Someone with my exact name arrested for child abuse!

[Sukie 1,460]

My partner and I have received the NOA1, and we know that we will now wait until our names are checked through a zillion databases by the USCIS. Just for fun, I googled my full name, and was shocked to see that a woman with MY EXACT NAME was arrested for child abuse recently. She is about the same age as I am (born the year before me), and is from a state on the other side of the United States from my home state. Her picture was plastered in the newspaper, and we don't look alike except for the fact that we both have blue eyes.

To the best of my recollection, I have not been in her state since 2001...

Knowing that background checks look for prior child abuse problems (the Adam Walsh Act), I was a little unnerved by this, as I feel that the USCIS is now going to spend a LOT more time and effort with my I-130 petition, if only to prove that I am NOT that woman.

I wonder if this is going to cause a huge delay in our process....anyone have a similar issue?

Sukie

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I'm pretty sure that they have procedures for this. I would imagine that similar names would be common.

[zttrszPwCmp 34]

Your Criminal record is gonna say it all

[Bugs 455]

When they look you up, they will see the multiple names and match you up with the right one based on the data you've given them. You'll be fine. Background checks only take a couple days.

[Darnell 8,478]

there will be other data points beside yer name, when the namechecks are performed,

that are used in conjunction with your name.

Discrete data points such as:

--date of birth

--city of birth

--SSN

so, I think, you've nothing to worry about. Sure, it might take some time as it might trigger a manual verification - but that's really a human reviewing stuff and deciding none of the discrete data points match between you and the sex offender.

[Bugs 455]

I would think the social security number is the main matching point they use, since that is the only one unique for every individual.

[hmh33 117]

This is part of the reason for the G-325a, i.e. to distinguish you from other people with the same name and even the same birthday.

[NickD 202]

Stepdaughter had to answer to assault and battery charges when she was 17 months and 4 years old, and not even in this country at the time. This was way too much for me, so contacted my senator's office. These charges we were to respond to were removed within a couple of hours.

Just using her first and last name, found over 80,000 on the internet, Adding her middle name, reduced that to just a handful, adding her mother's maiden name reduced that to three, adding her date of birth, reduced that to one. Some idiot at the USCIS is trying to play detective.

[hmh33 117]

Some idiot at the USCIS is trying to play detective.

The OP has said nothing to suggest that USCIS has even noticed the name hit.

[NickD 202]

The OP has said nothing to suggest that USCIS has even noticed the name hit.

Remind me to ask your permission before posting directly to the OP. Those name mix ups do happen, shared our experience with this issue, and what we did about it.

They didn't even give us the location of where this alleged offense occurred, just the date. And if you don't respond within 30 days, your application will be denied.

[Juliet and Steve 93]

Not an issue. There are plenty of exact named felons around. The report will show up as negative for a criminal record, plain and simple.

[hmh33 117]

Remind me to ask your permission before posting directly to the OP. Those name mix ups do happen, shared our experience with this issue, and what we did about it.

They didn't even give us the location of where this alleged offense occurred, just the date. And if you don't respond within 30 days, your application will be denied.

Since your comment regarding the "USCIS idiot" was present-tense I assumed it was referring to the OP's situation and not your own past experience. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[NickD 202]

Never tried posting a photo before, this is exactly what my stepdaughter received from the USCIS. She was born August 1989 and was in Venezuela at the time. Nothing like this was even mentioned at her interview. Three days later she received her oath letter. I couldn't even believe this letter, so contacted my senator's office instantly. USCIS called it a mis-communication error.

Edited July 15, 2013 by NickD

[NickD 202]

Oh, and in July 21,2006, she never had a driver's license, so how could have that been suspended?