I lost my greencard

[marie09 5]

By the way, do people who get the conditional two-year green card have to go to their local SS and get the DHS conditions removed from their SSN card? I thought it was only naturalized citizens who had to do that.

You don't have to, but it gives you protection in case you need to find a new job and removal of conditions gets dragged out and your conditional green card expires. I've read occasionally on here that sometimes roc gets dragged out so you end up with your conditional gc expiring, waiting for the 10 year gc.

If you have the SSC without the annotation plus a state id/driver license you can go find a new job if you need to. All depends on your circumstances if you're already employed - your company can't ask for for a new gc once yours expires. But if you're out of work looking for a new job, companies can't accept an expired gc, they also can't accept your soc if it still has that phrase on regardless of how long you've had residency.

I think it's a personal decison if you do it or not. I don't know how often or how likely it is for removal of conditions to drag out longer than the 3 months. But I will likely apply for the ssc without that `only valid with DHS authorization' once i ahve my gc just to be on the safe side as I never want to be in immigration limbo again!

[Otto 83]

that's another problem, I haven't changed my SS card yet. I have been very busy working since I got my gc but I know it's not an excuse. So my SS card still says "valid only with DHS work authorization" on it. I know I'm really stupid for procrastinating things. Do you think I can remove the restriction on my SS card by showing to the SSA the welcome letter I got from USCIS as proof that they did send me a gc?

By the way, do people who get the conditional two-year green card have to go to their local SS and get the DHS conditions removed from their SSN card? I thought it was only naturalized citizens who had to do that.

It's not a requirement - can be done and I don't believe doing so counts toward the lifetime card issuance limit, but I personally don't see much urgent need to, since you have the DHS authorization to work either way; Karin has to show her PR/Green card (for work purposes) no matter what her SS card says anyway.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

First of all, I maintain that the Green Card does not belong in the wallet. I personally keep it in a safe place at home but even if somebody were to take it with them, it should be in a different place as the driver license. Why?

Because if you wallet is stolen and you need a new check book or ATM card from your bank, they want to see your driver license as it is the primary form of identification in this country. And if you have lost your driver license as well, you have to go to the DMV and apply for a new one. And in order to do that you need to show them your Green Card as proof of legal presence. And if you have lost the Green Card as well you can wait until hell freezes over until you get a new one, plus it costs $370 and you have to do Biometrics again. That's why the Green Card needs 10-times the protection a wallet does. It's that one document that really needs to be in a safe place.

Secondly, I can understand that somebody's wallet, and also the Green Card can get stolen. But getting stolen and getting lost -- or misplaced -- are two different things. It takes bad luck and one bad person to get one's green card stolen, but it takes gross negligence on oneself to lose it. That's the difference.

I'm sorry if some of you perceive my posts sometimes as harsh; maybe it's because I get right to the point, the core, and say what needs to be said, even if it's not comforting.

[rsn 135]

First of all, I maintain that the Green Card does not belong in the wallet. I personally keep it in a safe place at home but even if somebody were to take it with them, it should be in a different place as the driver license. Why?

Then you are not following the law. I'm not sure how that qualifies as something that needs to be said.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

First of all, I maintain that the Green Card does not belong in the wallet. I personally keep it in a safe place at home but even if somebody were to take it with them, it should be in a different place as the driver license. Why?

Then you are not following the law. I'm not sure how that qualifies as something that needs to be said.

That's correct. I use common sense by carrying the Green Card only with me when I need it or presume I might need it. I have come to that conclusion thanks to a capacity that has been given to me by the all-mighty creator herself: intelligence.

So I'm not perfect, far from it, indeed; hence let me ask you this, as somebody who apparently doesn't break the law, at least not when it comes to the Green Card carrying law:

Since the law requires you to have the Green Card on you "at all times," where would a law-abiding person such as yourself carry it when having sex or taking a shower, when diving in the ocean while on vacation, or going mud-wrestling? Do you have it on a chain dangling around your neck, or do you put it in that dark place where the sun don't shine?

