Social Security numbers in immigration cases. We've noticed a trend recently that a lot
of people are asking about Social Security numbers. Specifically, individuals are asking,
"When should I apply for a Social Security number?" and "What if I already have a Social
Security number?" and "When can I work? If I have a Social Security number,
can I just start working?" I want to break each one of those things down for you
and clarify some of the common rumors and misconceptions.
With regards to when you would apply for your Social Security number, if you're going through an
immigration case, you would be applying for your Social Security number as part of your case.
We represent couples and so, I will give examples in the context of immigration for couples.
There's something called an adjustment of status, a process that a couple would go
through here in the United States. During that process, you'll be filling out a lot of forms.
A petition to prove your relationship, an application for your green card,
and also an application for your work permit. On those forms, there are places on those forms
where you would ask for your work permit. You would ask for immigration to go ahead and
share your information with the Social Security office so you can receive a Social Security number.
While immigration and the Social Security office are separate departments of the
government, they can communicate to be able to take care of not only your immigration case but
once you receive your green card, then you would be able to receive your Social Security card.
In general, you would be applying for your Social Security card
with your application. The other example would be with a fiancé visa. That's
really been the context in which most people have been asking the question. If they
have a fiancé that enters United States on a K1 visa, a lot of people are asking, "Do I apply for
my Social Security number separately or does it happen with the application?"
Again, you're actually going to have to apply for that Social Security number as part of your green card
application when your fiancé arrives. The other question we're receiving in the context of Social
Security number is, "What if I already have a Social Security number? Do I get a new number?
Should I use my current Social Security number on my application?" Social Security number's
a number that you'll have for your whole life. They're the number that you'll keep
forever. If you're already living
in the United States with authorization and you've been issued a Social Security number
at any time in the past, then yes, that is your Social Security number for life.
You would put that on the forms so that way, you can continue using that number. That's very important
that you do that because that number will stay with you for
life. The last question we receive with regards to Social Security numbers is,
"Can I work?" or "I notice on my Social Security card, it says something about work
authorization. I don't understand." I want to break that down for you.
The Social Security office provides three types of Social Security cards.
The first type is a standard Social Security card with the Social Security number
and name but it won't have any type of designation. What I mean by that is that
the second type of card that Social Security office issues
will be a card with the number and the name and then it will say valid for work only
with DHS authorization. That basically means you have a Social Security number
and the DHS authorization means you need to have something from immigration that shows
that you're authorized to work. I'll give another example in the context of couples
Typically, you will see this designation when you apply for your adjustment of status application
and when you apply for your green card, your adjustment of status you'll also be applying
for a work permit. You'll receive that work permit to use while you're waiting for
your interview and your green card. On that Social Security card you will see valid for work only
with DHS authorization and you'll be receiving a work permit. That work permit with that Social
Security card with that designation for work only with the DHS authorization. Those two things
together give you permission to work. The third type of Social Security card that the Social
Security office issues is a Social Security card for individuals who are here living in
the United States or visiting that have authorization to be here but not to work
but for some reason they happen to be somebody who needs a Social Security number. This is less common
but if you ever were to have a Social Security card that's not valid for employment, it just means
you have a Social Security number but you actually can't work with it. I know that was a lot of
information but I definitely wanted to clear up those main points of Social Security numbers
and the different types of cards that the Social Security office provides. One last point.
As you go through your immigration journey from work permit to green card to removal conditions
and then later becoming a naturalized citizen, you would have to update your Social Security records
at each step in the case so the Social Security office is aware that you
have a work permit or now you're a resident or now you're a citizen. I hope all of that information
helps clarify really important information about Social Security numbers and immigration.