Address change issue

J

Journalist7

Banned
Hi forum

My concern is about address.

I have lawyer who is in asylum business for 30 years, he gave me advice which I am not sure is very competent

I was living in Brooklyn, New York and applied indicating that address, then because we asylum seekers are F*** beggars I had to move out and no one ever rented me house, I was sleeping in hostels, outside, so to say it short I didn't have permanent address. My lawyer told me to retain that old Brooklyn address, where I received finger print notice, however landlord of that address is crazy and will trash everything under my name, so lawyer suggested to open PO BOX address, to rent PO Box and he told me that he would file change of address for my application. I rented PO box but paralegal in my lawyers office told me that PO box is not accepted, but then my lawyer said that if this PO Box is US Postal service which is government owned postal service than it is accepted, so I gave them this PO Box address and they told me that they file it.

Any ideas or experience with that, I couldn't find on USCIS website stating that PO Box is not accepted
 
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i'm sorry things are getting tough hang in there your best way to get the right answer is to wait for the receipt which uscis will send in about 7 to 10 days from filling the case
i did change my address and i get paranoid about this so what i did is the following
one change my address on uscis web site https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms
and then i went to usps web site and changed the address there https://moversguide.usps.com/
i tested it by sending a letter to my old address and it got redirected to my new one
it cost like 1 to 5 $ cant remember i usps to verify your an actual person
best of luck
 
Thats something your lawyer must know.if he doesnt and you paying him, you better read his online reviews
 
freeamr said:
i'm sorry things are getting tough hang in there your best way to get the right answer is to wait for the receipt which uscis will send in about 7 to 10 days from filling the case
i did change my address and i get paranoid about this so what i did is the following
one change my address on uscis web site https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms
and then i went to usps web site and changed the address there https://moversguide.usps.com/
i tested it by sending a letter to my old address and it got redirected to my new one
it cost like 1 to 5 $ cant remember i usps to verify your an actual person
best of luck
Click to expand...

FreeAMR,
I have a question for you.
When you change your address,
did you do it by ONLINE only?
or
you also mail the form AR-11 ? (in addition of filing online)

I understand that one the website link that you give above,
there is a paragraph saying:
If you choose to use this online electronic change of address notification, please do not mail in a Form AR-11.

but on another webpage, this one:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa
it told us to do 2 steps, which is do it online and also mail the AR-11 form physically !
here is what it said (I copy and paste):

2. Non-U.S. Citizens

If you have moved, you need to follow two different steps:

  • Step 1: File a Form AR-11 (This changes your address in our master database.);
  • Step 2: If you have a pending case, you must also file a Change of Address online or call our National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283. (This changes your address for the specific application you have submitted.)
Please note that if you are a non-U.S. citizen and you have a pending case, you must complete both steps to make sure that you comply with the regulations and so we can reach you at your correct address.


check the sentence above that I highlight in Italic and Bold fonts,
it clearly told us to complete BOTH STEPS which mean both mailing it and also to it online !

Funny huh?
one instruction clearly forbid us from physically mailing form AR-11 after we use the online form,
but the other instruction specifically told us to do BOTH (mail and online)...

FreeAMR,
I understand that you had received your EAD right?
did you received your EAD at your new address after you move or you received your EAD at your old address (before you move)?

Thanks
 
Hmmm...

I just read another paragraph on the ONLINE form which said:
This online change of address tool can allow customers to accomplish two different purposes at the same time:

  • For almost all non-U.S. citizens present in the U.S. for more than 29 days, to comply with the legal requirement to notify DHS of any change of address (currently using Form AR-11, Alien's Change of Address Card)
  • For individual customers who have pending applications and/or petitions with USCIS to change the address where USCIS should notify them of actions on their case

so from this paragraph, I think we only need to fill the ONLINE AR-11 and NO need to physically mail the form AR-11
anymore.
because with this online change of address, we were able to do 2 things at the same time which is,
filing AR-11 to DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) and filing change of address for pending application to USCIS.
 
I followed link when I was changing address online and when I wrote down receipt number it returned application not found. I called USCIS general help line and they told me that I must physically mail address change request to Asylum office where my application is pending. So I mailed certified mail to them I just drafted letter (consulted with lawyer) and send USPS certified mail, so I got receipt that Asylum office received my address.

I am little confused here, did anyone do address change online? For me it was impossible as receipt number not found and when I interacted on phone with representative they pointed out me to send letter directly to Asylum office.
 
Journalist7 said:
I followed link when I was changing address online and when I wrote down receipt number it returned application not found. I called USCIS general help line and they told me that I must physically mail address change request to Asylum office where my application is pending. So I mailed certified mail to them I just drafted letter (consulted with lawyer) and send USPS certified mail, so I got receipt that Asylum office received my address.

I am little confused here, did anyone do address change online? For me it was impossible as receipt number not found and when I interacted on phone with representative they pointed out me to send letter directly to Asylum office.
Click to expand...

Hi Journalist7,
I have not change my address online yet, but I check the online form and I think they were asking your Case Number (The number that start with the A) and NOT the receipt number.
Yes there are 2 different number on the biometric appoint form,
one is receipt number and the other is A number,
but on the online form it specifically ask for the A number...

do you fill in the A number or the receipt number when you try to fill in the application?
 
Actually this address confusion really got me. Anyway if something comes from Asylum office it will come to my lawyer's office too, and Asylum office really received my letter asking them to change old addresses for the asylum cases with receipt # *********** so they know my new address.

This is USCIS help line 1-800-375-5283
You can call them and check if asylum applicants must change addresses online.
 
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I think I figure out what's going on.

