Natreezy

Filed early February...

Don't think I got a case number!

Recently moved and have not been getting mail at new place. I am a little worried that I may have missed important mail? Is there a number you can call to possibly get a case number or check for updates online? Unfortunately did not sign up for the text notifications when I mailed it in...

I know everything is paused with COVID, but have a few questions.

-What do I need if I were to switch jobs? Can I get a new job while my green card is pending? I have a I-797, would I just show that to the employer?

-We are also buying a house, do I just send the I-797 to the underwriter?

Hey guys, timeline update.

Feb 9th - I751 Package mailed to Dallas

Feb 11th - Received Date

Feb 14th - Notice Date

Feb 17th - Check cashed

Feb 18th - Got I797 in the mail.

Next step is biometrics appointment right?

For those worried about processing times, some hope: Our field office says they are processing October 2016(9.5 -17months), but that is obviously not the case as our July AOS interview was this week. Our online status said "ready to be scheduled for an interview" for about 4 months before we got a surprise interview letter in the mail. USCIS is slow to update their online trackers.

 Greencard arrived today in the mail, 4 days after our interview.

On 3/29/2018 at 11:31 AM, Lelah22 said:

We received our interview notice in the mail at the beginning or March. The Interview is scheduled for April 9th. We have all of our documentation since it's mostly everything we've already submitted so many times. 

Does anyone have a list of questions they were asked at the interview? I looked around on here some but didn't see many listed. 

Everyone is different, but they asked us a bunch of questions on how we met, if we worked, where we worked, and then a list of criminal/political questions where you should answer no to all of them. Was fairly laid back and not as intense as I expected to be honest. I would still take it seriously however and be prepared, we may of had it easier because we were college sweethearts and have hundreds of pictures documenting our relationship.

On 3/27/2018 at 12:36 AM, Kirk&Kean said:

Just curious, how long after you filed from Oklahoma before you move to Texas? We've been wanting to move to the East Coast for my choice of universities, but our attorney told us to stay put in AZ until green card gets approved. Due to our response of RFIE was replied in Jan even though we filed in Jul 2017, I can't anticipate my interview notice anymore, I am hoping to get the interview/green card before Fall so we can move to the East Coast, I just got my work permit recently (imagine how late it got delayed lol). I want to get to the East Coast to work and live 1 year to establish the residency before I apply to return to school full-time in Fall 2019. But we are worried that if we don't get the interview notice or if the date of interview is scheduled far beyond Aug/Sep, we are thinking to move and have the case transfer to PA. It probably will further delays the interview date in PA as they need to forward the case + assign new officers to look into our case.

Definitely not a lawyer so I would defer to them. But we filed in July and moved states in August. It was easy to change our address and such by using the website and calling USCIS, we had absolutely no problems. I also had USPS informed delivery added immediately so I knew what mail to expect.

2 hours ago, JSWH said:

Congratulations on your approval! I checked your timeline. Wow! It was unbelievably fast for TX. Very happy for you. I don't even hope to get my interview scheduled anytime soon.  

 

Well we just moved to Texas from Oklahoma, but I agree it was really fast. Our documents were originally sent from Oklahoma to the Chicago Lockbox and handled in the Missouri Service Center if I remember correctly.

Had my interview today and was approved on the spot for 2 year GC. Interview was in San Antonio and fairly informal. Started 30 minutes late and went for about 50 minutes total, but alot of that time was talking about non-related stuff. Wanted copies of our ID's and passports but didn't ask many questions besides the yes/no ones.

Kept joint lease copy, car insurance, joint bank statements, joint tax return, wedding venue contract and photos to put in our file. Told us we should be getting the card in the mail in a few weeks!

On 3/4/2018 at 10:55 PM, seattlejord said:

Funny...I'm in that exact situation. Canadian here in Seattle, filed in July. Haven't heard a thing since July 19. I expect the office in Tukwila is one of the slowest in the country. 

On 3/4/2018 at 10:52 PM, Rhemalove said:

Is anyone here from Canada filing for Adjustment of status  in July 2017 in Seattle Washington?  If so anyone get their interview date yet?  It seems to be such slow going?

 

Canadian here, but I filed from Texas. Got my EAD card after an expedite in September, interview notice in the mail in February and was just approved for a 2 year GC on the spot in today's interview in Texas.

4 hours ago, GunnerGalactico said:

Out of curiosity, when interviewing for jobs did you say you were waiting for EAD approval?

 

Thanks

Nope, I just only applied to jobs that would have a start date around my anticipated EAD arrival time. I got lucky with an early offer, and used that to expedite the EAD.

19 hours ago, T_P said:

I really wanned to hear some people from July saying that they received their EAD / AP.  

I received my EAD yesterday, however I had it expedited. 61 days after my packet arrived in Chicago.

For those wondering, I called a Tier 2 and they said the same thing. It's up to my employers, but I'm not at risk if they're okay with me working while card is in production.

Thanks for the advice guys..I think I'll take the weekend to make a decision, maybe it will be here by then! For those who mentioned it I was just recently approved for an expedite...

2 hours ago, geowrian said:

Nobody at USCIS' customer service center is allowed to provide legal advice, so even if they say something is allowed and it really isn't, you can't point the finger at them. That's just how it works...you're bound by the law, not what they say.

