Wife flying alone..help!..Visa expired but married.

[Noah]

My wife was planning to visit my mother next week while I was in job training in another city. The thing that has me worried is the only photo ID she has is her Vietnam VISA which has her maiden name. I booked the ticket in her maiden name so she wouldn't have any problems when they check her ID, but now with all the security being enforeced I'm worried she might have trouble.

Her Visa officially expired in June, although we were married in May. She never got any photo ID in the USA because we're still going through the interview process for adjustment of status.

Can she bring a copy of the marraige certificate, or any other documents that might help if they stop her? Or should I cancel the flight because it's too risky?
Any advice?
Thanks!

[Ray]

I assume you meant her Vietnam passport? I’m not very knowledgeable on current ID requirements for airline passengers, but a valid passport is virtually always accepted as ID and she can bring any other documents she wants, including your marriage certificate, to help explain her immigration status. I don't see any reason to cancel her flight but I think a phone call to the airline or a good travel agent could answer your question better.

Did you apply for her EAD along with the AOS petition? Even if she doesn’t intend to work, that EAD card is widely accepted as an official ID issued by the U.S. Government and is also evidence of her legal status while awaiting AOS processing. Again, for those considering whether or not to spend the money for the optional Employment Authorization when applying for AOS, I highly recommend that you do.

Ray

[Noah]

We did file for the employment authorization, but haven't gotten anything back from the govt yet. All we got so far was the notice to get Biometrics done.

[Ray]

Good Noah!

If she hasn't received her EAD Card within 90 days of filing the application, make an InfoPass appointment with the local CIS office and they will give her an interim card.

Ray

[Bob_S]

Whoa whoa WHOA!
You have nothing back from Immigraiton yet?  No conditional permanent resident green card yet?  Did you file for Advance Parole so she can get back into the country?  Because, you know, if she entered on a Fiance Visa, that is single entry only.  They won't let her in again without proof she has a right to be here.  No tickie, no laundry!
You may want to get down to your local BCIS office TODAY (or as fast as an InfoPass appt. will allow) to see if you can get Advance Parole same-day service before your wife steps on a plane. (A wife stuck on the far side of the world because YOU messed up the paperwork does not make for a happy household. Been there, done that!)

[Noah]

She's only going within the USA to visit my mother, not her mother. The only thing we got from Immigration so far was the Biometrics appointment, which we went to when she got fingerprinted two weeks ago. Nothing new after that so far...

[Jeff S]

Ahhhh. Like Bob, I thought you meant leaving the country. Well, our TCA are right on the ball, making sure we're safe. I suspect they won't notice. Her passport should be fine along with something like a copy of your marriage certificate. I was traveling with a group recently and we got our boarding passes mixed up. The TCA guy carefully looked at mine, which said Mary G., and my ID, which said Jeff S. and waved me through. I sleep better at night knowing they're out there protecting us.

- Jeff

[Bob_S]

My wife was planning to visit my mother next week while I was in job training in another city.

Gah!  Helps if I learn to read. :? Nevermind.