Has anyone started a new job with an extension letter?

[eckoin 211]

I'm looking for a new job, and I'm realizing that I really should have removed the "valid with DHS authorization only" line from my SSN card. I called the local SSA office, and they said that they will not send me a clean card with an extension letter, so I have to wait. 

 

I have an expired green card, the extension letter, and the cursed SSN card. I know I'm legally able to proceed, but am I going to have any trouble with new employers? I'm sure it's case by case, but has anyone had good or bad stories you can share? 

Edited January 13, 2021 by eckoin

[Crazy Cat 41,842]

Your SS card with that statement is not a problem. Even a Social Security card not containing the statement does not allow you to work without proper authorization.  Any misgivings by a prospective employer will likely be due to their not realizing that the extension letter extends the expiration date on your Green card as evidence of your status for 18 months.  I wouldn't worry about it.

Edited January 13, 2021 by Lucky Cat

[HRQX 4,145]

1 hour ago, eckoin said:

I have an expired green card, the extension letter, and the cursed SSN card.

You'll also have to show a List B document (valid DL, ID, etc.). The expired conditional GC together with the extension letter only count as List C document: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/60-evidence-of-status-for-certain-categories/61-lawful-permanent-residents-lpr "List C document: An expired Form I-551 with a Form I-797, Notice of Action, that indicates USCIS has extended the card’s validity. You must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3 before their extension ends."

26 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

Even a Social Security card not containing the statement does not authorize you to work without proper authorization.

That's incorrect. An unrestricted SSN card is a List C document. List C documents are literally "Documents that Establish Employment Authorization" https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9-paper-version.pdf

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents/who-is-issued-this-document

Quote

*Unrestricted Social Security cards that are acceptable List C documents are only issued to:

• U.S. citizens
• Noncitizen nationals of the U.S.
• Lawful permanent residents
• Refugees
• Asylees
• Citizens of the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau admitted under a Compact of Free Association
• Canadian-born American Indians
• Mexican-born Kickapoo Indians

 

Edited January 13, 2021 by HRQX

[Crazy Cat 41,842]

1 minute ago, HRQX said:

You'll also have to show a List B document (valid DL, ID, etc.). The expired conditional GC together with the extension letter only count as List C document: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/60-evidence-of-status-for-certain-categories/61-lawful-permanent-residents-lpr "List C document: An expired Form I-551 with a Form I-797, Notice of Action, that indicates USCIS has extended the card’s validity. You must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3 before their extension ends."

That's incorrect. An unrestricted SSN card is a List C document. List C documents are literally "Documents that Establish Employment Authorization" https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9-paper-version.pdf

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents/who-is-issued-this-document

 

Interesting...Thanks.  

[eckoin 211]

29 minutes ago, HRQX said:

You'll also have to show a List B document (valid DL, ID, etc.). The expired conditional GC together with the extension letter only count as List C document: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/60-evidence-of-status-for-certain-categories/61-lawful-permanent-residents-lpr "List C document: An expired Form I-551 with a Form I-797, Notice of Action, that indicates USCIS has extended the card’s validity. You must reverify the employee’s employment authorization in Section 3 before their extension ends."

That's incorrect. An unrestricted SSN card is a List C document. List C documents are literally "Documents that Establish Employment Authorization" https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-9-paper-version.pdf

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents/who-is-issued-this-document

 

I vividly recall seeing this document when I initially onboarded under TN: 

 

Are you saying that I have to show A documents (green card + extension letter) and a B document (drivers license)? I haven't looked at this thing in a while, but it reads like the extension letter isn't even permitted so I can see HR confusion. I think the winning combo is ID (DL or technically passport) + SSN card with the note + extension letter with expired green card, so B+C? 

 

I have an expired conditional GC, extension letter, SSN card with the note, and a valid DL. So I think I'm legally in the clear but the I-9 form is a bit confusing. If push comes to shove, do I dig up documentation from the USCIS guidebook you linked? 

Edited January 13, 2021 by eckoin

[HRQX 4,145]

1 minute ago, eckoin said:

Are you saying that I have to show A documents (green card + extension letter)

"expired green card + extension letter" is only List C document.

3 minutes ago, eckoin said:

So I think I'm legally in the clear

Yup. Just show your expired conditional GC, extension letter, and a valid DL.

[eckoin 211]

Just now, HRQX said:

"expired green card + extension letter" is only List C document.

Yup. Just show your expired conditional GC, extension letter, and a valid DL.

Got it. So I don't even need SSN; if I had a clean SSN, I could have gotten away with DL + SSN. OK. Thanks! 

[HRQX 4,145]

2 hours ago, eckoin said:

I called the local SSA office, and they said that they will not send me a clean card with an extension letter, so I have to wait.

The SSA phone rep is probably misinformed. I suggest to try again and show the following SSA manual section at your in-person appointment: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211025

Expired I-551 with Notice of Action (Form I-797)

USCIS issues a conditional resident alien, who has applied to have his or her conditional status removed, a Form I-797 stating the I-551 has been extended for 18 months.

Accept an expired I-551 card accompanied by an I-797 stating, “Your conditional resident status is extended for a period of 18 months. During the 18 month extension you are authorized employment and travel”.

