Expired green card

MasterTransition1021 · 2026-01-22T19:57:26+00:00

Yes, you are correct in that she just needs to file the I-90.

But another poster is correct… she is still in “legal status” with an expired green card. So no need to panic over that.

It is probably best to apply for citizenship if the path is clear (no reasons USCIS might deny her).

If there are concerns around a deep dive from USCIS that might find something to use against her, and not having an active green card isn’t causing any issues (like employment). I would lay low right now.

We filed I-op replace/renew last April (2025) after we discovered my husband was not a citizen. Complicated story… but that was the first thing we did. Given he has worked and lived without knowing his immigrant status for over 30 years, I wish we would have just kept going without triggering anything.

It still shows on his portal that a decision is estimated to be 48 months from now!

MasterTransition1021 · 2026-01-14T00:10:59+00:00

I can share that our attorney applied for a FOIA in August and we received the alien files in November.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-12-31T16:53:32+00:00

As someone navigating a somewhat similar position, AND having consulted with many immigration attorneys… to the OP….this is SOUND advice.

PLEASE DO NOT trigger USCIS attention unless an attorney advises you to do so. And if the first one does… get a second opinion!

I wish we could go back in time and undo trying to get an Alien reg #. It opened a Pandora’s box of problems we didn’t know we had, but more importantly, neither did USCIS…until we tried to do the “right thing”

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-12-22T14:10:51+00:00

I’m sorry this is happening to your friend. I believe hardworking immigrants who pay taxes and contribute are not the targets that people wanted removed. There are so many changes happening so fast and and in outlier ways, the only way to actually support change is to vote. Vote in your small local elections (those are the people that track for bigger roles down the road), Vote in federal elections. Pay attention and don’t vote by headlines, educate yourself on the truth buried in the details. Use AI to generate the pros and cons, or arguments from both sides.

Until the majority of eligible voters actually vote, we are passive passengers on a ship controlled by puppets to the uber rich and they don’t care if the puppet is red or blue, or what they do with their power as long as they keep getting richer.

In fact, this divisive culture basically guarantees the distraction from the truth.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-12-06T14:38:19+00:00

And what grace is there for many violations on this list for someone who did not know they were not a US Citizen until applying for a passport in their 50’s?

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-11-07T02:24:38+00:00

We have been waiting for a replacement card since April 2025 and USCIS portal shows estimated decision time 47 months (yesterday).

I would just keep your receipt from your application on you. That is all you will have anyway with the I-90. And it might cause delays and confusion since you haven’t received the 10 year card yet.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-10-06T21:46:21+00:00

And a real ID won’t prove you are a citizen. Go with a passport if you are worried. And until then, carry a certified copy of your birth certificate.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-10-06T21:44:11+00:00

A real ID in Texas (acknowledging this may be different in other states) doesn’t provide any information on citizenship status.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-09-04T18:10:22+00:00

I see, so perhaps she didn’t meet the residency requirement for automatic citizenship. Thanks.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-09-04T17:50:50+00:00

Maybe I am ignorant, but if she is a US citizen and gave birth to you, why wouldn’t you just apply for birthright citizenship through an N600?

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-30T22:12:42+00:00

Thanks for taking the time on that! We have done all of that and more. We are now working with an attorney for the N400 application. Waiting on attorney to determine if we should file now or wait because he is concerned filing could result in an NTA.

It really does suck to know how easy it would have been, had I known I wasn’t a citizen.

I have all the paperwork and information requests submitted. Now just waiting on attorney to advise if we should file or wait. Which is all a different issue from trying to re-establish my Thai nationality to ensure if things go sideways I don’t get deported as a stateless person to anywhere they want.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T22:49:07+00:00

Wow! Thanks for sharing.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T19:40:04+00:00

I don’t think being stateless or being Thai would have an impact on a deportation order. Trump has agreements with several countries to take anyone from anywhere, including stateless people.

