Why and How to Notify the Government When You Move
If you have been by our Pike Plaza Office lately, you
will have seen our moving signs. Yes, we are moving. On October 27th we will be closing our Pike Plaza location at noon in order to move to our NEW LOCATION. Why are we moving? Griffith Xidias Law Group LLC, decided to combine our Immigration services Office with our Business and Real Estate Office in order to provide our clients with more services.
Starting on October 30, 2017 we will reopen our Immigration Services Office at 777 Beachway Drive, Suite 102, Indianapolis, Indiana 46224. Our phone number and other contact information will remain the same. So beginning on October 30, 2017 if you are not sure how to get to us, please visit our website at www.indyimmigrationlaw.com or call us at 317-236-0486 for directions. Our new location is just a few minutes south of our current location, so be sure to visit us!
In preparing for our move we realized that many people do not think about all the change of address notices that must be filed in order to continue to receive proper communication from the Government. Just like our office must notify the government when we move, so must you! Remember, if you are moving or have moved there are a number or changes of notice that you must file to notify the government of your change in address. IF YOU FAIL TO NOTIFY THE GOVERNMENT YOU MAY LOSE YOUR CHANCE FOR RELIEF AND EVEN BE ORDERED REMOVED.
What Forms Do I Need to File?
The forms and where you must file them depends on your current status or what petitions have been filed on your behalf.
- For any petitions that have been filed with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): You will need to file a Form AR-11 either online or by mail. https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11. It is always important that you keep copies and proof of your having mailed or submitted the form in case there is a problem later.
- For anyone who has been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP): You will need to file a Form AR-11 by mail or in person with your local officer that your report to. Again the form can be filed on the USCIS website by following the web link listed above.
- For anyone who is in Removal Proceedings before the Immigration Court: You will need to file the Court’s change of address Form EOIR -33 either in person or by mail. https://www.justice.gov/eoir/form-eoir-33-eoir-immigration-court-listing. When you file notice with the Court, you must also provide a copy to the local Department of Homeland Security Counsel as well as ICE if you have a local officer you report to.
- No Matter what your status, you should ALWAYS ALSO file a change of address with your local post office. You can do that by either going online at https://moversguide.usps.com/icoa/home/icoa-main-flow.do?execution=e1s1&_flowId=icoa-main-flow&referral=MG80 or go into your local post office and they can provide you with a paper form. By filing this form with the post office, you mail that is sent to your old address with be forwarded to your new address. Although there is a slight delay in receiving the mail, you will get your mail and a notice of who still has your old address so you can provide them with an update.
The list above may not be the only agencies you need to notify depending on your case. Also, more than one of the above categories my apply to you. In that case you must notify everyone. The Government will not excuse you if you notify one agency, but not the other. Remember the Government has put the responsibility on you to notify every agency that you have contact with of your change in address.
If you fail to notify of a change of address you might miss some very important information about your case. And as mentioned above, there can be some serious consequences to missing information.
Need Help?
If you or someone you know needs advice about your immigration case, please contact Griffith Xidias Law Group for a free consultation. Our phone number is (317) 236-0486 to set up an appointment or visit our website at www.indyimmigrationlaw.com. You can also visit our current location at 5150 Pike Plaza Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46254 until October 27, 2017 or Starting on October 30, 2017 come see our new location at 777 Beachway Drive, Suite 102, Indianapolis, IN 46224.
Stay tuned next month when we discuss more about what immigration relief might be available to you or loved ones.