On browsing Ms. Murthy\'s website I came across an interesting article regarding POE (Point Of Entry)procedures (specifically at the Dulles Intl Airport POE, but could also apply to other POEs), for Permanent Residents traveling on just the I-551 stamp. Below is the excerpt from the whole page:
BEGIN QUOTE
"Permanent Residents
One item of particular interest is that permanent residents who are traveling on the I-551 stamp (temporary evidence of green card given before the plastic card is issued) will be automatically subjected to secondary inspection. They will not be quickly processed through the line. This is a significant departure from the prior practice of many years when individuals could travel on the stamp in the same manner as persons with the plastic card. The stamp is the "functional equivalent" of the plastic card and is valid evidence of permanent residence. It is a valid reentry document, in combination with a valid passport. Presumably, the secondary inspection would provide the POE officers with additional time to determine whether the stamp is legitimate or a forgery.
As a bit of good news, permanent residents who have with them the actual "plastic" I-551 card or green card can use the U.S. citizen line at Dulles and JFK airports in Virginia and New York, respectively. This is apparently also the case at a few other POEs, although it is not mentioned anywhere in writing on the boards."
END QUOTE
For POE procedures reg. travel on other visa categories you can check out the whole page on her site at this url: http://www.murthy.com/UDpoedia.html
Here are my questions:
Has anyone who has recently traveled on just the I-551 stamp have to go through such secondary inspection at the LA/SF airports in CA? and if so, what actually happens at the POE and how much additional time does it take? Do they take you to another room? Any additonal documents required? etc. etc. etc.
Your replies/experiences will be very helpful. Thanks a lot...
BEGIN QUOTE
"Permanent Residents
One item of particular interest is that permanent residents who are traveling on the I-551 stamp (temporary evidence of green card given before the plastic card is issued) will be automatically subjected to secondary inspection. They will not be quickly processed through the line. This is a significant departure from the prior practice of many years when individuals could travel on the stamp in the same manner as persons with the plastic card. The stamp is the "functional equivalent" of the plastic card and is valid evidence of permanent residence. It is a valid reentry document, in combination with a valid passport. Presumably, the secondary inspection would provide the POE officers with additional time to determine whether the stamp is legitimate or a forgery.
As a bit of good news, permanent residents who have with them the actual "plastic" I-551 card or green card can use the U.S. citizen line at Dulles and JFK airports in Virginia and New York, respectively. This is apparently also the case at a few other POEs, although it is not mentioned anywhere in writing on the boards."
END QUOTE
For POE procedures reg. travel on other visa categories you can check out the whole page on her site at this url: http://www.murthy.com/UDpoedia.html
Here are my questions:
Has anyone who has recently traveled on just the I-551 stamp have to go through such secondary inspection at the LA/SF airports in CA? and if so, what actually happens at the POE and how much additional time does it take? Do they take you to another room? Any additonal documents required? etc. etc. etc.
Your replies/experiences will be very helpful. Thanks a lot...
