So real quick, I applied to get a FOID card (Firearm Owner's Identification Card) in Illinois.

Yeah I know what everybody is going to say...but oh well, It's just shooting as a sport at the range. Nothing else.


But anyhow, they need my alien number to verify my status in the USA, here's what they replied to me.

The Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau has received information from the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) indicating that you are not a permanent legal resident or United States citizen or you were not lawfully admitted to the United States by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer. The following prohibitors prevent an individual from obtaining or possessing a FOID card:

-Illinois Compiled Statutes prohibits the Illinois State Police from issuing a FOID card to anyone illegally in the USA.
-Federal firearm law prohibits the transfer to or possession of firearms and ammunition by aliens admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa.

Now here's my question. I have been working for 6 months already and my job took all the info to verify my status with INS and didn't get any problem. My alien number on the application is correctly written.

Could it be because I entered as a K-1 ??? because my understanding from this is that they wouldn't allow people on a non-immigrant visa that are still on it (like B-2, student visa's, etc) so since I have GC I am a permanent resident. I will cehck with INS tomorrow....but this sounds weird to me. If the INS didn't update my status I wouldn't be allowed to work....

Maybe a typo from them when they verified?

No idea hon...
Just wanted to tell you to be careful and I hope it all works out for you!
Sending you big hugs!!!

Come back online after they've arrested and deported you so you can tell us all about it!

Well here's the deal....

IM SUPPOSED TO FLY TO MONTREAL IN 9 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!


How to you find the number of your local office???

Edit: and WTF ever....I have my green card and all the documents saying I am approved and welcome to the USA and blah blah blah....Ain't that a proof enough ??????

When they say to call my INS local office, is it the same as the USCIS service centers from USCIS.gov ???


I am confused...

Yes, I believe INS is the old name for USCIS.


Ruh Roh



Sorry I'm laughing, Mephys. It's just so typical isn't it? I'm sure you'll be fine. But there's always that little niggle of doubt that prevents you from resting well, isn't there? And people wonder why we want citizenship. lol

Yeah I understand....It's kinda funny to read sometimes....but right now I am REALLY freaking out. I haven't seen my family since last year, It took me 4 months to plan that little trip, and even though the state police has nothing to do with anything else, I dont' want to be denied re-entry. That would kill me.

And I am not even sure if I will need an infopass and if yes when I can go before next week...

I think if you have time, make an INFOPASS appointment before you go and bring that letter. I think the key to it is that someone checked the K-1 part of it but haven't checked the AOS part yet. You do have your green card and all of your documentation in hand so I feel pretty confident that it is merely a blip somewhere that won't be a problem at the border - but, it is good to get it checked out at the source. Maybe there is a different code that applies to conditional green cards rather than the permanent one and that is what this is about? Good luck.

They're not going to refuse you entry, Mephys. You have your greencard. I bet you anything that it's a technicality due to the wording of the K-1 non-immigrant visa. You've seen how many examples there are of State and Federal agencies not being able to co-ordinate their policies and procedures. You'll be fine. You're legal. Go have a glass of wine and take a hot bath.

Thanks Kathryn for that input. We were just talking about that me and hubby, and after reading all the paper that I received with the AOS application, there is a mention of that on the back of the letter that was holding the GC. It says if you are a conditional resident, blah blah, if you are a permanent resident, blah blah.

So probably the thing here is that per INS, a Conditional resident is not actually a Permanent resident, even though that is the term used on the card or on the other papers.

It's just that the wording used on the FOID card application is quite confusing.

I am calling the INFOPASS customer service tomorrow morning at 8am, will let you guys know

Mephys,

I wouldn't worry about this too much. Easy for any of us to say, I know. But the truth is most police departments rarely cooperate fully with Federal law enforcement. As an example, the UCR (Uniform Crime Reports) is how the FBI gathers its data on criminal activity and that relies on police departments all over the country willingly handing over their data. How often do you think that actually happens on a regular basis and when it does, what're the chances that some of it "may" have been doctored a little. After all, what police force wants to look ineffective, right?

The very fact that they've been referring to USCIS as "INS" (which is, unfortunately, what most people and the majority of news agencies still do) only confirms that the information they have is either "incomplete" or "out-of-date." I have a strong feeling that their computer systems aren't updated to handle most of this, probably because they hadn't thought ahead far enough.

No local or state police force has any say on what USCIS and CBP decides, unless you've committed a serious crime, in which case various situations could occur. However, you haven't done anything illegal. You have your green card and whatever documentation in addition to that to prove you're here legally. At worst, you might have to endure "secondary" but even that would be extremely unlikely.

Didn't they ask for a copy of your green card with your FOID application? Or does it just ask for your alien number?

I think they're probably on crack and don't know what they heck they're doing

You indicated that you were not a USC? I remember I had a problem with a question, and answered a certain way. They denied me. I called them, they explained it and I mailed something back stating that I really meant to answer the other way.

Really I'm sure they just tried to look up your info and couldn't find anything. It's not like they are building the space shuttle in Springfield

Give them a shout an explain your situation.

no they only asked my alien number, of course I have all the paper to back myself up but I am calling USCIS right now!

OK......they only charged $5.00 for this thing?

http://www.isp.state.il.us/docs/6-181.pdf

How much could they have really checked for $5.00?

I'm sure it's just them now and not you. Good luck on your quest!

Alright I can take the bomb back!


1- Called the Infopass customer service and she could not verify over the phone but told me that all my USCIS document supersedes any bull$hit the state police wrote to me..

2- Tried to make an Infopass appointment with my local office but there was no available date before the 19th.....I am going to Montreal from 17th to 20th......YIKES!

3- Just called the State police Firearms department that just opened at 8h30.....The guy stopped me immediately when I said I had a Green card asking me "Is it a Conditional or a 10 years?" He just plainly told me that the conditional is a handicap and I cannot have the FOID card until I get my 10 years GC....but on a good note my application is still valid for the next 5 years so just to send it back when I get my other GC... But he agreed their letter is not well worded.



Oh well, I feel much better now!

Yeah I know, I make a lot of drama for small things, but it's just they have that way of sending you crap when it's too late to call them up and deprive you from a good night of sleep!!!!

Have a nice day everyone!!!!!!!!!

I was kind of thinking the conditional green card may be a problem. However, couldn't they just make your permit expire the same day as your green card? Seems they need to get with the program!

Glad to hear of your non-illegalness mephys

This was very informative so thanks for sharing. And glad it all worked out fine. Have a great trip home Mephys.

Yeah I guess the message to remember from this is


Never take messages seriously when they are coming from any other organization than USCIS!!!

What about the National Bank of Nigeria, the chairman of the board of directors told me that he's holding $50 million for me.

And did he also tell you that you have a new best friend for two as well

You silly people...

Hello Mephys,

Glad it is mostly sorted out.
Strange how easy it is to do this "illegally" and how challenging it is to find-the-cheese in an a "legal" fashion.

I'm certain you will not have any problems returning from Montreal.
Your life is in IL now, there is no question.