In the Enumeration system, select "Expired I-551 with I-797 Extension" from the Primary DHS Document field on the "Proof of Legal Alien Status" screen. Enter the new expiration date for the I-551 card based on the one-year extension. On the "SAVE Verification" screen, enter the receipt number shown on the I-797 as part of the Additional Verification request. On the Summary screen, enter the receipt date in the Remarks field

NOTE: A sole USCIS receipt (Form I-797) is not acceptable evidence of alien status. Do not accept I-797 receipts for lost or stolen evidence of alien status in lieu of the original evidence (e.g., I-551 cards, MRIV with admission stamp, etc).

 

 

You might have to ask for a supervisor:

 

Edited January 13, 2021 by HRQX

[eckoin 211]

1 hour ago, HRQX said:

The SSA phone rep is probably misinformed. I suggest to try again and show the following SSA manual section at your in-person appointment: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211025

Expired I-551 with Notice of Action (Form I-797)

USCIS issues a conditional resident alien, who has applied to have his or her conditional status removed, a Form I-797 stating the I-551 has been extended for 18 months.

Accept an expired I-551 card accompanied by an I-797 stating, “Your conditional resident status is extended for a period of 18 months. During the 18 month extension you are authorized employment and travel”.

In the Enumeration system, select "Expired I-551 with I-797 Extension" from the Primary DHS Document field on the "Proof of Legal Alien Status" screen. Enter the new expiration date for the I-551 card based on the one-year extension. On the "SAVE Verification" screen, enter the receipt number shown on the I-797 as part of the Additional Verification request. On the Summary screen, enter the receipt date in the Remarks field

NOTE: A sole USCIS receipt (Form I-797) is not acceptable evidence of alien status. Do not accept I-797 receipts for lost or stolen evidence of alien status in lieu of the original evidence (e.g., I-551 cards, MRIV with admission stamp, etc).

 

 

You might have to ask for a supervisor:

 

Oh, huh. I wonder if it has something to do with covid? I was unclear on where I would even send my documents, and whether they need actual originals (hell no, don't even know when they'd send them back). I called my local SSA, and the lady was very specific that they won't process anything with an extension letter, didn't stumble at all when she said that. 

 

I'll maybe call the main SSA line tomorrow and quote what you quoted, see where it gets me. Do you know if I have to send the originals? The SSA form implies that they require originals, but I mean, don't I have to have an original GC on me at all times? 

[HRQX 4,145]

8 minutes ago, eckoin said:

The SSA form implies that they require originals

A few have reported that they accepted fax. Seems YMMV.

[Rocio0010 5,579]

Following. I’m interested in knowing too. I don’t have an expired GC yet, but I’m filing for i751 early next year and do have a SS card with that note. I called to see what all I needed to do, and they told me to send the originals, which I am so afraid of doing because in USPS land anything can happen to your mail 

[eckoin 211]

2 minutes ago, ra0010 said:

Following. I’m interested in knowing too. I don’t have an expired GC yet, but I’m filing for i751 early next year and do have a SS card with that note. I called to see what all I needed to do, and they told me to send the originals, which I am so afraid of doing because in USPS land anything can happen to your mail 

Completely agree - and just in general, is that not a requirement, at least technically, to have with us our GCs and if expired, the extension letter, at all times?  We know how USCIS operates, I can't imagine SSA being its efficient cousin that returns your documents to you within a week.  I've been trying to register my car for 3.5 months now!  None of those offices are efficient!  I'm not sending them any originals!

 

I will try to chat with SSA again today, I'll let you know if I get anything new. 

[Rocio0010 5,579]

18 minutes ago, eckoin said:

Completely agree - and just in general, is that not a requirement, at least technically, to have with us our GCs and if expired, the extension letter, at all times?  We know how USCIS operates, I can't imagine SSA being its efficient cousin that returns your documents to you within a week.  I've been trying to register my car for 3.5 months now!  None of those offices are efficient!  I'm not sending them any originals!

 

I will try to chat with SSA again today, I'll let you know if I get anything new. 

Could you ask them if you could include a certified pre paid envelope? You know. So at least you could have a tracking number. I also asked them if they have a drop off thing where I could take them in person/ pick them up and they said no. Uuuuugh

[sweetadams 138]

1 hour ago, ra0010 said:

Could you ask them if you could include a certified pre paid envelope? You know. So at least you could have a tracking number. I also asked them if they have a drop off thing where I could take them in person/ pick them up and they said no. Uuuuugh

I think you should schedule an appointment with your local SSA office. Some do accept appointment provided you are going to follow COVID protocol. I got an appointment last year Sept, went with all documents and had no issue. I know this depends on local field office. It is worth a shot than sending your documents over to them.

[eckoin 211]

1 minute ago, sweetadams said:

I think you should schedule an appointment with your local SSA office. Some do accept appointment provided you are going to follow COVID protocol. I got an appointment last year Sept, went with all documents and had no issue. I know this depends on local field office. It is worth a shot than sending your documents over to them.

Yeah, I did first ask if I can make an appointment, and they said that my particular case doesn't qualify. I wonder if I just say that I lost my card and need a new one, if that qualifies? Need it for work or whatever. 

 

I think we're allowed to lose, what, 3 or 5 cards per decade? Gah.