Case Processing
INA 289 S13 GREEN CARD FOR NATIVE AMERICANS BORN IN CANADA AKA JAYTREATY ENTRIES
Here is a brief, informative pamphlet about INA 289 rights and procedures, including guidance on how to address an uninformed USCIS officer (ISO).
🌿 Your Rights Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 289
A Guide for American Indians Born in Canada (Code S13)
This pamphlet outlines your established legal rights, the process for documenting your status, and how to assert your rights if you encounter challenges with uninformed officials.
📜 Understanding Your Status: Rights by Law, Not by Application
Section 289 of the INA provides a unique, inherent right to qualified individuals. This is not a discretionary benefit; it is a statutory entitlement.
Key Rights & Legal Exemptions:
Automatic LPR Status: According to 8 CFR § 289.2, you "shall be regarded as having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence" once you meet the criteria and enter the U.S.
Exemption from Inadmissibility: You are generally exempt from grounds of inadmissibility and removal (deportation) proceedings.
Exemption from Alien Registration: You are not required to register as an "alien" with the U.S. government.
Right to Live and Work: You have the full right to live and work permanently in the United States.
The Difference: Status vs. Documentation
You are an LPR by law. The "green card" (Form I-551) is merely physical evidence of this status, not the status itself. You can still obtain a Social Security Card, a driver's license, and other benefits using your foundational documents.
✅ The Process: "Creation of Record"
You do not "adjust status" using Form I-485. You request a Creation of Record of Lawful Permanent Residence to receive the physical I-551 green card. This is an administrative verification process, typically using the internal Form I-181.
Required Documentation:
Proof of Canadian Birth (Birth Certificate)
Proof of at least 50% American Indian Blood (e.g., Tribal enrollment card, BIA card, letter from a recognized tribe, or Canadian Indian Status card)
Proof of Maintained Residence in the U.S. since your last entry (e.g., utility bills, leases, employment records, bank statements)
⚠️ What to Expect: Potential Hurdles & How to Handle Them
While your rights are clear in the law, some Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and USCIS Information Officers (ISOs) may be unfamiliar with this specific, unique provision.
If an Officer is Uninformed or Refuses Documentation:
Remain calm, polite, and confident in your rights.
Refer to the Law: Clearly state your claim under INA 289 and ask them to consult their internal guidance.
Cite the CFR: Politely provide the specific legal citation: 8 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 289.2.
Cite the Policy Manual: Ask them to refer to the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 7, Part O, Chapter 5. This manual specifically details procedures for this status.
Emphasize "Creation of Record": Clarify you are requesting a creation of record using internal Form I-181, not a standard "adjustment of status" (I-485).
Request a Supervisor: If the officer still refuses or is dismissive, politely ask to speak with a supervisory officer who may have more experience with specialized immigration laws.
Do Not Accept an I-485: Do not allow them to force you into filing an I-485 application, as this is the incorrect process for your automatic legal right.
Advice needed on my pending AOS case
Hi everyone I’d appreciate guidance on my cases. I filed i765/i485 (based on EB1) on May, biometrics May 27. Since then I’ve had only 2 silent api updates; Emma said my I-485 is interview waived and the file is at NBC. I’m a physician applying for residency and some programs may ask about EAD/GC in interviews. I submitted 2 USCIS expedites and also went through a senator and a congressman; no luck (totally 4). Because residency contracts come after the Match, I don’t have a job offer letter to include in my expedition documents. At about 6 months pending, is it worth hiring a lawyer for filing a case for I-765? What options have I got?
Thank you so much.
work permit approval
hey I was approved for a work permit, it has been 4 days and I received an approval notice, no update ever since, do you guys know how long it will take to get the actual card in hand ?
VAWA
Based on a Violence Against Women Act self-petition
Días totales: 868 días
Case
2024-05-13
Today
I-765
195 días
I-360
868 días
I-485
665 días
National Benefits Center: I-765
Nebraska Service Center: I-360
Texas Service Center: I-485
A Prayer for the Approved & the Waiting
God, thank You for the blessings You've already poured out
for every door swung open, every “yes” that finally came.
Cover the ones who’ve made it through with grace and wisdom,
so they never forget where they came from
and never stop reaching back for those still in line.
And for us still waiting
help us breathe through the silence,
trust through the pause,
and stand firm when doubt tries to sneak in.
Let delay not mean denial,
and let our faith stay louder than our fear.
Give us patience, but also give us peace.
Give us strength, but also give us softness.
Prepare our tables, line up our blessings,
and when our time comes
let it overflow.
Amen. 🙏
Hang in there. What’s meant for you is already in motion.
hi guys pls I want to travel to Nigeria with my travel documents which is 5 years from DC I booked virgin Atlantic flight! I want to know if they accept travel documents, have anyone travelled with
them b4 , pls share with me ! is there any airline that doesn’t accept travel documents from uscis? when coming back to USA?
GC Finally Approved.
Green Card Approved! 🎉
After more than a year of waiting, my I-485 has finally been approved — along with my family’s. What a journey this has been.
• COB: India
• Priority Date: 09/2019
RD: 09/26/2024
• Case transferred to: San Bernardino Field Office (Early March)
• Timeline: ~8 months from FO transfer to approval
Feeling incredibly relieved and grateful to have reached this milestone. Happy to answer any questions that may help others going through the process — feel free to ask!
EB1-3
Multinational executive or manager
Días totales: 403 días
Case
2024-09-26
2025-11-03
I-140
20 días
I-765
99 días
I-131
235 días
I-485
403 días
California Service Center: I-140
National Benefits Center: I-765, I-131, I-485
any vawa applicants waiting from Feb 2025 with out receiving ead after filing application from North Carolina
hi family I submitted my application through attorney under co9 category I received primafacie recipts of I 765
i465 I 360 I 131 on April. I done my biometric on may
15 . till now I didn’t received my ead san travel documents. is any one waiting with same time frame is it common . I raised service request couple times no reply.
Interview F2A approved
Today was my spouse interview at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
spouse of permanent resident.
God is good all the time!!!! God bless everyone who wait to be with your family.
F2A
Permanent resident filing for a spouse or child under 21
Días totales: 1159 días
Case
2022-05-22
2025-07-24
I-130
1159 días
California Service Center: I-130
I-751 Approval Under 1 year
I was not expecting this approval this quick since I will be eligible to apply for citizenship next month. No interview for either I-485 or I-751 at all
Naturalization
Application for Naturalization
Días totales: 255 días
Case
2026-01-16
Today
N-400
255 días
National Benefits Center: N-400