Current Legal Status?

[MADDEN 40]

This is probably a silly question but if you have a AOS pending what would your current legal status be? I have received my EAD/AP combo card if that makes a difference.

Any insight greatly appreciated.

[Caryh 5,206]

Its called a period of authorized stay. Much like a visa authorizes you to stay in the USA for a fixed period of time. In this case the authorized period is until they adjudicate your AOS application.

[Ontarkie 14,270]

~~Moved to AOS family, from K1 P&P~~

[Boiler 45,656]

Under colour of law.

[newacct 688]

This is probably a silly question but if you have a AOS pending what would your current legal status be? I have received my EAD/AP combo card if that makes a difference.

Any insight greatly appreciated.

Who's asking? Why does it matter?

Technically, if your previous status has expired then you have no legal status. You are authorized to stay in the US (i.e. won't be deported for being out of status) as long as your AOS is pending. Depending on where it's asking for this information, it might be informative to also say that you are "AOS pending" or something like that, but that is not a status.

[MADDEN 40]

Who's asking? Why does it matter?

Technically, if your previous status has expired then you have no legal status. You are authorized to stay in the US (i.e. won't be deported for being out of status) as long as your AOS is pending. Depending on where it's asking for this information, it might be informative to also say that you are "AOS pending" or something like that, but that is not a status.

I was applying for a driving license knowledge test and the lady at the DMV asked, I told her I had a pending AOS but she just stared at me blankly, I wasn't sure what else to tell her.

[Caryh 5,206]

I was applying for a driving license knowledge test and the lady at the DMV asked, I told her I had a pending AOS but she just stared at me blankly, I wasn't sure what else to tell her.

Most states will not allow a drivers license until at least the EAD is issued. A quick check of your state shows they accept the EAD also.

http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Driver-Licensing/Pages/Proof-and-Documentation-Needed.aspx

[MADDEN 40]

Most states will not allow a drivers license until at least the EAD is issued. A quick check of your state shows they accept the EAD also.

http://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Driver-Licensing/Pages/Proof-and-Documentation-Needed.aspx

Thank you!! I told her I had my EAD card but she kept on asking what my legal status was.

[Caryh 5,206]

Thank you!! I told her I had my EAD card but she kept on asking what my legal status was.

Well I earlier gave you the technical name of what your current status is. Authorized Stay. But I think she's looking for this "Applicants for adjustment of status". She's clueless on where to look up the requirements for you and if you can get a drivers license, is my guess. BTW don't tell her K-1, as you no longer have a valid I-94.

Edited June 1, 2016 by Caryh

[MADDEN 40]

Well I earlier gave you the technical name of what your current status is. Authorized Stay. But I think she's looking for this "Applicants for adjustment of status". She's clueless on where to look up the requirements for you and if you can get a drivers license, is my guess. BTW don't tell her K-1, as you no longer have a valid I-94.

Thanks for the info, I will go back in a few days time and hopefully my "legal status" wont be such a big issue

[yuna628 9,680]

Thank you!! I told her I had my EAD card but she kept on asking what my legal status was.

You are more than authorized to obtain a driving license, since you have your EAD. If she provides a problem next time, ask for a supervisor.

She was probably looking through this sheet and trying to determine what you should hand her. https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl%20publications/pub%20195nc.pdf

The correct term should be in a period of authorized stay while adjusting status.

(EDIT) Actually, I think the easiest way to stop her confusion and your additional hassle is to print out that fact sheet above, and show her the applicant to adjust status section on page 3.

Edited June 1, 2016 by yuna628

[ExtraTerrestrial 3]

Another PA Aussie! Man, my experience at PennDOT has been a joke so far. Check out this link for the section 'Applicants for Adjustment of Status'. You and I should have no problem getting a state ID, permit etc.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl%20publications/pub%20195nc.pdf

Well, I went with everything on the list (using my biometrics notice, as listed) and the lady was so useless I couldn't believe it. She told me I "speak great English", "have no accent", and to "make sure you don't forget your first language". When she told me it wouldn't go through, for no reason, I asked for another employee to have a look. It was clear this lady was a first class idiot. Sadly everyone else was busy, and she's faxed a bunch of paperwork to USCIS, and now I'm waiting on some kind of approval I have to take back to get a permit, ID etc. It's ridiculous.

Good thing we can use an international license here for 12 months. I might just wait for my green card before going back there to avoid the long wait times again.

