Mr. Rajiv is very helpful to Indian community through community call as well as to students.. he has profound knowledge in all category of immigration from employment to family. Very satisfied with consultation. Thank you very much.
PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM
Part 01 - Records Maintenance
Chapter 102 - The Social Security Number, Policy and General Procedures
Subchapter 11 - Alien Evidence for an SSN
Transmittal No. 17, 02/14/2012
Audience
FO/TSC: CR, CR TII, CR TXVI, DRT, DT, FR, OA, OS, RR, SR, TA, TE, TSC-SR
PSC: CA, SCPS, ICDS, CS, TSA, TST, IES, ISRA, RECONR
MAMPSC: DMS, ISRA, OAS, SPIKE
OCO-OIO: ANC, CR, CAQCR, CTE, FCR
Originating Component
OISP
Effective Date
February 14, 2012
Background
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is making systematic changes to fully automate the paper Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record). As a result, the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program introduced a new method of verifying the I-94 in an effort to ensure successful verification responses. In order to continue successful SAVE verification, we updated the Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP) to accommodate a new document type, "I-94 w/Unexpired Foreign Passport," that you must now use when an applicant submits both an I-94 and an unexpired foreign passport. Failure to enter the unexpired foreign passport when available may significantly delay SAVE verification.
Summary of Changes
RM 10211.135 Evidence of Non-immigrant Status for an SSN Card
Subsection A. - We updated this subsection to bring the requirements for evidence of non-immigrant status in line with the current identity evidence requirements. We made minor changes throughout this section to comply with the agency's initiative to write in plain language.
RM 10211.140 Entering Information from Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) into the Enumeration System
We created this new section to provide instructions on how to enter the Form I-94 in the Enumeration System, depending on whether the applicant submits an unexpired foreign passport.
RM 10211.135 Evidence of Non-immigrant Status for an SSN Card
Each alien lawfully admitted as a non-immigrant should have an unexpired immigration document and an unexpired foreign passport as evidence of his or her status. In some cases, the alien may have a current immigration document, but may not have an unexpired foreign passport (e.g., asylees, refugees, parolees, victims of severe forms of trafficking, or certain Canadian citizens). In these situations, accept the unexpired immigration document alone. For instructions on how to enter the I-94 in the Enumeration System, see RM 10211.140.
Review the evidence in accordance with RM 10210.210 and RM 10210.560. Check both sides of documents issued to non-immigrants for alien registration numbers (A number), expiration dates, or extensions.
Do not process the SSN application when a non-immigrant submits an expired Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document or one that will expire within 14 days, since we cannot assign an SSN. Refer the individual to DHS and provide written notice per RM 10215.115.
See Also
RM 10205.020 When an SSN Application May Not be Processed
RM 10205.090 Form SS-5 Received in the Mail and Additional Documentation is Needed
RM 10213.300 Procedure when a Person's Evidence or Lawful Alien Status Expires within 14 Days of Filing for an SSN
The alien must submit the appropriate immigration document. A letter from U.S. immigration authorities, receipt, copy of an application form, or any immigration document not listed in this subchapter is not acceptable evidence of alien status in lieu of the appropriate immigration document. If an alien submits one of these documents, do not process the SSN application.
NOTE: For instructions on processing applications for lawfully admitted aliens without U.S. immigration documentation, see RM 10211.075.
For exhibits of the various versions of the I-94, refer to the Administrative Confidential Memorandum (ACM). You may encounter the following described versions.
Carriers of passengers seeking admission into the U.S. and using the I-94 manifest procedure use this edition issued 04/15/86, or later. The non-immigrant completes the I-94 and presents it to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at an authorized U.S. port of entry. The CBP officer stamps the I-94 along with the unexpired foreign passport and gives final approval for admission into the U.S. in a specific non-immigrant status for an authorized period.
This version of the I-94:
Shows a preprinted admission number as the departure number on the Departure Record (the part the alien retains).
May show a handwritten departure number when CBP electronically assigns the alien an I-94 number in their system. Effective February 14, 2012, CBP generally handwrites an electronic I-94 number on I-94s issued to non-immigrants without a foreign passport (e.g., asylees, refugees, and parolees). In these situations, the handwritten departure number supersedes the preprinted number. The preprinted number may or may not be crossed-out.
Has the admission stamp in the upper right corner.
May be in the predominant language of the carrier's base of operation, if printed by the transportation carrier (e.g., Japan Air Lines prints I-94s in Japanese and Lufthansa prints I-94s in German).
