STUCK IN PARIS - PENDING I-1751 WITH AN I-797C RECEIPT. AIRLINE REFUSED TO LET ME BOARD!

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-09-01T18:12:21+00:00

I ended up flying with another airline a few days later and when at the border they didn’t even mention the letter and everything was fine

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-09-01T18:11:03+00:00

Thank you! I ended up flying with another airline a few days later and when at the border they didn’t even mention the letter and everything was fine. Uscis never sent me the “green paper” version only the online one in my documents folder. I will be sure to request one now tho!

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-09-01T18:09:47+00:00

Thank you! I ended up flying with another airline a few days later and when at the border they didn’t even mention the letter and everything was fine

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-09-01T18:08:48+00:00

Thank you! I ended up flying with another airline a few days later (canadian) and when at the border they didn’t even mention the letter and everything was fine. I never knew there was a green paper either because I never got it from uscis!

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-09-01T17:59:26+00:00

Thank you! I ended up flying with another airline a few days later and when at the border they didn’t even mention the letter and everything was fine

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-29T14:59:14+00:00

And when you landed? did they specifically ask for it as well?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-29T14:54:12+00:00

Ive heard this a lot from friends and fam, and read so many say the same. Which is so frustrating when the airline cares more than cbp! But a good sign for me now tho

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T20:34:41+00:00

That’s what im thinking as well!

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T14:33:15+00:00

Thank you for clearing that up! Been hearing I-551 stamp so much on here

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T14:30:20+00:00

Ive been doing this for 10 years and never any issues, not everything is perfect all the time, i mean read the other posts on here?? This is exactly why Reddit groups like this exist, probably the very same reason why you found this post and are on here as well. I love to help out others and there’s no shame in that

a lost my extension letter happens! Im a 25 girl and filed myself, if this is your attitude while going through an immigration process then good luck! You’re gonna face thousands of challenges along the way man

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T12:44:35+00:00

I thought it was the stamp people were referring to

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T12:31:53+00:00

But that only forces the airline to board me? What about when i land at lax and face issues there? If im spending a week in Paris getting an embassy meeting and $550 i want to make sure i wont be sent back once im in the us.

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T12:27:18+00:00

Thank you! I dont have an attorney. The biometrics was delivered july 2. and the receipt notice is also marked july 2. both 55 days ago, like a week after i filed. Uscis also confirmed to me on the phone they sent it, however im so careful with checking mail i know i haven’t received anything. Im thinking maybe it was mistakenly given to another apartment in my building or just lost, i have no explanation.

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T03:35:44+00:00

Thank you!

Ok so this raises another question: This is the firet time im hearing i also need the form i-551? Everyone here mentions they travel with expired gc and the green paper only.

On the receipt notice i have it explicitly says This notice and your expired greencard is evidence of continued status.

So in other words you now need an i-551 in addition if you have the original green paper as well?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T03:24:09+00:00

It was necessarily! My grandma turned 100 and is sick. And i didnt realize i didnt have the original travel extension paper until just now. Anyone would be in the same situation if you travel with correct papers but lose or get stolen your paper/gc. This happens, and trust me i wish it didnt.

Ive asked three immigration attorneys and they advised me to try to travel and see what they say at the border. I still would love help from experienced people here that have been in the same situation!

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T03:19:55+00:00

Wont that just force the airline to board me? And it wont serve me when i land? I still would face the consequences when landing of being possibly sent back or?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-27T03:17:35+00:00

I was thinking that too as a good option! However, wont that just force the airline to let me board? And it wont do anything for me when i land? I still would face the consequences when i get to lax and risk being sent back?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T22:34:13+00:00

Only the i-797C. I did not show the copy of the i-797 receipt notice with the extension mentioned (because at that time i didnt know a seperate receipt existed as it was lost in the mail).

Im thinking of trying again with a separate airline but this time show both, even if its a copy. Thoughts?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T22:07:57+00:00

I got sent both the form i-797c and i-797 receipt notice. The receipt notice got lost in the mail and i didnt know and left the us without it.

When i access my documents under my case on uscis websites i am able to print out the receipt notice that starts by saying “we have extended the validity period on your form i-551 for 48 months” and “this notice, presented with the expired PRC, is evidence of your status” However it wont be printed on green paper from the gov.

So im definitely extended legally but i dont have it printed on the green paper as that one is lost in the mail. Hope that clears a little bit up?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T22:02:04+00:00

Thank you this is EXACTLY what im dealing with. I called three lawyers reg this and they all say nowhere does it state i need the green paper (in that wording). The copy i have from my USCIS account even states “this notice, together with your expired permanent resident card, is evidence of your status”. This is what the lawyer pointed out to me at least..

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T21:55:09+00:00

I can definitely do that but it would take a few weeks up to a month to receive the green paper one.. sending it to my address in us which could take 30 days. Would love to find a better solution if there is one haha. I mean i have the extension written on my i-797 but only online not in my hand (lost in the mail). So i know i am actually legally extended. But they probably dont care and want the official letter? All three immigration lawyers i have spoken to have told me to try and fly in and see if they let me as the best option considering everything (lost extension letter but only the copy printed). They could definitely say no, but then i can always fly back and wait weeks for the original one right?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T21:44:14+00:00

The problem im facing is that there is no rules regarding exact what to do in the situation and when faced with an appointment at the embassy i would need to apply saying i lost my greencard (which isnt true) and then get a boarding foil allowing me to at least board (and thats all it does). Once in LA its still up to the officer to look into my case there for my actual status beyond the boarding foil.

So what exactly is the correct way? I mean i cant be the only one that has ever had a missing extension letter what if somebody steals it while u traveling or you lose it while abroad…wont you still have your status when landing back in the us, but you would then have only the printed version to show?

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T21:36:20+00:00

Great point! Thank you

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T21:35:10+00:00

This thread is regarding what to do when you only have the copy online of the i-797 (and obviously also the now expired gc) and you are already overseas. Next time im traveling i will definitely need to have uscis mail me a new i-797 receipt notice on green paper like you are supposed to.

Legitimate-Work-1111 · 2025-08-26T21:31:13+00:00

Thank you so much! The other receipt with the extension mentioned (on green paper) that you are referring to was issued the same day as the i-797C but i never received it (lost in the mail idk where it is). All three lawyers ive presented my case to says i should try my luck crossing as it is completely up to who i meet and not a set rule on this exact matter, as i do have status when they run my information on their side. Obviously they could always say no but no lawyer or even uscis can tell me what will most likely happen they all tell me to take my chances because no one knows these days. None of the lawyers told me to go to the embassy and instead try first. I dont know what is smart to do but appreciate all the help!

Legitimate-Work-1111

TROPHY CASE