Descriptions and Examples of Cards, Forms, and Letters Verifying Immigrant Status

I-94 Arrival/Departure Card - notes that the individual has entered the U.S. as a refugee, asylee, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, or Amerasian. The card may have an admission code, for example RE, AS, AM, etc. The card will have the date of entry, name, date of birth, nationality, and alien registration number (usually on the back of the card). See ORR State Letter #00-17 for examples of the stamps and notes verifying that the individual has a status making him or her eligible for refugee program benefits.

Alien Registration Receipt Card (Resident Alien) Form I-551, also called Permanent Resident Alien Card, Resident Alien Card or Green Card (it is no longer green) - The card is given to lawful permanent resident aliens. The current version of the card has all of the information on the front. This includes the date of entry and the code, for example RE, AS, AM, SQ1, etc. Older versions have no expiration date, the date of entry on the back, and may have the code on the front or back. Eligibility case manager will mostly see newer versions of this card. The latest version of the card is valid for ten (10) years only.

Alien Registration Receipt Card (Conditional Resident Alien), Form I-551 - Issued by USCIS to conditional permanent residents, such as alien spouses of United States citizens or lawful residents. Although it is the same form as that issued to permanent resident aliens, this card is valid for a limited period of time and has an expiration date stated on the front.

Diversity Visa (DV1, DV2, etc.) - Aliens who enter the U.S. under a diversity visa are not eligible for any refugee benefits or program services. These individuals or families come from countries where the U.S. permits a certain number of immigrants into the U.S. each year. These immigrants make an agreement with the U.S. government that they will not receive public assistance. The Diversity Visa is sometimes called Lottery Visa. An individual with a DV1 code is the head of household. DV2 is a spouse. DV3, DV4, etc. are children or relatives. Eligibility case manager should see all the alien’s documents because sometimes an individual incorrectly thinks he or she has entered under a Diversity Visa. Eligibility case manager should be especially careful in the cases of Cuban/Haitian immigrants because they may be eligible for refugee benefits if they did not come under a Diversity Visa. Diversity Visa recipients are not eligible to receive public benefits for the first 5 years in the United States.

Employment Authorization Document, Form I-766, or Form I-688B - This document verifies that an alien is authorized to work in the U.S. It does not verify the individual’s immigration status. It does not verify that an individual is eligible for refugee benefits. The eligibility case manager must see other documents to verify immigration status.

Asylum Approval Letter - An individual who is granted political asylum will have a letter of Asylum Approval from a USCIS Asylum Officer or an order from an Immigration Court. These individuals are eligible for all benefits to the same extent as a refugee. If the individual only has a letter stating that the application for asylum is pending, he or she will be ineligible for benefits until the application is approved. The letter must state that asylum is approved, the date asylum was granted, the individual’s name, and alien number. See page 160-4 for an example of an Asylum Approval Letter. The letter may look different from different states, but must have the information stated above to verify the individual’s eligibility.

Victim of Human Trafficking Certification Letter - A letter from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) stating that an individual is certified as a Victim of a Human Trafficking under section 107(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. This certification does not confer immigration status, but it does make an individual eligible for benefits and services under any Federal or State program funded or administered by any Federal agency to the same extent as a refugee. The letter will have the individuals name, date of certification, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Tracking Number. The first letters that were issued had expiration dates. These clients should have received re-certification letters from ORR. The expiration dates are no longer used. If the client has only a letter with an expiration date, the worker should call the trafficking verification line at (202) 401-5510 for assistance. See page 160-3 for an example of the Certification Letter.

Example of an ORR Certification Letter for a Victim of Human Trafficking -

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
370 L’Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447

HHS Tracking Number
00000000000

Date
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code

CERTIFICATION LETTER

Dear Name:

This letter confirms that you have been certified by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pursuant to section 107(b) of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Your certification date is _____________. The expiration date of this certification is eight months from the date of eligibility.

With this certification, you are eligible for benefits and services under any Federal or State program or activity funded or administered by any Federal agency to the same extent as an individual who is admitted to the United States as a refugee under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, provided you meet other eligibility criteria. This certification does not confer immigration status. You should present this letter when you apply for benefits or services. Benefit-issuing agencies should call (202) 401-5510 to verify the validity of this document and to inform HHS of the benefits for which you have applied.

Sincerely,
Signature
Printed Name
Title
Office of Refugee Resettlement

Example of an Asylum Approval Letter -