blackdog_harry

About the dates, I found out that the instruction itself shows an example as mm/yyyy format. So I think it is OK to put months only as long as the months are correct.

Thanks for the reply! If I am not sure about the exact date, do I just write down months only and leave date blank or put an approximate day? Which option do people usually take - either just putting months or putting dates by approximation?

About the guideline, what I meant was that the guideline seems outdated because there are no YES/NO questions from 1-15 in Part 7 & 1-5 in part 8 in the 1/22/09 edition of NR-400. I wanted to know for what part I need to add a written explanation if I answer either Yes or No. Now I am confused if I have to add an explanation for affiliations if I am a member of some professional organizations...

--

If you answer “Yes” to any of Questions 1 through 15 in Part 7 of form N-400, send:

A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper.

If you answer “No” to any of Questions 1 through 5 in Part 8 of form N-400, send:

A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper.

--

If you know the month and year you are fine. A clear, close and honest approximation is fine too if you can't remember the exact day.

It doesn't have to fit the guidelines, it has to be your honest answer. Don't copy anything just because it's on the internet. It has to be your response not someone else's.

Yes, you should be able to complete this for all by yourself without the help of a lawyer. If you've been affiliated to American Psychology Association, American Nursing Association you can to put that on the form. No explanation is needed unless the form specifically mentions you need to that for that particular question. Yes, you can also mention the honor society from college.

Thank you so much!

There was a discussion here addressing this exact question about affiliations.

Here is the link. There was a lot of input from several people...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=242623

The N-400 form requires exact dates (mm/dd/yy) for residence, employment, school etc. But for most of them I am not sure what the exact date the event was although I am certain about the year and the month. If I end up being off in dates, would that be a problem? I am particularly worried about moving dates because I filed AR-11 but don't have a copy for it. Anyone who had the same experience with these dates in N-400?

Also. about part 10. additional questions, I am guessing most people would answer NO to questions from 1 to 33 and YES from 34 to 39. This doesn't fit with the guidelines I found in VisaJourney: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...alization_guide

If you answer “Yes” to any of Questions 1 through 15 in Part 7 of form N-400, send:

A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper.

If you answer “No” to any of Questions 1 through 5 in Part 8 of form N-400, send:

A written explanation on a separate sheet of paper.

Anyone with updated information?

Also, what is the Affiliation question (No. 8 in Part 10) for? It asks if I have ever been a member of or associated with any organization, association, fund foundation, party, club, society, or similar group in the US or in any other place? If I am a member of professional organization related to my job such as American Psychology Association, American Nursing Association, etc. do I put that in? And if so, I have to provide additional explanation for that? Would an honor society from college count for this question?

It seems that I should be able to file N-400 myself without asking a lawyer but the form is not entirely clear to me.

Thanks so much in advance!

blackdog_harry

---

permanent resident since 2005 Apr.

I got my card in the mail from VSC yesterday.

The NOA date is 2007-01-29.

Good luck to everybody!

I just got an email saying Card Production Ordered.

I sent mine over in the middle of January this year.

It took about 6 months from NOA date to Card production.

I see on the board that some people filed after me were already approved a few weeks ago while some filed before me are still waiting.

So there is certainly some variance.

FYI, Here is my timeline.

CIS Office : Vermont Service Center

NOA Date : 2007-01-29

Bio. Appt. : 2007-02-22

Good luck to everybody!

cheers,

blackdog_harry

I am wating as well. I filed at the end of January. So far nothing... :-(

Congratulations!!!

It is a great news!!!

I have been meaning to post this for a while.

It seems that there have been cases in which people try to change their jobs while I-751 is pending and have trouble with satisfying I-9 requirement with their expired green card and NOA. (This does not apply to those who have updated their SS card to one without a legend before their conditional green card expires.)

But there are some people like me who failed to do so and happen to want to change jobs while I-751 is pending...

I was just wondering why Driver's license or State ID + NOA should not suffice for I-9 requirement.

An expired green card cannot be used for List A.

But NOA would not fall under the List C?

So, NOA combined with Driver's license or State ID under List B, there should not be a problem in satisfying I-9 in getting a new job...it seems...

Anybody with experience in this?

The following is from The Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OSC) , US dept. of Justice web page.

http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/osc/htm/facts.htm#docs

Q. What documents may employees show employers to establish identity and employment eligibility?

A. The documents identified below are acceptable to establish identity and employment eligibility. Please note that the list of acceptable documents is different than the list that appears on the back of the current I-9 Form due to intervening changes in law. However, employers that continue to follow the list that appears on the back of the I-9 Form will not be sanctioned by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), until such time as DHS issues a new I-9 Form and Handbook for Employers. In addition, please call OSC for special rules that apply in certain situations, including receipts, rehiring former employees, workers with temporary protected status (TPS), documentation for individuals with disabilities, and additional acceptable documents.

