Parents Green Card Application - Interview Waived - Can they leave before GC arrives?

[chickenegg]

I am a US Citizen. I applied for my parents' GC almost a year ago.

It has been a long journey, however, about a month ago, we received a letter stating that Interview will not be required and we will received green cards after processing is complete. That was 1-2 months ago and we have not received the green cards or any other letter.

The problem is my parents need to travel outside the US for an emergency and cannot wait any longer. They do not have an Advance Parole and applying for one will take too long.

If they travel outside the US, will there be a problem leaving the US or returning back? I am thinking once the green cards arrive at my address, I can travel to their foreign location myself and hand the GCs to them and they will be able to return. What do you think?

[rayb]

Chicken,

Nobody needs a Green Card to leave the U.S.

But they will need those cards to get back in, or I-551 stamp. or other type of reentry document.

You should schedule an INFOPASS appointment and ask for an I-551 stamp (if the staff person can find a record of the Green Card issuance). If USCIS is unable to provide a temporary status I-551 stamp, then request processing of an emergnecy Advance parole.

--Ray B

I am a US Citizen. I applied for my parents' GC almost a year ago.

It has been a long journey, however, about a month ago, we received a letter stating that Interview will not be required and we will received green cards after processing is complete. That was 1-2 months ago and we have not received the green cards or any other letter.

The problem is my parents need to travel outside the US for an emergency and cannot wait any longer. They do not have an Advance Parole and applying for one will take too long.

If they travel outside the US, will there be a problem leaving the US or returning back? I am thinking once the green cards arrive at my address, I can travel to their foreign location myself and hand the GCs to them and they will be able to return. What do you think?

[chickenegg]

Chicken,

Nobody needs a Green Card to leave the U.S.

But they will need those cards to get back in, or I-551 stamp. or other type of reentry document.
....
--Ray B

Ray,

They do not need to come back anytime soon. They can wait until the green cards arrive by mail at the US address. Once they do, I will go to their foreign location and hand them the green cards.
Can't they come back with those green cards? or, will the immigration officer somehow know they left without green cards in hand and create problems at entry?

[rayb]

They can get back in if they have their Green Cards. USCIS has no way of knowing that they left without the cards.

--Ray B

Ray,

They do not need to come back anytime soon. They can wait until the green cards arrive by mail at the US address. Once they do, I will go to their foreign location and hand them the green cards.
Can't they come back with those green cards? or, will the immigration officer somehow know they left without green cards in hand and create problems at entry?