NOTE: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also issues this version of the I-94 to certain asylees upon granting asylum. The I-94 may be typed or handwritten. See RM 10211.205.
Carriers who entered into a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Agreement widely used the green card stock I-94W (Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Form) from May 1991 through April 2010. In May 2010, CBP transitioned to an automated process for VWP travelers, in turn phasing-out the I-94W in air and sea environments. While CBP still issues the I-94W at land ports or during a system outage, the majority of VWP travelers admitted to the U.S. will not have an I-94W. For information on evidence replacing the I-94W, see RM 10211.135E. (in this section).
The I-94W:
Is generally a pale green color (some may be a darker mint green).
Shows the alien's admission number as the departure number on the Departure Record (the part the alien retains).
Has the admission stamp in the upper right corner.
May be printed in the predominant language of the carrier's base of operation, if printed by the transportation carrier (e.g., Lufthansa prints I-94Ws in German and Japan Air Lines prints I-94Ws in Japanese).
CBP admits an alien with an I-94W as a visitor for pleasure (WT) or business (WB) for up to 90 days. Aliens using this form must be a citizen of one of the following 36 participating countries:
Andorra |
Hungary |
New Zealand |
Australia |
Iceland |
Norway |
Austria |
Ireland |
Portugal |
Belgium |
Italy |
San Marino |
Brunei |
Japan |
Singapore |
Czech Republic |
Latvia |
Slovak Republic (Slovakia) |
Denmark |
Liechtenstein |
Slovenia |
Estonia |
Lithuania |
South Korea |
Finland |
Luxembourg |
Spain |
France |
Malta |
Sweden |
Germany |
Monaco |
Switzerland |
Greece |
the Netherlands |
United Kingdom |
NOTE: DHS periodically designates additional countries as visa waiver countries. If the applicant is not a citizen of one of the listed countries, contact Regional Office (RO) staff for further information. For guidance, RO staff should contact enumeration evidence staff in the Office of Income Security Programs (OISP).
USCIS may extend a period of admission or change a non-immigrant status after CBP issues an I-94. The I-797A (Notice of Action) approval notice serves as proof of the approval for an extension or change of status. The lower portion of the form, also known as the tear-off computer generated I-94, replaces the original I-94.
NOTE: The tear-off I-94 portion of the I-797A does not need to be accompanied by the approval notice form for the I-94 to be valid or acceptable.
The tear-off I-94:
Is printed on the same type of security paper as naturalization certificates.
Does not have an admission stamp.
Has a receipt number starting with three letters (EAC, WAC, LIN, or SRC) followed by a series of numbers.
Has an admission number (I-94 number) on the left hand side.
Shows the alien class of admission.
Displays the validity period.
See exhibit, tear-off I-94 portion of I-797A in RM 10211.135E.1. (in this section).
Generally, the I-94 contains a valid admission stamp displaying:
Information about the DHS, CBP field office having jurisdiction over the port of entry;
Information about the alien’s port of entry and date of admission;
A four-digit stamp identification number; and
The alien's class of admission and validity date (e.g., the date admitted until) endorsed in ink by the admitting officer.
EXCEPTION: Admission stamps for refugees, parolees, and asylees display different information. See RM 10211.135D. (in this section).
See Details:
RM 10211.185 Evidence of Refugee Status for an SSN Card
RM 10211.195 Evidence of Parolee Status when Form I-94 is Submitted
RM 10211.205 Evidence of Asylee Status for an SSN Card
Following are exhibits of the different admission stamps placed on the I-94. For more detailed information and exhibits of the current versions of the admission stamp, refer to the ACM.
G-RM_10211.135D-1
G-RM_10211.135D-2
G-RM_10211.135D-3
G-RM_10211.135D-4
Consider an alien who does not have an I-94 lawfully admitted, if he or she submits one of the following documents.
NOTE: Aliens presenting any of these documents do not have employment authorization.
DOCUMENT |
TITLE/DESCRIPTION |
---|---|
DSP-150 |
USA B1/B2 VISA BORDER CROSSING CARD (BCC) (for temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B1/B2) who are Mexican citizens residing near the U.S. border. |
CBP I-95A |
Crewman's Landing Permit (for foreign crewmen between trips). |
I-184 |
Alien Crewman Landing Permit and Identification Card (for temporary shore leave while in port). |
WB or WT class of admission shown on Admission Stamp in unexpired foreign passport |
Visitor for business (WB) or pleasure (WT) under the Visa Waiver Program effective May 2010. |
RM 10211.420 Employment Authorization for Non-immigrants
RM 10211.600 Requests for an SSN from an Alien without Work Authorization
RM 10211.140 Entering Information from Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) into the Enumeration System
The method that you must use to enter the I-94 in the Enumeration System depends on whether the applicant submits an unexpired foreign passport.