List A

Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Eligibility.

• U.S. Passport (unexpired or expired)

• Unexpired foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp

• Alien Registration Receipt Card or Permanent Resident Card (INS Form I-551)

• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card that contains a photograph (Form I-766, Form I-688, Form I-688A, Form I-688B)

• For non-immigrants authorized to work for a specific employer: an unexpired foreign passport with an Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94, bearing an unexpired endorsement of the individual's nonimmigrant status.

• Unexpired foreign passport with a Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) and unexpired temporary I-551 stamp (valid until the expiration date set forth on the temporary I-551 stamp).

• Unexpired foreign passport with a MRIV containing temporary I-551 language and endorsed with an unexpired DHS admission stamp (valid for one year from the date of admission).

See also the receipt rule discussion below for additional documentation.

OR

List B

Documents that Establish Identity

• Driver's license or ID card issued by a state or outlying possession of the United States provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color, and address

• ID card issued by federal, state or local government agencies or entities provided it contains a photograph or information such as name, date of birth, sex, height, eye color, and address

• School ID card with a photograph

• Voter's registration card

• U.S. Military card or draft record

• Military dependent's ID card

• U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card

• Native American tribal document

• Driver's license issued by a Canadian government authority

For persons under age 18 who are unable to present a document listed above:

• School record or report card

• Clinic, doctor, or hospital record

• Day-care or nursery school record.

AND

List C

Documents that Establish Employment Eligibility

• U.S. Social Security card issued by the Social Security Administration (other than a card stating it is not valid for employment or valid only with INS work authorization)

• Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (Form FS-545 or Form DS-1350)

• Original or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state, county, municipal authority or outlying possession of the United States bearing an official seal

• Native American tribal document

• U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197)

• ID Card for use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)

• Unexpired employment authorization document issued by the Department of Homeland Security (other than those listed under List A), including (1) a Form I-94 identifying the holder as an asylee (by stating "asylum", "asylee" or appropriate provision of law), or (2) other documentation issued by DHS (or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)) that identifies the holder as an asylee, lawful permanent resident, refugee (except for the Form I-94 identifying the holder as a refugee, which is considered a receipt only), or other status authorized to work in the United States incident to status.

It is such a great news!!!

Congratulations!!!

-----------

Jan 22 - Send in I-751 via express mail.

Jan 23 - Received at VSC (according to USPS).

Jan 25 - Two Checks ($205 & $70) cashed by USCIS.

Jan 29 - Received a Blue Receipt for Biometrics ($70)

Feb 12- NOA received

There have been discussion in the past about this matter.

It may help to take a look.

To sum up, updating a SS card to one without a legend is not allowed when the green card is going to expire in 2 wks or less.

Getting a new job with an expired green card + extension letter (NOA) could be tricky but is not impossible with contacting right places--e.g. justice dept.

Continuing a job after the green card expires is fine as long as you submit the NOA to HR because it states that the status is extended for a year.

[i had no problem with this.]

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58703

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62995

I would like to know if the stamp on the passport will work.

I heard that the stamp is not issued any more but in this case it may be the only way...

That would be good news since it is simpler than calling justice dept.

Good luck and let us know what happens!

How come did they not send you the new card if they approved your case such a long time ago???

Did you try to check your case status online?

It seems strange that you have to be responsible for the lost mail...

I filed at VSC and got my NOA in three weeks. So, if you mail the package in soon, you will be able to get the letter before your card expires. My HR wasn't even aware of the expiration date when I brought them a copy of the extension letter. I think I read that it may be problematic to get a new job while you are in the I-751 process since you do not have a current-dated green card. But I think that your old green card and extension letter should be enough for you to keep the job that you already have. So, I am curious about what this part of the HR notice you received means because it stipilates that an I-797 NOA letter is not enough. Perhaps your job is renewed every year and they need new verification of your status?

It is also very important for you to understand the XXX Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will not accept an I-797 Notice of Action. The OPM wants the renewed or new document with the current expiration date.

Good luck!

blackdog_harry

Hello Folks,

My clock is ticking...Its now time to remove conditions. My earliest eligible time was March 25, 2007. Yes, I am aware I have already allowed 3 weeks to past. I am sending the package on Monday or as soon as we receive some expected letter of affidavits on the mail.

My predicament is that I already got a reminder e-mail from my employer's HR warning me about my green card expiring on June 24, 2007. They caught this expiration date because recently I had to undergo my annual renewal of my security and background clearance in order to continue working for my company's client which is a Federal Agency. I was lucky enough to work for the top IT contractor for USA's Federal Agencies like SSA, NSA, etc. I work for the federal agency contract that allows green card holders to be part of the team. And the only reason I am still with the contractor company and not with the Federal agency is due to my green card status. The Federal agency client is expecting me to become their employee as soon as I become a US citizen which is fine by me and I felt lucky to be considered. But first things first.

