Second A Numbers for Some Who Filed I-485s During Summer 2007
Posted Nov 23, 2007
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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided answers to questions raised at the national stakeholder meeting on October 30, 2007. A key topic, important to many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers, was the issuance of multiple "A" numbers (Alien numbers) to persons who filed Application for Adjustment of Status (AOS), I-485, cases between July 2 and August 17, 2007.
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I-485 Applicants May Receive Second A Number
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We at the Murthy Law Firm noticed that the USCIS issued second A numbers to some of the AOS applicants who filed their employment-based adjustment applications based on the July 2007 Visa Bulletin. This raised questions because, normally, only one A number is assigned to each I-485 applicant. Multiple A numbers can create confusion since the A number is a specific, identifying number issued to a particular foreign national. The USCIS has provided an explanation and has made it clear that these multiple A numbers were not issued in error.
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The multiple A numbers were issued to I-485 applicants who already had A numbers assigned to them prior to submitting their adjustment applications. For many, the A numbers are issued with their I-140 approvals. Readers are reminded that an A number is usually issued to a foreign national who files an immigrant petition or a "green card" application. A foreign national in a nonimmigrant status, such as an H1B, generally is not issued an A number.
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Applies to Cases Filed July 2-Aug 17, 2007 : USCIS to Reconcile
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An applicant who filed her/his employment-based I-485 application between July 2nd and August 17th, who had an A number at the time of filing, was issued a different A number as part of the receipt process. This temporary receipt process allowed the USCIS to issue receipt notices for the high volume of adjustment applications received during the summer of 2007. The USCIS has indicated that it plans to reconcile the second A number for each I-485 applicant with the previously-issued A number. All temporary numbers will also appear on the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
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Conclusion
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We at the Murthy Law Firm appreciate the USCIS's helpful clarification on this matter. There were concerns that the multiple A numbers were in error and potentially could cause confusion in the I-485 cases filed during the 2007 summer rush of filings. It is good to know that the USCIS will reconcile the two A numbers, so that there will not be any delays in processing these I-485 cases for applicants with multiple A numbers.