[trailmix 77]

I'm sorry if some of you perceive my posts sometimes as harsh; maybe it's because I get right to the point, the core, and say what needs to be said, even if it's not comforting.

You know what, I don't find your posts particularily offensive, in fact there seems to be a tad of dry humour there - however - I didn't lose my greencard. If I had, I might not see the humour there at all.

There is a time and a place for humour, this probably isn't the time - plus - humour is one thing, belittling someone is another - the latter is not funny and certainly has no place here.

[Mike's Lucy 14]

The OP don't need your sermon. You don't even know every details of what happened.

I'm sorry if some of you perceive my posts sometimes as harsh; maybe it's because I get right to the point, the core, and say what needs to be said, even if it's not comforting.

[dirtyweebesom 8]

I'm sorry if some of you perceive my posts sometimes as harsh; maybe it's because I get right to the point, the core, and say what needs to be said, even if it's not comforting.

You know, my degree is in French and German, and I do have to say that I was quite taken aback when I first lived in Germany at how direct people were. My first love was German and I can still remember that he said "Yes!" (without a hint of irony!) when I once asked him "Does my ####### look big in this?". That wasn't the answer I expected, or wanted, to hear!

So, fair enough, Bob, I guess I'll just have to remember that you're German the next time I find your posts too harsh. Still, though...you could maybe be a teeny wee bit softer, no?!

[dirtyweebesom 8]

I use common sense by carrying the Green Card only with me when I need it or presume I might need it. I have come to that conclusion thanks to a capacity that has been given to me by the all-mighty creator herself: intelligence.

So I'm not perfect, far from it, indeed; hence let me ask you this, as somebody who apparently doesn't break the law, at least not when it comes to the Green Card carrying law:

Since the law requires you to have the Green Card on you "at all times," where would a law-abiding person such as yourself carry it when having sex or taking a shower, when diving in the ocean while on vacation, or going mud-wrestling? Do you have it on a chain dangling around your neck, or do you put it in that dark place where the sun don't shine?

I have to say that I don't think I'll be carrying around my green card at all times either. A photocopy maybe, but the real thing when it costs $370 to replace the damn thing?! I don't think so! What's the worst that could happen to me? If I get arrested by the cops, I'll get my husband or a friend to bring the green card to the police station so they can verify I'm not illegal. If I were to go out of Texas, or even somewhere far away in Texas, I'd bring it with me - my husband and I got married in Marfa (West Texas) and got stopped by border patrol in the middle of the night when we were driving back from Big Bend. I'd have been in a mess if I hadn't had my passport and OPT card with me then.

[dirtyweebesom 8]

By the way, do people who get the conditional two-year green card have to go to their local SS and get the DHS conditions removed from their SSN card? I thought it was only naturalized citizens who had to do that.

You don't have to, but it gives you protection in case you need to find a new job and removal of conditions gets dragged out and your conditional green card expires. I've read occasionally on here that sometimes roc gets dragged out so you end up with your conditional gc expiring, waiting for the 10 year gc.

If you have the SSC without the annotation plus a state id/driver license you can go find a new job if you need to. All depends on your circumstances if you're already employed - your company can't ask for for a new gc once yours expires. But if you're out of work looking for a new job, companies can't accept an expired gc, they also can't accept your soc if it still has that phrase on regardless of how long you've had residency.

I think it's a personal decison if you do it or not. I don't know how often or how likely it is for removal of conditions to drag out longer than the 3 months. But I will likely apply for the ssc without that `only valid with DHS authorization' once i ahve my gc just to be on the safe side as I never want to be in immigration limbo again!

Thanks, Marie. You are so knowledgeable!

Just another wee question, though....If somebody loses their job, has to find new work and only has a SSN card (without any DHS restrictions marked on it) because their green card has expired, how would a company ever know that the applicant wasn't an American citizen to ask them to show a green card? I mean, I've got a pretty strong Scottish accent, so I could see how someone might ask me to show a green card because of that, but what happens if the applicant sounds 100% American? You surely can't go about asking every single person who interviews about their immigration status?!

