Noncitizen Status Verification

Acceptable USCIS Noncitizen Status Verification

USCIS issues many different documents which can be used to verify lawful permanent residence. Descriptions and/or copies of USCIS documents are contained in the Common Place Handbook [Refer to "Noncitizen Categories" in the Common Place HB].

Unless specifically noted in this Handbook section, USCIS documents which have expired are not acceptable verification of noncitizen status.

Acceptable documents used to verify noncitizen status for GA include, but are NOT limited to the following:

“Permanent Resident Card” (I-551)
"Resident Alien Card" (I-551)
“Alien Registration Receipt Card” (I-151)
“Arrival-Departure Record — Parole Edition" (I-94)
“Arrival-Departure Record — Refugee” (I-94)
“Arrival-Departure Record — Asylee” (I-94)
“Arrival-Departure Record — Processed for I-551” (I-94)

NOTE: These documents are proof of permanent noncitizen status, even if beyond the expiration date per USCIS.

“Temporary Resident Card” (I-688)

Foreign Passport

USCIS may stamp a noncitizen's foreign passport with the words “temporary evidence of permanent alien status” as acceptable proof of legal entry pending issuance of an I-551. The USCIS stamp may give a date “valid until _____ _____," but the noncitizen's card may not be processed by the expiration date. USCIS confirms that the stamped foreign passport is considered proof of permanent resident noncitizen status even after the expiration date since the determination of permanent status was completed prior to the passport being stamped.

Note: The EW must set a "Case Alert" to review the case in six (6) months to determine if the client has provided the I-551. If the client has not received the I-551 within this six (6) month period, the noncitizen is to be referred to USCIS to obtain verification.

Caution should be exercised as to the type of stamp that appears on a foreign passport since American Consulates grant visitors visas and other types of visas for temporary admission by stamping the foreign passport.

Correspondence From USCIS

In addition to the documents previously listed, other correspondence issued by USCIS is acceptable verification of noncitizen status, provided the documentation indicates the noncitizen is PRUCOL. This includes:

A person granted an indefinite stay of deportation
A person granted indefinite involuntary departure in lieu of deportation
A parolee lawfully in the U.S. for an indefinite period
A refugee lawfully in the U.S.
An asylee lawfully in the U.S. for an indefinite period
A Cuban/Haitian Entrant lawfully in the U.S., or
A noncitizen being processed through USCIS as a permanent resident noncitizen.

Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Verification

The case record for a GA applicant/recipient who previously applied for or received CalWORKs, CalFresh and/or Medi-Cal may contain a SAVE verification. The Common Place Handbook states that “applicants/recipients must provide acceptable USCIS documentation of immigration status before the EW initiates a SAVE verification.” [Refer to "SAVE" in the Common Place HB].

If an applicant/recipient states that his/her noncitizen status documentation is lost, a previously generated SAVE verification can be accepted provided the following two conditions are met:

The SAVE verification must indicate that the client meets the appropriate noncitizen status criteria, AND
The client must have acceptable identification which proves that he or she is the person listed on the SAVE verification. Refer to Identification chapter.

Unacceptable Noncitizen Status Verification

The following ARE NOT acceptable as noncitizen status verification for GA:

“Arrival-Departure Record” (I-94) issued to non-immigrant noncitizens admitted temporarily. These I-94s show the date to which admitted and any extensions thereof.
“Employment Authorization Identification Card” (I-688A).
“Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card” (I-186).
“Mexican Border Visitor's Permit” (I-144).
“Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card” (I-185).

Note: Nonresident alien Canadian Border Crossing Identification may be a stamp placed on the noncitizen's passport or travel document.

Reminder: Canadians and other residents of Canada may be admitted to the U.S. for periods of up to six (6) months for pleasure or business without the issuance of immigration documents. However, they usually will have in their possession evidence of Canadian citizenship or residence.

“Western Hemisphere Alien Identification - Silva v. Levi” (WR-495).

The court suit of Silva v. Levi had previously prevented these noncitizens from being deported.

The injunction expired and this document is no longer acceptable.

“Contreras v. Bell Aliens” (I-640).

This letter was issued as a result of the court suit of Contreras v. Bell. The injunction was lifted and the document is no longer acceptable.

Change in Noncitizen Status

Recipients are required to report all changes in noncitizen status. When changes occur that would result in ineligibility (e.g., a noncitizen's parole status changes from indefinite to temporary), aid MUST be discontinued as soon as a timely notice can be given.