Still horribly worried - in USA, not got SSN, not got welcome letter

[hamtaro 4]

I came into Washington DC and the immigration official was chewing gum and looked like he was fed up of doing his job. Glanced at my file, then stapled it and threw away my I-94 form I filled in on the plane (the white one.) I then went into another room where they again just glanced at my stuff. They told me nothing. They told the person in front they would have their green card sent to the address they gave, but they told ME nothing. I was so keen to get out of there I didn't ask. Whole immigration process including queue took less than 20 minutes? My passport is stamped but that's all I saw them do. They were extremely disinterested and I'm worried they overlooked something and that they should not have thrown away the I-94. All they said to me is to confirm I knew my entry was conditional and I had to re-apply in 2 years. They took my file, as is normal I know but I've since heard precisely nothing. Been checking the mail every day and I don't know what to think. I checked the box asking for SSN but when do I get it? I've been here 2 weeks. I really want to work, neither me nor my husband have ANY income at all! I'm scared even of restarting my importing business in USA, I have no SSN. I'm going stir crazy as I am a bona-fide workaholic. What now?

[Done--Really 331]

You are worried about the wrong things:

1) The stamp in your passport is your temporary green card--you don't need the I-94 for anything--now or ever again.

2) Who cares if the CBP agent wasn't friendly and forthcoming--you are here--legally !!

3) Go to the nearest social security office tomorrow and you will walk out with your SS#, and you can start work immediately, or restart your business.

Life is easy--smile and enjoy it

[pushbrk 12,105]

I came into Washington DC and the immigration official was chewing gum and looked like he was fed up of doing his job. Glanced at my file, then stapled it and threw away my I-94 form I filled in on the plane (the white one.) I then went into another room where they again just glanced at my stuff. They told me nothing. They told the person in front they would have their green card sent to the address they gave, but they told ME nothing. I was so keen to get out of there I didn't ask. Whole immigration process including queue took less than 20 minutes? My passport is stamped but that's all I saw them do. They were extremely disinterested and I'm worried they overlooked something and that they should not have thrown away the I-94. All they said to me is to confirm I knew my entry was conditional and I had to re-apply in 2 years. They took my file, as is normal I know but I've since heard precisely nothing. Been checking the mail every day and I don't know what to think. I checked the box asking for SSN but when do I get it? I've been here 2 weeks. I really want to work, neither me nor my husband have ANY income at all! I'm scared even of restarting my importing business in USA, I have no SSN. I'm going stir crazy as I am a bona-fide workaholic. What now?

If your DS230 was properly filled out with regard to Social Security Card, it will come within a month. Usually the green card does to but you have a stamp in your passport that is a temporary green card for a year. I-94 forms are never needed by permanent residents of the USA, conditional or otherwise. On what date did you arrive?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Excellent advice.

Understand that the I-94 is for people who are temporarily in the US. It is stapled into the passport and shows how long the foreigner is allowed to stay. Since you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, the I-94 is not applicable to you.

Immigration and all the paperwork and administrative processes surrounding it can be nerve-wrecking.

Welcome to America!

[Darnell 8,478]

I-94s are never accepted at CBP from holders of IR-1 or CR-1 visas. You did the wrong thing, it was OK for the CBP goon to tear up year I-94. I-94s are for non-immigrant visa holders - yer an immigrant visa holder, un necessary for this form.

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As you went through the POE, you got a stamp in yer passport - this stamp is called the I-551 stamp, it serves as temporary green card.

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ticking the box on the DS-230 is useless, half the time (or more) the card generation request to SSA never arrives to SSA

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Usually after 2 weeks, can go to SSA office with passport, file out application, get SSN. There are specific things to do at SSA office to guarantee success (SSA employees are more brain dead, alas) so use advanced search tool here, with 'SSA SSN SAVE' as search terms (click on 'show as posts)

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Green card arrive in the mail within 45 days of POE date. If you not have it, don't sweat it, something was wrong with POE, you'll have to go to secondary inspection / deferred inspection CBP office, face to face, get it fixed.

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Please fill out yer timeline so we can give you timely advice. TIA !

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Good Luck !

Edited June 26, 2011 by Darnell

[Darnell 8,478]

are you going into SSA office for Monday morning, or no ?

[Darnell 8,478]

any news from SSA office visit ?

[Darnell 8,478]

i know it's been a while, but with all the prior drama, I'm confused as to why she not post back any results of getting the green card, the ssn card, or even to fill out her timeline.

sheesh.

[TBoneTX 43,048]

If you accepted PMs, I'd tell you, Brother D. At any rate, the OP hasn't logged on to VJ since January 2012, and I've recommended this and her other thread for closure.

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

*** closing zombie thread. Should OP wish to update (unlikely), we will happily re-open ****