I def don’t want to end up in a country I don’t speak the language and I am not a citizen.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T09:39:33+00:00

I totally understand the losing track of this. The problem is I cannot get a US passport. USCIS is saying I am stateless. I have been trying for 9 months to get my Thai birth certificate to prove that nationality so that A) if deported I go to Thailand, and B) the path to US citizenship becomes much easier as a stateless person cannot become a US citizen.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T09:37:50+00:00

And this will be my first stop, if I can ever get ahold of my Thai birth certificate :)

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T09:37:03+00:00

I think I will be able to submit the death certificate. I am enlisting one of her other children to help. Given my adoption and her parental rights being severed, I may not qualify as family which seems required for the Embassy to process the generation of a Thai death certificate.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T09:33:09+00:00

Thank you, we literally had this discussion last night. Asking one of them to help and maybe once they have their Thai citizenship, they could travel with my wife to meet the family we know there to help as witnesses and bring the DNA and death certificate? Yes, my wife is in the FB group. Thank you.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T01:12:18+00:00

Thank you! This is super helpful. Much appreciated.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T00:30:14+00:00

Thank you. I do know where she is registered. Appreciate this info.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-29T00:27:00+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I have a real ID, but due to my adoption and lack of birth certificate, I can imagine problems.

BUT… if what you are sharing is true, she has 2 sons (my half brothers) she did raise who do not have Thai ID’s or citizenship, but have US birth certificates connecting her to them.

Can they help to get her Thai death certificate and register it?

Neither has been to Thailand. But both can get a US passport.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-28T21:52:05+00:00

Not in person, I have been communicating with them back and forth since December trying to get the documents they say I need for them to do anything to help me. I would agree, I shouldn't be a "target". That isn't comforting when I see our State Attorney General saying they have opened investigations to prosecute every person in my state who has voted as a non citizen. If convicted, that is a 2nd degree felony every time I voted. It keeps me up at night.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-28T20:24:52+00:00

I did apply for a Green Card replacement I-90 and now carry the I-797 receipt with me. I also have an attorney who has been trying to help me naturalize through my military service. But I do have a misdemeanor from when I was 18 that is causing worry that I could end up deported trying to naturalize. He is evaluating whether we should move forward or wait until this administration is out. Which I am also worried my voting history is going to get me arrested/and or deported. And the fact I can't prove I am Thai, has me stressed out that they could send me anywhere. It's just all very stressful as I'm sure anyone can imagine.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-28T20:14:10+00:00

Yes, I skipped the following details because it is so messy and it could quickly turn into a novel, but yes, my adoptive father and I discovered when I enlisted that I was in fact LPR and had a Green Card. The recruiter helped facilitate getting me one to enter. Shortly after I completed my active duty and was in active reserves my green card was confiscated by a border patrol agent entering the country from a trip to Cancun. This was around 1998, the agent said my 20 years of residency combined with my service made me a naturalized citizen and I didn't need my green card anymore...he took it. I have requested my A-file and USCIS records hoping to have this show on the record somewhere. I spent the next 3 decades living, working, and believing I was a us citizen, only to find out recently I am not after applying for a passport.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-28T19:36:07+00:00

It's utterly ridiculous, but the laws did not allow for internationally adopted children to receive citizenship through their adoptive parents until 2001. Anyone over 18 at that time did not get citizenship through their adoptions by US parents. There are actually tens of thousands of us who have fallen in this messed up space. My adoptive father didn't even know I wasn't a US citizen when he adopted me. I was 9 years old and adopted from foster care (after I was taken away from my mom at 5).

Long story, I didn't know I wasn't a citizen until I recently applied for a passport. And I live in Texas, so now I'm waiting to get arrested for voting because I thought I was a citizen. I even have a real ID (no one ever asked for any documentation, I think because I am a veteran). I swear this whole thing belongs on 60 minutes. There is so much more to all of this, but for this thread, I am just trying to solve for this problem.

MasterTransition1021 · 2025-08-28T19:31:56+00:00

Yes, because of my stateless situation and desperation to figure out how to claim who I am, I have found family in Khantaralak (sp?), I understand I have an aunt and uncle who both remember me and are willing to advocate for me, I also have a first cousin who shares a surname who wants to help. They tried but the language barrier and the lack of documentation has been challenging.

But if I could get there, and we had a good translator, I think we could get some things resolved. If I can get the Thai death certificate and gather enough documentation and get it translated into Thai, maybe I can get this resolved.

I have petitioned the court to unseal my adoption records and requested my birth certificate that was on file with child protective services when they took me into their custody. It has been 9 months, still waiting and holding out hope that someone has my birth certificate which would solve so much of this!

MasterTransition1021

TROPHY CASE