SAN ANTONIO — Maria Gonzalez has been a legal U.S. resident since she was a teenager. She received her official green card, or "Permanent Resident Card," all the way back in 1987.
But when someone stole her wallet, with both her green card and driver's license inside, she suddenly had no proof of residence, and no way to get a job.
"I just need something with my picture on it to verify that it is me so I can work," Gonzalez said.
Still, after Gonzalez contacted KENS 5, local immigration attorney Gerardo Menchaca was able to find a solution to get her back to work.
Gonzalez had already finished filing paperwork with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) for a replacement green card in September of last year. She made new appointments, and had to redo all her biometrics, but was shocked to find the wait time for the process would be more than a year.
“When I first started it said 14 months! That was in September,” Gonzales said. “And according to them it was an approximate time. It might not take that long, but it could take longer also.”
Despite living in the country for more than three decades, Gonzalez now had no way to legally work in the U.S. and had to depend on friends for support. Finally, she called KENS 5.
“I shouldn’t have to go through this. I’ve been a good citizen the whole time I’ve been here,” Gonzalez said. “Now it’s hard on me and harder on my friends.”
KENS 5 contacted USCIS and asked why the case was taking so long, but USCIS just sent a statement that said, in part, “USCIS adjudicates each request for immigration benefits fairly, humanely, and efficiently on a case-by-case basis to determine if they meet all standards and eligibility criteria required under applicable laws, regulations, and policies.”
KENS 5 also contacted multiple Texas congressmen to see if they could help by providing casework services, but they also couldn’t get the agency to move any faster.
Finally, KENS 5 contacted local immigration attorney Gerardo Menchaca.
Menchaca said any immigrant who loses a green card is definitely in a tough situation but there may be a work-around: It's called an ADIT stamp (Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication stamp).
According to USCIS, lawful permanent residents can apply for the stamp if they are waiting on a green card replacement application, application for naturalization, or a "Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence."
USCIS can then combine the ADIT stamp with another form, Form I-94, so the resident can have a photo ID that employers will accept.
"If she has the stamp, then the stamp is all she needs," Menchaca said.
Gonzalez then had to call USCIS, request a call back, and wait 30 days for a response. Still, when she finally got the call back, she was able to get approved for the stamp over the phone.
"I got my ADIT stamp and it's got my picture and everything. It's got everything I need," Gonzalez said. "If it wasn't for attorney Menchaca I would not have known about that."
Gonzalez was then able to start applying for jobs and got an interview at her local Walmart just a few days later.
She's glad Menchaca was able to find a solution and she's glad she called KENS 5.
"Had I not called you and tried to see if you could help me out, and investigate something, I would not have known none of this," Gonzalez said. "A big thank you to you guys and your crew!"
If you have a problem like this, we want to help you fix it! In our series, Call KENS, we do our best to solve problems for our viewers. The number to call is 210-470-KENS, or fill out the form on this page.