what if Green Card is lost while out of U.S.?

A few nights ago I traveled to Canada across from Buffalo at Fort Erie with the intent to return a few hours later. The Canadian agent asked to see my passport and green card, but he failed to hand back my green card. I realized this one hour later. After a fruitless phone call to Canadian Customs I drove back to the border did a u turn on the bridge to bring me back to the Canadian entry booths. The booth I crossed at was now closed. The agent in the next booth searched but could not find it. I went into the Customs / Immigration office and as I walked in the agent that had my card recognized me and returned my card, with apologies. Whew.

But, anyway I was ill prepared in that I did not know what I would have done without the Green Card, and if I would be able to return home.

Does anyone know the procedure when a Canadian has lost their Green Card while in Canada and needs to return home to the U.S.?

Go to a US consulate most likely, report it lost/stolen and hope to whichever God you pray to that they'll give you a temporary ID to allow you back into the US.

You have to get a transportation letter, this is something I mentioned in the other thread.

It really, really helps if you have a copy of your LPR card. What I would do if I were you is to make a scan of the back and front of your LPR card and print off a few copies and keep them in strategic locations, e.g. your luggage and your car.

Then you go to the US consulate and you must have your passport, your alien registration number (hence the copy of your LPR card), a completed application (which presumably they have), three US-style passport photos, a copy of the police report where you've reported the loss/theft of your card and $165. This is not a quick process as they have to check with USCIS.

Or alternatively, you can apply for a NEXUS card, keep it somewhere separate so you don't lose it and hope the CBP guy accepts that on it's own. Or takes mercy on you when you pull out the copy of your LPR card with your NEXUS card.

When you get back you apply for a replacement LPR card.

Thanks. This is good to know. I might look into getting a Nexus card. I'll research that for pros and cons.

I have lived in the U.S. for 15 years and crossed probably over 100 times without any concern until last week when I thought I had lost my Green Card.

As visiters Canadians can travel any time to the U.S. with just a passport. Once you have the Green Card it seems that you lose that ability.

If you've been there for 15 years the simplest solution by far is to apply for citizenship. If you lose your US passport they still have to let you in because you're a US citizen.