still trying to get SSN one month after POE...what to do?

[smashrun 10]

Hello all - just wanted to see if anyone else has run into the same issue. My fiance (now husband) entered on Jun 20 with no problems. We waited the suggested 10 business days to apply for SSN. He wasn't in the database (SAVE) and we were told to come back later. So we did...2 more times and still nothing. The last time he went by himself and they gave him some sheet that has info applying to people entering on CR-1. Obviously incorrect for us. Ugh.

So I did some research and figured out he might have been entered into the system incorrectly at POE. We paid a visit to the CBP Deferred Inspections office to see if all his I-94 info was entered correctly. Officer confirmed all info is accurate but he is still not showing up in the SAVE database. We are naturally pretty frustrated at this point ( month after arrival) as our state requires SSN for a driver's license and needless to say having the number would make things a lot easier. Any suggestions regarding what to do now? I suspect the answer is WAIT.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

You could always try making an infopass appointment and ask them to check on why he is not showing in the system. They may be able to clear that up and get it fixed for you. He will still most likely have to wait until he has his EAD or green card, unless he still has at least 2 weeks left before his I-94 expires, if and when they get it straightened out for you.

[AJabad 3]

Hello there. Based on our experience, my fiance(e) and I got married within 90 days. We waited for a month and a half to ensure all her information will be in the system. I think you guys came in a little early. You may want to wait until all the information is forwarded to the office. You can apply for SSN as long within 90 days. My fiance(e) applied for her SSN after 45 days of her stay here in Guam and everything went smooth.

[xjoseyx 19]

Hello all - just wanted to see if anyone else has run into the same issue. My fiance (now husband) entered on Jun 20 with no problems. We waited the suggested 10 business days to apply for SSN. He wasn't in the database (SAVE) and we were told to come back later. So we did...2 more times and still nothing. The last time he went by himself and they gave him some sheet that has info applying to people entering on CR-1. Obviously incorrect for us. Ugh.

So I did some research and figured out he might have been entered into the system incorrectly at POE. We paid a visit to the CBP Deferred Inspections office to see if all his I-94 info was entered correctly. Officer confirmed all info is accurate but he is still not showing up in the SAVE database. We are naturally pretty frustrated at this point ( month after arrival) as our state requires SSN for a driver's license and needless to say having the number would make things a lot easier. Any suggestions regarding what to do now? I suspect the answer is WAIT.

IM having the same issue. Ive been waiting 6 weeks for my numbber and still nothing. Ive been told to wait another 2 weeks until I can go back and see whats going on. I too need a SSN for a driver license. Are you in New Jersey?

[JenniferJacobsson 0]

IM having the same issue. Ive been waiting 6 weeks for my numbber and still nothing. Ive been told to wait another 2 weeks until I can go back and see whats going on. I too need a SSN for a driver license. Are you in New Jersey?

I'm in NJ, and I wanna get my divers license, I haven't gotten my GC yet but I just received my EAD, can I apply for my SSN then? (Im guessing it's short for Soscial Security number) hehe.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

I'm in NJ, and I wanna get my divers license, I haven't gotten my GC yet but I just received my EAD, can I apply for my SSN then? (Im guessing it's short for Soscial Security number) hehe.

Yes, you can use your EAD to apply for your SSN.

[smashrun 10]

Thanks for all the info! We'll keep trying and meanwhile we have also made an Infopass appointment just to see if that could push things along.

IM having the same issue. Ive been waiting 6 weeks for my numbber and still nothing. Ive been told to wait another 2 weeks until I can go back and see whats going on. I too need a SSN for a driver license. Are you in New Jersey?

Hi - no we are in NC. Glad to know we're not the only ones going through this! Pretty frustrating

[smashrun 10]

Update: more frustration. Infopass appointment was useless. IO tells us she cannot see him in the system and to go to back to CBP Deferred Inspections office. Umm ok. CBP already told us his POE information is correct, what more can they do for us??

Called SAVE Verification Program Office. While very nice and tried to help, SAVE person basically told me that my husband won't show up in SAVE until we apply for a benefit i.e. SSN. Well yes, we applied for SSN but they say there is no SAVE record, so no SSN. Also he emphatically stated that many people are not automatically entered into SAVE and that you have to apply for a benefit before a SAVE entry is created. I tried to explain for at least 15 minutes that immigrants "should" be automatically uploaded into SAVE without having to initiate the process. He was not buying it. OMG *pulls hair out" I give up.

Thanks for all the info! We'll keep trying and meanwhile we have also made an Infopass appointment just to see if that could push things along.

Hi - no we are in NC. Glad to know we're not the only ones going through this! Pretty frustrating

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Update: more frustration. Infopass appointment was useless. IO tells us she cannot see him in the system and to go to back to CBP Deferred Inspections office. Umm ok. CBP already told us his POE information is correct, what more can they do for us??

Called SAVE Verification Program Office. While very nice and tried to help, SAVE person basically told me that my husband won't show up in SAVE until we apply for a benefit i.e. SSN. Well yes, we applied for SSN but they say there is no SAVE record, so no SSN. Also he emphatically stated that many people are not automatically entered into SAVE and that you have to apply for a benefit before a SAVE entry is created. I tried to explain for at least 15 minutes that immigrants "should" be automatically uploaded into SAVE without having to initiate the process. He was not buying it. OMG *pulls hair out" I give up.

Wow. What a mess and hassle they are giving you. I guess you can wait until he gets the EAD and try again at the SSA, or if you want to go to your nearest CBP deferred inspection site, you could call and explain the whole mess to them. Let them know USCIS says he is not showing up in the SAVE database. I know you went before, but there has to be something someone can do for you. Here is a list of sites: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/contacts/deferred_inspection/deferred_inspection_sites.ctt/deferred_inspection_sites.pdf

[Pitaya 2,577]

It sounds like we maybe looking at a similar situation. After the POE, the step-son's I-94 had an error that required a trip to the local CBP field office to correct. After getting the corrected Form I-194 issue resolved, the polite CPB officer suggested that we call their office in two weeks, and then apply for the SSN. She said that even though we had recently gone through POE, their file was not yet even in the CPB computer system, evidently there is quite a backlog.

Okay, now for a bit of my soapbox..... the vaunted DHS and CPB can't keep track of folks doing legal immigration, how the h@ll are they supposed to catch the bad boys? I don't think that they could catch a cold! Ah, our government at work. .... Okay, now back to our situation.....

Perhaps the local CPB officer was being too optimistic in telling us to wait two weeks? Maybe we will have the same situation as you are describing? Perhaps my new wife will end filing for social security survivor benefits (due to my demise) before she is able to get her own SSN?

Hang in there, it seems that you are not alone in this government bureaucratic mess...... Hopefully we will all muddle through it....

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Edited August 1, 2012 by A&B