How Can I Obtain A Social Security Number?

R

Retrocade

Registered Users (C)
I need a little help.
I entered the US the correct way i.e through customs.
My I94W (Visa Waiver) expired in March 2006 and in February 2007 I married my wife who is a US citizen. I have not left the US since my I94W expired so my question is am I still classed as an illegal now I am married? The marriage was not an illegal one. We both wanted to marry and we did it at the Justice of the Peace office. I know I if I ever wanted to leave to go back to my home country for a visit that I will not be able to return right?
I want to stay here obviously so I would like to know if I am able to obtain a SSN. If so how do I go about it?
I did pay for a lawyer to file for citenzenship but I had to cancel it as he wanted more money after I had paid him a large amount already.
So I would just like to know where I stand right now and what my options are.
Thanks
 
Retrocade said:
I did pay for a lawyer to file for citenzenship but I had to cancel it as he wanted more money after I had paid him a large amount already.
Click to expand...
File for citizenship? Do you know the difference between citizenship and a green card? Do you have a green card? Did you even apply for a green card?
 
I am not sure how this works in practice, but I think one cannot adjust to any other status from the visa waiver status. One has to leave the country and either apply from outside or try to come back (difficult) and adjust here. Don't take this as advice, this is just my understanding that people who are in this country through the visa waiver cannot adjust to another type of visa like B. I am not sure about applying for a green card. Perhaps your spouse can apply for a green card for you. I've heard that USCIS forgives quite a few sins to people who marry a US citizen. My advice is look for a better lawyer. You cannot apply for citizenship directly, what you could possibly do is apply for green card and during that process, when you get an employment permit then you can apply for a social security number. Please don't fall in the temptation of checking any form saying that you are a US citizen (e.g. to obtain your social security number), that would be the kiss of death for any hopes you have and could possibly lead to your deportation.
 
Well after you married you should have already gotten the Advance Parole that allows you to leave the US, but of course that gets replaced by the Green Card.

You needed to have filed for the entire AOS right after marriage, if you didn't do that, then that would explain your problem. You will also a few years down have to apply for the removal of the conditional status of the Green Card. All this comes before even applying for citizenship.

Seems your lawyer might not have applied for AOS and yes, that does have a large cost to it.

So if you have your Green Card then just go to the nearest SSC office. If not, then you are in the wrong forum and really need to start on the AOS process in hopes of getting a Green Card down the road...
 
If no I-485 has been filed, he is illegal. He cannot get an SSN unless he has a GC or EAD, neither of which can be obtained without filing the I-485. The mere act of marriage to a US citizen conveys no status or right to stay.

He is subject to the 10-year re-entry bar and should not leave the US until the GC has been approved.
 
Ladybuggy, I think the way the original poster told us about the circumstances of the case it seems like yes, out of status, at least for now.
 
I have a friend that married a US Citizen here in the US while she was on the 3 Month Visa. After 2 years she still didn't apply for the GC until I told her what could happen to her and then she applied from the US without leaving the US. So why does the original poster have to leave and apply for a GC. Are those 2 different Visas, that's why ?
 
And I am also confused that he was advised in the forum a couple of years ago on how to do things properly with his marriage and immigration. It seems that thread said it is possible to adjust from VWP visa to Green Card. The original poster seems to have a tendency of asking for advice but not to follow it if it doesn't fit his immediate interests. So, I wouldn't doubt that he will go and try to get a social security number illegally and complicate his circumstances further ;)

Take a look at this thread in which he was I think very adequately advised of things.

http://www.immigrationportal.com/showthread.php?p=1401549
 
Well all I can say then is that if he/she didn't listen he/she dug their own little hole themselves and can't blame a lawyer or USCIS for that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top