Alexandria Springfield Chapter, Project ID + Spread The Vote
Help low-income client replace Perm Resident card
Client is trying to obtain VA ID and needs to show proof of legal presence. Lost all his docs when parents passed away.
Posted July 14, 2020
Background & Context
Project ID & Spread The Vote helps people get IDs. To help this client get his ID we need to prove legal presence. Client never had a VA ID. He lost all his documents (Birth Certificate, SS Card, Permanent Resident Card). Client is from Sierra Leone, came to US at 3 yrs with family. Both parents passed away and all immigration documents and passports where lost.
We are helping him get his permanent resident card replaced however he had attended a deportation hearing in the past when he got into some trouble but the judge allowed him to keep his permanent resident status. We are not sure if this will complicate his application process or not and if this requires special handling.
DMV will accept the I-797 notice of action as proof of legal presence, however SSA requires other proof before issuing a SS Card. When asked for what documents SSA accepts as proof of legal presence the reply was "We are unable to accept the I-797 (Notice of Action) as a proof of alien status in lieu of the original evidence I-551 (permanent resident card). However, we are able to accept Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) with temporary I-551 notation on Form DS-232, Unrecognized Passport or Waiver Cases.
Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP) program that we use requires employees of the Agency to enter data from original or photocopy which has been certified by the custodian of the record. Therefore, SSNAP program requires such information as form number, document number, title of document, issue date, expiration date, and etc. With non-U.S. citizens, we do require DHS document for documentation in SSNAP that interfaces with Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements-Alien Status Verification Index (SAVE-ASVI) for a verification number needed to proceed with SSN card issuance.
It is strongly encouraged that the client contact the DHS-USCIS for documentation showing his alien status. Without such document from the DHS-USCIS, we are unable to proceed with SSNAP to issue a replacement card for him".
This is beyond our expertise and we would appreciate help getting our client the proof he needs to get his VA ID and SS Card.
Immediate Problem
Client is not able to get housing, jobs, banking and medical assistance without an ID and SS Card. Both cannot be issued without proof of legal presence. A permanent resident card takes over a year to be replaced. Client cannot wait that long to get his ID and SS Card.
In addition to getting a permanent resident card we would like to get the client help to apply for his US Citizenship since he qualifies.
Work & Deliverables
We need someone to review client's USCIS I-90 Permanent Resident Card Application form and the I-912 Fee Waiver Application and supporting documentation to make sure that everything is in order.
Assist client in obtaining the required proof of legal presence to satisfy SSA to issue him a replacement SS Card.
Also would like to have client start the process of applying for his US citizenship.
Alexandria Springfield Chapter, Project ID + Spread The Vote
Nearly 21 million U.S. citizens and legal residents lack valid state IDs. We help people in need of this vital passkey to access housing, healthcare, jobs, bank accounts and more. We assist clients in obtaining and pay fees to acquire birth certificates, proofs of legal residence, marriage certificates, Social Security card and a myriad of other documents needed to get an ID. Our clients are often elderly, poor, homeless, handicapped or returning citizens, but we serve anyone who contacts us or is referred by our partners, such as homeless and treatment centers, churches, sheriffs offices, local agencies, and various community service non-profits. As part of the process of ordering an ID we make sure to register clients to vote and provide information on when, how and where to vote--some for the very first time.
Alexandria Springfield Chapter, Project ID + Spread The Vote
Nearly 21 million U.S. citizens and legal residents lack valid state IDs. We help people in need of this vital passkey to access housing, healthcare, jobs, bank accounts and more. We assist clients in obtaining and pay fees to acquire birth certificates, proofs of legal residence, marriage certificates, Social Security card and a myriad of other documents needed to get an ID. Our clients are often elderly, poor, homeless, handicapped or returning citizens, but we serve anyone who contacts us or is referred by our partners, such as homeless and treatment centers, churches, sheriffs offices, local agencies, and various community service non-profits. As part of the process of ordering an ID we make sure to register clients to vote and provide information on when, how and where to vote--some for the very first time.