wendlin

The social security office would only issue a ssn in the backwards name, they said it was the law, so we first contacted the CBP to try and correct the I94. The CBP in Orlando said they have to match the K1 Visa and they couldn't help. Uscis said they didn't know and to contact the department of state (the consulate that issued the K1). The consulate in Vietnam said the name order was correct per regulations and they couldn't help.

In the end we contacted CBP in Philidelphia and they were able to help us correct the I94. Then we went back to the SSA and got a SSN with the correct name order. No idea why this is so hard.

My wife is from Vietnam where names are listed Last/Middle/First. When the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City issued the K1 Visa they made it match her passport for the given name on the Visa, Middle name then First  name. The consulate ensured her there would be no problem, but now that shes entered the country the I-94 also has the name backwards. So we couldn't get a Social Security Number in the correct name order.

I'm not to sure what the next steps are. File the Adjustment of Status and apply for a SSN through the I-765? Or would the USCIS just match the name on the I-94 for the green card and work authorization? Or is it a good idea to try and go down to a Customs and Border Protection office and see if they will correct the I-94 and/or Visa? Which would delay the AOS. I know this has been a common problem but couldn't find out how other people corrected it.