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Always Keep a
Copy of Your I-94 Cards
Posted
Jun 30, 2006
©MurthyDotCom
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.
©MurthyDotCom
What is the I-94 Card?
©MurthyDotCom
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.
©MurthyDotCom
RFEs Often Request Prior I-94 Cards
©MurthyDotCom
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.
©MurthyDotCom
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.
Copyright © 2006, MURTHY LAW
FIRM. All Rights Reserved

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