Always Keep a Copy of Your I-94 Cards
Posted Jun 30, 2006
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Keeping records pertaining to one's immigration status is very important. The I-94 card can be vital in establishing a history of lawful presence in the United States. It is our suggestion, therefore, that one retain a copy of this important document before handing it over to the airline agent when traveling abroad.
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What is the I-94 Card?
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The I-94 card is the little card, often white in color (possibly green for Visa Waiver applicants), that is often completed during one's international flight and given to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector at the airport upon one's arrival in the U.S. The CBP agent stamps the legal status and its validity, and then returns it to the individual, usually stapled in the passport. This document determines how long one is legally allowed to live in the U.S. and, depending on the status stamped, whether or not s/he is allowed to work in the U.S.
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RFEs Often Request Prior I-94 Cards
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It is common in the I-485 (Adjustment of Status) context to receive Requests for Evidence, asking for proof of the person's lawful maintenance of status. The I-94 card is, in most instances, the appropriate document. In cases where that document has been relinquished during travel, and no copy is available, complications can arise. We advise, therefore, that our readers retain copies of all I-94s received and keep them in a safe location. There are other contexts in which prior I-94s can be vital; when filing applications for extending or changing status, for example.
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The ability to produce copies of one's I-94 cards that have been carefully kept can be important in the long run. We hope this simple tip proves helpful to our MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers, and makes their immigration cases go more smoothly.