Fine print on I-485

[DandT14 272]

On the I-485, there are a couple paragraphs right before you sign about stuff you're agreeing to. One is about registering with Selective Service ( I know what that is.) But the first one says something about registering with Immigration within 30 days. My husband wanted me to explain to him what it meant, but I told him just sign because not signing isn't an option, and we'll figure it out later.

So now I'm figuring it out. Anyone know what that means? What did I just convince him to sign up for?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You don't say what you are reading, so it's hard to know what you are talking about without redownloading the form. Is it about the fact that he has to notify USCIS of any change of address?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

When asking a question about a specific section of a form it is better to either cop the text here, or post it as an image so people don't waste time having to look up the form to "guess" what part you're talking about.

Have you re-read the form since he signed it? The only reference to 10 days I can see is the address section but I'm not sure if that's what you're talking about because it's pretty clear that it's talking about notifying them of an address change so maybe I'm missing what part you're talking about...

[DandT14 272]

Wow, sorry for wasting anyone's time. I just assumed everyone here would be familiar with the I-485.

Anyway, I can't copy and paste from a PDF. But it's Section 5 "Your registration with US citizenship and immigration services"

The first line talks about an alien who has been or will be in the US for 30 days is required to register with USCIS. We're wondering what that means? Is he supposed to be doing something?

[jdh 103]

Your Registration With U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

"I understand and acknowledge that, under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as an alien who has been or will be in the United States for more than 30 days, I am required to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). I understand and acknowledge that, under section 265 of the INA, I am required to provide USCIS with my current address and written notice of any change of address within 10 days of the change. I understand and acknowledge that USCIS will use the most recent address that I provide to USCIS, on any form containing these acknowledgements, for all purposes, including the service of a Notice to Appear should it be necessary for USCIS to initiate removal proceedings against me. I understand and acknowledge that if I change my address without providing written notice to USCIS, I will be held responsible for any communications sent to me at the most recent address that I provided to USCIS. I further understand and acknowledge that, if removal proceedings are initiated against me and I fail to attend any hearing, including an initial hearing based on service of the Notice to Appear at the most recent address that I provided to USCIS or as otherwise provided by law, I may be ordered removed in my absence, arrested, and removed from the United States."

I think it is null...you are in effect registering with them by filling out the petition...The rest is of course just keeping them appraised of your location.

[Moomin 292]

It only applies if the male is between 18 and 26, it also depends on which visa the alien entered.

Edit; "Upon USCIS acceptance of my application, I authorize USCIS to transmit to the Selective Service System my name(...)" kiunda says it all.

Good luck

Edited May 13, 2012 by moomin

[engineer21 51]

Wow, sorry for wasting anyone's time. I just assumed everyone here would be familiar with the I-485.

Anyway, I can't copy and paste from a PDF. But it's Section 5 "Your registration with US citizenship and immigration services"

The first line talks about an alien who has been or will be in the US for 30 days is required to register with USCIS. We're wondering what that means? Is he supposed to be doing something?

It just means doing the change of address with USCIS everytime you move.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Wow, sorry for wasting anyone's time. I just assumed everyone here would be familiar with the I-485.

Anyway, I can't copy and paste from a PDF. But it's Section 5 "Your registration with US citizenship and immigration services"

The first line talks about an alien who has been or will be in the US for 30 days is required to register with USCIS. We're wondering what that means? Is he supposed to be doing something?

We are all very familiar with the I-485, but I'll ask you in a year if you know what the verbiage is in section 5 and we'll see what you say.

[DandT14 272]

Right. Thanks. I'll be more careful with my questions in the future.

