The Atlanta USCIS Field Office has just issued a new InfoPass/Walk-In policy. A huge thank you to our local USCIS liaison committee for this information.
The I-551 stamp is the “green card” stamp that shows someone has lawful status but awaiting process on a new document. It’s often needed for renewing a driver’s license. However, starting on September 4th, the Atlanta Field Office will no longer consider an expiring driver’s license to be an emergency for purposes of obtaining an I-551 stamp on a walk-in basis.
USCIS states that in order to obtain an I-551 stamp, emergency advance parole, or other services to please do the following:
1. Try to schedule an InfoPass appointment first
2. If InfoPass is unavailable, emergencies will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Emergency walk-in appointments will only be taken until 12:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and until Noon on Wednesday
3. The emergency must be documented. A letter from an employer denoting possible termination, a signed letter from a physician are all good examples. If your client is told no, but has documentation, they should ask for a supervisor or the duty officer.
Walk-Ins may be permitted in the following emergency circumstances:
- Severe financial loss to company or person;
- Emergency situations;
- Humanitarian reasons;
- Nonprofit organization whose request is in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States;
- Department of Defense or National Interest Situation (Note: The request must come from an official U.S. Government entity and state that the delay will be detrimental to the Government)
- USCIS error; or
- Compelling interest of USCIS.
Plan ahead – InfoPass appointments can take weeks to obtain!
-Tracie