From Pillar to Post... My US Immigration Experience So Far

[blupi 0]

Yeah that was one of the issues, the guy at the SSN told us there was a workaround which we were happy to try but as I have two middle names it wouldn't work when he tried as it was too long. We think we have fixed the issue, fingers crossed!

What process did you use to fix it? if you don't mind helping me out.

Our guy told us that as long as the social security office and the immigration office have the same name its cool.

Have any other brits been in this situation? did you rectify the mistakes before applying for AoS or did you just become an american alter ego of your past, British self?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

What process did you use to fix it? if you don't mind helping me out.

Our guy told us that as long as the social security office and the immigration office have the same name its cool.

Have any other brits been in this situation? did you rectify the mistakes before applying for AoS or did you just become an american alter ego of your past, British self?

We got told the same about the same name, just mine wouldn't fit in lol.

As apparently the issue happened at POE, we got the CBP deferred inspections staff at the airport to fix it. We hope!

[Nick&Diane 32]

I can't add anything useful to this thread - just want to say that I sympathise.

We have just had a particularly frustrating week with immigration - all down to other people's mistakes.

First H&R Block advised us to file taxes incorrectly. It then took us 12 weeks to get a paper amendment through. Then IRS sent us the wrong tax return - after one hour on the phone my husband had the amended return faxed to him - we were excited - we could finally post our AOS packet.

We assembled our IV and AOS packets, took them to our local USPS office where the very friendly lady at the counter put them through with tracking. Unbeknownst to us she put the incorrect postage on both packets and now despite tracking, nobody can tell us where they are!

Luckily we had spares of our documents and have sent them all again, this time giving USPS a body swerve. Not until after shedding a lot of exasperated tears (me at least, my husband has managed to hold it together quite well).

So I feel your pain. We're trying to come to terms with me maybe having a visa by Christmas. We started this process in September 2013. I dread to think how much more incompetency we're going to endure in the meantime.

[PhilLuv 43]

My only issue with your 'moaning' relates to DACA. We shouldn't blame the mess on DACA applicants! The delay in processing applications has been long standing complain before the order by the present administration. Something has be done to fix the broken immigration system, but the present administration had to do it piecemeal because of the failure of the congress.

It is true that some of us here had to wait over a year or more to get our visas or processes completed, but we should also, as humans, have compassion for DACA applicants. The immigration system in the UK is also broken, lets not forget about that. Same thing in Canada where people wait years to get their application through.

So lets reflect and understand that this is a phase which shall truly pass.

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

My only issue with your 'moaning' relates to DACA. We shouldn't blame the mess on DACA applicants! The delay in processing applications has been long standing complain before the order by the present administration. Something has be done to fix the broken immigration system, but the present administration had to do it piecemeal because of the failure of the congress.

It is true that some of us here had to wait over a year or more to get our visas or processes completed, but we should also, as humans, have compassion for DACA applicants. The immigration system in the UK is also broken, lets not forget about that. Same thing in Canada where people wait years to get their application through.

So lets reflect and understand that this is a phase which shall truly pass.

I don't blame DACA applicants personally, indeed I sympathise with people who did not choose to come here illegally.

The issue that I have is that an executive order was signed and no attempt was made to mitigate the impact on legal filers. The reason I posted was not to create debate about illegal immigrants, it was because I was frustrated with the terrible system and I feel that improvements should be made to fix legal immigration first because if they can't even sort that then what hope do they have with the files of millions of illegal immigrants? Plus more training to staff and streamlining would mean less work needed to fix the mistakes that seem sadly far too common!

[BOS_LHR 829]

Is your name wrong because, say, they put your first and middle name together? I have this problem right now.

Im unsure if its worth changing or just going with it for now? I found this out getting my social security card, the guy dealing with me told me. (im on a k1 FYI)

I do enjoy reading a good British rant, and since moving out here, I also have to let people know when im being sarcastic.

Mrs. Otter here -- I wrote about the name issue here and explained what I learned this morning about why this problem occurs. Maybe it'll help you decide how to proceed Best of luck!

[LionessDeon 2,060]

I do enjoy reading a good British rant, and since moving out here, I also have to let people know when im being sarcastic.

Is that where I get my sarcasm from....my british ancestors?

[blupi 0]

Mrs. Otter here -- I wrote about the name issue here and explained what I learned this morning about why this problem occurs. Maybe it'll help you decide how to proceed Best of luck!

Thanks, i'm hoping i can get all this sorted out when i file my AoS packet. Im planning on explaining the situation on the cover document for the packet. It appears using a phone only gets you fobbed off to someone else.... Maybe being attached to a fat cheque will help me in this matter.

Is that where I get my sarcasm from....my british ancestors?

Id say that would be a safe bet.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Thanks, i'm hoping i can get all this sorted out when i file my AoS packet. Im planning on explaining the situation on the cover document for the packet. It appears using a phone only gets you fobbed off to someone else.... Maybe being attached to a fat cheque will help me in this matter.

I'm fairly sure we only had luck dealing with CBP on the phone because my husband spoke to the woman in person last week, so she remembered him and knew the situation. We were lucky to find someone genuinely helpful in this mess. Hopefully this ridiculous error on their part doesn't cause you trouble down the line.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Mrs. Otter here -- I wrote about the name issue here and explained what I learned this morning about why this problem occurs. Maybe it'll help you decide how to proceed Best of luck!

Hey Mrs. Otter,

I read your blog and it was kinda what I thought. Three agencies with different systems. Here's an experience that might make you feel okay about the future of his name.

My husband's first SSN had only "Joe Otter" because the manual entry, paper landing card( I-94 ) only had fields for First and Last names. SSA said no to giving him a middle name because it had to match his entry as recorded by CBP. With entries now automated by a computer scan of your passport, you can see how it could all go awry.

His greencard came as "Joe B. Otter". We went to SSA to get the not allowed to work removed (k1) and inform SSA he was a permanent resident. They had to issue a new card that said "Joe B. Otter" because it had to match USCIS records.

He became a citizen and the naturalization certificate was printed "Joe Bob Otter". We went to SSA to update their records that he was a citizen. They had to issue a new card that said "Joe Bob Otter" because it had to match USCIS records.

Eventually your otter may get to have his whole name on his SSA records

**Additionally, his Texas driver license had to go through those same name changes because they also had to use the name as listed by CBP then USCIS.

[BOS_LHR 829]

Good grief! Thanks for sharing your story Nich-Nick. Wouldn't it be nice if all these computer systems could communicate so names were propagated through every agency without a manual effort? I can dream

[twofors 30]

Hotter Otter,

It seems that no matter how well you plan your journey someone else can mess it up for you. I have been trying to understand how so many agencies can make such a mess over something so simple. My job involves talking to many different type of people doing many different types of things all the time. It never ceases to amaze me when I have to interact wi th a government agency and the only response I get is, "Well it just doesn't work that way". The best is when they just repeat themselves because that is what is written on the screen in front of them. I could tell you stories. I hope someone can give you answers. My fiance and I are headed into the interview stage at the embassy. I can't imagine how they will mess up the next few stages of the process but just not looking forward to seeing idiots walk around in circles. Oh wait I am insulting the idiots. Sorry!