Green Card Interview, Two Different Addresses

[spasiba 1]

Hello,

I am a USC and my wife is on her way to getting a green card.  Our green card interview is in a couple days, and we are both preparing for that.

Here's the thing: our registered address is different than our current address.  My wife did not update the address because she heard that this could stretch out the process of receiving certain documents such as her work authorization card and travel permit.  We officially signed the lease for our CURRENT address March 1st of this year.  We have a good amount of relevant documents mailed to this current address, including our utility bills, recent pay stubs, etc.

We are deciding whether to be completely honest about having two addresses, or whether to not even mention the current address (although this may be unavoidable).  Any suggestions or advice helps, thank you!

[geowrian 22,338]

Advice?

1. Never lie. This is never the right approach...misrepresentations can result in being inadmissible, and potentially revocation of any benefits received due to the misrepresentation (i.e. green card or even citizenship).
2. You aren't required to disclose information unless asked. That said, they almost certainly will ask if your address is current and/or there are any changes to your I-485. If asked, tell them.
3. If you moved outside the jurisdiction of the USCIS field office covering your case, they would likely need to transfer the case before they can make a decision.
   1. Where you actually reside is what matters, not where you own property or have access to mail.
4. As an alien living in the US, you were required to file an AR-11 (online or paper form) within 10 days of changing your address. This isn't something they actually enforce, but it is something written into the INA. Just be aware of this moving forward. Unless you become a US citizen, you are required to update your address.
   1. Any I-864 sponsor is required to to update their address via an I-865 as well (until the I-864 is no longer in effect, such as when you obtain US citizenship).

In short, just tell them of the new address and let them update it in their system. Moving isn't an issue with eligibility for permanent residency. Many people have moved mid-process, including those who maintained a second address after moving. This will also help with having the green card sent to the right address if/once approved.

Edited April 21, 2019 by geowrian

[sexyafrican36 42]

 

Change of Address Information

Most non-U.S. citizens must report a change of address within 10 days of moving within the United States or its territories. Exceptions include:

• Diplomats (visa status A);
• Official government representatives to an international organization (visa status G); and
• Certain nonimmigrants who do not possess a visa and who are in the U.S. for less than 30 days.

[spasiba 1]

@geowrian

That's helpful, thank you!

[Daisy.Chain 317]

Tell them your address! (Of course you should always be honest). Among other things, this will help your paperwork be sebt to the correct address!

[spasiba 1]

18 minutes ago, Daisy.Chain said:

Tell them your address! (Of course you should always be honest). Among other things, this will help your paperwork be sebt to the correct address!

Thank you, that's what I'm thinking.  For some reason we were left to believe that changing the address would involve some form of payment and a long delay in the immigration status.. But from what I'm hearing it's not such a big deal to change the address?

[geowrian 22,338]

1 hour ago, spasiba said:

Thank you, that's what I'm thinking.  For some reason we were left to believe that changing the address would involve some form of payment and a long delay in the immigration status.. But from what I'm hearing it's not such a big deal to change the address?

Correct. No payment.

It only delays the process (likely only be a fairly minimal amount IMO) if you change USCIS field office jurisdictions. But not telling them and having a different USCIS field office would delay it even more as they would need to transfer the case anyway and then schedule the interview there.