My questions are: Do you think it is okay to include this e-mail letter in the package that I will be sending for the Removal of Condition and have a letter requesting for a year extension of my GC? How long will it really take to get the 10 year GC? Btw, my husband and I will be filing in Vermont.

fyi - it is not hard to get a job for my skills as I have observed lately but I did not want to lose this particular job. I am intending to work for a long time with this company or Federal agency client. It is not easy at all to get a job in both these places. Before I got in, I had to undergo a lot of hurdles. I felt lucky to work for these places.

The e-mail is worded like this:

'RE: FIRSTNAME LASTNAME

PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD EXPIRES: 6/24/2007

Our records indicates that your Permanent Resident Card expires June 24, 2007. I’m notifying you now because the renewal process can take two weeks to three months and sometimes longer. When you receive your updated documentation, bring the original document to the Security Department office. It is very important that the Security office copy the original document. We track all information pertinent to the XXXXX contract and our office is the one who submits the updated documentation to our client at the XXXX’s office.

It is also very important for you to understand the XXX Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will not accept an I-797 Notice of Action. The OPM wants the renewed or new document with the current expiration date. It is in your best interest to begin filing now to receive your new INS documentation on time. You should also know that you are at risk of being removed from the XXXXX contract if your obligation is not fulfilled on time.

FYI: I will be sending you reminders.

Directions to the Security Office:

blah blah blah and so on....

Yes, have the card updated before it is too late. I tried about 2 weeks before my 2-yr card expires and heard that I should bring a new Green card. So, it is good to have the ss card updated as soon as you receive your green card whether it is a 2-yr one or a 10-yr one.

Dora--

Does your case status look like this?

Application Type: CRI89, PETITION TO REMOVE CONDITIONS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS RECEIVED

Current Status: Case received and pending.

.....

I must have missed the first line since the Last updated date hasn't change...

Silly me

Thanks so much for this, meauxna. You are great!

Meridith, you are so lucky!!!

I was on F-1 visa as an international student when I got the card. Hence the legend.

It is so sad that I haven't updated my SS card earlier. If I had went one week earlier, it would have worked... sigh, sigh...

Well, at least the person at the SS office gave me back my SS card with a legend.

So yes, I am stuck with it until I get a new PR card.

I will get my card updated as soon as my new PR card comes. Who knows how long it will take...

I read that posting thread about a new workplace's HR office refusing to take NOA and then taking that refusal back.

In the end, it worked out. So I thought the particular HR office was mistaken.

But is it not the case and is it really up to HR (of individual employers) to hire someone who has an expired green card + NOA?

I think it is really not fair that people can't get a new job while the I-751 is being processed considering the process takes up to a year or longer to be resolved!

Well, I won't worry about that until I at least get to be offered a job I want first!

Thanks again!!!

Blackdog_harry

Wow, that is great. I had to wait for an hour although I went in half an hour early...

By the way, is the change of status "Case received and Pending" to "Petition to Remove Conditions of PR Status Received" what happens everybody's case after biometrics?

I have my biometrics done in February but my online case status is still "Case received and Pending" , not "Petition to Remove Conditions of PR Status Received".

-----------

2007.

Jan 22 - Send in I-751 via express mail.

Jan 23 - Received at VSC (according to USPS).

Jan 25 - Two Checks ($205 & $70) cashed by USCIS.

Jan 29 - Received a Blue Receipt for Biometrics ($70)

Feb 12 - NOA received

Feb 14 - Biometrics appointment letter received

Feb 22 – Biometrics.

[Feb 24 – Last updated]

Here is an update. I could not get a new card without a legend.

The person I talked to at the SS office said that my card expired although the expiration date on the card is 10 days away from today.

I am not sure if my filing I-751 automatically makes the card expired or if the card counts as expired in the same month in which the card expiration date is.

But it seems that when she typed in my SS number or A# number, the number appeared to be expired in the database.

So, my advice for those who are about to file i-175 is update your SS card first before filing I-751.

I also realized when I came back home that I forgot to show her the NOA and ask if that counts as an extension of expiration date.

But I guess it wouldn't have been accepted as an extension anyway.

So, I guess I will wait until my 10yr green card is delivered to have my new SS card replaced.

One thing that bothers me is the question of whether I lose the SS credits for the past two years I worked as a permanent resident because I have not updated my SS card since I got my 2-yr green card. That would be sad since I have paid SS tax for the past two years.. Sigh.

The person at the SS office did not answer it straightfowardly and simply told me to come back when I have a new green card.

