How To Correct Errors in SAVE to Prevent Manual Verification

[KateD 28]

Second time dealing with the SAVE verification system (1st time SSN, now for DL) with my husband (LPR with conditional gc). Both times having to go through the manual (2nd step) verification process. 

 

Having to go through the manual process adds a significant amount of wait time. Although USCIS says the manual step takes 3-20 business days, in reality it is much longer than that from my experience (2 months for SSN, its been 5 weeks and still waiting on DL) and what I'm seeing others post. Apart from the long waits, the SSN office didn't even understand the manual verification process which added a lot of confusion and more delays, but that is a different topic.

 

I'm thinking there might be an error in my husband's information in the SAVE system and that is why he keeps having to go through manual verification. However, I would like to see if we can somehow rectify this issue and prevent future manual verifications. How could he find out if there is an error in his info in SAVE? How could he get it corrected?  My thinking (1) requesting his file via FOIA through local USCIS office to see if there is a noticeable error that could be attributable to what is in SAVE (2) Requesting an appointment to fix error.

 

Has anyone tried to correct their information in SAVE? If this doesn't work out, when else might we encounter the SAVE system so I can prepare myself? We are contemplating about moving to new state where he would need a new state DL for his employer, not sure if the employer would be willing to wait for 2 months for the DL though, so this issue is impacting potential job opportunities.

 

Thanks for any insights.

[JeanneAdil 6,497]

USCIS does not do DL 

 

How can I get a New Mexico driver's license?

 

 

You must go into a MVD Field Office to get your New Mexico driver license. Staff at any Field Office can issue your temporary driver license. 

[milimelo 4,477]

For SAVE database I’d find your deferred inspection office of cbp (cbp.gov) and go there. Sometimes you can call them as well. 

[KateD 28]

48 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

USCIS does not do DL 

 

How can I get a New Mexico driver's license?

 

 

You must go into a MVD Field Office to get your New Mexico driver license. Staff at any Field Office can issue your temporary driver license. 

Sorry, if my post was confusing. We went into the MVD to get a DL. They use the SAVE system to verify status. His status did not automatically verify and we are waiting for manual verification before NM will give him his DL.

[KateD 28]

30 minutes ago, milimelo said:

For SAVE database I’d find your deferred inspection office of cbp (cbp.gov) and go there. Sometimes you can call them as well. 

Thanks for the suggestion. I will give them a try and see if I can get somewhere.

 

Maybe an incorrect immigration record is to blame?

[milimelo 4,477]

Since you had to get it fixed once already (SSA), my guess would be the SAVE from the get go was wrong. Was your spouse K1 entry? They do get things mis-clicked at POE especially if it's busy time with lots of flights arriving. That's why the deferred inspection office can and does fix things. 

 

Hope you get this sorted out soon. 

[KateD 28]

53 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Since you had to get it fixed once already (SSA), my guess would be the SAVE from the get go was wrong. Was your spouse K1 entry? They do get things mis-clicked at POE especially if it's busy time with lots of flights arriving. That's why the deferred inspection office can and does fix things. 

 

Hope you get this sorted out soon. 

Yep, he was a K-1 entry. I have looked over the I-94 and all the information there looks correct--but there's not a lot of info on the I-94. Any ideas on some of the things they could get wrong? 

 

I'm going to call my local deferred inspection office tomorrow (not open today). Hopefully, I can make an appointment with them. I called the one in Tucson and spoke to someone there and they have never even heard of SAVE.

 

It's unfortunate that whatever the issue is, it wasn't fixed the first time around when he was getting his SSN. Frustrating to go through it again, but that's how things go around here!

 

Thanks @milimelo for your suggestion. I probably wouldn't have thought of it on my own. I'll update you on how it goes.

[KateD 28]

@milimelo I spoke to our local deferred inspection office and it did not inspire confidence that we will be able to fix any possible issues. The person I spoke to said that he hadn't heard of the SAVE verification system and, after explaining what it was, he said I should talk to USCIS as they primarily deal with deportations. I also explained that, according to CBP website, deferred inspection offices also correct errors on arrival documents. After much insistence on my part, he reluctantly agreed to let me and my husband come into their office to look over his documents next week.

 

Given the above situation, do you have any advise on what questions I should ask in particular? Or specific documents to review? I just want to be prepared as much as possible since they are already hesitant to see me at all.

 

Thanks for any advise!

[milimelo 4,477]

We have reports of people successfully using deferred inspection locations exactly for problems you encountered - SSA, I-94 wrong and similar. Do go to your appointment and ask a senior employee work on your case. 

 

As a back up, or something you want to do simultaneously, keep in mind you can reach out to your congressman's or senator's federal agencies problems aide (research to see who's more competent, my Senator's was non-responsive while my Congressman's immigration liaison worked miracles - my issue was non-production of my first green card back in 2007)) to help with federal agencies issues. They have direct line of communication with all agencies and when a congressional request comes in, they have to answer it within x number of business days. 

[milimelo 4,477]

One link from some time ago but clearly it all starts with CBP: 

 

https://www.dhs.gov/save-program-verification-immigrants-and-public-benefits

 

How soon after a nonimmigrant arrives will information be verifiable through the SAVE Program?

Mr. Roessler answered that after entering the United States, the individual should wait ten days as the information from CBP takes time before uploading into the database which SAVE relies upon.

[KateD 28]

@milimelo Thank you for your insights and advice. The article that you referenced above was very enlightening and helped with my understanding of the SAVE system and how it operates. 

 

Fingers crossed we can make some headway next week!

[KateD 28]

@milimelo Sorry for the delay, I ended up waiting a little longer to go to CBP then originally plan.

 

The CBP agents were very friendly and willing to help. They looked up my husband's I-94 record but couldn't find anything wrong with it. They did say that they weren't able to see the K-1 documents at the time of entry and that those docs would be with USCIS.

 

So, it appears the next step is to try and get an appointment with the local USCIS field office and see if they will go over the I-485 and K-1 entry docs ? (We never received EAD or AP as the green card came quickly, although we did apply.)

 

Also, the manual verification finally went through and husband's immigration status was verified. It took just short of 2 months. Side note: after 6 weeks of waiting, I called the SAVE number and, after a hour wait time, I got someone on the phone. However, they wouldn't talk to me, they would only talk to the agency (in this case DMV). The only thing they would tell me is that, on average, it is taking longer than 6 weeks for manual (2nd step) verification.

 

Not sure how helpful it is, but I also found this fact sheet from USCIS on how to work toward correcting records in SAVE: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/fact-sheets/SAVERecordsFastFactsforBenefitApplicants.pdf  Interestingly, they don't mention the I-485 as a document that can be corrected.