Immigration green card/SSN issuing issue

[Jho369 13]

Hi everyone,

I remember when my wife came to the US, she had to go through immigration where they opened the "Do not open" envelope that was issued. When her mom came over, they did not open that envelope and she did get her green card, but the SSN was delayed by National Security for quite a few months. We had to go to the local SSN office to file for the SSN, even then, it took nearly 3 months. Now her dad came and again, they did not take a look at the do not open envelope. I feel like they missed something since I wasn't there with them like I was with my wife to guide them where to go. It could be the new process, it could be they missed something. Id appreciate any help to make sure her dad gets the SSN in a timely manner. 

 

Thank you 

[Crazy Cat 39,262]

If he hasn't received the card within a couple months, then make an appointment at the SS office.....just like you did before.  That's all you can do, and you did it correctly the first time.

Edited March 23, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Timona 3,941]

COVID is delaying stuff....that's the excuse at government offices. My local SSN won't even open, 2 years later. I need to update citizenship but isn't looking forward to parting with the original Naturalization Certificate. So, I'm in no hurry. I'll wait til they open

[Chancy 6,233]

*** Moved from Bringing Family of LPR forum to Moving to the US & Your New Life In America forum -- topic is about processes after US entry ***

 

[Jho369 13]

3 minutes ago, Timona said:

COVID is delaying stuff....that's the excuse at government offices. My local SSN won't even open, 2 years later. I need to update citizenship but isn't looking forward to parting with the original Naturalization Certificate. So, I'm in no hurry. I'll wait til they open

For sure. Mine are required by appointment only still. Even when I went there, that office is completely empty. But I didn't have to do that for my wife. She received everything without us doing anything. When I went to the SSN office, they checked and nothing filed with homeland security at all, even though I checked the SSN box in the DS 160 application. 

[valaben 5]

We had a similar issue with getting the SSN. You'll just need to make an appointment with your local Social Security office as Crazy Cat says

[mam521 1,725]

7 minutes ago, Jho369 said:

For sure. Mine are required by appointment only still. Even when I went there, that office is completely empty. But I didn't have to do that for my wife. She received everything without us doing anything. When I went to the SSN office, they checked and nothing filed with homeland security at all, even though I checked the SSN box in the DS 160 application. 

It's 6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other as to whether or not they generate the SSN despite having checked the box on your immigration application.  You wife got lucky, your father -in-law, not so much.  Don't stress - the appointment is fine.  

 

As Timona has said, the SSA seem to be last on the radar to move past covid restrictions, too.  

[SteveInBostonI130 3,319]

1 hour ago, Jho369 said:

Hi everyone,

I remember when my wife came to the US, she had to go through immigration where they opened the "Do not open" envelope that was issued. When her mom came over, they did not open that envelope and she did get her green card, but the SSN was delayed by National Security for quite a few months. We had to go to the local SSN office to file for the SSN, even then, it took nearly 3 months. Now her dad came and again, they did not take a look at the do not open envelope. I feel like they missed something since I wasn't there with them like I was with my wife to guide them where to go. It could be the new process, it could be they missed something. Id appreciate any help to make sure her dad gets the SSN in a timely manner. 

 

Thank you 

Hi,

 

Others responded about the delays with SSN.  I just wanted to point out that several years ago most things were paper based.  Nowadays everything is mostly electronic.  That is probably why they opened the sealed packet for your wife but did not need to open anything for your in-laws.  They have your in-laws immigration information in their system for reference.

[Jho369 13]

41 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Hi,

 

Others responded about the delays with SSN.  I just wanted to point out that several years ago most things were paper based.  Nowadays everything is mostly electronic.  That is probably why they opened the sealed packet for your wife but did not need to open anything for your in-laws.  They have your in-laws immigration information in their system for reference.

Thank you. That would explain it. I was just worried they had missed a step at the airport. 

[Jho369 13]

1 hour ago, mam521 said:

It's 6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other as to whether or not they generate the SSN despite having checked the box on your immigration application.  You wife got lucky, your father -in-law, not so much.  Don't stress - the appointment is fine.  

 

As Timona has said, the SSA seem to be last on the radar to move past covid restrictions, too.  

For my MIL, we waited for a long time and decided to stop by the SSA office. Is there a waiting period or do we just go there ASAP when we receive the green card for my FIL?

[mam521 1,725]

1 hour ago, Jho369 said:

For my MIL, we waited for a long time and decided to stop by the SSA office. Is there a waiting period or do we just go there ASAP when we receive the green card for my FIL?

Give it a couple of weeks upon entering the US.  If you don't receive it in the first month, make an appointment with the SSA. 

 

You don't require the physical greencard. The machine readable, endorsed visa in the passport (MRIV) serves as proof of status, which is good because the physical card can be fast, OR it can be slow.  Ours took 177 days or something like that.  Just fair warning that the SSA agents don't seem to be well trained, so you may have to show them in the instructions or print off the main SSA website that the MRIV does work.  Also, don't let them tell you to just "drop off" your FIL's documents.  Make sure you get an appointment and take his documents (passport, birth certificate) back after they verify his identity.  There's been stories of others who've been told to just drop their documents off and the SSA loses them.  Absolutely frightening!  

[Bob in Boston 622]

Just checked my local social security office, says they will be reopening for in person services next month.