Anybody knows about this?

Thanks so much for the information!!!

I explored the SS website but it was not easy to find what I needed.

I have read that SS benefits are available for those who have worked for more than 10 yrs.

So, it seems that the age at which one starts working should not matter although of course I am not sure at all...

I guess what I am going to do is to go to the nearby social security office and see if they will issue me a SS card without a legend

since my green card has not yet expired. I am thinking about moving to a different workplace. So if I can have a SS care without a legend, it may come in handy.

But I am not sure if my request for a new card will be accepted since I already filed I-751 and got a NOA.

The SS website says when one updates one's immigration status, one should provide current immigration documents.

Does this mean that I also bring my NOA as well as my green card (which is going to expire in ten days)?

Again, thanks so much for taking time to reply!!!

(I wish that USCIS mails some booklets about all these things when it mails a green card, so that people are more aware of what things need to be done and can be done for themselves. I would have certainly updated my SS card if I had known... )

Blackdog_harry

There are benefits to updating your immigration status with SSA.

1-When you become a permanent resident (from the F-1 or other non-immigrant status). You can get a SS card without the 'DHS permission' legend on it. A no-legend card + a your state ID are valid hiring documents if you want to be hired for a job (in lieu of your Green Card). This is a good idea, but it is not required. No one will notify you of any upcoming steps, either.

2-When you become a US citizen, you'll want to notify SSA again. I don't have a list handy of the benefits to you for this, except that it does affect you collecting your SSA benefits from overseas in the way distant future.

You are not obligated to notify SSA of any of these changes (inlcuding moves)--it is for your benefit to do so.

It's not really a very big chunk of your pay that goes to SSA, but you can read about it here, and your upcoming benefits. You can get an annual benefits statement from SSA: http://ssa.gov/

Since you are paying in, you are entitled to collect back some at retirement (if SSA is still around). Some countries will allow it as a credit back to your own state pension if you move back to your home country, and sometimes you can collect directly from SSA, but abroad. It's a bit complex.

Hi ~

I have a question about Permanent Residency and the Social Security Card.

I came to the States on F-1 visa and got my Social Security Card.

I also have made my state ID using my passport and social security card since I don't drive.

During the immigration process after my marriage, I haven't paid any attention to the Social Security Card.

(Nor did our lawyer mention anything about it. )

So, I haven't contacted the Social Security office when my status changed from an international student on F-1 visa to a conditional permanent resident.

Nor have I updated my state ID, which was made when I was a resident alien, not a permanent resident.

Now I think that perhaps I should have updated both Social Security card and my State ID card.

And probably I should have done so before I filed my I-751 in January. Sigh.

Does anyone know what a new permanent resident needs to do regarding her social security card and state ID card that were created before she got a green card?

Do new permanent residents have an obligation to notify social security office and state government about their status change and/or address change?

Since I work full-time, I receive social security statements. So far, I haven't paid much attention to them either.

But I know that a big chunk of my salary goes to social security tax.

As a permanent resident and non US citizen, am I even eligible for social security benefits when I get old and retire?

(Since my country does not allow dual citizenship, I am not sure I want to apply for US citizenship giving up my own...)

Any information and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

Blackdog_harry

-------------------------------------------------------------

Jan 22 - Send in I-751 via express mail.

Jan 23 - Received at VSC (according to USPS).

Jan 25 - Two Checks ($205 & $70) cashed by USCIS.

Jan 29 - Received a Blue Receipt for Biometrics ($70)

Feb 12 - NOA received

Feb 14 - Biometrics appointment letter received

Feb 22 - Biometrics done in Boston.

I agree. It is very strange.

Would it be a good idea to call and ask about why no item that has been already sent is not checked on the requested item list?

Good luck!!!

congrations!!!!

A-ha! Thanks!!!

I thought "touched" meant having a phone conversation with USCIS.

Hi~

Since I haven't heard anything at all since biometrics from VSC, I went online to check out my Case Status.

The status is still "Case received and pending" and look the same as when I checked last time after getting NOA.

But I have noticed that they put Feb. 24 as a Last Updated date.

So, what would have been updated regarding the case and why isn't there any change in the case status at all?

Have I missed something???

Does anyone know what "Last Updated" mean in the online Case Status Service?

Thanks!

blackdog_harry

-------------------------------------------------------------

Jan 22 - Send in I-751 via express mail.

Jan 23 - Received at VSC (according to USPS).

Jan 25 - Two Checks ($205 & $70) cashed by USCIS.

Jan 29 - Received a Blue Receipt for Biometrics ($70)

Feb 12 - NOA received

Feb 14 - Biometrics appointment letter received

Feb 22 - Biometrics done.

Ditto! Personal Check was fine for my case.