Can't get SSN because USCIS parsed my name incorrectly at entry (on I-94)

[WestWolf 0]

Basically as per the title.

My name is John Benjamin Smith, those names being First/Given, Middle and Last/Family names respectively.

On my passport, the Name field reads as follows:

SMITH

JOHN BENJAMIN

On all previous USCIS-related forms (I-129F, G325A etc) you are specifically asked for your Given, Middle and Family names separately.

On the US Customs entry card, once again there are fields for Given, Middle and Family names. All good, right?

Nope; rocked up at the Social Security Office only to be told "USCIS has entered "John Benjamin" as your first name, so the system is refusing to allow me to associate your correct details with this entry record (I-94). You'll need to get USCIS to fix this then come back". I don't know enough about their systems to know whether the SS lady had any idea what she was talking about.

I've contacted an attorney to get some advice, but as it's the weekend I'd like some input from any VJ members who might have come across something like this.

I was considering just rocking up again at SS and letting them call me whatever they wanted, but my marriage certificate and other USCIS documents specifically state that "Benjamin" is my Middle name, even if my passport does not.

This wouldn't all be too concerning except that

- I know just how difficult it is to get USCIS to do anything off-script.

- I've been here for 14 days (as advised), and have only another 16 days left to get a CA driver's license before I am unable to lawfully drive here. Getting a non-resident driving license in CA requires - you guessed it - a valid I-94.

What's my best option here, guys? Call USCIS on Monday and run the gauntlet to get ahold of a L2 CSO?

[milimelo 4,196]

Not USCIS - CBP messed it up when you were at POE. Go to the nearest CBP deferred inspection facility (or the same airport you POE-d) and get them to fix the record. Find your CBP on the link below. Good luck!

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/deferred-inspection/overview-deferred-inspection

[visaqueries 111]

We went to the nearest CBP for them to fix my husband's. His first name was listed as A. His last name wasn't complete, so we had to call CBP and explain the situation. They fixed it and we were able to get a corrected I 94.

[WestWolf 0]

Ah, I didn't realise that CBP was separate from USCIS.

You guys are awesome; thank you so much.

[NikLR 13,220]

Its not really the CBP's fault. Well it is and it isn't. It's their software and the it's interaction with USCIS software.

You can go to the CBP and get this fixed. My SSN still came. I ended up with an issue at the DMV and had to get it fixed by the dept of revenue.

Edited January 3, 2015 by NLR

[WestWolf 0]

Just for the benefit of anyone in a similar boat in future, I went to the LA Federal Building and spoke with CBP, who said that everything was in order (ie that my visa/I-94 were consistent with a person with my name).

Went back to Social Security, got served by someone who I suppose had actually received their allotment of brain cells, and got my SSN issued without a hiccup.

I guess the first person I saw just couldn't be bothered dealing with something off-script. That's five hours I'll never get back, but at least it's over.

Edited January 8, 2015 by WestWolf

[jaimelee 12]

My husband is in a similar situation, however, his I-94 is now expired. We contacted the CBP and they gave us a hard time saying that it was written correctly blah blah blah and that we had to contact the USCIS, contacted them nothing happened. Long story short, the lady at the SSA told us to wait until he gets his EAD/AP and then we can change it because the names should be separated there. EAD/AP comes and the names are not separated.

What do we do now? Can we still contact the CBP?

[WestWolf 0]

Was there actually a mistake, or is it a case like mine where I thought there was a mistake but actually everything was in order?

[PauPau 71]

My name is long so in the I-94 my first name is missing one character. When I applied for my SSN, the officer told me the exact same thing to have my name fixed. But he later on realized that it's probably missing a character because I reached the character limit. In the end, he still approved my SSN and I should be getting that in the mail in 2 weeks hence I never thought of contacting CBP to have my name corrected. Just sharing what happened to me.

[-Shana- 152]

Just for the benefit of anyone in a similar boat in future, I went to the LA Federal Building and spoke with CBP, who said that everything was in order (ie that my visa/I-94 were consistent with a person with my name).