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

I cannot even conceive how somebody can lose their green card or their passport. Car keys? Sure. Wallet? Also. Virginity? Absoutely. Head? Yes, in a horrible accident. But passport, green card, and Certificate of Naturalization, the most valuable documents a person owns?

Maybe it would help if the replacement cost were not $370, but $3,700? Seriously.

i agree! i think i would prefer losing my 500 bucks than my GC!

Edited December 16, 2009 by ~happyndinlove~

[Kathryn41 3,207]

By the way, do people who get the conditional two-year green card have to go to their local SS and get the DHS conditions removed from their SSN card? I thought it was only naturalized citizens who had to do that.

You don't have to, but it gives you protection in case you need to find a new job and removal of conditions gets dragged out and your conditional green card expires. I've read occasionally on here that sometimes roc gets dragged out so you end up with your conditional gc expiring, waiting for the 10 year gc.

If you have the SSC without the annotation plus a state id/driver license you can go find a new job if you need to. All depends on your circumstances if you're already employed - your company can't ask for for a new gc once yours expires. But if you're out of work looking for a new job, companies can't accept an expired gc, they also can't accept your soc if it still has that phrase on regardless of how long you've had residency.

I think it's a personal decison if you do it or not. I don't know how often or how likely it is for removal of conditions to drag out longer than the 3 months. But I will likely apply for the ssc without that `only valid with DHS authorization' once i ahve my gc just to be on the safe side as I never want to be in immigration limbo again!

Thanks, Marie. You are so knowledgeable!

Just another wee question, though....If somebody loses their job, has to find new work and only has a SSN card (without any DHS restrictions marked on it) because their green card has expired, how would a company ever know that the applicant wasn't an American citizen to ask them to show a green card? I mean, I've got a pretty strong Scottish accent, so I could see how someone might ask me to show a green card because of that, but what happens if the applicant sounds 100% American? You surely can't go about asking every single person who interviews about their immigration status?!

The employer has to fill out an I-9 "Employment Eligibility Verification" form. http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf It is a requirement for all employees hired after November 6, 1986 and it's purpose is to document that each person hired -US citizen or non-citizen - is eligible to work in the US. There are 3 lists of documents and all employees must provide one from list A or one each from list B and C. Not every one would have all of the necessary documents so yes, it can become an issue, depending on the documents an individual has available.

Edited December 16, 2009 by Kathryn41

[marie09 5]

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf[/url] It is a requirement for all employees hired after November 6, 1986 and it's purpose is to document that each person hired -US citizen or non-citizen - is eligible to work in the US. There are 3 lists of documents and all employees must provide one from list A or one each from list B and C. Not every one would have all of the necessary documents so yes, it can become an issue, depending on the documents an individual has available.

Yeah when i used to work in HR we were told we couldn't specifically ask for a green card we just had to ensure all new employees satisfied the I9 requirements within 3 days. They could pick what they wanted of the list so long as it met the eligibility. For example some permanent residents would bring in a driver license and a social security card - so long as the card - didn't say `only valid for work...' that was perfectly acceptable - though they did have to list their alien number on section 1. Even people I knew were american as could be still had to satisfy the form - no exceptions or legally the company could risk a discrimination suit. So different to the UK - I think I was only ever asked once to show proof of being british and that was 1 out of a zillion jobs!

This carrying green card with you issue - is kindof interesting. Obv. i'm not at that stage yet - but had planned on keeping it safe at home - except on say relevant days when I may need it - say the first day at a new job or when travelling. Can't imagine carrying it with me everyday - i'd be so scared of losing it...

[marie09 5]

My quoting got very messed up there! Was agreeing with what Katherine was saying btw!

[Big Papa Zone 93]

I keep mine in the glovebox of my car. That way, the only chance of losing it is if someone steals my car, which statistically speaking (where I live, at any rate) is extremely unlikely.