Dlenski,

Thanks for the excellent reply!

Coming back into CA is no problem as I am a dual national and have a CA passport. It's only the American entry I'm worried about. I'm flying to the States, so I don't think I have much leeway to argue with someone at a check-in counter.

Thanks to your input and other Googling, I'm afraid I'm going to have to make the trip to the consulate in Van and put up with the hassles. I guess I'll have to figure out something else to do in Van to make the trip worthwhile.

Thanks again for your input!