Went back to Social Security, got served by someone who I suppose had actually received their allotment of brain cells, and got my SSN issued without a hiccup.

I guess the first person I saw just couldn't be bothered dealing with something off-script. That's five hours I'll never get back, but at least it's over.

So just to confirm, your First + Middle name being in the same "line" on the system shouldn't have caused any problems? It was just the person you dealt with who didn't know what they were doing?

[NikLR 13,220]

No it's something they should be fixing in the SAVE db. The problem isn't the CBP or the SSA or even the USCIS, but rather that the computer programming the CBP uses isn't completely compatible with the SAVE db. It puts first and middle names together. So everything is entered correctly but when the translation between programs happens, something doesn't work. Instead of fixing it so it works properly, they depend on the SSN employees to send in a request to fix it. I went to the Dept of Revenue to get it fixed (they run the DMV) but its just as easy for the CBP or the SSA to send a note to get it fixed as well.

Edited February 1, 2015 by NLR

[-Shana- 152]

No it's something they should be fixing in the SAVE db. The problem isn't the CBP or the SSA or even the USCIS, but rather that the computer programming the CBP uses isn't completely compatible with the SAVE db. It puts first and middle names together. So everything is entered correctly but when the translation between programs happens, something doesn't work. Instead of fixing it so it works properly, they depend on the SSN employees to send in a request to fix it. I went to the Dept of Revenue to get it fixed (they run the DMV) but its just as easy for the CBP or the SSA to send a note to get it fixed as well.

What would you recommend someone do in this instance if they walk into the SSA and they say the name is wrong? Makes my head spin a bit thinking about why people can't just manually alter the information if the person is clearly stood in front of them giving them permission >_<.

P.S. I checked out your deviantart page, some lovely stuff! Love the flying raven picture

[NikLR 13,220]

Oh thank you.

You just ask to speak to a supervisor or come back another day to deal with a different employee. My SSN wasn't an issue (I'm also in the Denver area actually! ) but getting my driver's license took 3 months because of the issues I had. My old license is Canadian and I don't even have to do a new driver thing, it's just moved over like I'm from another state. It's funny because my husband works right beside an airport but they don't have CBP there on a regular basis because it's a commercial/personal airport (not DIA.) I was trying not to drive the hour up to DIA to find the CBP, and ended up an hour up into Denver at the Dept of Revenue! LOL!!!

It's always difficult when you have federal trying to talk to state. They don't talk to each other well and sometimes the programs are completely different. I don't understand how it can be such a hodgepodge of things, but then I remember it's the USA. That square peg WILL fit in that round hole because we're gonna make it!

[-Shana- 152]

Oh thank you.

You just ask to speak to a supervisor or come back another day to deal with a different employee. My SSN wasn't an issue (I'm also in the Denver area actually! ) but getting my driver's license took 3 months because of the issues I had. My old license is Canadian and I don't even have to do a new driver thing, it's just moved over like I'm from another state. It's funny because my husband works right beside an airport but they don't have CBP there on a regular basis because it's a commercial/personal airport (not DIA.) I was trying not to drive the hour up to DIA to find the CBP, and ended up an hour up into Denver at the Dept of Revenue! LOL!!!

It's always difficult when you have federal trying to talk to state. They don't talk to each other well and sometimes the programs are completely different. I don't understand how it can be such a hodgepodge of things, but then I remember it's the USA. That square peg WILL fit in that round hole because we're gonna make it!

Noted! Seems a lot of people tend to come back and deal with someone else to fix the solution. I thought there might have been something to quote that would make sense to a supervisor! God bless America

Ohh, nice! I'll be in Boulder...it's technically Longmont but it's closer to Boulder than it is Longmont.

[-Shana- 152]

Had to post this...I was looking at where my local SSA office is for where I'll be living. Decided to look at street view. Saw someone looking like they've given up on the world - that will be me if my name is incorrect in a few months time!!