Name is truncated on all USCIS letters and communication

[wattlane 0]

I just filed a petition for AOS and GC application for my father. (I am a naturalized US citizen). What I've been noticing on all the notices of action and receipts we've received thus far is that his name is truncated in the addressee line. For example, say his name (first middle and last) is,

JOE QUICKDRAW PUBLIC

 

All the letters show the addressee name with one letter missing from the end, such as:

PUBLIC, JOE QUICKDRA
c/o JOES KID
1234 MAIN STREET
BLAH BLAH 12345

 

I'm optimistically assuming that this just means that the USCIS is truncating his name. I've already verified that his name is correct and fully spelled out on all the forms we sent with the application. The full name is what appears on all the supporting docs: passport etc etc.

 

Has anyone encountered this before? In your case, was it a mistake that needed correction (and further delays) or was it just a shortening that is standard procedure in how the letters are printed?

 

The application is at the EAD stage now. So I guess we'll find out soon, I guess :)

[millefleur 5,046]

**Moved from What Visa Do I Need to General Immigration-Related Discussion**

[millefleur 5,046]

36 minutes ago, wattlane said:

Has anyone encountered this before? In your case, was it a mistake that needed correction (and further delays) or was it just a shortening that is standard procedure in how the letters are printed?

 

Only time I've seen this is when the "First Name + Middle Name" are actually both under the USCIS system as "Given Name(s)" (aka first name.) Under the USCIS system, the "middle name" should show up only as a middle initial on the cards. So, in your case it would show as "PUBLIC, JOE Q" on the card.

 

It will probably be more clear once you get the EAD card.

Edited October 31, 2023 by millefleur

[wattlane 0]

Thanks @millefleur!! That is pretty much what we did on the forms. Despite my dad using a middle name, his passport and foreign license shows them as "given names". So we left the middle name blank on all the USCIS forms and put the first, middle, last format into the alias list. Will wait to see what the EAD card says.

Would one expect the EAD card also truncate the name? Something like

JOE QUICKDRA
(MIDDLE INITIAL BLANK)
PUBLIC

 

Edited November 1, 2023 by wattlane

[millefleur 5,046]

2 hours ago, wattlane said:

Would one expect the EAD card also truncate the name? Something like

Yes, exactly. If its under the system as no middle name and two given names, the card with have the truncated name and then the last name. 

 

2 hours ago, wattlane said:

So we left the middle name blank on all the USCIS forms and put the first, middle, last format into the alias list. Will wait to see what the EAD card says.

If you want to change it, you'll need to go through USCIS to do so. Back in the day years ago, you could just make an appointment at the local field office and have them update it and then issue a new card. A bit of an annoyance because you'll have to wait for a new card, but once it gets fixed all subsequent cards will be issued without error. 

 

I'm not entirely sure how one goes about making an appointment with USCIS now, the phone tree system is notoriously bad. It seems they changed it now and you might just have to do it via mail: https://www.uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources/information-about-your-immigration-document/updating-or-correcting-your-documents