Last Weekend Some body stolen all our Jewellery, Passport, SSN cards, EAD, Degree transcripts etc (Every thing immigration related). I am holding Dec RD, got an RFE last week (not recieved so far), I thought of getting passport and EAD duplicates, I don't know how. Case was registered in our local police station. Please advice me what to do.
Help Me
- Thread starter manumahi
- Start date
abhi_01201
Registered Users (C)
Passport may be a tricky thing - you would need to apply at local Indian embasy with police record - and I believe they send it back to India for police verification which takes 2-3 months. You can go and meet some high-commision official and urge them to expedite your case.
I think duplicate EAD can be applied at VSC - it would be nice to have the counterpart that comes with your EAD application or at least a photocopy.
Hopefully your RFE will be employment/medical related and you won't need your EAD/PASSPORT/Degree certificates. You would need the passport for the stamping however( EAD is not necessary).
I am sorry for your loss - hopefully you will get your stuffs back.
I think duplicate EAD can be applied at VSC - it would be nice to have the counterpart that comes with your EAD application or at least a photocopy.
Hopefully your RFE will be employment/medical related and you won't need your EAD/PASSPORT/Degree certificates. You would need the passport for the stamping however( EAD is not necessary).
I am sorry for your loss - hopefully you will get your stuffs back.
Upstate_NY
Registered Users (C)
Sorry for the loss.
Last week, I was up in Canada and I took extreme care to carry the Passports & GCs at all times. You'd never know. Imagine being stranded outside in a third country!
It is a good practice to have copies of Passport, GC/EAD/AP etc. Moreover, having a copy of GC in the wallet is also helpful in times of emergency.
Last week, I was up in Canada and I took extreme care to carry the Passports & GCs at all times. You'd never know. Imagine being stranded outside in a third country!
It is a good practice to have copies of Passport, GC/EAD/AP etc. Moreover, having a copy of GC in the wallet is also helpful in times of emergency.
munnabhai02
Registered Users (C)
Sorry to hear about this tragic incident.
Just curious, why were you not keeping EAD card and SSN card in your wallet?. These cards are you identifications and hence to be kept in your wallet instead of a folder/safe.Atleast that's what I do.
Just curious, why were you not keeping EAD card and SSN card in your wallet?. These cards are you identifications and hence to be kept in your wallet instead of a folder/safe.Atleast that's what I do.
Ask your lawyer if he has a photocopy of the passport and EAD. My lawyer has kept all these important documents in my file. One more thing to consider is to think logically. Since you are December filer and have gotten an RFE, you probably are going to get 2nd RFE for FP. So most likely it is going to take another 3 to 4 months before you are approved. By that time you should have all the required documents. So don't panic. Just relax, think positive and everything should be fine.
patienceGC
Registered Users (C)
Sorry about your loss
I dont know what kinda burglar steals immigration documents. Anyway you should promptly notify the Indian embassy and request a duplicate passport. Passport stealing is a big time crime. Passports can be misused by people and more importantly by criminals and terrorsists. So you should notify the embassy promptly.
Ask if you employer has any photocopies of the passport. Usually the lawyers and employers maintain copies for their records. You can also obtain copies of the other documents. Contact your university for a duplicate degree and transcript. I dont know if you can get a duplicate license from the state. You probably need a piece of mail or bank letter.
Contact ur lawyer for advise.
Hope everything turns out okay for you.
I dont know what kinda burglar steals immigration documents. Anyway you should promptly notify the Indian embassy and request a duplicate passport. Passport stealing is a big time crime. Passports can be misused by people and more importantly by criminals and terrorsists. So you should notify the embassy promptly.
Ask if you employer has any photocopies of the passport. Usually the lawyers and employers maintain copies for their records. You can also obtain copies of the other documents. Contact your university for a duplicate degree and transcript. I dont know if you can get a duplicate license from the state. You probably need a piece of mail or bank letter.
Contact ur lawyer for advise.
Hope everything turns out okay for you.
Apply for duplicate passport at local Indian embassy with 6 copies of photo, police report & $125 fees, check the embassy website for details.
They would give you temperory passport valid for one year in a week's time . As you recently got RFE so may be you do not need to apply for EAD as shortly you will be getting 485 approved.
Hope this helps !!
They would give you temperory passport valid for one year in a week's time . As you recently got RFE so may be you do not need to apply for EAD as shortly you will be getting 485 approved.
Hope this helps !!
patienceGC
Registered Users (C)
I have never heard of any indians who faced burglary in USA. I can understand what a horrible mess he(robber) has created for you. Getting a duplicate passport is the first thing you should do. If you explain your situation, you may get it vey fast at our indian embassy. you can get all other copies from your Lawyer. I think that you will not have any problems. Wish you good luck.
BTW, i am just curious to know more details about the incident: Which city is it and did the burglar used duplicate keys or broke some window ? Are you on vacation at that time (or) it happened when you went out ? I wonder what precautions we all can take to prevent losing the important documents due to burglary ?
I never carry SSN or EAD in my wallet. I should think of some strategy now.
BTW, i am just curious to know more details about the incident: Which city is it and did the burglar used duplicate keys or broke some window ? Are you on vacation at that time (or) it happened when you went out ? I wonder what precautions we all can take to prevent losing the important documents due to burglary ?
I never carry SSN or EAD in my wallet. I should think of some strategy now.
