Finally!!! I am so exhausted... I551 and infopass mess

J

jasmine7103

Registered Users (C)
Here are my background from the past threads

Had my interview in Houston, TX. 2 minutes wait, simple and pleasant interview, and out within 15 minutes. Name check cleared and she told us that I should be getting the card in 2 weeks or so.

We are travelling to Australia in 3 weeks. We booked the tickets (non-refundable $1800 each) few weeks ago and already arranged everything else (work etc). She now tells me that the AP is invalid as of today and I shouldn't travel till I get it in the mail. Isn't AP for you to travel in 'between'? and I am exactly in 'between'. I am approved and have AP but can't travel????

She put in the computer so it's up to Dallas to produce the actual card and mail it and there is nothing she or I could do.

I could leave without it and have someone check my mail box then mail it overnight so I can come back in. We can change the dates of tickets with fees but I really can't re-arrange the work schedule... my husband is really upset. We couldn't even get excited about my GC on the way back.
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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!!
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OK, so I made another infopass appointment 2 weeks later - which was last tuesday. I was hoping to talk to the same lady but I got another officer. This time, I had to wait 2 hours. On a side note, I was observing another section of the building where they handle deportation cases. I noticed that if you are polite and persistent, the officer would eventually talk to you. they are mean to start with. Don't get discouraged. I was watching this one couple who were told to go several times. i was getting worried for them. After 10 minutes of begging, the officer finally let the couple through and looks like they got what they wanted.

Anyways, I finally got to talk to an officer. I explained my situation and told him what the previous officer in window #1 told me to do. His first response was that 'you should NOT plan a trip until you get your card'. he gave me a hard time and refused to look into my case. I told him that I thought AP was for this kind of case. I begged him that it was for my honeymoon and we finally saved enough money for this and we'd lose the money if we cancelled it. He quickly looked on his computer and said 'well, it doesn't say you are approved, did you get any letter at the interview?' 'no I didn't but the interview officer told me that I would get it within 2-3 weeks'. After spending some time looking around, he said that on one system it shows that I am approved but on another system I was not!!! :confused: Despite the fact I discussed this with the interview officer and she said that she'd entered the information on the system right away, apparantly she didn't. I was so upset. I asked what my status was and if I could just use AP since it doesn't show I was approved. He said no because while traveling abroad, it could get updated and my status might change to 'approve' and AP becomes really invalid. He called the interview officer and asked her to fax the document over. For some reason, it takes up to 5 hours so I had to go back there 2 days later. (it's closed on wednesday)

He was nice enough to make a new infopass appointment and printed for me. He put a note on it saying 'call xxxx upon arrival' so that I could see him right way without waiting. I set the appointment at 7am. I walked in today, I only had to wait for 2 minutes. He gave me a stamp on my passport (good for 6 months), updated the systems for me and said that I should get my card by the end of my trip. He was very nice and took a great care of me. Thank god we get to leave for our honeymoon tomorrow as planned. Phew!

Suggestions:

If you don't want to wait, make infopass appointments as early as possible. The officers are much nicer earlier too.

If you haven't received your GC in the mail for a while, make an infopass appointment and check in person. I called the 1-800 number but they had no idea what they were talking about and could not help me.

Be persistent and polite. The officers are people too. If you ask nicely, they will listen to you.

p.s. just got an email saying that card is being made.
 
Enjoy your trip

Have a nice vacation. See, it all works out in the end. Congratulations. God is great and finally answered your prayers. Let's hope by the time you get back most of us are approved & have our green cards.

Good luck & have a safe trip.
 
Thank you. I returned from the trip and two days later, found the card in the mail box.
At the custom (entered from LA), I lined up with Americans and GC holders. The officer asked where my card was. I explained the situation. He talked to me with half sarcasm and half joking "everyone says their checks are in the mail, but it doesn't always mean it's really there". He was unable to (Again!) see that my GC was approved on his computer so he took me in the back for secondary inspection. I waited for 20 minutes or so and when it was my turn, it took about 2 minutes to confirm and I was good to go. It actually didn't take much. By the time I got out of the inspection, the baggage started coming out and all the people in my flight was still waiting there.

I wish everyone good luck!
 
Thanks for the detailed explanation of your case. I hope it will help many others who have to schedule travel around their GC process.
 
jasmine7103 said:
Thank you. I returned from the trip and two days later, found the card in the mail box.
At the custom (entered from LA), I lined up with Americans and GC holders. The officer asked where my card was. I explained the situation. He talked to me with half sarcasm and half joking "everyone says their checks are in the mail, but it doesn't always mean it's really there". He was unable to (Again!) see that my GC was approved on his computer so he took me in the back for secondary inspection. I waited for 20 minutes or so and when it was my turn, it took about 2 minutes to confirm and I was good to go. It actually didn't take much. By the time I got out of the inspection, the baggage started coming out and all the people in my flight was still waiting there.

I wish everyone good luck!
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Congrats. What a nice story.
 
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