My green card expire while waiting for decision, what to do?

WBH said:
Where is this official policy that one can get free I-551 stamp if teh filing is done before 6 month from expiration?
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See page 13 of the Guide to Naturalization (M-476.pdf) where it mentions the 6 month rule (it is not so explicit about the free stamp though ... I think there is something else on the USCIS site with more details, if I find it I'll post the link).

I found another mention of the policy on Murthy's site. Of course, there is always the possibility of badly trained USCIS staff not knowing their own rules.

http://www.murthy.com/news/n_liaque.html
It was reported that at least one USCIS field office has not followed established USCIS policy that a person who has filed an N-400 application, at least 6 months before his/her plastic green card is due to expire, does not need to renew the I-551 card ("green card"). The USCIS confirmed that its policy has not changed and that individuals who have filed for naturalization, and whose green cards are expiring, may receive I-551 stamps in their passports allowing them to travel and not have to file Form I-90 with the filing fees.
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Thanks Jackolantern...This (USCIS policy on GC renewal) does make sense: why waste applicant time, money and USCIS resources for meaningless GC renewal. USCIS can direct those resources to speed up the outstanding N-400 applications including one of OP.
 
DreamUSA said:
Thanks Jackolantern...This (USCIS policy on GC renewal) does make sense: why waste applicant time, money and USCIS resources for meaningless GC renewal. USCIS can direct those resources to speed up the outstanding N-400 applications including one of OP.
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It make sense that one does not need to renew GC but it is still not clear about this free I-551 passport stamp and this freem stamp is what we talked about because trhat is an important thing for the OP who need that for DL,
work employment, travel etc..

If the infopass clerk does not give your such stamp, then what would you
do then? The US policy is based upon assumption one can finish citizenship process
in 6 months but many cases linger on as in case of OPs.
 
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WBH said:
It make sense that one does not need to renew GC but it is still not clear about this free I-551 passport stamp and this freem stamp is what we talked about because trhat is an important thing for the OP who need that for DL,
work employment, travel etc..

If the infopass clerk does not give your such stamp, then what would you
do then? The US policy is based upon assumption one can finish citizenship process
in 6 months but many cases linger on as in case of OPs.
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I got two stamps before with no problem waiting for my I-751 to get approved. If they refuse, ask for a supervisor.
 
trialanderror83 said:
Right, I was waiting for an approval, so is the OP. Its their problem if they don't approve the application on time not his. All he has to do is bring his receipt notice.
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Issurance of I-551 stamp is natural for GC process including I751. But
you may end up with an USCIS person who said :"We do not give I-551 stamp in naturalization process. If you want one, file I90 first". You can
say Page 13 of M476 say I do not need to renew GC but he/she can reply
"You do not need to renew GC but if you do not renew I do not give you an stamp"
 
WBH said:
Issurance of I-551 stamp is natural for GC process including I751. But
you may end up with an USCIS person who said :"We do not give I-551 stamp in naturalization process. If you want one, file I90 first". You can
say Page 13 of M476 say I do not need to renew GC but he/she can reply
"You do not need to renew GC but if you do not renew I do not give you an stamp"
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Well then thats when you get a supervisor, or simply tell the IO in your n-400 interview that they refused to give you a stamp at info pass. Tough crap than, USCIS problem.
 
I wonder what people used to do when Citiezenship used to take longer...I know that people can apply way longer before the GC expires but I bet there has been people with a case like mine...that's why I'm taking a completed GC renewal form etc, in case they say I have to apply for it before them giving me the stamp (I hope this is not the case), I need it to keep going with my life.

oh and I'm a SHE not a he lol =)
 
Mimi1212 said:
I wonder what people used to do when Citiezenship used to take longer...I know that people can apply way longer before the GC expires but I bet there has been people with a case like mine...that's why I'm taking a completed GC renewal form etc, in case they say I have to apply for it before them giving me the stamp (I hope this is not the case), I need it to keep going with my life.
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Again, its THEIR problem, NOT yours. They have to provide you with a temp stamp!! It's not you fault if it takes long to process your application........
 
WBH said:
Issurance of I-551 stamp is natural for GC process including I751. But
you may end up with an USCIS person who said :"We do not give I-551 stamp in naturalization process. If you want one, file I90 first".
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USCIS policy is to give the stamp if the conditions (6 months etc.) have been met. If an individual and their supervisor are so ignorant about their own policy that they refuse to give the stamp, take it to a higher level with Congressman/Ombudsman/etc.
 
