Existing USCIS Process Remains in Place, Allowing Eligible Applicants to Request Both Through One Application
Shah J. Choudhury : Immigrants seeking employment authorization in the United States can continue to request a Social Security Number (SSN) at the same time they apply for a work permit, under an existing process maintained by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The procedure allows eligible applicants to request both an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a Social Security number through a single application, eliminating the need to submit a separate application to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to a report by Argentine news outlet El Cronista, applicants can request a Social Security number while completing Form I-765, the application used to obtain employment authorization. The process remains available under the current administration.
Who Is Eligible?
Certain categories of immigrants may qualify to request both documents through this process, depending on their immigration status and employment authorization eligibility. These include:
* Refugees and individuals granted asylum.
* Eligible asylum applicants.
* Individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
* Certain individuals granted humanitarian parole.
* Eligible recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
* International students authorized to work through Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT.
Eligibility varies by immigration category, and not every applicant qualifies automatically.
How Does the Application Process Work?
Applicants completing Form I-765 must fill out the designated Social Security-related section and provide the required personal information. They must indicate whether they have previously received a Social Security number and whether they are requesting an original or replacement card.
Once USCIS approves the employment authorization application, the agency forwards the necessary information to the Social Security Administration. The SSA then processes the request and mails the Social Security card to the applicant’s designated address.
According to SSA guidance, the card generally arrives within 14 days after the applicant receives the employment authorization document. However, processing and delivery times may vary.
Important Information for Immigrants
The option to request a Social Security number along with a work permit is not a new immigration policy. It is part of an existing USCIS application process.
Filing Form I-765 does not guarantee approval of either request. Applicants must meet the applicable eligibility requirements and receive the necessary approval.
Bangladeshi immigrants living in New York and other parts of the United States are encouraged to review their immigration status and eligibility before applying. Consulting a qualified immigration attorney may also help applicants avoid mistakes.
For official information, visit the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or the Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov.
