Lost and expired Green Cards
To board a flight for the United States, every U.S. Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) must present at the time of checking in, the passenger’s valid “green card” or other documentation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) demonstrating that the passenger is presently an LPR of the United States.
If your green card has been lost or stolen or you are otherwise unable to demonstrate current LPR status, you will need a transportation letter in order to board a flight to the U.S. A transportation letter is a letter authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that verifies your LPR status for the airline and for the immigration authorities at the port of entry. The USCIS does not maintain an office in Argentina. However, the Immigrant Visa Unit of the Embassy in Buenos Aires can help you apply for a transportation letter to the USCIS office in Lima, Peru.
The first step in the process of applying for a transportation letter is completing the attached application forms: “Visas Raccoon”, “I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card” and “I-193", Application for Waiver for Passport and/ or Visa” Please be certain to clearly state an e-mail address and/or phone number in Argentina where we can reach you on the Visas Raccoon form. After completing all forms, you must come to the Embassy to submit them and pay the fee (165 USD) all in the same currency at the Consular Cashier. The Consular Cashier (window 12) is open Monday through Friday, 8:30-11:30 and 2:00-4:00 except US and local holidays. You must submit completed application forms, valid passport or other identification (original and copy); proof of legal permanent residence and a copy (for example: previous passports with U.S. entry stamps, DHS approval forms, photocopy of green card, etc.); airline tickets of last U.S. departure (if available) and a copy; and three photographs (see instructions attached).
If you have specific questions about your LPR status, you may send an e-mail to buenosaires-iv@state.gov. Alternatively, a representative of the Immigrant Visa Unit is available Monday through Friday at 11:00 a.m.
We usually receive a response from USCIS-Lima concerning transportation letter requests within three business days of submitting the application forms to USCIS. Please keep in mind that the Embassy is closed on weekends and all U.S. and Argentine legal Holidays.
As soon as we receive a response from USCIS-Lima, we will advise you by e-mail or telephone. At that time, you will be scheduled for an interview with the Consul at the Embassy. We will try to arrange the interview at a convenient time for you. If USCIS approves your request for a transportation letter, the consul will verify the statements made in your application forms, then sign the transportation letter for you to present to the airline at check in and to immigration authorities at the port of entry. If USCIS denies your request for a transportation letter, the consul will so advise. The consul has no authority to issue a transportation letter without authority to do so from USCIS. If your request is denied, you will need to contact USCIS directly in the U.S.
Please be advised that a boarding/ transportation letter is not a benefit provided for by statute. It is temporary proof of status provided to an LPR to facilitate return travel to the United States. It serves only to exempt the air carrier from penalty under section 273(b). A boarding letter is also not an entry document. It does not replace the expectation for a traveler to present a valid passport or other valid travel document to DHS officials at the port of entry. As you will not be in possession of your I-551 (Green Card) at the time of admission to the U.S., you may be assessed a Penalty of 545 USD at the Port of Entry.