[gpiper 77]

The levels of incompetency I haave experienced in the few months I have been here is unreal ! At every turn! I'm not just talking about going through government processes like immigration but anything I mean anything which means interaction with another human being. From ordering coffee to liaising with medical clinics! The frontline staff are full of individuals whom I honestly imagine have a carer dressing them in the mornings as no way could they possibly do it on their own!

In every case it's needed a supervisor to handle the issue I.e taking back a microwave that caught fire after 6 weeks of owning it... After saying what happened the reply was "does it still work?!" No clue how to give a refund! Why are they on the customer service help desk then?

As for call centres I tell no lie when I say I am comfortably in double figures calling the cable and mobile phone companies for incorrect billing. (Which they acknowledge they have incorrectly charged... I have had to call up separately to get the "correction" amended)

We have lived in our apartment for 5 months and not once has the bill been correct, again they realise this and since February have been trying to "fix it" but to no avail

Customer service in the US is a misnomer... As foreigners it was always taught that this country knew how to provide world class service. Tell that to the youth of today as I don't think they agree on needing to be pleasant.

There is a distinct deterioration as I have stayed here in non tourist areas I hasten to add for many many years and gradually over time I have seen the change in behaviours towards customers. Yes back in the 90's I still did think the US knew how to look after clientele but no longer.

You take the award when it comes to your "native language" as that really made me laugh.

For me I pretty much know I am going to have a hard time initially until I am seen by a supervisor who invariably has sorted out any issues with minimum fuss... Just such they would train their staff!

Edited June 1, 2016 by gpiper

[MADDEN 40]

Another PA Aussie! Man, my experience at PennDOT has been a joke so far. Check out this link for the section 'Applicants for Adjustment of Status'. You and I should have no problem getting a state ID, permit etc.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/bdl/bdl%20publications/pub%20195nc.pdf

Well, I went with everything on the list (using my biometrics notice, as listed) and the lady was so useless I couldn't believe it. She told me I "speak great English", "have no accent", and to "make sure you don't forget your first language". When she told me it wouldn't go through, for no reason, I asked for another employee to have a look. It was clear this lady was a first class idiot. Sadly everyone else was busy, and she's faxed a bunch of paperwork to USCIS, and now I'm waiting on some kind of approval I have to take back to get a permit, ID etc. It's ridiculous.

Good thing we can use an international license here for 12 months. I might just wait for my green card before going back there to avoid the long wait times again.

Was thinking I might wait for my GC and after reading your experience seems like the most logical thing to do. If I do go back I will let you know how I got on.

[Caryh 5,206]

I totally agree about the current state of customer service in the USA. I've taken to saying thank you after transactions with clerks now, wondering if they'll get the point that saying thank you after a transaction is a common courtesy when someone spends money at your business. They invariable say you're welcome back, as if they did a favor by letting me spend money there.

The levels of incompetency I haave experienced in the few months I have been here is unreal ! At every turn! I'm not just talking about going through government processes like immigration but anything I mean anything which means interaction with another human being. From ordering coffee to liaising with medical clinics! The frontline staff are full of individuals whom I honestly imagine have a carer dressing them in the mornings as no way could they possibly do it on their own!
In every case it's needed a supervisor to handle the issue I.e taking back a microwave that caught fire after 6 weeks of owning it... After saying what happened the reply was "does it still work?!" No clue how to give a refund! Why are they on the customer service help desk then?
As for call centres I tell no lie when I say I am comfortably in double figures calling the cable and mobile phone companies for incorrect billing. (Which they acknowledge they have incorrectly charged... I have had to call up separately to get the "correction" amended)

We have lived in our apartment for 5 months and not once has the bill been correct, again they realise this and since February have been trying to "fix it" but to no avail

Customer service in the US is a misnomer... As foreigners it was always taught that this country knew how to provide world class service. Tell that to the youth of today as I don't think they agree on needing to be pleasant.
There is a distinct deterioration as I have stayed here in non tourist areas I hasten to add for many many years and gradually over time I have seen the change in behaviours towards customers. Yes back in the 90's I still did think the US knew how to look after clientele but no longer.

You take the award when it comes to your "native language" as that really made me laugh.

For me I pretty much know I am going to have a hard time initially until I am seen by a supervisor who invariably has sorted out any issues with minimum fuss... Just such they would train their staff!