No I-94 and date stamp issued at POE while coming back from Canada..please advice

[secure48]

Hi, can some please help me out on this?

At POE, the officer didn't issue me new I-94 nor a date stamp...instead he said I am all set as my I-797 has I-94 attached. I entered US by road.

I went to Canada for H1b stamping.

I am just curious now, how this will effect my status in US and if so is there any way I can correct this?

Any help or advice is appreciated.

Thanks

[pontevecchio]

Did you have the I94 issued the last time you entered the USA and if so when does that expire as also the approved H1 petition?

[secure48]

Yes, I94 was issued last time..it was 3 1/2 years ago.

The I94 attched to my I-797 and my previous I-94(White card) has the same number.

Note: My I-797 is valid for more 2 years.

[pontevecchio]

You should call the local CBP and make an appointment to go and get an I94 issued. Be cool and specific. If necessary ask politely to speak to a supervisor. Of course if a Lawyer is on board talk to her first.

[designflaw]

I had the same thing happen to me and I used automatic revalidation rule. Per the immigration officer at POE, they are now using a new system and do not need to issue a I94 as there is one attached to the I797 application. We also did not get our entry date stamped on our passports.

[secure48]

@pontevecchio and designflaw - First of all thanks for the advices.

As per your suggestions and my company attorney advice - I went to the local CBP office and got a new I-94 issued along with a entry date stamp.

The immigration officer mentioned that its a mistake and @ POE they are suppose to issue a new I-94 but they can let us in with the I-94 attached to our I-797 as my stay in canada was very small.

Note: In a month or couple months - they are going paperless on I-94 but till then it's a paper based.