Tricky Question Regarding Selective Service

[jdawg9]

I've been reading around and it seem selective service has been hunting some us.

Here is my situation. I came to the USA in early 1990s on a Visitor's Visa and Overstayed. I went to high school and college here in the US. Back then, my sister was a Permanent Resident and was about to apply for citizenship and sponsor my mother and I.

Time went by and I got my Green Card in 2006 and its now my turn to apply for citizenship.

When I turned 18 and applied for college, I kept receiving letters to apply for selective service, etc. I kept ignoring the letters, until I received a very scary and threating final letter from the SSS. To make it go away I applied for it and I believe I might have stated that I was a citizen. I received my Selective Service Number and Card in the mail and I haven't been bothered every since.

Now that I am filling out my application to send it in 2 months, when my 5 year green card - 90 days will be up, I am worried, whether I should put that Selective Service Number or Leave it Blank. I am currently 30 years old (i read elsewhere about not being an issue if you are 31). I will not be 31 for another 6 months but I plan on sending in my N-400.

The reason am I am not 100% if I put that I am citizen on the application or not is that I remember, when I was applying for college, I either put down that I was a citizen in the college application or in the Selective Service. One of the two and I can't remember which now. I know it was wrong, but at the time I was left with very little option, since I could not prove my residency and I also couldn't afford to pay double the tuition (since I was pretty my on my own).

Does anyone know if its on the Selective Service Records that I am listed as a citizen or should I even be worried? Are the USCIS systems even linked to Selective Service to look up what information I put down on my application?

I appreciate your help.

 

[Jackolantern]

You registered, so you have to admit that you registered and provide your registration number. And because you are under 31, USCIS will want to see that you registered. Even if you don't write your Selective Service number, USCIS can look it up using your SSN.

 

[namecheckvictim]

It's better to get a attorney in your situation, things might get complicated for you at the interview, and also what if you don't apply for few more months and apply after you turn 31, or better yet even if applying for Nat'z is a good idea for you at this time.
For the other readers here on the forum, on the letters from Selective Service there is a option where you check the box for the people that are not Residents or Citizens and they will never send anything after that, for you it's little too late but those letters had nothing to do with college tuition or anything. Also how will you answer the question on N-400, Have you ever claimed to be a US Citizen?
That question might be the deal breaker for you.
Consult a good attorney.

 

[jdawg9]

I asked my attorney and he said I should put down the number and registered date and move on. He believes, that with a number there, they will not ask further questions.

In regards to admitting claiming to be US Citizen, he also said that I should not bother to apply if I want to answer YES to that, so I will have to answer NO.

I guess I will take my chances putting down my Selective Service Number and answer no to the Claiming to be a US Citizen question.

 

[Bobsmyth]

I asked my attorney and he said I should put down the number and registered date and move on. He believes, that with a number there, they will not ask further questions.

In regards to admitting claiming to be US Citizen, he also said that I should not bother to apply if I want to answer YES to that, so I will have to answer NO.

I guess I will take my chances putting down my Selective Service Number and answer no to the Claiming to be a US Citizen question.

There's nothing on the SS registration that requires you to swear that you are a US citizen, so it must have been on your college application. If you received any type of benefit (like a scholarship or favorable tuition rate) from claiming to be a US citizenship on US college application, but answer NO to question on N-400, it could lead to big trouble later.

 

[namecheckvictim]

I asked my attorney and he said I should put down the number and registered date and move on. He believes, that with a number there, they will not ask further questions.

In regards to admitting claiming to be US Citizen, he also said that I should not bother to apply if I want to answer YES to that, so I will have to answer NO.


I guess I will take my chances putting down my Selective Service Number and answer no to the Claiming to be a US Citizen question.

Best of luck buddy, once they see the SS number and see you got GC in 2006 it will be a Childs play to figure out the rest, and then NO for never claiming yourself to be a USC with SS Registration infront of them will just be icing on the cake.

 

[jdawg9]

Best of luck buddy, once they see the SS number and see you got GC in 2006 it will be a Childs play to figure out the rest, and then NO for never claiming yourself to be a USC with SS Registration infront of them will just be icing on the cake.

I know, there is always that risk. I understand I was a big mistake and I am not proud of it. I was 18, young and stupid and with few options at that time. I wish there was some other way around or alternative to make it up for it. I never broke any law while, other than overstaying, which I paid the fine for it and made it right afterwards. I always paid and filed my taxes and obeyed all the laws.

Thanks for your advice though

 

[jdawg9]

There's nothing on the SS registration that requires you to swear that you are a US citizen, so it must have been on your college application. If you received any type of benefit (like a scholarship or favorable tuition rate) from claiming to be a US citizenship on US college application, but answer NO to question on N-400, it could lead to big trouble later.

I guess you are right. I checked the SSS.gov and they don't keep that information on their records regarding status, citizenship, etc. In fact here is the excerpt from their home page:

ATTENTION, UNDOCUMENTED MALES
& IMMIGRANT SERVICING GROUPS!

Selective Service does not collect any information which would indicate whether or not you are undocumented. You want to protect yourself for future U.S. citizenship and other government benefits and programs by registering with Selective Service. Do it today.

If you are a man ages 18 through 25 and living in the U.S., then you must register with Selective Service. It’s the law. According to law, a man must register with Selective Service within 30 days of his 18th birthday. Selective Service will accept late registrations but not after a man has reached age 26. You may be denied benefits or a job if you have not registered. You can register at any U.S. Post Office and do not need a social security number. When you do obtain a social security number, let Selective Service know. Provide a copy of your new social security number card; being sure to include your complete name, date of birth, Selective Service registration number, and current mailing address; and mail to the Selective Service System, P.O. Box 94636, Palatine, IL 60094-4636.