Jimmy Klass, aged 66 and residing in Florida, recently underwent a startling realization about his citizenship status. His journey began with an application for Social Security payments, a routine step for many seniors.
However, what followed was far from ordinary. Despite living in the United States since he was an infant and actively participating in federal elections over the years, Klass was confronted with an unexpected hurdle. His benefits were abruptly frozen, the reason being a lack of documentation proving his legal residency.
This revelation came as a profound shock to Klass, who had always believed himself to be a US citizen. His confidence stemmed from his father’s status as a natural-born American. Nevertheless, deeper complexities emerged from his family history. While Klass’s father hailed from New York, his paternal grandparents originated from Germany, and his mother held Canadian citizenship. These diverse roots added layers of complexity to his nationality.
Reflecting on his childhood, Klass reminisced about being brought to the US at the tender age of 2. The family settled in Long Island, New York, where they lived near Klass’s grandparents. This upbringing, intertwined with familial ties spanning different nationalities, created a unique backdrop for Klass’s identity journey.
Klass disclosed that despite applying for positions with rigorous background checks, such as the Marine Corps and a police officer role, his citizenship status never raised any flags. He was deemed eligible for these roles but opted not to pursue them due to personal reasons, including being newly married, expecting a child, and managing homeownership responsibilities.
Furthermore, Klass possesses tangible proof of his integration into American society, including being a registered voter, holding a valid Social Security card and driver’s license. These documents, along with his employment history in a union job to support his family, reinforced his perception of being a lawful citizen. Reflecting on his experiences, Klass emphasized his active participation in civic duties like voting and obtaining official identification, which further solidified his belief in his citizenship status.
Klass emphasized that despite Social Security’s claim that he hadn’t proven his legal status, he had never faced any legal issues regarding his citizenship. He mentioned receiving Medicare benefits for over a year and a half without complications. Additionally, Klass jokingly remarked on the potential federal crime of voting without citizenship, highlighting the lack of consequences thus far.
Now faced with the task of defending his citizenship status to USCIS, Klass has submitted various documents demonstrating his more than 60 years of residence in the US. Despite seeking assistance from the Canadian consulate in Miami, he has yet to find a resolution to his predicament.
Klass has depleted his savings trying to resolve the issue, spending substantial amounts to access his Social Security contributions. Despite proposing options like receiving a lump sum with interest, he was met with limited solutions. This financial strain has led Klass to re-enter the workforce and seek assistance through a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to gather funds for legal and genealogical support.
USCIS declined to comment on Klass’s case, citing privacy concerns. The agency stated its standard practice of adjudicating immigration matters individually, with applicants receiving written decisions outlining the rationale and any available appeal options.