If you update address online on USCIS website it doesn't have connection to Asylum office. Because I clearly remember that representative told me on phone that Asylum cases are different and should be directed to Asylum offices.

May be this is the case. By law asylum is confidential, no one knows that you are asylum applicant (NSA knows as far as they receive applications if applicants are muslim) when I called USCIS line they explained me that if I update address online it will not affect my application, because they don't track my applications. It sounds wierd but Asylum office is part of USCIS but privacy is such an issue that information about asylum is not that simply shared.

Actually I don't really mind what address USCIS has, because their website says that diplomatic visa holders aren't requested to notify when they change their address. Regarding my asylum application, I mailed them simple 1 page letter (not AR 11 form) and I sent certified mail, So I have receipt with asylum office stamp that they received my letter. Few days after I will go to Asylum office, anyway I want to inquire about my case and I will check what address they have.

I decided not to be such paranoid on every detail. It even drives me crazy, what will happen happen. I am focusing on my case, I have very good case and evidence. Only thing is government must not change in my home country so that means country conditions are changed, it won't happen at least next 4 years. I hope I will have decided case in 4 year time.
 
I called USCIS help line once again today, and they repeated what I was told by another representative few days ago.

They told me that you should notify Asylum office directly, We don't track pending asylum cases. Then they gave me my Asylum office number and told me to call and verify that they updated my address

So apparently this is the case, changing address on USCIS online isn"t important after you change it with Asylum office
 
freeamr said:
i'm sorry things are getting tough hang in there your best way to get the right answer is to wait for the receipt which uscis will send in about 7 to 10 days from filling the case
i did change my address and i get paranoid about this so what i did is the following
one change my address on uscis web site https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms
and then i went to usps web site and changed the address there https://moversguide.usps.com/
i tested it by sending a letter to my old address and it got redirected to my new one
it cost like 1 to 5 $ cant remember i usps to verify your an actual person
best of luck
Click to expand...

I just study more about the USPS forwarding mail rules,

now, notice that if USCIS sent you a letter,
on the front of the envelope, they print "return service requested".

so even after you had applied to USPS for forwarding mail service,
that letter from USCIS will NOT, I repeat will NOT be forwarded to your new mailing address !
instead that letter will be return to USCIS with information showing your new address...
still I am sure USCIS will not resent this letter to your new address automatically
unless you had file change of address to USCIS directly.
I know they will not resent this automatically because some people find out about this when they
check their EAD case status online, and it show the EAD were returned to USCIS because they had move,
and USCIS ask the recipient to contact USCIS directly before USCIS can resent the EAD to the new address !!!

so it is important to file the change of address to BOTH USCIS using online form (and using your EAD case/receipt number)
(this is for EAD related mailing and if you move after they are still processing your EAD),
and
to file it with your local USCIS office using your asylum receipt/case number (this is for asylum interview letter, and result letter, and other letter directly related with your asylum case).

also after you file it with your local USCIS office, make sure you do a follow up to make sure they had changed your address... cause remember changes to your address at local USCIS office is done manually,
while changing the EAD address using online is automatically...
 
I just found out that there are 2 steps of changing address ONLINE for people with PENDING asylum,

The paragraph that I in BOLD font below is the complete explanation copy and paste from USCIS website:

here is the link to this info:
http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-through-refugee-or-asylee-status/green-card-asylee

Change of Address

If your address changes, you must inform USCIS in writing within 10 days of moving.

You may meet this requirement by:

Mailing Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card, to the address on the form
Completing “Step 1” on the Online Change My Address form

You should NOT mail the AR-11 to the correct address AND complete the online change of address.

While your asylum application is pending with the Asylum Office, you must ALSO notify the Asylum Office within 10 days after you change your address in one of the following ways:

Complete “step 2” of “on the online form (see the “Change My Address” link to the right)
Mail an original or copy of Form AR-11 to the Asylum Office
Mail a letter with your old and new address information to the Asylum Office
Provide your new address to the Asylum Office in-person
Provide your new address to the asylum officer at your interview
Call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283


and here are the ONLINE way (link) for :
Step 1:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms

and

Step 2:
https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAForm.do
 
Thanks MWDW I am sure USCIS themselves don't know what you've posted here

And yes this is very good post for those who is confused with address change issue.

this is actually what I did

"Mail a letter with your old and new address information to the Asylum Office"

And please everyone send only certified mail, it will cost you more, like 5$ but it worth paying, because you will have receipt with Asylum office stamp that they received it.
 
Journalist7,
You are right after all,
I tried to use the online change of address,
select that I had pending case,
choose form I-589, and try to wrote my receipt of my asylum application,
and just like you, my receipt were not recognized as valid number...

so what I did were,
I choose (NO pending application) and change my address online...

then as extra step (this is important), I fill and print the AR-11 form (pdf format),
then I mail it to my asylum office today.
oh, I fill and print AR-11 form for each of me and my family member and still wrote a cover letter
just to make sure Anaheim Asylum Office understand that I need to change address for me and my whole family.

I will of course follow your advise and check again with Anaheim asylum office about 1 or 2 weeks from today,
to make sure they had updated my address :)
 
I just received a letter from Anaheim Asylum Office today,
stating that they had updated my address (of course I received this letter at my new address) :),
unfortunately, they also inform me that my case is still pending (they must mean I had not been scheduled for interview yet...

but I am really glad that Anaheim Asylum Office did issue me an official letter stating that my address had been changed,
and I got a letter from them to prove it too.

I received this letter 2 weeks after they received my letter,
although on the letter, they dated that my change of address had been processed only 1 week after they received my letter.

so to anybody that want to move, please give them at least 7 days/1 week to process your change of address into their system.
 
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