TD Crossing border alone after renewal by mail

Has anyone had any issues with someone on a TD returning to the US for the first time following renewal by mail? Travelling without the TN holder.

We renewed by mail and have not crossed and returned yet, so the I-94 has not been approved by a border guard yet (just the processing office). My wife wants to go home for a couple of weeks with our son, and I would stay behind, she is a little leery about coming back across the border without me. (She has gone back and forth without me before, but not for the first time following renewal by mail.)

This will not be a problem. She should have her old I-94 and the new one (preferably the whole I-797) with her. The POE will then either keep the old one and leave her the current one, or take both and issue her a new one right there.

If the TN/TD renewals were recent that should be enough. If the renewal was a few months ago (or if she wants to be more safe), a copy of your I-94 (again, preferably the whole I-797) and your latest paystub will likely satisfy the POE that the underlying TN is still legit.

I-797 isn't relevant in this situation, it's a derivative category.

As long as your TN-1 is valid it shouldn't be a problem, have her take a photocopy of your I-94 with you and proof of your relationship if you want to be certain. That would be enough to actually get TD at a POE so it's highly unlikely they will not let her in.

I-797 not relevant? How else was her TD approved?

As i said the I-797 itself is not mandatory, but it does contain her I-94 and has the added information about who she is derivative of. The need for her to take her I-539 issued I-94 is to show that she remained in status after her old TD expired.

Without the 'paper' I-94 she has no proof of having remained in status, since she does live in US. The old cardbaord one, along with the paper one shows continuity.

As I said, many officers won't even bother to re-issue a new I-94 given those circumstances.

Thanks, I didn't think there would be an issue, but just making sure. Not sure why the replies didn't pop up in my email though...