Help with an immigration question...please.

[steveinbsas]

It is a valid document for identification purposes but I bet he's going to have a damn hard time convincing a gate agent to let him on the plane with it.

I certainly don't mean to get into your business but if I were you, I would call the airline tomorrow and ask them what their policy is. And when they tell you he needs to have a valid document, I would be taking that to your husband and convincing him he needs to spend a day to come to BsAs and renew.

Because even if he gets in to the US, he's going to have the same issue traveling out of the US since he'll need to exit on the passport he entered in on.

And seriously - why in god's name would he not want a valid and current passport? It's completely illogical (IMO).

I agree with everything in your post except for this:

Because even if he gets in to the US, he's going to have the same issue traveling out of the US since he'll need to exit on the passport he entered in on.

I renewed my passport in the US in 2008 (about four months prior to the expiration date) and returned to Argentina using my new passport.

The airlines will ask to see your passport, but there is no immigration "control" for US citizens leaving the USA.

 

[Crema Americana]

Is a day trip to Buenos Aires really that bad?

He *might* get lucky and not get stopped at the airport, but for peace of mind I would definitely get the paperwork done beforehand. Airport agents can be quite fickle and they rarely cut you a break - especially these days. I wouldn't leave anything to chance. There's plenty of time and it's something that needs to be done sooner or later anyway.

Airport agents use to be a lot more lax, but now they even count your tourist visa by the day! I would not be surprised if they are keeping an eye on your passport expiration as well.

 

[yoga*bird]

Thanks for all the posts. Now as a turn of events I have to travel with my son not my husband. So I called both US customs in DFW and the EZE American desk. Customs said they will not deny US citizens entry into the USA even if their passport is expired. The desk at American said that we must come very early to explain the circumstances to them and talk to a superior so that we can fly. The AA ticket counter said it shouldn't be a problem but if we get an agent who doesn't understand what we want to do to make sure we call for a supervisor. I will let you all know what happens as we fly in a week. Fingers crossed....

 

[elclandestino]

I agree with everything in your post except for this:



I renewed my passport in the US in 2008 (about four months prior to the expiration date) and returned to Argentina using my new passport.

The airlines will ask to see your passport, but there is no immigration "control" for US citizans leaving the USA.

There is no immigration control for anyone leaving US. Foreigners must give their I94 form back to a check-in girl before boarding plane, but no immigration control

 

[slater]

Thanks for all the posts. Now as a turn of events I have to travel with my son not my husband. So I called both US customs in DFW and the EZE American desk. Customs said they will not deny US citizens entry into the USA even if their passport is expired. The desk at American said that we must come very early to explain the circumstances to them and talk to a superior so that we can fly. The AA ticket counter said it shouldn't be a problem but if we get an agent who doesn't understand what we want to do to make sure we call for a supervisor. I will let you all know what happens as we fly in a week. Fingers crossed....

Wishing you the best with this.
My experience.
I had a sudden death in the family in the US early last year, had a just expired US passport and could not use it to board the plane even though I was verbally assured I could prior to quick purchase of ticket. Fortunately, I have multi -citizenships and used European passport instead. Did not need visa to enter USA--since had return ticket for less than 3 months.
Got some funny looks and a bit of discussion was taking place behind counter as I whipped out a different passport, but was able to board.
Got a renewed emergency US passport good for one year at embassy in US.

Hope you have better luck and no problems.
Any chance they will give you this info in written form like an email?
Enjoy the trip.

 

[ben]

Yeah i don't understand why this isn't being considered as a solution. I know for Canadians it's more expensive to renew at an embassy instead of in country and it takes a couple of weeks instead of 3 days or whatever it is in country but it's still the exact same paperwork to get it done. and we re months away from their flights...

Not to hijack the thread, but if you can have a relative (parent, child, spouse of parent/child, or your spouse) submit your documents at a Passport Office in Canada, you pay the Canadian price, (no faster processing, though) and they will send the passport to you wherever you are.

I did this 2 years ago and had my passport sent to the US - I triple-checked it with the Passport Office, they assured me this works, and it did. All you need is a letter (does not need to be notarized, though I did so anyway) authorizing your relative to apply for the passport on your behalf.

More info on their website.

 

[elclandestino]

UK does all passports for Americas at Washington DC Passport Office

Yep, plenty of benefits of being a multiple citizen

 

[slater]

http://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/2009/04/453/

==========snipped from comments below article==========

1. Ace
   Hi..Im in the Dominican Republic and my passport expired, can I still leave the Dominican Rep. to go back to the US with an expired US passport??
   Thanks
   January 4th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
2. Alison Kroulek
   Hi Ace,
   No, you won’t be allowed on the plane. Stop by the nearest US embassy and they can renew it for you.
   • January 8th, 2011 at 8:04 pm

************I have no affiliation with them, just some info I found on line regarding similar situations. Seem to be many people asking the same question.

--S

 

[slater]

Yoga---

I have been doing a bit of research for you regarding this situation.
Somehow I could not put it all on one post, therefor I am posting back to back.
If you fly domestically in the USA, you can use an expired passport as one form of ID in additional to valid picture ID such as a DL.

For international travel you must have a valid USA passport to enter the USA. Airlines are aware of this regulation and are not suppose to allow any passenger boarding without such documentation. If one does get by the airline security, you will be stopped at entrance to USA.

At one time there was a Western Hemisphere treaty that allowed travel without valid passport. No longer is allowed in the Western hemisphere, never was allowed outside it.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_2223.html

Homeland Security requires US citizens returning to the USA to have a valid passport. You can contact the friendly agent at top for help ...ha!

http://www.dhs.gov/files/crossingborders/travelers.shtm

***Acting like a worried parent here for you, but please take note. If you are going to attempt to travel with your son not having a valid passport to get into the USA, I suggest you make arrangements to be prepared denial of boarding or trouble at US customs at arrival.

Maybe you should check with the US embassy by phone. Perhaps they can give you expedited service by mail.

--S

 

[citygirl]

Slater - we all strongly advised the OP when she first posted many weeks ago that she should contact the embassy and get passport renewals but she decided against that.

To the OP - I wish you all the luck but I would certainly make arrangements for spending the holidays here as I think the odds of your son being allowed on the plane aren't great. I also assume you have done all the paperwork required to fly with your son without your husband being present.