The Alien Status Verification Index (ASVI) data base can confirm a noncitizen's status but cannot refute it. Noncitizen status can be refuted only by secondary verification. A contradictory response from the ASVI verification or an absence of information on the ASVI does not necessarily mean that a noncitizen's documentation is not valid, since the ASVI data base may not be accurate or complete. The final determination of a document's validity can only be resolved in the secondary verification stage.
Reminder: Benefits cannot be delayed, denied, or reduced pending verification.
Here is an example of an ASVI response:
INS PC INQUIRY DISPLAY |
|
AID |
012345678 |
VERIFICATION # |
123456 |
LAST NAME |
CHORNAK |
FIRST NAME |
VICTORIA |
DATE OF BIRTH |
111788 |
ELIGIBILITY # |
LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT - EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZED |
STATUS CODE |
RF |
COUNTRY OF BIRTH |
POLAN |
DATE OF ENTRY |
120190 |
Following is further help in interpreting ASVI data fields:
1. AID (A-Number): The A-Number is the only field that is keyed on the ASVI screen. Because ASVI cannot accept alphanumeric data in this field, a zero (0) is substituted for the letter "A" when entering the A-Number, then the other eight digits are keyed. For example, the A-Number A12 345 678 would be shown as 012 345 675. For seven-digit A-Numbers, an additional leading zero (0) is used; that is, A-Number A7 654 321 will be entered as 007 654 321. A total of nine digits must always be used.
2. Verification Number: The system will provide a unique six digit Verification Number with the output from every query.
3. Last Name: Hispanic surnames may include as many as four words, e.g., Riveria Gonzales de Cuervo. In some cases, applicants may hyphenate parts of the surname, e.g., Rivera-Gonzales de Cuervo, whereas the data base seldom uses the hyphenated format. Some noncitizens may be registered under abbreviated or anglicized versions of their names. ASVI also may give transposed versions of names, e.g., de Cuervo Rivera Gonzales. For more information about recording and interpreting Hispanic surnames, see Appendix B.
In Oriental cultures, the surname usually is written before the given name. Hence, many new immigrants provide first and last names in reverse order, and the names are transposed in INS files.
In the case of recent marriage, the noncitizen may have not yet furnished the new name to INS. Hence, ASVI may not reflect the name change.
4. First Name: Many Hispanic first names consist of more than one word, for example, Maria de los Angeles. Connecting prepositions and articles such as "de la" may not be recorded properly in INS records.
5. Date of Birth: The month and day elements of the birth date may be transposed in the system or on a noncitizen's application. INS registers the date of birth using format MMDDYY. Some cultures record dates using format DDMMYY, and noncitizens may continue to provide dates in this fashion.
6. Employment Eligibility Statement: This helps the CAO verify that a noncitizen's documentation is valid. Compare the ASVI message with the employment eligibility information on the noncitizen's INS document. If the message "Institute Secondary Verification" appears, secondary verification procedures should be followed.
7. Status Code: INS has 250 alphanumeric codes that describe noncitizen immigration status. ASVI displays one of these codes when a query is performed.
8. Country of Birth: The first five letters of the country name will appear.
NOTE: Noncitizen's country of birth is not necessarily his country of nationality; i.e., the state to which he owes legal allegiance.
9. Date of Entry: This date represents the alien's most recent entry into the United States or the date he was admitted as a lawful permanent resident. INS uses numeric representation in the format MMDDYY.
NOTE: We expect that, in the future, the ASVI will also display a Social Security Number of an Alternate ID.
Reissued October 9, 2012, replacing March 16, 2012