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Really urgent help please? [Selective Service]

Watabou

Watabou

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Feb 10, 2008
3,426
759
United States
Hi guys,

Don't know where to post this but all you guys help me out a lot so I thought I would just post it here.

I'm really freaking out, i guess, because I was browsing the mail and just noticed that I got the letter from Selective Service.

First off, I'm not a citizen but I'm a legal immigrant and everything.

I have some of the most dumbest parents and they didn't even tell me that I got a letter. I was not home to browse the letters so it honestly isn't my fault at all. The letter is dated Feb. 13. Today is Feb 25. It's way past the 10 day that they give to mail the form back.

Next thing, I know that you can register online (or not, seeing I'm exempt from Selective Service), but the registration thing is down for maintenance or something. (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfError.aspx?Message=SERVERDOWN&src=REG)

So I'm going to mail it tomorrow or wait till the damn thing comes out of maintenance. All I want to know is what should I do and will I get fined+go to jail?

Thanks guys. I need serious help/advice right now.
 
maestro55 said:
I highly doubt they are going to chase you down and fine you or stick you in Jail. Call them and explain your situation and hope for the best.
Click to expand...

Okay. That makes me feel better.

But why should I call them? On the form, it gives an option to check that I am exempt because I'm a legal immigrant but not a citizen yet. Shouldn't I just mail the form in and hope for the best?
 
I don't think it's going to be a big deal. I moved to Austin when I went off to college, and when getting my TX driver license, the DPS got my birthdate wrong. Because of this, I somehow ended up in the Selective Service database twice. I had registered once already, but apparently because the US Government is not smart enough to realize that two people with the same name and social security number are most likely the same person, I began to get nasty-grams in the mail.

To make a long story short, it took me a good nine months to convince them that I was indeed the same person that had already registered (it took my Birth Certificate to prove it!), and by then they still hadn't issued a warrant out for me. So I think you're cool for being a couple of days late. ;)
 
dmr727 said:
To make a long story short, it took me a good nine months to convince them that I was indeed the same person that had already registered (it took my Birth Certificate to prove it!), and by then they still hadn't issued a warrant out for me. So I think you're cool for being a couple of days late. ;)
Click to expand...

Okay that makes me feel a lot better. Thanks. I guess I was just freaking out too much. I'll mail it tomorrow then and hope that I really don't end up in jail.
If I do, well then you guys will notice it when I don't come here anymore. :D
I just feel a huge load of pain just lifted so thank you guys very much.
 
Just mail it in and try not to worry about it. They come after people who don't register at all, not people who register 10 days late.

Props to you for doing the right thing.
 
Tomorrow said:
Just mail it in and try not to worry about it. They come after people who don't register at all, not people who register 10 days late.

Props to you for doing the right thing.
Click to expand...

Yeah.
Don't worry about it, it could've just got a little lost in the mail.:D
 
Not even sure they come after you now. Think they just deny you from certain federal jobs.
 
As one of the elements of the offense, the government must prove that a violation of the Military Selective Service Act was knowing and willful. This is almost impossible unless the prospective defendant has publicly stated that he knew he was required to register or report for induction, or unless he has been visited by the FBI, personally served with notice to register or report for induction, and given another chance to comply. The last prosecution for non-registration was in January 1986, after which many believed the government declined to continue enforcing that law when it became apparent that the trials were themselves causing a decline in registration. Unlike the situation at the time when the draft was in effect, routine checks for identification virtually never include a request for draft card.


Obama should get rid of this evil piece of crap legislation. If I'm drafted I'm going to tell them that I'll go to war, but I need to have sex with a hot solider every night. No war for me! I hate war!
 
Selective Services

Hello everyone,

I got a couple of questions for whoever can guide me in the right direction.

Every year when I file for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA), I run into problems because I never registered with Selective Service. I came into this country when I was 13 years old as a tourist and for fear of our lives, my family applied for asylum, which was granted when I was about 22 years old. So between 13 and 22 yrs. old, I was under no legal status, which is basically an illegal “alien”. I continued being under asylum and became a Legal Resident when I was 29 years old. I NEVER received anything from the Government stating I needed to register. Matter of fact, I just never ever imagined that it was required for one to register. All I ever heard my entire life was that men weren't required to serve in the military here in the U.S. Registering therefore never crossed my mind since I knew men weren't required to serve. I bluntly did not know. Well, problem is that my ignorance is now catching up to me. Every time I file FAFSA I have problems and have to write a letter to Selective Service, and than it gets taken care of for that year, until I have to file again, and redo everything over. But I recently found out that because I never registered, I may be ineligible for Financial Aid, Citizenship and Federal Employment. How can I remediate this problem?
 
Jairinho1121 said:
Hello everyone,

I got a couple of questions for whoever can guide me in the right direction.

Every year when I file for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA), I run into problems because I never registered with Selective Service. I came into this country when I was 13 years old as a tourist and for fear of our lives, my family applied for asylum, which was granted when I was about 22 years old. So between 13 and 22 yrs. old, I was under no legal status, which is basically an illegal “alien”. I continued being under asylum and became a Legal Resident when I was 29 years old. I NEVER received anything from the Government stating I needed to register. Matter of fact, I just never ever imagined that it was required for one to register. All I ever heard my entire life was that men weren't required to serve in the military here in the U.S. Registering therefore never crossed my mind since I knew men weren't required to serve. I bluntly did not know. Well, problem is that my ignorance is now catching up to me. Every time I file FAFSA I have problems and have to write a letter to Selective Service, and than it gets taken care of for that year, until I have to file again, and redo everything over. But I recently found out that because I never registered, I may be ineligible for Financial Aid, Citizenship and Federal Employment. How can I remediate this problem?
Click to expand...

Honestly, you can't fix this yourself. The problem is probably fixable, but you will be in a pile of hurt if you try to navigate the bureaucracy yourself. Find yourself a trustworthy immigration lawyer, he/she should be able to help you unravel it.
 
emt1 said:
Obama should get rid of this evil piece of crap legislation. If I'm drafted I'm going to tell them that I'll go to war, but I need to have sex with a hot solider every night. No war for me! I hate war!
Click to expand...

Wait, this isn't already a benefit?!?

:eek:
 
You dont meet the requirements for Financial Aid...thats the short story.

Long story is YES you may be able to get through all the red tape, but that might cost you more money than youd get or time than you have. If its worth your while, fight for what you can, but dont expect it to be simple.
 
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