AILA lawyer. How do I go about contacting one? By the way, I have my GC, and it's valid. You think I can actually board a plane directly to the US with it, and without a travel document? I shouldn't be denied entry in the US, right? Only in here in Europe, most probably.

Thanks for your feedback guys.
 
cafeconleche said:
Oh, I guess my story is NOT clear, hehe. Oke. Here it is.

I wa issued an RP that was valid for 1 year instead of 2. (May 2008 - May 2009). I asked around, even at an Infopass, and was told that it was probably issued for 1 year in error because 1) I haven't been outside the US for 4 of the last 5 years and 2) this is my first RP. So, I wrote USCIS a letter in July saying this, even giving the names and ranks of USCIS officers who told me to ask for the RP to be corrected. In the meantime, I had to travel abroad, which is where I am. I was supposed to stay abroad until June, because I am studying, so with the RP I had, this wouldn't have been possible, and I don't have an NP. So, I sent them a fax last month, and they sent me a letter finally asking me to send in the RP so that they could send me a new one. I did so VERY reluctantly, but I did include a letter telling them that I needed it back urgently because I have NO other document with which I can travel, and that I wanted it expedited. I waited a couple of weeks, and then sent them another fax asking them what was taking them so long, and that I needed the RP by 15 December. They sent a letter saying it would take 30 to 60 days to correct it. Idiots. So, I've sent a fax every week since then (6 in all) asking them to hurry up. I also contacted my senators yesterday, telling them my situation. I have to call them today and tell them how urgent it is. To see what my options are, I went to the US consulate to see if I could get a Transportation Boarding Letter in case USCIS really screws up, and I was told that, NO, they couldn't do anything for me. I was quite surprised, because I read on this forum that someone lost an RTD in Russia, and was able to get some sort of letter to get back to the US. So, now I just have to pressure USCIS somehow.

I know I am REALLY stupid for having sent them my RP while I'm abroad, and that I should have waited until I returned to the US (I should have been in the US for 1.5 months by now). I don't have an AILA lawyer. How do I go about contacting one? By the way, I have my GC, and it's valid. You think I can actually board a plane directly to the US with it, and without a travel document? I shouldn't be denied entry in the US, right? Only in here in Europe, most probably.

Thanks for your feedback guys.
Click to expand...

You have a valid GC then why are you waiting. By law GC document can be used to get on a plane to come to U.S & thankful may correct me if I am wrong.

You can also get a NP..I dont know the reason for you not renewing your NP. If its because of problems at citizenship time, your case and the reason you need a NP is a very valid one. No officer will ever think you did anything wrong if you got your NP & traveled with it at this time. Can you also tell us if you are out of the country for more than 6 months? if you are then you may need a RP to enter.
 
you only need a GC to enter the US once you get here. But the airline may or may not allow you to board with just a GC. Border control in Holland may not allow you to depart without a RP.

When do you need to travel? Did you say that you will have to be abroad till June? If yes why the panic now?

You need a lawyer or a member of Congress to advocate for you if you want the USCIS to act quickly.

you should also consider contacting the USCIS office in Rome, Italy for help.
 
cafecon,

You had a Visa too? I am sure you made a copy of it. YOu may have to go to the immigration office in Holland or wherever you are so that they put a stamp on your new RP...It will be easier for you when you exit out or they may waste your time at the airport.
 
Hi guys,

I don't have an NP because mine expired, and I don't want to be blacklisted with the Indian authorities for when I get my citizenship and would like to get a visa for India, so I haven't renewed my NP. I do need to stay until June, but I have to be back in the US for about a month this winter, which is why I am panicking about the RP. I actually contacted Senator Boxer's office today, and they were able to contact the NCS. NCS had a couple of questions for me because my file is apparently in Harrisonburg, VA, for some reason. Even though I sent them many faxes with exactly the information they asked the Senator's office to get from me (and more), they're bumbling around indecisively. So I cleared that up with the Senator's office. Hopefully they'll let me know tomorrow what will be done. And, I've been out of the country since September, so I technically don't need a Re-Entry Permit to get into the US, but I don't want to risk attempting to get a flight with just a GC. As for contacting USCIS in Rome, I did. I got an email reply from CBP telling me to ask the Amsterdam consulate for help, so there you go. Hehe. And, I have a temporary residence permit in Holland in the form of a card, so I won't have a problem there. However, not having a travel document is something they don't like, but I won't mention it to them.

I'll keep you guys posted. Thanks for all the information.
 
Woo, I've a good update for you guys. Barbara Boxer's and Pete Stark's (US Congressman California District 13) offices were able to get USCIS to issue me my RP. An email, a couple of questions from them, and everything was peachy. Unbelievable, the incompetence. I kept telling USCIS in my letters that they could ASK ME IF THEY HAD ANY QUESTIONS. The question they had for me, which they asked through Boxer's office, was what my answer was to the question that asks how long you've been out of the US, because my file was in another city. How hard would it have been for them to send ME a bloody email to ask me that very question? So anyway, the RP was issued 18 Dec, and mailed the same day in the Express Mail envelope I provided, so it should be at my US address today. My mom will have to overnight it to me in the Netherlands, but the RP is now valid for 2 years, until 2010. So, I HOPE that this is the last time I will be dealing with USCIS until I apply for citizenship. I'll be returning to the US for about a month this winter, and then for good in July.

Thanks for your attention to my questions, guys. Let me know if you want to know anything else.
 
There is a reason that people should deal with the USCIS only if they have lawyers or are working through the congressional offices. The USCIS will be more responsive.
 
Yeah, but that is RIDICULOUS. What is it about congressional pressure that makes them so afraid? I mean, they've been oke before. Just not very communicative, but all the expedited applications I've made have worked until now, except for this error.
 
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