I know I’ve read a similar story not too many months ago on here.. here’s mine! Are some of these people unaware of their own rules, regulations and procedures?

I got my Green Card in the mail this week. We went into the SSA Office today and explained that I had been issued a SSN when I came in as a K1 and it has the words “Valid for employment with DHS authorization” printed on it. I asked to get an unrestricted SSN and have the words removed as I was now a Legal Permanent Resident. I placed all my documents on the desk, Green Card, Drivers License, Passport and a printout from the SSA site.

Without as much as letting me finish what I was saying the woman at the counter cut me off and stated that my SSN wasn’t restricted and that I didn’t need a new card . I interrupted her a number of times trying to explain what she was saying wasn’t correct according to the SSA website. She explained that she couldn’t give me another card as my green card expired in two years, I said it’s a green card a 10 year card would expire as well, she stated that she had seen 3 people today just like me with 10 year cards and couldn’t do anything for them? What happens if you’re a citizen and your passport expires? I was beyond annoyed at this point in time!

I explained again that I was entitled to an unrestricted SSN. I showed her a printout from the SSA site which states clearly in a step by step fashion that I was in fact entitled to an unrestricted SSN . At first the woman says “show me where it says you need an unrestricted SSN” in not quite a friendly tone.. she misreads the printout and I correct her.. she reads over it a few more times and leaves her desk.

A few minutes later she returns and begins placing my information into the computer, reading off the instructions on screen as she goes’s (someone just learnt something new I believe?). I fill out an SS-5 and she asks me to sign and states my new card should be with me shortly.

I leave happy but very annoyed at the arrogance of this “public servant”.

At least you being "stubborn" and knowing your rights managed to get it done.

Next step would have been to start yelling for the office manager.

Good job teaching this stubborn government worker a lesson, Aidan! congratulations!

good job and great determination ....

Great news

Thanks! I hadn’t quite realized I was being stubborn until it was mentioned. Ah well, why give up when it’s your rights?

I’m still annoyed; I hope I don’t get another SSN with the same “valid for work with DHS…” notation printed on it . I forgot to mention that the woman actually never seen my Social Security Card and never asked for the number until she was adding my information into their system , which was after she accepted that I was correct to begin with ! If she seen 3 other people that day with Green Card’s I feel bad for them! Although I doubt it, she wasn’t 100% sure of my card when I gave it to her.

With some luck that should be the end of that round of madness for a long, long time to come!

Yeah you should be OK unless you lose your card or if and when you become a U.S. citizen.

Way to go!

Well done I too know how annoying social security people can be.. In fact I'm on my way there now... Wish me luck!

Good Luck!