Madelina

I just wanted to share our mini-nightmare with everyone!!

My sons and I (all british citizens with green cards) flew to the UK for Christmas. When we got to Heathrow to fly back to the US, i discovered my youngest sons passport wasnt in my bag >.< Major freakout! We spoke with Delta, who asked if we had Green Cards. LUCKILY i had them separately, and with the approval of Immigration, we were all able to fly with absolutely no problems, AND no problem when we arrived in the US either! I couldnt believe how quick and friendly they all were about it, or that someone could fly without a passport, solely on possession of a GC!

Thanks Delta, thanks US Homeland Security And thankfully, i found the passport in the bottom of a case when i got home!

maddy
xx

rpjs

Useful info!

I've noticed that CBP are more interested in my GC than my passport when I enter now, and didn't even look at my passport when I entered by land from Canada last year. I got an entry stamp in my passport each time I've entered by air, but then CBP usually stamp my wife's US passport when she enters by air too. Can't remember if they even scanned my passport now - they definitely scan the GC.

ian-mstm

If you have a GC, you aren't required to have a passport to enter the US. The trick was getting on the plane without the passport... and you definitely had good luck on that one! Glad to hear it all worked out.

Ian

Bob

GC is all a LPR needs to enter the US...so not much of a drama.

Without the passport, makes it harder to remember the dates you were out of the country and back, for when you need them applying for citizenship, so have that jotted down somewhere.

CAdreaming

thanks for posting and glad you got home ok! I will take your advice and keep my passport and GC separate - they are currently in the same holder as im in UK but your post has really helped!!

JAJ

According to the IATA database, accessed through Delta, there is a passport exemption for GC holders.
http://www.delta.com/planning_reserv...tion/index.jsp

Airlines and even CBP might prefer to see a passport, but under the law it is not strictly required.