Is This True...?

[blooberry 3]

Hi all --

It has been quite a while since last visiting you fine folk on VisaJourney! We always appreciate the knowledge and information shared on these forums. :-)

The time has come to soon work on the "Lifting of Conditions" for my Permanent Residence status! I currently have my Green Card, valid for 2 years before expiry.

(Well, less than that now, since I got my Green Card in 2006.)

I've been reading some of the posts just to familiarize myself -- I suspect it must get tiresome when people ask the same questions again and again!

I will try my best to not be a broken record player. ;-)

A sentence caught my eye, and I wanted to follow-up on it. This was written to a VJ member on March 21, 2007:

"Would be a good idea to have your husband's SS card updated to one without the DHS legend as soon as he gets his new GC."

When I married in the US, I received my Social Security card fairly quickly. It has "Valid to Work With DHS Authorization" on it.

I accepted this at face value -- I wasn't even aware that we can have this phrase removed later on???

How does one go about doing this? Now that I have my 2-year Green Card, can I do it? Or do I have to wait until I receive my 10-year Green Card?

Thanks for helping solve the mystery! I read the FAQ and the Guides, but couldn't find mention of an unrestricted SS card.

Sincerely,

Lisa and Brian :-)

[milimelo 4,552]

You should go to your local SSA office and show them your GC and they will give you an unrestricted SS card. You should've done this upon receipt of your first GC, not wait for the 10-yr GC.

Hi all --

It has been quite a while since last visiting you fine folk on VisaJourney! We always appreciate the knowledge and information shared on these forums. :-)

The time has come to soon work on the "Lifting of Conditions" for my Permanent Residence status! I currently have my Green Card, valid for 2 years before expiry.

(Well, less than that now, since I got my Green Card in 2006.)

I've been reading some of the posts just to familiarize myself -- I suspect it must get tiresome when people ask the same questions again and again!

I will try my best to not be a broken record player. ;-)

A sentence caught my eye, and I wanted to follow-up on it. This was written to a VJ member on March 21, 2007:

"Would be a good idea to have your husband's SS card updated to one without the DHS legend as soon as he gets his new GC."

When I married in the US, I received my Social Security card fairly quickly. It has "Valid to Work With DHS Authorization" on it.

I accepted this at face value -- I wasn't even aware that we can have this phrase removed later on???

How does one go about doing this? Now that I have my 2-year Green Card, can I do it? Or do I have to wait until I receive my 10-year Green Card?

Thanks for helping solve the mystery! I read the FAQ and the Guides, but couldn't find mention of an unrestricted SS card.

Sincerely,

Lisa and Brian :-)

[walls1010 3]

Update your SS card, just show to them your GC. They will keep your old SS card and they will issue a new card and be sent to you by mail. Your new card will no longer appear the "valid to work with dhs authorization".

[tammiandtom 0]

My husband never did this either, I guess he should.

[meauxna 15]

Update your SS card, just show to them your GC. They will keep your old SS card and they will issue a new card and be sent to you by mail. Your new card will no longer appear the "valid to work with dhs authorization".

It's even better if you do NOT take your old card with your when you make your new application. 'Oops, I forgot!" will let you retain a SS card so you are not left without should anything be delayed with your new application.

[raymaga 25]

Update your SS card, just show to them your GC. They will keep your old SS card and they will issue a new card and be sent to you by mail. Your new card will no longer appear the "valid to work with dhs authorization".

It's even better if you do NOT take your old card with your when you make your new application. 'Oops, I forgot!" will let you retain a SS card so you are not left without should anything be delayed with your new application.

I agree with meauxna about not taking your card with you. Just say you have it at home and need one without the notation on it now that you are a permanent resident.

[blackdog_harry 12]

Yes, have the card updated before it is too late. I tried about 2 weeks before my 2-yr card expires and heard that I should bring a new Green card. So, it is good to have the ss card updated as soon as you receive your green card whether it is a 2-yr one or a 10-yr one.

