Asylee/refugee: this might be a good new for you

A

alanpero

Registered Users (C)
If you are an asylee/refugee and have a restricted SS card ("stating valid for employment only with INS authorization")check this out. It is a good new for you.
Now you can go to your local SSA office and ask for an unrestricted SS card. This, in turn, would mean that you no longer need to get an EAD every year, provided you have one of the documents in INS Form I-9: "Employment Eligibility Verification" and the unrestricted SS card. Good luck

Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and Families370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20447 ORR State Letter #01-09April 5, 2001
TO: STATE REFUGEE COORDINATORSNATIONAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIESOTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: Carmel Clay-Thompson, Acting DirectorOffice of Refugee
ResettlementSUBJECT: Change in Issuance of Social Security Numbers to Asylees

As of April 4, 2001, asylees should receive unrestricted social security cards. An asylee’s social security card should NOT contain the notation "Valid For Work Only With INS Authorization." In addition, asylees no longer need an employment authorization document (EAD) to apply for a social security number. Asylees may present an I-94 Arrival/Departure Card, an EAD (I-688B or I-766) or an order of an Immigration Judge. This policy is reiterated in the attached Social Security Administration (SSA) Policy Instruction. ORR recommends that asylees bring a copy of the SSA Policy Instruction when they go to social security offices to apply for social security numbers.With this policy change, asylees will not need to wait for the processing of their EAD application by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) before applying for a social security number. Therefore, ORR expects that asylees will be able to enter the workforce more quickly, participate fully in ORR programs, such as the Matching Grant program, and avoid the need for non-work social security numbers for benefits purposes. In many cases, asylees will want an EAD, regardless of whether it is required for the social security number application. ORR encourages asylees to apply for EADs, particularly if they do not have other forms of identification.Asylees who previously received restricted social security cards may return to the local SSA office and apply for a replacement social security card that does not have the restrictive notation. As mentioned above, asylees should bring a copy of the SSA Policy Instruction when they go to social security offices.If you have questions about the new SSA Policy Instruction or its effect on asylees, please call Anna Marie Bena at (202) 260-5186 or send an email to abena@acf.dhhs.gov.
  Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and Families
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20447ORR
State Letter #00-14July 12, 2000
TO: STATE REFUGEE COORDINATORSNATIONAL VOLUNTARY AGENCIESOTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: Lavinia Limon, DirectorOffice of Refugee Resettlement
SUBJECT: Refugees Should Receive Unrestricted Social Security Cards
Refugees should receive unrestricted social security cards. A refugee’s social security card should NOT contain the notation "Valid For Work Only With INS Authorization." This policy is reiterated in the attached Social Security Administration (SSA) Policy Instruction. ORR recommends that refugees bring a copy of the SSA Policy Instruction when they go to social security offices to apply for social security numbers.ORR had been receiving reports that social security offices throughout the country were issuing restricted cards to refugees. A restricted social security card can interfere with a refugee’s ability to obtain and keep employment. Caseworkers should check social security cards to ensure that refugees have not received cards with restrictive notations. If a refugee has received a restricted card, caseworkers are advised to return to the issuing social security office with the refugee and to present the SSA Policy Instruction so
 
No Title

Hi Rajarani,

This is to respond your message 1.1 in discusion "Bill to..."
Yes, if that is your case, you should go to your local Social Security Administration Office, file a Form SS-5 that can be downloaded from SSA website. You have to bring your I-94 stating you have asylum status granted, after checking your status in the computer, they should issue a new card with no restriction.
Be aware that certain SSA offices have already been issuing no restrictive cards for the last years, and others no. Also, they might have no received this ORR State Letter. So, as they explain at the end of the letter, asylees should bring a copy of the policy. Also, an EAD with Category a05 (for asylees)should work instead of the I-94, but better try with the I-94.
If you need a copy (as word document)of the ORR letter, just post your e-mail address and I will e-mail it to you.
Good luck
 
No Title

Information I found at the INS web site States:

http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/cgi-bin/folioisa.dll/fedreg.nfo/query=[jump!3A!2763fr30105!27]/doc/{@52851}?

"If the applicant is found to be admissible for permanent residence under section 209(a) of the Act, the director will approve the application and admit the applicant for lawful permanent residence as of the date of the alien\'s arrival in the United States."

 If I am not mistaken then the INS will indicate the Green Card issue date as the date asylee arrived in the US. And if that is true then logically you can apply for Naturalization immiediately after you get your GC. (I could be wrong, I\'m just consulting this with people in here).
 