Mimi1212 said:
I wonder what people used to do when Citiezenship used to take longer...I know that people can apply way longer before the GC expires but I bet there has been people with a case like mine...that's why I'm taking a completed GC renewal form etc, in case they say I have to apply for it before them giving me the stamp (I hope this is not the case), I need it to keep going with my life.
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They don't accept the renewal form at the local office. The renewal form is to be mailed elsewhere.
 
Jackolantern said:
USCIS policy is to give the stamp if the conditions (6 months etc.) have been met. If an individual and their supervisor are so ignorant about their own policy that they refuse to give the stamp, take it to a higher level with Congressman/Ombudsman/etc.
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That is the problem. We can not find this policy about free I-551 stamp on USCIS websites and all we have from M-476 is that persons who filed more than 6 month before GC expiration do not need to renew the GC.

Taking it to a higher level does not help imminent problems like
renewing GC, filling I-9 form, and travel etc. My bottom line is one
sometimes need to give teh worst case a littl ethought and prepare for it
if it does not cost significently and in my opinion $300 for GC renewal
is acceptabel cost. As we discuss in "why become citizens", even citizenship
is for some kind of insuirance, otherwise one waste $ 675 too. Those
who seek sentimental values can despise those of us who care about
mundane practical interests but the later category of people are
nothing wrong.

I don't meant the OP in this thread should get GC reneal in his case,
his journey is pretty close to a happy ending but for those who file
N400 7-12 month before their GC rexpiration I still recommend tehy renew
their GC unless if they have already reached the interview result "recommended for
approvale" level
 
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WBH said:
That is the problem. We can not find this policy about free I-551 stamp on USCIS websites and all we have from M-476 is that persons who filed more than 6 month before GC expiration do not need to renew the GC.
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What is your point? You think the OP should apply for renewal before even attempting to get the stamp for free?

Of course there will always be the possibility of ignorant USCIS staff who screw things up. But it doesn't make sense to spend hundreds of dollars from now because of that possibility. Go for the free stamping, and then if it fails decide on some other course of action.
 
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HELLO AGAIN!

So today was my infopass appt. I went to New Orleans since it was a short 2.5 hours drive instead of Altanta (6 hours, where my case is being handled)...I went to a window to a really nice lady, as soon as she saw my Alabama License she asked why was I going there instead of ATL, I said well "I'm really looking for the extension stamp while my case is being processed since I applied within the time before my GC expires" She said: Ok I will take you today but your DO office is ATL. Then she took my Receipt with the 7/31 date when I applied for citiezenship then asked for if I had my passport, then that was the problem UGH, she said I need a VALID passport to get the stamp. I said to her that for my country it takes 3 months to get a passport (Cuba) and of course she did not care for that comment. She then send me to another gentleman who also asked me the sames questions then to him I mentioned that I was told there is a FORM that with the 2 pics I can get from them but he said they STOPPED doing that because I guess people were making fake ones so that's not done anymore. Ok so he told me he was going to send a message to Atlanta to expedite my process, he took all my info then typed away all kinds of information and then at the end told he wrote on there that "I came looking for a stamp because my GC is about to exprire and I need the case to be done as soon as possible" something along those lines....

So now I really don't know what to do, I don't have a valid passport, my DL expires 2/7/2010 and I don't know how long would the renewal take if that is my choice what do I do with driving and work while waiting for it. Any advice?

Thanksssssssssssss =)
 
Mimi1212 said:
I said to her that for my country it takes 3 months to get a passport (Cuba) and of course she did not care for that comment.
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Does CUba still have diplomatic ties with USA so they have embassy/consulates in USA? or you need to send application
back to CUba to get a passport?
 
They have a consulate in Washington DC, but the passports are made/handled in Cuba so they have to go there for that etc.
 
Mimi1212 said:
They have a consulate in Washington DC, but the passports are made/handled in Cuba so they have to go there for that etc.
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So there is no such thing as placing a extension sticker on the expired GC? I heard it when doing FP at ASC. I overheard a USCIS staff explaining to
a person who was apparently there for a GC renewal, The USCIS sai dsomething like "You have this sticker foir extension befoire your get your
new card".
 
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Not in the case of while waiting for citizenship, I think that is done when waiting for GC renewal. So I'm assuming I can get one once I go for my fingerprinting for my GC renewal.

The stamp is done on a VALID PASSPORT, I guess in a case like mine while waiting for citizenship.
 
Mimi1212 said:
Not in the case of while waiting for citizenship, I think that is done when waiting for GC renewal. So I'm assuming I can get one once I go for my fingerprinting for my GC renewal.

The stamp is done on a VALID PASSPORT, I guess in a case like mine while waiting for citizenship.
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Is there a ASC close to where you live? Maybe you can bring the same stuff for infopass to do a walk-in with an ASC.
I know this is not likely to work so I say you can try it only when an ASC is very close.
 
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