GC Photocopy not permitted

F

Flashington

Registered Users (C)
A couple of weeks ago I had to do a customs paperwork for some merchandise that my company was importing to the US, so I went to the customs validation office and the officer asked about my Immigration status, I told her GC holder, so she said let me see your GC, I answered I don't have it with me but I have a photocopy, so she told me that it was not permitted to have a photocopy of the GC and that she needs to keep the copy with her. So she gave it to another officer.

Did you know that? Will I be in trouble for having that copy?

She also told me that if I was asked for the GC and I don't have it with me I'll be charged a penalty at the time of the citizenship process .

Thankful, your input will be greatly appreciated.
 
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horrible

if your story is exactly as you presented it here, it sounds like you have gone through a thing called document abuse. the US is starting to look like the land of very ugly abuses of non-citizens. I like America for so many reasons but this is becoming sickening:(
 
HI FLASINGTON,

THAT'S TOTALLY WRONG. GC IS ONLY A LEGAL DOCUMENT SAME AS A US PASSPORT, STATE ID OR WAC ETC... YOU CAN MAKE COPIES.

RECENTLY, A FRIEND WAS CO-SPONSOR FOR AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT, THE IO IN PERSONNE ASKED THEM TO COPY HIS GC AND ATTACHED IT TO THE FORMS. IO MADE TWO(2) COPIES ONE FOR THE FILE ONE FOR MY FRIEND.

IO's IN GENERAL GOT POOR TRAINING PRACTICE. FOR ONE (1) PROBLEM YOU HAVE IF YOU CONTACT DIFFERENTS IMMIGRATION OFFICERS; CHANCES ARE YOU WILL HAVE DIFFERENT AND CONFLICTING RESPONSES.

NO, IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO MAKE COPIES OF ANY ILLEGAL DOCUMENTS. IF IT WERE THAT SHALL BE PRINTED ON THE BACK OF ANY GC.
 
Hi Flashington,

The Io Could Passibly Charge You For Failure Of Not Having You Actual Gc With You, At A Time Of Request.

Yes, That Could Come As A Question During Your Citizenship Questioning Or Interview.

But That Alone Could Not Jeopardize Your Approval For Citizenship.

And If The Io Hasn't Done That Yet On The Spot. Then It Is Too Late.

You're Fine.

I Hope That Will Help.
 
Flashington said:
A couple of weeks ago I had to do a customs paperwork for some merchandise that my company was importing to the US, so I went to the customs validation office and the officer asked about my Immigration status, I told her GC holder, so she said let me see your GC, I answered I don't have it with me but I have a photocopy, so she told me that it was not permitted to have a photocopy of the GC and that she needs to keep the copy with her. So she gave it to another officer.

Did you know that? Will I be in trouble for having that copy?

She also told me that if I was asked for the GC and I don't have it with me I'll be charged a penalty at the time of the citizenship process .

Thankful, your input will be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Thats bull. CIS actually asks for copies of the GC if you are applying for a re-entry document.

Next time you go to the customs office, give them a printout of this:
http://www.amb-usa.fr/CONSUL/iv/greencard.htm

I know you can not make a copy of your naturalization certificate except when applying for a US passport, and he may be confusing these two.

Floyd
 
The photocopy of your GC will not be accepted when you are asked to show your GC in order to verify your claim of being a GC holder. You have to show the real GC. Nobody will accept the photocopy. Government official will give you trouble because you are required to carry GC all the time.

Imagine what happens if you just present the photocopy of your driver license when you are stopped by police on highway.
 
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qlyus said:
The photocopy of your GC will not be accepted when you are asked to show your GC in order to verify your claim of being a GC holder. You have to show the real GC. Nobody will accept the photocopy. Government official will give you trouble because you are required to carry GC all the time.

Imagine what happens if you just present the photocopy of your driver license when you are stopped by police on highway.
Click to expand...


Well your analogy is not the best. How would a U.S citizen prove he's a U.S citizen on the spot? most people can't. Same with green card holders. I carry a color copy of mine, and if i ever get stopped and required to produce the original one, i'll simply tell them to follow me home so I can go get it. Getting a replacement driver's licesne is easy. You can do it online for $10.00. Getting a replacemnt green card is expen$ive, takes long and it's a pain.
 
Anytime you deal with USCIS..be it customs or immigration, you are required to show valid document not a copy.

In flashington's case, he was dealing with a US customs and he should show "real" document and not a photocopy.

Can you enter the country with a photocopy? NO...
 
wantmygcnow said:
Anytime you deal with USCIS..be it customs or immigration, you are required to show valid document not a copy.

In flashington's case, he was dealing with a US customs and he should show "real" document and not a photocopy.

Can you enter the country with a photocopy? NO...
Click to expand...


Agree. I think I even saw it on the welcome letter that GC has to be carried by it's holder all the time.
 
In most cases, we love our greencard and keep it in safe place so that is may not get lost; however, the immigration paperwork that comes with the greencard states clearly that Greencard holders keep their cards with them at all times, so that it is accessible to immigration authorities and police as an identity check. This is the law, but it is not enforced in most cases. For example, if police officers stops a GC holder and the GC holders produces valid ID in most cases that is enough. But clearly, if GC holder is charged with failure to carry their GC and that goes to court, then it is violation of immigration law..........The situation is different when applying benefits, and you have to mail stuff. In most cases, a photocopy is enough and if the immigration authorities require original documents then they would reveal it at a later time without problems...
 
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sbernal said:
Well your analogy is not the best. How would a U.S citizen prove he's a U.S citizen on the spot? most people can't. Same with green card holders. I carry a color copy of mine, and if i ever get stopped and required to produce the original one, i'll simply tell them to follow me home so I can go get it. Getting a replacement driver's licesne is easy. You can do it online for $10.00. Getting a replacemnt green card is expen$ive, takes long and it's a pain.
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Rememer; Greencard and US citizen are completely different. US citizens are not required to carry their certificate, but GC holders are required to carry their GC at all times by law. I don't even carry a copy of my greencard, but that is an lawful. In most cases, this requirement is not enforced, but it is important to know.......
 
sbernal said:
Well your analogy is not the best. How would a U.S citizen prove he's a U.S citizen on the spot? most people can't. Same with green card holders. I carry a color copy of mine, and if i ever get stopped and required to produce the original one, i'll simply tell them to follow me home so I can go get it. Getting a replacement driver's licesne is easy. You can do it online for $10.00. Getting a replacemnt green card is expen$ive, takes long and it's a pain.
Click to expand...

my friend, do not that. Nobady will follow you home. You may end up being detained. USCIS/INS does this kind of things all the time.

U.S. citizens do not have to carry proof of citizenship.

Permanent residents must always carry their Green Cards. It is the law. The card is made such small for carry, not for safe keep.
 
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