new I-94?

[Melia11 0]

Just today I took my wife to apply for her driver's licence. We gave all her documents to the person there and she told us that the I-94 was unacceptable proof of her immigration status because it was written over in black marker. At our POE the immigration officer couldn't read the writing and then wrote over it in black marker, then gave it back to us. Now the BMV says they can't accept it because of that!!! We told them it wasn't our fault and that the immigration officer was the one who did it. But she told us we needed a new one anyways.

So I check on the INS website to find out how to get a new I-94 and the fee is $160.00!!! But it is free if you only request that the information be changed due to incorrect information as a fault of the INS.

"You do not need to pay the fee to request USCIS to correct your Forms I-94, I-94W or Form I-95 if the error(s) on your document was made by USCIS, through no fault of you own."

Now my question is: Should we pay for a completely new I-94 or should we ask for the information to be changed because of it being the INS's fault. Even though the information on it is correct, but not acceptable anymore because it's been "altered."

Or perhaps we should just wait for her greencard to arrive and then apply for a driver's license. We are currently in the middle of applying for AOS.

This is all so frustrating, the I-94 was accepted when we applied for other things,, but now it's not...I hope we don't get an RFE for it during our AOS.

Thanks all for any help.

[aidan80 9]

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551 . My advice, unless you want to spend $160.00 plus the $35.00 (I assume?) for the license then an additional $10.00 for it to be renewed assuming it’s issued till the I-94 expires. That’s quite an expensive license!

I’d wait till I’ve got an EAD or the I-551 stamp or the actual “Green Card” then go get a license, I’m of course assuming it isn’t life and death critical that a license is obtained.

Good Luck!

[Geoff n Margaret 0]

Just today I took my wife to apply for her driver's licence. We gave all her documents to the person there and she told us that the I-94 was unacceptable proof of her immigration status because it was written over in black marker. At our POE the immigration officer couldn't read the writing and then wrote over it in black marker, then gave it back to us. Now the BMV says they can't accept it because of that!!! We told them it wasn't our fault and that the immigration officer was the one who did it. But she told us we needed a new one anyways.

So I check on the INS website to find out how to get a new I-94 and the fee is $160.00!!! But it is free if you only request that the information be changed due to incorrect information as a fault of the INS.

"You do not need to pay the fee to request USCIS to correct your Forms I-94, I-94W or Form I-95 if the error(s) on your document was made by USCIS, through no fault of you own."

Now my question is: Should we pay for a completely new I-94 or should we ask for the information to be changed because of it being the INS's fault. Even though the information on it is correct, but not acceptable anymore because it's been "altered."

Or perhaps we should just wait for her greencard to arrive and then apply for a driver's license. We are currently in the middle of applying for AOS.

This is all so frustrating, the I-94 was accepted when we applied for other things,, but now it's not...I hope we don't get an RFE for it during our AOS.

Thanks all for any help.

It looks to me like there are some spelling mistakes on your I94. I think that 'I' looks like an 'L', and that 'C' looks like a 'G'?

[Melia11 0]

It seems best to just wait for greencard. Tnx all.

[Dr_LHA 3]

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551

Not quite true, in some states (e.g. Pennsylvania, my own) the DMV will issue a drivers license with only a NOA1 for AOS as proof of residence (well also they need SSN, 2 utility bills and your passport).

[Yodrak 7]

aidan,

Some 'somewhere's are reliable, some are not.

What is the level of credibility of the somewhere that you read this?

Yodrak

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551 ....

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I'm sure it's different for each state.

I was reading on the Indiana DMV website, and they issue a letter allowing you to drive (a temporary license that can be used to drive, but not as ID), while they personally verify your immigration documents. After they've contacted the correct people to get verification, then you may come in and recieve your "permanent" driver's license.

But, like I said, the rules vary from state-to-state on things like driver's licenses.

Cass (bebop the great)

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551 . My advice, unless you want to spend $160.00 plus the $35.00 (I assume?) for the license then an additional $10.00 for it to be renewed assuming it’s issued till the I-94 expires. That’s quite an expensive license!

I’d wait till I’ve got an EAD or the I-551 stamp or the actual “Green Card” then go get a license, I’m of course assuming it isn’t life and death critical that a license is obtained.

Good Luck!

[Dr_LHA 3]

I'm sure it's different for each state.

I was reading on the Indiana DMV website, and they issue a letter allowing you to drive (a temporary license that can be used to drive, but not as ID), while they personally verify your immigration documents. After they've contacted the correct people to get verification, then you may come in and recieve your "permanent" driver's license.