See Details:
RM 10211.140A., applicant submits I-94 with unexpired foreign passport
RM 10211.140B., applicant submits I-94 without unexpired foreign passport
When an applicant submits an I-94 in conjunction with an unexpired foreign passport, follow these steps to enter the evidence in the Enumeration System in order to prevent unnecessary delays in the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) verification.
On the "Proof of Legal Alien Status" screen:
Select "I-94 w/Unexpired Foreign Passport" from the Primary DHS Document drop-down menu.
Do not select "I-94 Arrival-Departure Record."
Failure to enter the I-94 in combination with the unexpired foreign passport when available may significantly delay SAVE verification.
NOTE: If you enter the same evidence for both identity and lawful alien status, select the same drop-down option "I-94 w/Unexpired Foreign Passport" on the "Proof of Identity" screen and select the prefill button.
EXCEPTIONS: Foreign students (F1) and exchange visitors (J1) must submit the I-94 and unexpired foreign passport in combination with either the I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student) or DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J1) Status). For instructions on how to enter these documents in the Enumeration System, follow RM 10211.295 and RM 10211.365 respectively.
Complete each field on the "Proof of Legal Alien Status" screen as follows.
Select the name that appears on the I-94 from the drop-down menu.
If the I-94 shows an issue or admission stamp date, select "Date" from the drop-down menu. The system will prompt you to enter the date. If the I-94 does not show an issue date, select "None."
Enter the date the I-94 expires, usually shown as the valid until date. If the I-94 reflects no expiration date, "D/S" or "Indefinite," you must enter a future date. Enter the current calendar date plus 10 years.
Select the class of admission (COA) code corresponding to the COA shown on the I-94.
Enter the I-94 number. If the I-94 shows both a preprinted and handwritten number, use the handwritten number.
If the applicant has a nonimmigrant visa, enter the visa number here. This is an optional field, but may assist in the SAVE verification. For an exhibit of a nonimmigrant visa, refer to the ACM.
Enter the unexpired foreign passport number.
Select the appropriate category based upon your visual review.
Follow normal SAVE verification procedures within the Enumeration System per RM 10213.095.
NOTE: If the Initial Verification is unsuccessful, make legible copies of both the I-94 (front and back) and unexpired foreign passport, in the event you must request a G-845 (Document Verification Request).
If the applicant does not have an unexpired foreign passport (e.g., asylees, refugees, parolees, victims of severe forms of trafficking, or certain Canadian citizens), follow these steps to enter the evidence in the Enumeration System.
On the "Proof of Legal Alien Status" screen, select "I-94 Arrival-Departure Record" from the Primary DHS Document drop-down menu.
NOTE: If you enter the same evidence for both identity and lawful alien status, select the same drop-down option "I-94 Arrival-Departure Record" on the "Proof of Identity" screen and select the prefill button.
Complete each field on the "Proof of Legal Alien Status" screen as follows.
Select the name that appears on the I-94 from the drop-down menu.
If the I-94 shows an issue or admission stamp date, select "Date" from the drop-down menu. The system will prompt you to enter the date. If the I-94 does not show an issue date, select "None."
If the I-94 shows an expiration or valid until date, select "Date" from the drop-down menu. The system will prompt you to enter a date. If the I-94 does not show an expiration date, select "None." If the I-94 shows "Indefinite" or "D/S," select the corresponding option.
Select the class of admission (COA) code corresponding to the COA shown on the I-94.
If the I-94 contains an Alien Registration Number (usually handwritten on the back of the card), enter it here. This is a mandatory field for refugees and asylees.
Enter the I-94 number. If the I-94 shows both a preprinted and handwritten number, use the handwritten number.
Select the appropriate category based upon your visual review.
Follow normal SAVE verification procedures within the Enumeration System per RM 10213.095.
NOTE: If the Initial Verification is unsuccessful, make legible copies of both sides of the I-94, in the event you must request a G-845 (Document Verification Request).
Great Pleasure working with Mr. Khanna.
Please check attachment to read CRS report on Visa Waiver Program.
