Selective Service (Interview Letter)

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ohio1960

Registered Users (C)
I received my interview letter showing the documents that must be brought to the interview; its mentions Selective Service evidence. I moved to the US in 2003 (at the ge of 35) and became a LPR in 2004 (Green card through marriage).

According to the Law: one does not have to register for SS if above the age of 26.

I called the USCIS customer service and requested to speak to an IO. After a long argeement I managed to convince the operator to transfer me to an IO. I explained my situation to the immigration officer and was told that I do no have to bring the SS document to the Interview as I was above the age of 26 when applying for residency (Green Card); I then asked why the Inteview letter mentions the SS document. His answer was: 'all interview letters have SS as required evidence.'

I would like to know what you gus think and share any experience you might have had with SS in the Interview Letter (when not applicable) and going to interview without SS letter under this scenario.

Thaks.
 
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Here's what my BF went thru...

My BF attached a statement with the N-400, explaining why he did not register for Selective Service.

I was in the waiting room while he went in for his interview. After he came out, I've asked him what the officer said to him. My BF told me that the Officer(who happens to be a lady) asked him a couple of question. One of it is: How come you did not register for Selective Service? Of course, he told her the truth. He never knew what Selective Service is, until he applied for Citizenship. When he found out about it, it was too late to register. Then she asked for his age. He handed her his Drivers license. He is in his late 30's. So, I guess that means he is too old to register. She then went on to ask other questions.

Long Story short. His case is approved. Just thought I'll share you his story. Hope that helps.
 
Thank you for you prompt reply. Did your BFinterview letter state that he must bring a SS document to the interview?
 
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Are you talking to me, Ohio1960? hahaha Husband, that is kinda funny. Let's hope he proposed to me first. For now, I am only his girlfriend. :D

When I took him to his interview, all he had in his hand was the interview letter, his Social Security Statement, His Statement as to why he didn't register(it was a copy of the original statement he sent with his Application) and his Expired Green Card(yeah believe it). I remembered when I went in for my Interview. They checked the exact same thing. Strange, I know. Because, HELLO! I am a girl. We don't need to Register or have any proof. So, I just ignored that part.

Yeah, that's what this site is for. Anyone if similar experience should share. Best of luck to you.
 
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My interview letter did not say, I had to bring anything in regards to SS.
However, my IO examined that part of my application very closely. Problably because I received my greencard/permanent residence status just 2 months after I had turned 26. Then she asked me my age and since I'm now over 31 she said it has become irrelevant anyway.
 
Ok,

question.
What if another country has determined that you are disqualified for military service? In this case a NATO country? I mean I am way to old for that to be an issue, but than there is the question if I'd be willing to bear arms. Well, yeah, but wouldn't do any good since I can't really do that. Unbelievable what kind of paperwork one carries around. This dismissal is some 20 years old and I still have the medical exam for it, just never bothered to have it translated. As I said, doesn't apply to me any more, but could be an issue for others.
 
ohio1960 said:
I would like to know what you gus think and share any experience you might have had with SS in the Interview Letter (when not applicable) and going to interview without SS letter under this scenario.
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here's my story.

I came to U.S. before I was 26.
When I got my green card I was past 26 y.o. age.

I spent several months trying to get a proof that I was not eligible to register w/ SSS. I called SSS, INS, talked to several lawyers and they all told me different answers which confused me alot.

I decided to send my N-400 in anyway, thinking that at worst, I will be told to get a letter from SSS.

At the actual interview, the IO didn't ask me any questions related to SSS registration. She also didn't ask anything about my age at the time when I came to U.S. at first, or when I got my GC.

I got approved, took oath, got naturalized without any problems.
 
Well,

just because you get your GC doesn't change your citizenship.
Kind of makes me wonder why one would even register with SSS, if you have no obligation to do so.

i.e. If you get your GC and you are under 26, why bother register with SSS?
After naturalzation I would agree, but before????
 
To add my 2 cents, I wouldn't have even known about Selective Service, had it not been for a financial aid application that I filled out when I started college. In order to qualify for federal student aid, a male applicant over 18 years of age must register with Selective Service. I'm now 29, and if I didn't apply for financial aid some 10 years ago, I would have never registered. It would have been yet another issue to deal with, now that I applied for naturalization. Just out of curiosity, exactly how does one go about proving that he wasn't aware of his obligation to register for Selective Service?
 
MartinAub said:
i.e. If you get your GC and you are under 26, why bother register with SSS?
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Because it's required by law. GC holders can be drafted into the US military.

However, I've read that they now automatically register new GC holders if they are in the designated age range, so if that's true there would be many people who registered who don't know they've been registered.
 
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Vorpal said:
Just out of curiosity, exactly how does one go about proving that he wasn't aware of his obligation to register for Selective Service?
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You can't really "prove" that. But you can get a letter from SS saying that they didn't notify you about it.
 
MartinAub said:
Well,

just because you get your GC doesn't change your citizenship.
Kind of makes me wonder why one would even register with SSS, if you have no obligation to do so.

i.e. If you get your GC and you are under 26, why bother register with SSS?
After naturalzation I would agree, but before????
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Registration is federally mandated for any male aged 18-26yrs and present in the US in any capacity other than as a lawful non-immigrant. Roughly translated, that means all USC's, GC holders, and undocumented aliens are supposed to get themselves registered.

Willful failure to register is considered bad moral conduct, and grounds for N-400 denial. Non-willful failure to register (i.e. you "didn't know about it") is also grounds for denial, but can be overcome once the applicant reaches 31yrs of age. (26yrs+5yr CIMT period).
 
A K1 fiance visa is considered a non-immigrant visa, correct?

So if I came on a K1 at age 25, then got married at age 25 but then had turned 26 before AOS was approved and GC issued I was not required to register, correct?
 
MartinAub said:
Whoops?
Not that I doubt you, but that surely sounds a little mideval.

But then it's called "selective".
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Medieval is about right. I have no problem with taking up arms to fight off an invasion. However, being drafted to take over a sovereign nation for no apparent reason is a whole other story.
 
Hi folks, I was on a F-1 (student) visa when I came to the US at age 23, and then after graduation got an H1-B at age 25. Both of these as I understand are legal non-immigrant visas.

Does anyone know if I need the SS letter?

Thanks!
 
sidney said:
Hi folks, I was on a F-1 (student) visa when I came to the US at age 23, and then after graduation got an H1-B at age 25. Both of these as I understand are legal non-immigrant visas.

Does anyone know if I need the SS letter?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Both are indeed non-immigrant visas, however its fairly easy to drop out of status on a student visa, so it might be a good idea to get a status letter ahead of time. That way you have instant proof of registration if the IO get all picky.
 
jochensch said:
A K1 fiance visa is considered a non-immigrant visa, correct?

So if I came on a K1 at age 25, then got married at age 25 but then had turned 26 before AOS was approved and GC issued I was not required to register, correct?
Click to expand...

Probably true.
 
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