SSA Updates - 08/25/06

Current procedures for issuing Social Security Numbers to noncitizens

SSA checks the physical immigration documents and then verifies the immigration through SAVE.

1. The POMS (Program Operations Manual System) is a primary source of information used by Social Security employees to process claims for Social Security benefits. The public version of POMS is identical to the version used by Social Security employees except that it does not include internal data entry and sensitive content instructions. For more information on this check these links.

http://www.immigration.com/frame/ssapoms.html

http://www.immigration.com/frame/ssahandbook.html

2. Depending on how and where the applicant got the work authorized, the immigration status data that provides verification through SAVE is entered in different time periods and in different ways.

3. Data should be available in SAVE within 24 hours of card production if an applicant is eligible because of an EAD.

4. Nonimmigrants those who can work incident to status like H and L will have their status entered into a database by CBP(Customs Border Patrol).

5. SSA and CIS advises that applicants wait at least ten days from becoming employment eligible before applying for SSN as some ports enter data directly into a SAVE system while other still send paper I-94 cards to the processing center in Kentucky for manual data input.

6. During the time of application if SSA cannot get primary electronic verification through SAVE then the local SSA staff will query SAVE again after ten days. Paper G-845 form is completed requesting for a secondary verification and will be mailed by U.S. post to the local CIS office if SSA still has not got a SAVE verification. DOS through EOIR and RAPS verifies asylee and refugee status. For secondary verification SSA verifies J, F, and M status by faxing the SEVIS facility in Los Angeles. Click here for information .

http://www.immigration.com/frame/ssaevicard.html

SAVE process is the only verification system SSA uses for non-citizens

To verify the existence of a domestic document SSA currently uses software and if the authenticity of the document is in question SSA verifies its existence with the issuing agency by fax, telephone, or mail and involves state and local governments. This applies for birth records as well. Foreign birth records are not verified with foreign issuing authorities; the SAVE process is the only verification system SSA uses for non-citizens.
SSA advises that foreign nationals should be VERY consistent about the exact name used on CIS documents, with local governments, on driver's licenses, etc., since they will soon all be tied together.
For more information on documents click here .

More information on the SAVE system

1. The SAVE Program and its database which is the verification information system or VIS are under USCIS.

2. All new and updated immigrant records from the Central Index System, a CIS owned system is received by the SAVE database.

3. The Central Index System contains records from the USCIS Computer Links Application Information Management System (CLAIMS), which contains I-797 Approval Notice information.

4. VIS contains records from the USIS Image Storage and Retrieval System (ISRS) data, which contains records of employment authorization documents (EAD cards) and Alien Registration cards. VIS also receives nightly downloads of CBP non-immigrant records from the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS), formerly the Treasury Enforcement Communications System (TECS).

5. Currently the only information from IBIS/TECS available to SAVE is data from handwritten I-94's that are input by contractors at London, Kentucky.

Error on an I-94 card

If there is an error on an I-94 card that causes a verification delay, the individual can go to a local CBP Deferred Inspection Office to ask to have the correction made to the I-94 card as well as the CBP data. CBP believes that many verification delay problems will be solved when SAVE personnel have access to additional levels of IBIS/TECS non-immigrant entry data.

Procedural change for students on F-1, J-1 or M-1 visas

As per the present system F, J, M's need to report to their school or sponsor within 30 days or the individual goes into an invalid status. The sooner they report, the sooner they get updated into SEVIS. Normally the upload is within 48 hours. If it is necessary to invoke secondary verification process, these applicants will be in the system.
For more information on this click here.
http://www.immigration.com/frame/ssaalienstatus.html

Employers must have an SSN for each of their employees when annual income tax reporting is required

Although SSN is not legally required for individuals to start employment employees must have an SSN for each of their employees when annual income tax reporting is required. Employers on the other hand can still comply with reporting requirements if an SSN has not been issued at the time of reporting. If an application for an SSN has been made but it has not yet been received when the W-2 is issued, employers that paper file should write "applied for" in box d and employers that use magnetic tape should put all zeros in box 4.

Acceptance of a marriage certificate to prove identity in the case of a name change due to marriage

For more information on Evidence of Identity for an SSN Card, click this link http://www.immigration.com/frame/ssaeviidenti.html  which allows the acceptance of a marriage certificate to prove identity in the case of a name change due to marriage.