But, like I said, the rules vary from state-to-state on things like driver's licenses.

Sounds like Indiana are a bit more hardcore about checking than PA. They just photocopied my NOA1 and I had my drivers license in hand 20 minutes later.

Mind you this was a *renewal*, not a new license, so they might be a bit more thorough for those.

[*Robert* 2]

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551 . My advice, unless you want to spend $160.00 plus the $35.00 (I assume?) for the license then an additional $10.00 for it to be renewed assuming it’s issued till the I-94 expires. That’s quite an expensive license!

I’d wait till I’ve got an EAD or the I-551 stamp or the actual “Green Card” then go get a license, I’m of course assuming it isn’t life and death critical that a license is obtained.

Good Luck!

Agree... I've seen different states have different rules, but the majority want at a "minimum", your interview apointment letter or more, such as EAD or GC as mentioned.

[aidan80 9]

aidan,

Some 'somewhere's are reliable, some are not.

What is the level of credibility of the somewhere that you read this?

Yodrak

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551 ....

The somewhere I read this was the Florida DHSMV click here to view! The Florida DHSMV is and was more than credible enough for me; after all I’m in Florida!

I must point out that I did say “most” states not all states, from reading on this board and from doing a simple Google search I believe that information could be confirmed as credible and correct. I didn’t say nor imply that every state has the same rules when it comes to driving licenses. I was simply adding a comment and giving my opinion!

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551

Not quite true, in some states (e.g. Pennsylvania, my own) the DMV will issue a drivers license with only a NOA1 for AOS as proof of residence (well also they need SSN, 2 utility bills and your passport).

Not quite true in your state… but it’s very true in Florida where I’m at.

I wasn’t clear in my original post, what I was saying was it varies from state to state but most states require something before they will issue a driving license or state ID. I was giving only my opinion based on what I have experienced, read and encountered so far.

[zyggy 9]

If the lady gave you ####### at that office.. go to another office and try again...

[Dr_LHA 3]

Not quite true in your state… but it’s very true in Florida where I’m at.

I wasn’t clear in my original post, what I was saying was it varies from state to state but most states require something before they will issue a driving license or state ID. I was giving only my opinion based on what I have experienced, read and encountered so far.

Indeed, I was just trying to point out that not everywhere is so harsh.

Actually if you read the federal regulations for requirement to prove legal residence for the REAL ID act, you'll see that it recommends NOA1 for AOS as proof of legal residence, so by requiring more than that states are actually being more stringent than the federally defined suggestions.

Personally I find the idea of EAD being necessary to be stupid. Since when was being allowed to work here directly correlated with your legal presence? The whole idea of being legal to work and having a drivers license needs to be decoupled, as they are completely unrelated. People need to drive whether they work or not.

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I agree, that just sounds silly! I mean, since when must you be able to be employed to drive? But I'm sure, buried somewhere deep in code 98343984334 section 98389&^aszZ.p you'll find a reasoning.

Cass (bebop the great)

Personally I find the idea of EAD being necessary to be stupid. Since when was being allowed to work here directly correlated with your legal presence? The whole idea of being legal to work and having a drivers license needs to be decoupled, as they are completely unrelated. People need to drive whether they work or not.

Edited September 8, 2006 by bebop + rocksteady

[Dr_LHA 3]

I agree, that just sounds silly! I mean, since when must you be able to be employed to drive? But I'm sure, buried somewhere deep in code 98343984334 section 98389&^aszZ.p you'll find a reasoning.

Cass (bebop the great)

Its annoying, but people seem to equate drivers license with the ability to work. I remember in California when they were debating about stopping illegal aliens being able to get drivers licenses, one of the main arguments I used to hear was:

"They're here illegally, but they can get drivers licenses so they can get work."

At this point was usually banging my head against the wall.

Edited September 8, 2006 by dr_lha

[Yodrak 7]

Aidan,

Thanks for the specific reference, I agree that it's a credible one.

Yodrak

aidan,

Some 'somewhere's are reliable, some are not.

What is the level of credibility of the somewhere that you read this?

Yodrak

I had read somewhere that most DMV offices are supposed to only issue a license/State ID for the validity of the I-94/EAD/I-551 ....

The somewhere I read this was the Florida DHSMV click here to view! The Florida DHSMV is and was more than credible enough for me; after all I'm in Florida!

....