Updating SSN with EAD through mail

[izavox 147]

Hey guys! VJ is always a great help for this whole Adjusting Status process and I have a question regarding updating my SSN.

 

I was on a J-1 visa here before, therefore i have a social security number. But after getting married, I'll need to update it with my name change (and also to make it official for me to work again). The thing is I'll go on a trip to my home country for a few weeks (My AP and EAD had different priority dates) and if I get my EAD card during this time, do you guys know if it's safe applying for a name change through mail since I wouldnt be here? I'd leave the paperwork ready (form filed, photo identification, marriage certificate) and my husband would just add the EAD and send the paperwork through mail. I just get worried if something goes wrong with it and that can affect my re-entry in the U.S. with my AP.

 

Just wanted to know if you guys have had experience updating or getting SSN cards through mail, without having to go to the office. I'd do that so I could have had that step done for when I come back to the country.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

PS: I'm not sure I'll get the EAD while being away, but this is just in case it happens =) 

[Suudsu 66]

47 minutes ago, izavox said:

The thing is I'll go on a trip to my home country for a few weeks (My AP and EAD had different priority dates) and if I get my EAD card during this time ...

PS: I'm not sure I'll get the EAD while being away, but this is just in case it happens =) 

As recently as July, USCIS was denying AP requests as abandoned if the applicant departed the US (even if they had H-1B or L-1 as a means to return without abandoning the AOS).

https://www.murthy.com/2017/08/10/uscis-denying-advance-parole-applications-based-on-overseas-travel/

 

Immigration firms requested that the NSC stop this practice, and from what they said on the 10th of August, they plan to issue EADs and APs to people who otherwise have a document to return. It is not clear whether other service centers are also following this.

https://www.immigrationgroup.com/single-post/2017/08/28/NSC-agrees-to-stop-denying-AP-applications-based-on-travel

https://www.murthy.com/2017/08/25/murthy-takes-action-nsc-agrees-to-stop-denying-advance-parole-applications-based-on-overseas-travel/

 

Personally, I would not leave the US while I have a pending EAD/AP application. It isn't clear to me whether it will be deemed abandoned by leaving the US.

[izavox 147]

2 minutes ago, Suudsu said:

As recently as July, USCIS was denying AP requests as abandoned if the applicant departed the US (even if they had H-1B or L-1 as a means to return without abandoning the AOS).

https://www.murthy.com/2017/08/10/uscis-denying-advance-parole-applications-based-on-overseas-travel/

 

Immigration firms requested that the NSC stop this practice, and from what they said on the 10th of August, they plan to issue EADs and APs to people who otherwise have a document to return. It is not clear whether other service centers are also following this.

https://www.immigrationgroup.com/single-post/2017/08/28/NSC-agrees-to-stop-denying-AP-applications-based-on-travel

https://www.murthy.com/2017/08/25/murthy-takes-action-nsc-agrees-to-stop-denying-advance-parole-applications-based-on-overseas-travel/

 

Personally, I would not leave the US while I have a pending EAD/AP application. It isn't clear to me whether it will be deemed abandoned by leaving the US.

Thank you for your answer! The thing is my Advance Parole was already approved. I have the document in hands =) from what I read on the links you sent they are denying entry for people who traveled before the application was approved, right? 

[Scandi 4,166]

5 minutes ago, izavox said:

Thank you for your answer! The thing is my Advance Parole was already approved. I have the document in hands =) from what I read on the links you sent they are denying entry for people who traveled before the application was approved, right? 

Yes, if you for instance have to renew your AP and you leave the country (and think you can use your old AP because it's still valid) while the new AP application is pending, the new application will be considered abandoned.

 

Since your AP is approved you don't have a pending application, so it can't be abandoned either.

 

To change your info on your SS card you need to show up in person. Why can't you wait until you get back to the US?

[Suudsu 66]

3 minutes ago, izavox said:

Thank you for your answer! The thing is my Advance Parole was already approved. I have the document in hands =) from what I read on the links you sent they are denying entry for people who traveled before the application was approved, right? 

No, not denying entry. It appears to me that they were denying the AP requests as abandoned if someone in H-1B or L-1 departed the US temporarily. Because they have H-1B or L-1, they could travel and return in that status without the AOS being abandoned. But it didn't protect the EAD/AP application. USCIS made this change in adjudications without making any policy announcement, people just started getting AP denied.

 

It's great that you have the AP document in your hands.

 

My comment was just that if I needed the EAD/AP, I wouldn't risk them by traveling while either was pending.

[izavox 147]

3 minutes ago, Scandi said:

Yes, if you for instance have to renew your AP and you leave the country (and think you can use your old AP because it's still valid) while the new AP application is pending, the new application will be considered abandoned.

 

Since your AP is approved you don't have a pending application, so it can't be abandoned either.

So I should be fine traveling with my approved AP? Sorry, I just got too nervous now haha

 

4 minutes ago, Scandi said:

To change your info on your SS card you need to show up in person. Why can't you wait until you get back to the US?

I can, it's no problem doing it in person if I get the EAD approved in the meantime =) I was just wondering if I could get this process done while I'd be away =D 

[Suudsu 66]

5 minutes ago, izavox said:

So I should be fine traveling with my approved AP? Sorry, I just got too nervous now haha

Yes, you should be fine traveling on the approved AP in your hands, so long as you re-enter before the expiry date.

[Scandi 4,166]

Yes, you're fine travelling back to the US with your approved AP. 

 

Change the name on your SS card when you get back to the US so you can do it in person. I didn't have an issue changing my name on the card before getting the EAD, but others are not as lucky. For me it was enough to show the marriage certificate.

[izavox 147]

Just now, Scandi said:

Yes, you're fine travelling back to the US with your approved AP. 

 

Change the name on your SS card when you get back to the US so you can do it in person. I didn't have an issue changing my name on the card before getting the EAD, but others are not as lucky. For me it was enough to show the marriage certificate.

Really? You were luckier than I was but maybe I can try a different office here in SoCal since you're from here as well =)

 

Thank you so much for the information!

19 minutes ago, Suudsu said:

Yes, you should be fine traveling on the approved AP in your hands, so long as you re-enter before the expiry date.

Thank you so much for the help!! Sorry I got too nervous before haha

[izavox 147]

58 minutes ago, Suudsu said:

Personally, I would not leave the US while I have a pending EAD/AP application. It isn't clear to me whether it will be deemed abandoned by leaving the US.

One last question though: you said about EAD/AP pending application. Even though I have the AP approved, my EAD is still pending. Do you think that can affect my re-entry?

[Suudsu 66]

1 minute ago, izavox said:

One last question though: you said about EAD/AP pending application. Even though I have the AP approved, my EAD is still pending. Do you think that can affect my re-entry?

No, I do not think the EAD pending will affect your re-entry in AP status. I do not think it will affect your AOS application (that's what the AP is for). I don't know whether departing the US will affect your EAD application.

[Scandi 4,166]

3 minutes ago, izavox said:

One last question though: you said about EAD/AP pending application. Even though I have the AP approved, my EAD is still pending. Do you think that can affect my re-entry?

No not at all. The EAD has nothing to do with travelling, you only need the AP for that.

[izavox 147]

22 minutes ago, Suudsu said:

No, I do not think the EAD pending will affect your re-entry in AP status. I do not think it will affect your AOS application (that's what the AP is for). I don't know whether departing the US will affect your EAD application.

 

22 minutes ago, Scandi said:

No not at all. The EAD has nothing to do with travelling, you only need the AP for that.

You guys are awesome! Thank you!!