[DandT14 272]

Your Registration With U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

"I understand and acknowledge that, under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as an alien who has been or will be in the United States for more than 30 days, I am required to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). I understand and acknowledge that, under section 265 of the INA, I am required to provide USCIS with my current address and written notice of any change of address within 10 days of the change. I understand and acknowledge that USCIS will use the most recent address that I provide to USCIS, on any form containing these acknowledgements, for all purposes, including the service of a Notice to Appear should it be necessary for USCIS to initiate removal proceedings against me. I understand and acknowledge that if I change my address without providing written notice to USCIS, I will be held responsible for any communications sent to me at the most recent address that I provided to USCIS. I further understand and acknowledge that, if removal proceedings are initiated against me and I fail to attend any hearing, including an initial hearing based on service of the Notice to Appear at the most recent address that I provided to USCIS or as otherwise provided by law, I may be ordered removed in my absence, arrested, and removed from the United States."

I think it is null...you are in effect registering with them by filling out the petition...The rest is of course just keeping them appraised of your location.

Thanks for copying that. I got the change of address thing, we were just confused by the first part. Every time he's come here, he's been here more than 30 days, so we were trying to figure out if there was some step that we missed. Thanks again.

[grrrrreat 109]

Thanks for copying that. I got the change of address thing, we were just confused by the first part. Every time he's come here, he's been here more than 30 days, so we were trying to figure out if there was some step that we missed. Thanks again.

The requirement to register as an alien applies to lawful permanent residents, not people on non-immigrant visas.

[jdh 103]

The requirement to register as an alien applies to lawful permanent residents, not people on non-immigrant visas.

Actually I don't think that is correct. This is the section referred to.

"Sec. 262. [8 U.S.C. 1302]

(a) It shall be the duty of every alien now or hereafter in the United States, who (1) is fourteen years of age or older, (2) has not been registered and fingerprinted under section 221(b) of this Act or section 30 or 31 of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, and (3) remains in the United States for thirty days or longer, to apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of such thirty days.

(b) It shall be the duty of every parent or legal guardian of any alien now or hereafter in the United States, who (1) is less than fourteen years of age, (2) has not been registered under section 221(b) of this Act or section 30 or 31 of the Alien Registration Act, 1940, and (3) remains in the United States for thirty days or longer, to apply for the registration of such alien before the expiration of such thirty days. Whenever any alien attains his fourteenth birthday in the United States he shall, within thirty days thereafter, apply in person for registration and to be fingerprinted.

© The Attorney General may, in his discretion and on the basis of reciprocity pursuant to such regulations as he may prescribe, waive the requirement of fingerprinting specified in subsections (a) and (b) in the case of any nonimmigrant."

Every alien regardless of being a permanent resident is documented and registered when they get their visa to come over - this applies to visiting or working.

As seen in section C, this registration can be waived on the basis of reciprocity, like in the example of many Canadians that come over. Some are fingerprinted and documented, others like me never were.

[DandT14 272]

Thanks for the info jdh. My husband feels much better now. (And extra special for being Canadian.)

[jess100 53]

HI I realize this is an old thread but I'm sure people still have questions about this.....I just called USCIS because I wanted to hear it directly from them. The officer was actually quite helpful (after the usual 20 menus that waste your time) and here is what he said.

Me: What does this mean exactly? We don't know how to comply with the following. (I read him exactly what it says)

"I understand and acknowledge that, under section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as an alien who has been or will be in the United States for more than 30 days, I am required to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). "

OFFICER: By filing this form you are registering. But let me double check that, hold on. Yes, I am correct. By filing this form with us you are registering.

ME: Ok, have we also complied with the photographs mentioned in INA 221? (262 refers you to 221-nothing simple here)

OFFICER: That will happen with the biometrics as part of the process.

ME: So as long as we file the papers and go through the rest of the process we have registered?

OFFICER: Yes, if your papers are correctly filled out and properly filed and you follow all the notifications for interviews and biometrics, then yes.

So that's what we are going with. I might put a short sentence in the cover letter just to be sure. (I understand from speaking with Officer that by submitting the above we have complied with "registering") Not sure, it's just a thought.

properly signed and comply with notifications