USCIS Expands Partnership with Social Security Administration

By: Patricia Elizee, Esq.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that immigrants applying for a green card from within the United States will now be able to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement card as part of the adjustment of status application process.

“This expansion of our partnership with the Social Security Administration illustrates our commitment to operating our nation’s immigration system more efficiently to save applicants time,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and optimizing collaboration across public-serving agencies is a key priority for this agency and the Biden-Harris administration.”

Previously, applicants had to apply for a Social Security number separately at a Social Security office. USCIS has updated Form I-485 (“Application for Adjustment of Status) to include additional questions needed to apply for an SSN or a replacement card.

Once USCIS approves an applicant’s Form I-485, in most cases USCIS will electronically transmit the data to the Social Security Administration. Upon receiving the data, the Social Security Administration will automatically assign an original SSN or issue a replacement card, as appropriate.

This partnership with the Social Security Administration will not increase the filing fee for Form I-485. The government filing fee for Form I-485 will remain the same (currently $1,225).

Applicants will be permitted to submit either the new or the previous version of Form I-485 until Oct. 13, 2021, after which all applicants will need to submit the new version of the form.