No Title

Hi Jack, I also understand in the same way as you, and wish our interpretation were right. However, I believe this should be double checked with a lawyer specialized in immigration issues. There are, on the other hand, official reports and studies from INS and regulations clearly stating that the timeframe is four years (five minus one) that make me think we are missing something. Also, none of the asylees I know , have been allowed to apply for naturalization immediately after they got their GC.
That would be a great new for all asylees soon to get GC, and of course a bad new for those that might have waited unnecessarily. It\'s an issue that deserves to be checked and double checked with a professional specialized in immigration matters. Let me know if you get any success.
 
No Title

Yes I know. All my asylee friends who obtained their citizenship through the naturalization program told me that they had to wait 3 to 5 years. But they are not aware of that particular clause in the immigration law. You\'re right, I\'ll ask my lawyer friend next time I meet him.
 
No Title

Wow!! You guys are really smart. Bravo to all of you. Keep it up and let all of use be informed. Thansks
 
No Title

Hi Jack,
In this Immigration portal there is a tab for FAQ inviting people to ask questions to the Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna. There is a link to his e-mail address rskhanna@immigration.com I have seen in this same portal questions addressed to him. Or maybe ask him to visit this discussions on asylum.
Would you mind asking him if our interpretation is correct or not?
Thanks
 
No Title

You are mistaken on the citizenship eligibility date. Section 209(a)
of the Immigration and Nationality Act deals with REFUGEE adjustment.
Refugees are aliens who apply OUTSIDE the United States (we apply for political asylum after having reached American soil on our initiative). Refugees must live the US for one year before applying for permanent residence. But they are not subject to an annual quota and yes, their green cards are back dated to the date they first arrived.

The green cards of asylees are back dated only one year. For example,
if someone was granted asylum in late 96 and submitted a Form I-485 one year later, he should have physically received his green card last fall (the start of Y 01). The card bears a date of October 99 and the person can apply for citizenship in October 2004. Asylee adjustment is set forth in section 209(b) of the INA

We should join force to lobby Congress for an increase of asylee adjustment quotas.
 
No Title

On the topic of lobbying the H.R 1560 Bill...
the bill is already on the floor of the Senate. One hearing took place on May 9th and that was the last activity regarding this Bill. I did not see any co-sponsors to the Bill. So please write to your Congressman/woman to join Sheila-Jackson Lee in sponsoring this Bill.

 Senators in the Subcommittee on Immigration have already heard testimonies from several interest groups. Key notes I took from their testimonies is that:

 The advocates say the current quota system undermines the asylee\'s ability to integrate into the American society, faces difficulties is finding good jobs, and ability to safely visit their relatives..etc.
 I can personally relate to all those hardships as I am crrently experiencing them.

 The opponent side argues that under the UN agreements the US does not have obligation to adjust asylee/refugee as permanent residents (this has some bitter truth to it, countries like Germany, England takes years before they permit refugee/asylee as PR. I personally know a asylee in Germany who has lived in Germany for 20 years and still no German citizenship).

 My opinion is that the US has different values and plenty more resources than most European countries to accept refugee/asylee as premanent residents and ultimately leading to Citizenship. After all, this country was founded by refugees fleeing religious persecution from Holland and England.

  I expect to see further hearings on the issues before a decision is made on this Bill. So far only one interest group call the FAIR (Federation of American Immigration Reform or whatever) is opposing to the bill and atleast 3 interest groups have testified in support of it.
  The goal of the special interest groups lobbying for this Bill is to get it passed as a law and become effective by the beginning of Fiscal Year 2001.
 
No Title

I Got my new Social Security Card (Unresticted)
Hey Guys as a asylee they give me new social security card(Unresticted).I went to local SS office and they just chake my EAD (EAD status is now a-05) and keep my old SS card.And they send me new SS Card withen 10 days.
Good-Luck everyone.
 
No Title

Ross,

 That\'s great. I also got mine 12 days after I applied for the new card. I encourage all asylees/refugees to get a new SS card with no restrictions. Most employers really dislike that "Valid to work only with INS authorization" notice.
 
TO alanpero1.
Thanks a lot, man that topic had a lot of helpfull informations. I apprecialte you guys help. I 'll do it some times his month then.
Thanks again.
 
Re: No Title

Thats exactly the same information i got.I was told by an immigration lawyer the same thing. That is one of the reasons why i was reluctant to file I-485 one year after i was granted asylum.I thought that the time since i was here was credited towards my eligibility to apply for citizenship.
 
Sessanga Charlesa

I am sorry that you were misled. Do not think about that anymore. You will get your greencard sooner or later and then wait 4 more years for citizenship.

Good luck.
 
How about ayslee relative?

Does ayslee relative also have the eligibility to get normal SS card? My Refugee/Ayslee Relative Petition (I-730) has been approved. Thanks for your infomation
 
Re: How about ayslee relative?

Originally posted by pingping2000
Does ayslee relative also have the eligibility to get normal SS card? My Refugee/Ayslee Relative Petition (I-730) has been approved. Thanks for your infomation
Click to expand...

Yes they do.
 
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