Can I travel within the USA only with the I-551 stamp from passport?

score:10

Accepted answer

No, you will have no issues. There are no passport checks.

If you fly, you will pass through an ID check, where you can use your passport. This check is conducted by the TSA, which does not enforce immigration law.

There are stories on the internet, mostly from 8 or 9 years ago, of TSA officers referring aliens to immigration authorities for a status check. If this happens to you, there's nothing to worry about since you are legally in the country, so you will be fine.

If my experience is any guide, this is very unlikely. I've been traveling domestically with a foreign passport for a couple of years now without anyone ever questioning my immigration status.

As indicated in a comment, my experience may not be a sufficient guide, since passengers from Puerto Rico are apparently sometimes checked for immigration status. I've never been to Puerto Rico. To reiterate, however, with your valid immigration documents, you have nothing to worry about.

Upvote:3

phoog is right that you are not considered to be entering the US between Puerto Rico and the US, even though there might be immigration checks where you just have to prove that you're legal.

However, I want to point out that even if you were leaving the US and re-entering the US, you can do that freely without any worries. The moment you entered the US with an immigrant visa, you became a US permanent resident. The immigrant visa you used to enter the US automatically turned into an I-551 (proof of permanent residency) valid for one year from the date of entry. A plastic "green card" is also just an I-551. You don't need to wait for the plastic card I-551, because you already have in your hand another I-551. All types of I-551 are equally valid for travel, work, and other purposes.

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