Re-entry through Newark Airport: experience

V

vdostoi1

Volunteer Moderator
I wanted to share what happened to me today in Newark when I was reentering. I was coming back from Germany and I presented my GC and RTD when I arrived. The officer asked: "What is the reason I don't have a NP" I said that I thought asylees cannot have a NP and he proceeded to question me how I acquired asylum. I proceeded to explain. He put my paperwork in a clear envelope, typed something into his computer and send me to secondary inspection. The inspector there called me after about 10 minutes and gave me back my documents, stamped my RTD and said that I am all set. I asked him what was the issue. He said the first inspector made a mistake and should not have sent me to secondary inspection.

I proceeded to ask how in the world do I determine whether to use a NP or RTD. His exact response: "It is BETTER to use NP instead of RTD but you can use either one. Better yet, have both"

So whatever you make of this I don't know. I guess like folks said before, they become suspicious if you don't present your NP...
 
These front line I/O don't seem to even know how to handle asylum based GC's and how Gc holder is allowed to use RTD. It seems like you invite yourself trouble by telling them that you once applied for asylum and have a GC that way.
 
Lazerthegreat said:
These front line I/O don't seem to even know how to handle asylum based GC's and how Gc holder is allowed to use RTD. It seems like you invite yourself trouble by telling them that you once applied for asylum and have a GC that way.
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When I entered through JFK last time with GC IO knew everything he needed to and after couple of COP/renewing NP questions stamped my RTD. But unfortunately not only in airports but in other USCIS offices there many officers who don't know what they are doing.

Generally GC holder is not suppose to go through secondary inspection under normal circumstances.
 
ayyubov said:
When I entered through JFK last time with GC IO knew everything he needed to and after couple of COP/renewing NP questions stamped my RTD. But unfortunately not only in airports but in other USCIS offices there many officers who don't know what they are doing.

Generally GC holder is not suppose to go through secondary inspection under normal circumstances.
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My point is that in your case, I/O's memory might be refreshed when you presented RTD in front of him that "oh asylees are not supposed to get NP and go back to COP" but had you presented him with NP, he might not have realized the code AS6 on your Gc and let you go. But obviously this is just an assumption.
 
Lazerthegreat said:
My point is that in your case, I/O's memory might be refreshed when you presented RTD in front of him that "oh asylees are not supposed to get NP and go back to COP" but had you presented him with NP, he might not have realized the code AS6 on your Gc and let you go. But obviously this is just an assumption.
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I gave him RTD and GC and he started with the questions after scanning the RTD. First he asked why I don't have NP and I told him why. He agreed with me confirming that the reason for his question was to check me. Then he asked me about going back to COP. and that was it.
 
According to my unscientific observations on this forum, most people who have trouble while they reentered the U.S. are those who carry RTD; those who use NP and GC obviously have no problem with IO. Maybe that is the way how the procedure setup, RTD=check refuge/asylum history, NP, COP, etc. NP+GC= treated like normal GC.
 
amtbooks said:
According to my unscientific observations on this forum, most people who have trouble while they reentered the U.S. are those who carry RTD; those who use NP and GC obviously have no problem with IO. Maybe that is the way how the procedure setup, RTD=check refuge/asylum history, NP, COP, etc. NP+GC= treated like normal GC.
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It's because most of IO's who do the passport control for GC holders are not familiar with asylee/GC combination. I agree that having NP with GC will make it easier to pass through but will it complicate anything later??
 
ayyubov said:
It's because most of IO's who do the passport control for GC holders are not familiar with asylee/GC combination. I agree that having NP with GC will make it easier to pass through but will it complicate anything later??
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I contacted Greg Siskind about this (www.visalaw.com) and he replied with the following statement...

"I would use the RTD and have a passport so the border officer can see where you have gone. You can present both at the same time."



Regards,

Greg Siskind

Gregory Siskind, Attorney at Law
Siskind Susser Bland - Immigration Lawyers
Telephone: 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455
Fax: 800-684-1267 or 901-339-9604

Email: gsiskind@visalaw.com
Web: www.visalaw.com
 
Greg might be right from a legal stand point, however, from a practical stand point, it alwasy raises red flag when you are travelling with more than one document.

vdostoi1 said:
I contacted Greg Siskind about this (www.visalaw.com) and he replied with the following statement...

"I would use the RTD and have a passport so the border officer can see where you have gone. You can present both at the same time."



Regards,

Greg Siskind

Gregory Siskind, Attorney at Law
Siskind Susser Bland - Immigration Lawyers
Telephone: 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455
Fax: 800-684-1267 or 901-339-9604

Email: gsiskind@visalaw.com
Web: www.visalaw.com
Click to expand...
 
vdostoi1 said:
I contacted Greg Siskind about this (www.visalaw.com) and he replied with the following statement...

"I would use the RTD and have a passport so the border officer can see where you have gone. You can present both at the same time."



Regards,

Greg Siskind

Gregory Siskind, Attorney at Law
Siskind Susser Bland - Immigration Lawyers
Telephone: 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455
Fax: 800-684-1267 or 901-339-9604

Email: gsiskind@visalaw.com
Web: www.visalaw.com
Click to expand...


I did that twice with my original NP and showed both documents at the border. Never had any problems (I did not have GC at that time). After NP expired I only used RTD and again never had any problems.
 
vdostoi1 said:
I contacted Greg Siskind about this (www.visalaw.com) and he replied with the following statement...

"I would use the RTD and have a passport so the border officer can see where you have gone. You can present both at the same time."



Regards,

Greg Siskind

Gregory Siskind, Attorney at Law
Siskind Susser Bland - Immigration Lawyers
Telephone: 800-748-3819 or 901-682-6455
Fax: 800-684-1267 or 901-339-9604

Email: gsiskind@visalaw.com
Web: www.visalaw.com
Click to expand...

Per International law (and thankful can correct me), a defintion of RTD means that you are refugee and cannot afford protection from your home country. Hence, you cannot carry a RTD & a NP at a same time. Its contradicting.

The lawyer is wrong. Do not show NP if you have RTD. Showing a RTD if you have RP(not renewed) is ok though.
 
vdostoi1 said:
I wanted to share what happened to me today in Newark when I was reentering. I was coming back from Germany and I presented my GC and RTD when I arrived. The officer asked: "What is the reason I don't have a NP" I said that I thought asylees cannot have a NP and he proceeded to question me how I acquired asylum. I proceeded to explain. He put my paperwork in a clear envelope, typed something into his computer and send me to secondary inspection. The inspector there called me after about 10 minutes and gave me back my documents, stamped my RTD and said that I am all set. I asked him what was the issue. He said the first inspector made a mistake and should not have sent me to secondary inspection.

I proceeded to ask how in the world do I determine whether to use a NP or RTD. His exact response: "It is BETTER to use NP instead of RTD but you can use either one. Better yet, have both"

So whatever you make of this I don't know. I guess like folks said before, they become suspicious if you don't present your NP...
Click to expand...

I came through JFK in April, I presented my GC, the officer took it and asked me if i have a passport, I gave him my Re-entry permit, he glanced at it, and asked (while he was scanning my GC though the machine) how long have I been outside the US, I told him, he gave me back my docs, and wished me a nice day.

Total time: Less than 3 minutes!
 
bringslite said:
I came through JFK in April, I presented my GC, the officer took it and asked me if i have a passport, I gave him my Re-entry permit, he glanced at it, and asked (while he was scanning my GC though the machine) how long have I been outside the US, I told him, he gave me back my docs, and wished me a nice day.

Total time: Less than 3 minutes!
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Where were you coming from?
 
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