Driver's license renewal denied, what to do? :(

[alexmez]

Hi guys,

My name is Alex and hopefully you can help me out with an issue I'm facing for a few months now...

First a little about myself:

My family and myself came to the U.S. a little more than 5 years ago on a B2 visa, applied for asylum and now our case is pending in the immigration court (immigration judge).

Few month after we came to the US, I applied for a driver's license and got a driver's license valid for 5 years. On February 10, 2010, my driver's license expired and when I went to the local DMV office to renew it, I was told that I need to provide either a social security number or a valid I-94. Obviously because our case is still pending and I'm not authorized to work in the US, I don't have a social security number, and because my I-94 has long expired, I can't use it either... ;(

My lawyer advised us not to apply for work authorization because that way the judge can make a quick decision on our case, and he fears that because of that, the decision might be a negative one and so to make a long story short, getting a SS # though employment is not an option.

Here's where I need your help - on the official social security website I read the following few paragraphs and they made me think that there must be a way for me to get a social security number:

"If you do not have permission to work, you may apply for a Social Security number only if:

• A federal law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get a particular benefit or service; or

• A state or local law requires you to provide your Social Security number to get general assistance benefits that you already have qualified for.

If you need a number to meet these state or local requirements, you must bring us a letter from the government agency. It must be on letterhead stationery (no form letters or photocopies) and:

• Specifically identify you as the applicant;

• Cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number;

• Indicate that you meet all the agency’s requirements, except having the number; and

• Contain an agency contact name and telephone number"


As you can see from this text, there must be a way (legal loophole if you will) for me to get a social security number but I need to find a "benefit or service" that requires one first, and so my question is, does anybody know of such a "benefit or service"?

If you do, please let me know, I will be infinitely grateful! I have a family of two kids and my wife and as you can imagine it is not easy to live in a country where you can't legally work and drive. It's an absolute nightmare.

Thanks in advance for your help people!

Alex

P.S. If you have some other tips, ideas, suggestions, etc., that can help me get my driver's license renewed, please let me know!! Thanks.

[bkwld]

I'm sorry about your situation. You will not be able to apply for SSN. Also, there is no state or local law that I know will require you to obtain a social security number. However, if you have a USCIS receipt notice that shows that your case is pending, then this is what I would do: Try another DMV office and try applying again with your USCIS receipt notice or any notice that shows your case being pending. Sometimes, DMV has discretion in approving your application for license. If it doesn't work in one office try another at different city. Its worth a shot.

*Also, one advice I'd give is that never BS or try to talk your way of getting your drivers license and presenting an argument. The person behind the counter works long hours and have probably seen all the BS and arguments from people. Just don't talk unless answering his question and even then keep the answers to minimal. Let the person make the decision on whether to help you by using his discretion.

[alexmez]

That's what I'm saying, while we may not know of any state or local laws that require a SSN, but from that text I shared, it is clear that those laws do exist and all I have to do is find one or two. I know that this might sound overly optimistic but I was not the one who wrote that text...

Also thanks for all the other advice, I will definitely try again with a USCIS notice in other DMV's!

I'm sorry about your situation. You will not be able to apply for SSN. Also, there is no state or local law that I know will require you to obtain a social security number. However, if you have a USCIS receipt notice that shows that your case is pending, then this is what I would do: Try another DMV office and try applying again with your USCIS receipt notice or any notice that shows your case being pending. Sometimes, DMV has discretion in approving your application for license. If it doesn't work in one office try another at different city. Its worth a shot.

*Also, one advice I'd give is that never BS or try to talk your way of getting your drivers license and presenting an argument. The person behind the counter works long hours and have probably seen all the BS and arguments from people. Just don't talk unless answering his question and even then keep the answers to minimal. Let the person make the decision on whether to help you by using his discretion.