[tammiandtom 0]

Yes, have the card updated before it is too late. I tried about 2 weeks before my 2-yr card expires and heard that I should bring a new Green card. So, it is good to have the ss card updated as soon as you receive your green card whether it is a 2-yr one or a 10-yr one.

hmm, my husband has 1 month left on his 2-yr greencard. I'd hate for him to waste time at the office and have them tell him that. Maybe he should just wait until he gets his 10-yr card. What does it really matter if he has the SS card that says that on it? He doesn't plan on getting a new job within the next year, but even if he did, woudln't the employer see his greencard and extension letter and not be bothered with the SS card? I mean the SS card says he needs permission to work, but his greencard and extension letter ARE that permission, no?

[eau_xplain 2]

hmm, my husband has 1 month left on his 2-yr greencard. I'd hate for him to waste time at the office and have them tell him that. Maybe he should just wait until he gets his 10-yr card. What does it really matter if he has the SS card that says that on it? He doesn't plan on getting a new job within the next year, but even if he did, woudln't the employer see his greencard and extension letter and not be bothered with the SS card? I mean the SS card says he needs permission to work, but his greencard and extension letter ARE that permission, no?

A few VJers had reported problems in getting a new employer accept an expired GC + the extension letter as proof of being an LPR. That's why it's been recommended that new LPRs have their SS cards updated. If you don't feel the immediate need for it, then it shouldn't matter.

[meauxna 15]

hmm, my husband has 1 month left on his 2-yr greencard. I'd hate for him to waste time at the office and have them tell him that. Maybe he should just wait until he gets his 10-yr card. What does it really matter if he has the SS card that says that on it? He doesn't plan on getting a new job within the next year, but even if he did, woudln't the employer see his greencard and extension letter and not be bothered with the SS card? I mean the SS card says he needs permission to work, but his greencard and extension letter ARE that permission, no?

If you read back in harry's posts you'll see what issues can come up.. SSA will not issue a card if your evidence doc is within 14 days of expiring.. so you still have tiime if you want.

The Green Card + extension letter are not valid hiring documents. The no-legend SS card + driver's licence are.

[tammiandtom 0]

A few VJers had reported problems in getting a new employer accept an expired GC + the extension letter as proof of being an LPR. That's why it's been recommended that new LPRs have their SS cards updated. If you don't feel the immediate need for it, then it shouldn't matter.

Yes, I've seen some of those posts. But, when you fill out an employment application you still have to list if you are a citizen or not. And so if someone checked no wouldn't they still want to see a valid greencard, regardless of what the SS card says or doesn't say? And then you might still have the same issue that others have had unfortunately, of having the expired greencard and just an extension letter. Right?

But if he has until 14 days before, maybe he will attempt to get the new one. It's just tough because the office is only open M-F 8-4pm.

Edited April 18, 2007 by crazieladybug

[meauxna 15]

But, when you fill out an employment application you still have to list if you are a citizen or not. And so if someone checked no wouldn't they still want to see a valid greencard, regardless of what the SS card says or doesn't say? And then you might still have the same issue that others have had unfortunately, of having the expired greencard and just an extension letter. Right?

But if he has until 14 days before, maybe he will attempt to get the new one. It's just tough because the office is only open M-F 8-4pm.

#1--it's not a requirement to be a citizen to work. There is a lot of anti-discrimination stuff folded into the I-9 process, so it is worth reading over (just search it at uscis.gov)

#2--a Green Card is not the only type of work authorization out there. There may be times where a PR doesn't want to advertise her status; she can show a DL and SS card just like I can (born USC). When it comes to employment, we are equal in terms of our status--then the employer can fairly hire the person best for the job without showing any discrimination.

It's worth having a read of the I-9.

[tammiandtom 0]

I know it's not required to be a citizen to work, obviously.

I just think it's very common for an employer to ask to see the greencard when some checks the box for non-US citizen.

[Canuck78 0]

Actually crazieladybug, it is NOT LEGAL for an employer to specifically ask to see a green card.

I think that is why meauxna suggested reading the I-9.

As long as you can establish that you are eligible to work in the US and you can confirm your identity, an employer is not allowed to ask for anything more. A DL license, military ID, Passport, etc will confirm identity and an UNRESTRICTED SS card establishes eligibility to work. If you can present those documents, an employer is not allowed to ask to see your green card.

HTH

Melissa

[ace13 0]

My husband never fixed his either. I figured it was one of those moot points. It says he requires authorization and then his GC says he is authorized. Never had a problem.