British Expatriate Network

About 2 months after receiving my green card, I lost it. Went through the process and got a replacement, which is what I use. I found the original one about a year later, and destroyed it.

No problems coming and going until last week returning from the Bahamas. Clearing customs in Wilmington Airport, NC, we came across the classic bullying, self satisfied team of immigration guys. They fussed and pharted on about my lost greencard, building up their own self importance, and delaying us.

Have just spoken with USCIS directly, who say that there is no requirement to notify if a lost green card is found..

Anyone out there any the wiser? I am planning on photocopying all my paperwork and carrying that with me on any international trip in the future.

And if I were you guys, I'd avoid clearing customs at Wilmington Airport, NC... Ever.. evil

I would have just burned the old card, and not said anything.
By all means, carry your backup paperwork although they will still make a fuss if they feel that way inclined.
How long have they gone international from Wilmington NC? I used to fly in there from PHL, when we were doing shutdown work on Brunswick Nuclear Power Plant.

sorry about your problem beurocracy can be a real P.I T. A .
i learnt a long time ago these rules for dealing with them .

.. dont tell them anything they dont ask .

only answer in yes and no if possible any more then 3 words usally confuses them.

they are only trained to react to certain answers to set questions . .dont try to help , or work with them ,or believe they are in the same intellectual plane as you .

these RULES may not in some instances iradicate your frustration but they wont make it any worse.

I had similar problems a couple years ago at Boston Logan. My 3 year temporary card got replaced with the 10 year one, as per the rules.
When I came through Logan ICE gave me grief because I had a replacement and demanded to know where the old one was.

I wouldn't recomend this as an approach, but I eventually told them to either deport me or let me go on my way... they chose the latter.