 

That said, I personally don't see the issue with working so long as you are approved. The employer, however, is the one really on the hook since he/she has a requirement to verify that his/her employees are authorized to do so.

Thanks! My main concern is it would mess up something in my interview by my employer insists its okay. Its a large organization too..so I assume they've done their research.

What's the difference? I believe it was a Tier 1 because I didn't ask to speak to anyone higher. Honestly though, if both my employer and USCIS are saying it's okay, I'm leaning towards starting. What are the consequences? I'm rushing because I may not have the job in 7 days...

Just called USCIS and they said I can work because my EAD card is in production even if not in hand, as long as my employer is cool with it. Everywhere on this forum states otherwise, but I'm inclined to beleive USCIS lol. Can anyone shed light on this?

15 hours ago, gabara14 said:

What did they ask you to prove the emergency to expedite? 

They just asked for proof of financial hardship so I sent them all types of bills, job offer letter and statements from my bank accounts showing low funds.

I've seen all over this forum that I cannot work until I physically have my EAD. However, my employer said that I am clear to work, and I just called USCIS and they said I can work if my card in is production as long as my employer says it's okay. Does anyone have history working before having their physical EAD?

1 hour ago, gabara14 said:

So, me and my husband are going through a huge struggle because of money for the fact that he is the USC and I'm still not allowed to work yet ( status even still in "my case was received", almost after a month from the biometric appointment) so we called USCIS last friday, september 1st, to try to expedite under the severe financial loss.

On the next day, the 2nd, the case history for my EAD said that the expedite request was assigned to an officer and then it was completed.

the officer on the phone when we called asked the reasons, an e-mail address, and said if we don't receive anything in five days ( tomorrow... his words) to contact them back. 

Hoping we can get it expedite because it has been really hard to live under only one income. 

 

 

I would try calling your congressman as additional help if you are worried. I along with others have had success with it, even some saying it happens faster. Just a thought

Happy to say my EAD expedite was successful and status has been updated to "New Card is being produced!"!!!! Hopefully it comes within the next week or two so I can start work. For those wondering the EAD expedite timeline for me:

Aug 7th - Walked in biometrics

Aug 15th - Applied to have EAD expedited through congressman

Aug 16th - Was told we would have to try again in two weeks because my AOS was still new

Aug 28th - Congressman tried again

Aug 30th - Was told "This case will be routed for expedited processing.  Your constituent will receive a decision or notice of further action shortly."

September 5th - Called USCIS today and they said my expedite was approved, and it would show up on my status later today as it did.

I have a job lined up, so I'm ready to get out of the house again!

Be encouraged fellow Journeyers!!

Excited to have an update on my status!!

"As of August 23, 2017, we are ready to schedule your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status...We will schedule your interview and send you a notice."

I really wonder if the speed of it has anything to do with attempting to expedite my EAD, however there is no online update on my EAD status yet. Crossing my fingers they approve it, it's funny because I'd rather have my EAD and wait a while for the interview!

22 hours ago, vscp said:

Just letting ya'll know the new update for our expedite EAD timeline. 

 

7/3 Priority Date

8/1 (Day 29) - Biometrics Appointment in San Francisco, Received Job Offer letter 

8/8 (Day 36) - Submitted Expedite Request via Phone and separate one to Congresswoman's office with all supporting documents 

8/11 (Day 39) - Updated online as Expedite Request Reviewed and Completed 

8/16  (Day 44) - Congresswoman's office called to say we were approved and to expect the card within 2 weeks

8/23 (Day 51) Updated online as Card in Production (only I-765, I-131 did not update)

 

As you can see, the expediting process seems to take about 3+ weeks in total right now. 

 

Hope this helps others in dire need of an EAD/AP expedite. Praying that precious card gets here safely! *Anxiety*

 

Good luck to everyone is waiting. Congrats to those who have their interviews waiting to be scheduled already!!! 

Congrats! What supporting documents did you submit?

Tried to expedite my EAD last week through my congressmen and this is what USCIS said :

"Thank you for your inquiry regarding this constituent’s immigration matters. A review indicates that these cases were recently received on 07/12/2017, and is currently going through preprocessing to determine if all the required documentation is present for the I-485 to be deemed prima facie eligible. Interim benefits, such as those applied for on Form I-131 and I-765, are unable to be adjudicated until the I-485 is determined to be prima facie eligible.  Please submit a follow-up expedite request in two weeks to determine if pre-processing has been completed. These cases cannot be expedited at this time.

I'll send the info to my congressman again next week and see what happens!

Just now, AshMarty said:

I would def try to Expedite it if you have Job offers. I was reading threads and it seemed pretty simple with a formal written job offer on the table. I know my Husband is going to put his resume out this week hopefully he will find something.

 

He was offered a job but he would need to be a private contractor so unfortunately he doesn't get a formal job offer with it. I guess it will be our back up plan if he doesn't find something before November when our EAD is supposed to arrive.  Good Luck!

I think I will try and do that. I wonder if I need to accept the job, or just show proof of offer because I've been looking into a few other options as well!

Thanks!