303.19 Documentation of USCIS Status (MAM)

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Require non-citizens to provide documentation of qualified non-citizen status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Family Services Specialists are not required to assist an applicant in verifying status.

Types of USCIS non-citizen documentation include notifications on USCIS letterhead, U.S. stamps on passports, or USCIS computer-printed fee receipts. Non-citizens may also present documentation not issued by USCIS. Verify all non-citizen documentation following the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE)  verification procedures outlined in Section 303.21, Verification of Qualified Non-Citizen Status.

Exceptions:

·        If an individual currently receives Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicare benefits, and was approved for the same on or after August 22, 1996, this will be accepted as proof of citizenship or qualified non-citizen status.

·        Non-citizens claiming qualified non-citizen status due to battering or extreme cruelty must provide verification that:

- the violence occurred while the individual was residing in the United States;

- the batterer was the spouse or parent of the battered non-citizen, or the non-citizen child's parent was the subject of the battering;

- the battered spouse or child was residing with the batterer at the time of the incident(s); and

- the battered individual no longer resides with the batterer.

Accept any reasonable evidence of physical violence against the individual, such as police reports, information from medical or school personnel, photographs, or signed statements from individuals familiar with the situation.

References: He-W 606.02, He-W 616.02, 42 CFR 435.406-407, 42 CFR 435.1008, 45 CFR 233.50, 8 USC 1611-1613, 8 USC 1641, 8 USC 1644

Editorial Revisions Made: 04/2024