thepanda

Thank you! Of course I will if it helps anyone. 
 
So on August 3rd I received two job offers and called USCIS to expedite via phone. In order to talk to a customer rep you have to ask for your case status and after a computer told you what's going on you have the option to "report a problem". (It took me 20 mins to figure this out so that's why I am mentioning it) I only told him that I wanted to expedite under "severe financial loss to a person" and he opened up a service request. I never mentioned that I had a pending job offer. They told me that I should receive something within 5 days. I was one of the unlucky ones that didn't receive an e-mail but an actual letter (see timeline). So I lost another week. During that time though I prepared all my paperwork. I printed my job offer, wrote a cover letter on why I needed to expedite, added the biometric appointment letter, my i-797 receipt, my past 2 W2's and proof of termination of my former company. I did not add any bank statements or gave any budgets. On the day I received the letter I faxed everything to the number and the team that was on that letter. I could not send anything before because in the letter it says that the letter had to be included with the evidence. The next day I looked up my senator's website, filled out the privacy release form and faxed it to their office. On this form I had to also tell them how they could help me, so I just put a short text in there. The next day the senators office called me to ask if I already expedited and I said yes. So they said that they will send a request to get a status on that expedite. The lady told me that they usually give them 30 days to respond but that they usually respond within 2 weeks. That's it.
I was going to call them today again to get an update but this morning my status changed, so obviously I didn't have to anymore. 
 
I honestly don't know if contacting the senator helped though but I am very grateful that they reacted this quickly. I have read that other senator offices take a couple weeks until they accept a case or even respond.  

Thanks! I completely agree, better safe than sorry in these situations. I would have done the same thing if I had a job offer like you. Congrats and good luck on the new job!

Looks like I would have gotten my EAD even without expediting it. But better safe than sorry. Congrats!!! And it will be a combo card. No worries. 

@thepanda
Yes, we sent the medical with the AOS package.
Today, we got the approval letters for both I-131 and I-765, and the letter with interview date. A good day indeed. We don't have the combo card yet but it says one can travel with the approval letter for the I-131. The status for the I-131 is not updated online yet.
 
Good luck to everyone.

We just received email and text updates that a new card is being produced for our EAD 😁 I am in a similar situation with @GiselaMargareta - my EAD status was updated, but my AP is in the same 'Case was Received' status. I'm hopeful that the card being produced is a combo card, though. In any case, my spouse and I are very happy and thankful.
 
Congrats to everyone who's received good news as well. Here's to more good news for all of us!!! 😄

My status in the new tracker (DHS) updated today and in both cases AP and EAD it says that they have been approved. So, don't worry. It will be the combo card as mentioned above. 
 
I received a letter from the Senator today that my case close. In hindsight, I believe that it actually did help to contact my Senator. For anyone who also plans on expediting. 

Thank you! Of course I will if it helps anyone. 
 
So on August 3rd I received two job offers and called USCIS to expedite via phone. In order to talk to a customer rep you have to ask for your case status and after a computer told you what's going on you have the option to "report a problem". (It took me 20 mins to figure this out so that's why I am mentioning it) I only told him that I wanted to expedite under "severe financial loss to a person" and he opened up a service request. I never mentioned that I had a pending job offer. They told me that I should receive something within 5 days. I was one of the unlucky ones that didn't receive an e-mail but an actual letter (see timeline). So I lost another week. During that time though I prepared all my paperwork. I printed my job offer, wrote a cover letter on why I needed to expedite, added the biometric appointment letter, my i-797 receipt, my past 2 W2's and proof of termination of my former company. I did not add any bank statements or gave any budgets. On the day I received the letter I faxed everything to the number and the team that was on that letter. I could not send anything before because in the letter it says that the letter had to be included with the evidence. The next day I looked up my senator's website, filled out the privacy release form and faxed it to their office. On this form I had to also tell them how they could help me, so I just put a short text in there. The next day the senators office called me to ask if I already expedited and I said yes. So they said that they will send a request to get a status on that expedite. The lady told me that they usually give them 30 days to respond but that they usually respond within 2 weeks. That's it.
I was going to call them today again to get an update but this morning my status changed, so obviously I didn't have to anymore. 
 