Moderator: Edna Ruano, Chief, Office of Communications
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
March 15, 2012
11 A.M. EDT
Coordinator: Welcome and thank you for standing by. At this time all participants are in a listen-only mode. During the question and answer session, if you’d like to ask a question please press star 1 on your touchtone phone.
Today’s call is being recorded. If you have any objections you may disconnect at this time.
Thanks for the great job done by Aruna. I got I-140 in less that 1 month. . I hope my 485 also clear with same process speed. Rajiv and team are very organized in documentation that reduces lot of time by avoiding queries to the case. Because of the efficiency in the way my case was handled. I sincerely recommend their services.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the availability of a competitive grant opportunity designed to promote immigrant civic integration and prepare permanent residents for citizenship. This year’s program will offer approximately $5 million in funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.
I am satisfied with my consultation with Mr. Khanna.
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has established a process by which members of the public may subscribe to receive e-mail alerts whenever the Department posts an announcement updating some aspect of the OFLC website, e.g., program updates, outreach announcements, new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), disclosure data, etc.
Please check the attachment to read the instructions on how to subscribe to OFLC e-mail alerts.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it extended an accommodation for H-2A workers in the sheepherding industry to transition to the three-year limitation of stay requirements. USCIS will require H-2A sheepherders who have reached their maximum three-year period of stay to depart the United States by Aug. 16, 2012, and remain outside the country for at least three months before petitioning for H-2A classification again.
I work for company A for the last 7 years. I have been a manager with the same company for 5+ years. I am now in US for past 1 year on L-1 A Blanket visa. My current employer is not agreeing to file my GC. Some one told me that the scenario listed below is possible.
Scenario: Identify a new employer who is ready to sponsor my GC. Since GC is about future permanent employment, that employer can directly file my EB1. I can join the new employer once my EAD comes through. Is this possible?
Not entirely true. The GC IS for a future job. An employer CAN, based upon a good faith intention to hire you in the future, file a GC for you even while you are not working for them. But, an EB1 for an international manager/executive can only be filed by a company related to the company you worked for when you were outside USA.
We would like to thank Mr. Khanna and his team for excellent services. I am working with him on family related visa process and he provided excellent services. Looking forward to work with him and his team.
My personal experience: Mr. Rajiv is a very honest lawyer. He would never accept your case unless he was convinced he could help. he would never use your desperate hopes to take your money. Full respect to you Mr. Rajiv, you are a great symbol for what we need these days.
USCIS statistics on TRIG cases are current as of February 29, 2012.
Please check the attachment to view statistics.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano today announced that she will be designating Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months.
Next week, USCIS will post a Federal Register notice designating Syria for TPS and providing additional guidance on:
Processing time encompasses the period starting the date U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received the application and ending the date USCIS notified the applicant of the decision. For applications filed overseas with the Department of State where USCIS does not have a presence, reported processing time does not include time taken to transfer the application from the Department of State to USCIS.
The attachment below shows overseas completion data for Form I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, for February 2012
Thanks to Mr. Rajiv Khanna and his Team. Best Regards for their Good work. I got my DOL certification within a week . Thank you again all
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 cap on Monday April 2, 2012. Cases will be considered accepted on the date that USCIS takes possession of a properly filed petition with the correct fee. USCIS will not rely upon the date that the petition is postmarked.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a notice in the Federal Register inviting public comment on a revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers must complete Form I-9 for all newly-hired employees to verify their identity and authorization to work in the United States. The public is invited to comment on the revisions until May 29, 2012.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services sent this bulletin at 03/27/2012 06:07 PM EDT
Dear Stakeholder,
The Department has posted new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 Programs.
To view FAQ please check the attachment.
The Chicago National Processing Center has announced that it will be expanding its E-Mail Notification Program to all H-2A stakeholders who elect to participate in the program. In addition, all H-2A employers who elect to participate in the program will no longer receive hard copy notifications of the following actions: Notice of Deficiency, Notice of Acceptance, Denials, Withdrawals, Extensions, and Redeterminations.
NOTE: Certifications and partial certifications will continue to be issued to H-2A stakeholders via electronic transmission and by hard copy.
I recently started my GC application with Mr. Khanna and his team. What I found most remarkable was the timely responsiveness and expertise of Mr. Khanna and his team. They were quickly able to address our issues and provide valuable insights based on their vast experience in the immigration area. Thanks once again for all your efforts. Truly appreciate it.
Mr. Khanna, Anna and Judi patiently answered all of our questions and returned our calls quickly, always providing the information we needed with professionalism and PATIENCE. Thank you for all of your assistance!