Last edited by a moderator:
Another thought, that person may know you and may use your identity as terrorist behaviors. I don't know if you should let FBI know. at least you should void your passport number but then you have to inform VSC and they may give you transfer to confirm you're the right person.........
waterboy_dec
Registered Users (C)
how It happend - ppl can aware
manumahi
can you explain how It happend . which city state.
so that we can put all important doc into bank locker
manumahi
can you explain how It happend . which city state.
so that we can put all important doc into bank locker
GCSeekerInd
Registered Users (C)
I am sorry to hear your loss and the mess created by the robber.
Ask for duplicate passport from Indian embasy.Regarding degree certificates try if have a copy at your residence(in India).I allways keep copies at my residence in India. Also all of your documents may be there with your attorney.They definetly have a copy.
Also keep a close watch on your bank accounts & credit cards.There could be mischief on this front too using the stolen information.Better watch out.
Don't worry.Things will work out. !!
Ask for duplicate passport from Indian embasy.Regarding degree certificates try if have a copy at your residence(in India).I allways keep copies at my residence in India. Also all of your documents may be there with your attorney.They definetly have a copy.
Also keep a close watch on your bank accounts & credit cards.There could be mischief on this front too using the stolen information.Better watch out.
Don't worry.Things will work out. !!
Thank you very much for your moral support
Last Weekend I took my family to Cape cod. This was happened during that time. There was no forced entry. So Bugler has got my apartment keys some how?????????
I live in Rocky Hill, CT, Century Hill apartment complex.
Luckily My company kept photo copies of my all documents except EAD card. I don't know how to handle this.
I will be applying for Passport very soon.
Thanks once again for timely response.
Last Weekend I took my family to Cape cod. This was happened during that time. There was no forced entry. So Bugler has got my apartment keys some how?????????
I live in Rocky Hill, CT, Century Hill apartment complex.
Luckily My company kept photo copies of my all documents except EAD card. I don't know how to handle this.
I will be applying for Passport very soon.
Thanks once again for timely response.
st8
Registered Users (C)
manumahi,
Sad to hear about your loss.
The things you would probably need to do.
1. Get the photocopies of your GC filing so far from your lawyer. The lawyer's office will have all info of yours in their file (Better than employers).
2. Apply for passport at Indian embassy/consulate.
3. You should contact BCIS regarding EAD.
4. Check with SS if you would need to get a 'new' SSN.
5. Place a 'fraud alert' with the 3 credit reporting agencies. If anyone tries to apply for a credit card, etc. (anything that needs a credit check), the credit agencies will contact you before providing it to the banks, etc. You should also alert your bank to look for any suspicious transactions. Check these sites for any suggestions, http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ , http://101-identitytheft.com/fraudalert.htm
6. If you have home/renters insurance, file claims with your insurance for the jewelry.
7. Using degree copies, etc. from your lawyer, ask family/friends to check college, etc. for obtaining new degree certificates.
8. Check with your landlord as to who have access to your apt.
In the future,
1. Have a bank locker (chances of robbery is lesser compared to an apt/house). Have a set of all important docs (possibly originals) at bank and copies at home. A good size locker will cost <$100/yr mostly.
2. Try buying renter's insurance. Notify insurer of the jewelry/valuables in house/bank locker (bank does not cover it if lockers are robbed). Can get coverage for about $25-50K for about $100-250/yr.
3. Unless you can't avoid basement/first floor apartments because of kids, etc., the second floor and above are in general considered a bit more safer.
Hope your situation will be rectified soon. Good Luck.
p.s.: I have heard cases where Indian households are targeted for burglary because of the jewelry that we carry. The immigration docs, etc. were possibly stolen because they were along with the jewelry in the same box, etc.
Sad to hear about your loss.
The things you would probably need to do.
1. Get the photocopies of your GC filing so far from your lawyer. The lawyer's office will have all info of yours in their file (Better than employers).
2. Apply for passport at Indian embassy/consulate.
3. You should contact BCIS regarding EAD.
4. Check with SS if you would need to get a 'new' SSN.
5. Place a 'fraud alert' with the 3 credit reporting agencies. If anyone tries to apply for a credit card, etc. (anything that needs a credit check), the credit agencies will contact you before providing it to the banks, etc. You should also alert your bank to look for any suspicious transactions. Check these sites for any suggestions, http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft/ , http://101-identitytheft.com/fraudalert.htm
6. If you have home/renters insurance, file claims with your insurance for the jewelry.
7. Using degree copies, etc. from your lawyer, ask family/friends to check college, etc. for obtaining new degree certificates.
8. Check with your landlord as to who have access to your apt.
In the future,
1. Have a bank locker (chances of robbery is lesser compared to an apt/house). Have a set of all important docs (possibly originals) at bank and copies at home. A good size locker will cost <$100/yr mostly.
2. Try buying renter's insurance. Notify insurer of the jewelry/valuables in house/bank locker (bank does not cover it if lockers are robbed). Can get coverage for about $25-50K for about $100-250/yr.
3. Unless you can't avoid basement/first floor apartments because of kids, etc., the second floor and above are in general considered a bit more safer.
Hope your situation will be rectified soon. Good Luck.
p.s.: I have heard cases where Indian households are targeted for burglary because of the jewelry that we carry. The immigration docs, etc. were possibly stolen because they were along with the jewelry in the same box, etc.