Out of US for 3 yrs but still received Green Card !

[unixpal]

I left US in 2008 and at that time my AOS application was pending with IRS. I had completed my fingerprinting, etc before I left US.

I have been living in India for last 3 yrs, but was informed yesterday by my friend in US (whose address I was using to receive mail from IRS) that my Green Card has arrived in mail.

Can I use this Green Card for travelling to & work in US ? Would the immigration officer in US allow me to enter US even though I have been out of US for last 3 yrs ?

Thanks !

Ravinder

[pontevecchio]

That would be foolish. Talk to the firm of Murthy in Chennai about the matter.

[t75]

Assuming that yours is an employment based GC, what is your relationship with your GC employer sponsor? A GC is for living and working in the US and not a substitute for a visit or guest work visa.

[vnellai]

Did you consult a lawyer? Are you planning to go to US with your new GC? Please update.

My instinct says you might be allowed to enter because having physical GC in hand gives you lot of + when you enter. And after my analysis of POE procedures by CBP, looks like there would be an issue only if you overstay outside US since the "Resident Since" stay.

Also, looks like CBP doesn't have accurate records of all the past departures & entries due to the inefficiencies in thir database systems like NIIS, APIS, etc which actually store the travel records.

[shbandar]

Not sure how far its true, but I have header its strongly advised not to mail your original card, try to get it in person, and usually if you are outside US when your GC is approved, i think you are safe to enter US as long as you have a valid AP.

[tpankaj99]

I heard that Lawful Permanent Residents who stay outside of the U.S. for 6 months or more at a time are risking losing their I-551 Green Card (Lawful Permanent Residence) to airport immigration officials when they try to re-enter America.

However, if a loved one is very ill and needs help, sometimes there is no way to avoid being outside the U.S. for an extended period of time. One way to help prevent the loss of Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status due to an extended trip abroad is to apply for a special two year I-131 â€Re-Entry Permit†before leaving the U.S.