New Passport Question
 

Hey Guys

Great forum with lots of good information!

I just got a new passport {issued by my embassy in the US from a VWP country} and am a permanent resident here in the US.


I will be flying domestically in the US in a few weeks and was wondering if using my new passport would be an issue due to the fact that it is shinny new and has zero stamps or visa in it?

I don't drive therefore have no state DL and I keep my GC in a lock box at the bank {its the most valuable thing I own so I prefer to keep it in a safe place}.

Will I have a problem or should I just bite the bullet and go get my GC for traveling?

Thanks in advance.

B

For a domestic flight the TSA has no authority to check for stamps or visas.

...that doesn't mean they won't though.

It's a federally issued form of ID ... go for it, no one SHOULD give you a hassle. If they do, give it back to them ;)

Don't worry - A valid passport is all you need. Stamps and visas have nothing to do with anything. Don't bother with all the extraneous advice about what to do "if." Just a big non-issue.

Just a word of advice, I would go to the bank and remove that LPR card from the safety deposit box and carry it on your person like the law requires. Not because you need it for traveling but US Immigration law requires that the card be in your possession while in the United States. It is also a good idea since you just stated that your new passport has no stamps in it. I don't know where you are traveling but if by a slim chance you encounter a law enforcement officer or Immigration officer. You would be a person with a foreign passport and no way to prove your legal status in the US.

Even though your Foreign passport is not a federally issued document, it is still acceptable to ID purposes it is just not going to help you prove your status.

FB

IAD>LAS

Figured as much. Thanks to all for the advice.

Are the penalties for not carrying your green card severe? Or does the CBP just warn you about your legal obligation to do so?

Sec. 264. [8 U.S.C. 1304]

(a) The Attorney General and the Secretary of State jointly are authorized and directed to prepare forms for the registration of aliens under section 261 of this title, and the Attorney General is authorized and directed to prepare forms for the registration and fingerprinting of aliens under section 262 of this title. Such forms shall contain inquiries with respect to (1) the date and place of entry of the alien into the United States; (2) activities in which he has been and intends to be engaged; (3) the length of time he expects to remain in the United States; (4) the police and criminal record, if any, of such alien; and (5) such additional matters as may be prescribed.

(b) All registration and fingerprint records made under the provisions of this title shall be confidential, and shall be made available only (1) pursuant to section 287(f)(2), and (2) to such persons or agencies as may be designated by the Attorney General.

(c) Every person required to apply for the registration of himself or another under this title shall submit under oath the information required for such registration. Any person authorized under regulations issued by the Attorney General to register aliens under this title shall be authorized to administer oaths for such purpose.

(d) Every alien in the United States who has been registered and fingerprinted under the provisions of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, or under the provisions of this Act shall be issued a certificate of alien registration or an alien registration receipt card in such form and manner and at such time as shall be prescribed under regulations issued by the Attorney General.

(e) Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(f) 1/ Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Attorney General is authorized to require any alien to provide the alien's social security account number for purposes of inclusion in any record of the alien maintained by the Attorney General or the Service

Ouch! Imprisoned for 30 days - what about non-green card holders (visitors)?
Since Canadians don't get the white or green I-94s, and ˆmost of the time passports aren't stamped, it would be difficult to prove your status.

I would bring the green card, esp if I were crossing state lines.

Maybe I have just been unlucky, but I seem to stumble across these "internal immigration checkpoints" more than just rarely. Once on an Amtrak train in Florida, once at an airport TSA checkpoint, and once while driving down a highway in Vermont. In fact, since I am heading up for a July 4th camping trip in the Adirondacks this weekend, you just reminded me to remind my resident PR friend to bring along the resident card. The chances of getting stopped are still small, but I imagine it would so much less of hassle if you had the card.

TSA required to see your green card? Based on what?

It wasn't TSA. Border Patrol agents.

Okay, so not at a TSA checkpoint ...

You should be able to get a state issued ID for non drivers at the DMV so you don't need to carry your passport on domestic flights.

I prefer to use my passport (or even better, my Nexus card) because it doesn't contain my home address.