What a nightmare!
I am also waiting for my green card (RD 4/23/01). While waiting for my AP and EAD I asked my lawyer if I could travel to Canada. She said yes, I could do it even if my H1B visa had expired (I have extension of H1B but no new stamp, and my original I-94 is expired I got a new I-94 with the H1B extension.) She sent me this law text to confirm that I could travel (now I am so happy I did not travel!!):
"The INS inspector should update the date of expiration to
the date of entry. This regulation at 22 CFR Sec 41.112(d):
(d) Automatic extension of validity at ports of entry. (1) Provided
that the requirements set out in paragraph (d)(2) of this section are
fully met, the following provisions apply to nonimmigrant aliens seeking
readmission at ports of entry:
(i) The validity of an expired nonimmigrant visa issued under INA
101(a)(15) may be considered to be automatically extended to the date of
application for readmission, and
(ii) In cases where the original nonimmigrant classification of an
alien has been changed by INS to another nonimmigrant classification,
the validity of an expired or unexpired nonimmigrant visa may be
considered to be automatically extended to the date of application for
readmission, and the visa may be converted as necessary to that changed
classification.
(2) The provisions in paragraph (d)(1) of this section are
applicable only in the case of a nonimmigrant alien who:
(i) Is in possession of a Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record,
endorsed by INS to show an unexpired period of initial admission or
extension of stay, or, in the case of a qualified F or J student or
exchange visitor or the accompanying spouse or child of such an alien,
is in possession of a current Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for
Nonimmigrant Student Status, or Form IAP-66, Certificate of Eligibility
for Exchange Visitor Status, issued by the school the student has been
authorized to attend by INS, or by the sponsor of the exchange program
in which the alien has been authorized to participate by INS, and
endorsed by the issuing school official or program sponsor to indicate
the period of initial admission or extension of stay authorized by INS;
(ii) Is applying for readmission after an absence not exceeding 30
days solely in contiguous territory, or, in the case of a student or
exchange visitor or accompanying spouse or child meeting the
stipulations of paragraph (d)(2)(i) of this section, after an absence
not exceeding 30 days in contiguous territory or adjacent islands other
than Cuba;
(iii) Has maintained and intends to resume nonimmigrant status;
(iv) Is applying for readmission within the authorized period of
initial admission or extension of stay;
(v) Is in possession of a valid passport; and
(vi) Does not require authorization for admission under INA
212(d)(3)."
