Strange TN case. Many thanks to the officer in Houston airport

V

vkazman

Registered Users (C)
Hello All,

I was very upset this January after I returned from my Nicaragua vacation. Border Officer in Houston Airport looked at my TN visa I got last May for 3 years duration (thank you all for the help in this forum for advising me) and told me that he does not know anything about 3 years TN. He is aware that TN should be renewed every one year. He asked me to fill another I94. He put admission stamp on it and the new renewal date of May 2010 (1 year from the time I got my TN). He put the same stamp and date on one of the passport pages as well. He did not took away my previous TN (3 years duration). He even did not unsteppled it from the passport. I have no idea if he did any changes in the computer or not.
He mentioned also that I was not given some kind of number when I received my 3 years old TN, although I can see 5 digits number on I94 underneath the word "TN".
My 3 years TN I got in May 2009 in Buffalo, Peace Bridge.

My guess is that I have to go to Buffalo before my first year expires in May and have my TN package ready in case if I really have to apply again.
Do you have any other suggestions that can make me sleep at night better and save me from unnecessary and nervous trip to the border? Does it make sense to call to the POE in Buffalo or to write a letter to the Vermont office with explanation of what happened?

Thank you,
Vad
 
Unfortunately, that last valid action on your status is indeed the I-94 that expires in May. You will need to go back to the border and get a new I-94 (baqsed on the original one you have), for the remainder of your 3-year period.

This illustrates the problems entering US at a non-CDn entry point. You DID have a "number" it was the full I-94 number mechanically printed on the I-94. That should have been sufficient for entry, without any other evidence, and certainly with no new I-94 issued.

You could apply for secondary adjudication, but this is cumbersome and time consuming. Simpler just to re-enter at the physical border, and insist on remaindr of TN.
 
Thank you, Nelsona,

You think there is a chance that I do not need to reapply for the visa at the border? I just have to insist to get a remaining period back, right?
It is really pity that such thinks happend. Central America my favorite destination for vacation and often there is no direct flights or yhey are more expensive. You think there is no way to deal with this situation at the airports like Houston? maybe to ask an officer at Canadian POE to write a letter that I can show at other POE? This sounds a bit stupid. It probably will take couple of years after all POE learn new rules.

Regards,
Vad
 
You should not have to re-apply; your original TN petition was for 3 years. Your only problem is that the current I-94 you have is for a shorter period.

There is no point getting any letters. Merely hand back the May 2010 I-94 to the Cdn officer when you leave, and re-enter using the old I-94 that was issued, and fortunately you still have. Otherwise, use the number from that I-94 to have your next I-94 issued.
 
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