I honestly don't know if contacting the senator helped though but I am very grateful that they reacted this quickly. I have read that other senator offices take a couple weeks until they accept a case or even respond.  

I called USCIS on Aug 6, received the letter on Aug 13, faxed the docs on Aug 14, contacted local congresswoman and got her office’s response on Aug 17. 

I just got update. They approved my ead and card is being produced. After submitting fax took 13 days to approve. 

There is a form that you get online from the rep of your state. Fill it out and mail it. Thats what I did over a week ago, and since then I have not received a confirmation though...
 
 
 
From my research, your case was just "touched" by a USCIS worker.
 
 
CONGRATS! Wow, you and @thepanda got yours before mine. Hopefully I will get good news soon.
 

Congrats all! As you can see no way to know if expedite worked, senator worked, congressman worked, nothing worked, was just timing...
You need to balance persistence and patience, and work all avenues available to you.

I-765/I-131 approval and the physical combination card should be anywhere within 5-8 months.
 
After that, a long uncertain wait in which your application whirls through the mysterious unknowable wormhole known as "USCIS". At an unknown point in the future, your application will surface out of the wormhole but with an interview date. After which, the final decision of the application will be decided.

I finally received an update as well today. "New Card Is Being Produced". I am so happy that my expedite request has been approved. 
Did anyone receive their card yet? I wonder how long it takes?

I woke up this morning looking at my phone with no news on my case status tracker. Disappointed I turned around again to get some more rest, determined to call USCIS and the senator when I get up. One hour later I grab my phone again and see a notification from my tracker “Your Case Status Has Been Updated”. I checked immediately and saw the message that my card is in production. I jumped out of bed made a happy dance. I was so happy I almost cried lol 
 
For everyone else, I know this is frustrating. But hang in there. Each Team and each officer works at a different pace. I hope it’ll work out for everyone. 

 
I also want to thank @A&H2018 again! You helped and supported me so much. Especially because I had to do it from a different angle. I can’t thank you enough! 

Thank you thank you. I will just have to learn patience😁😱

congrats!!!
 
hopefully we will get news soon too. 

I woke up this morning looking at my phone with no news on my case status tracker. Disappointed I turned around again to get some more rest, determined to call USCIS and the senator when I get up. One hour later I grab my phone again and see a notification from my tracker “Your Case Status Has Been Updated”. I checked immediately and saw the message that my card is in production. I jumped out of bed made a happy dance. I was so happy I almost cried lol 
 
For everyone else, I know this is frustrating. But hang in there. Each Team and each officer works at a different pace. I hope it’ll work out for everyone. 

 
I also want to thank @A&H2018 again! You helped and supported me so much. Especially because I had to do it from a different angle. I can’t thank you enough! 

Yaaayy congrats. So awesome . Mine is still stuck on no update😁😁😁

Totally they are busy and if you can wait yah dont bug them. But in reality if you going to lose the job, the case worker can initiate another inquiry that scares old USCIS. Situation dependant. 

I submitted expedition on July 18, received standard open case/case closed by officer notification July 18, tried to fax week of July  25, 26, called USCIS and they said mail it since fax is down mailed cover letter, their letter, job offer July 26. Sent faxed copy Aug 1, called USCIS spoke to tier 2 officer not able to give me any update no help Aug 14, emailed congressman Aug 9 received email back from them saying they will send a request to USCIS. 
 
Received email today "Card is in production for AP, and EAD. 
I only sent in job offer and cover letter explaining that I will be an asset to the company no additional financial information.
 
MORAL OF THE STORY!! Patience is bliss!! looking at others reviews it will take about a month for the EAD expedition to be approved no way to make it go fast so just wait and stop looking at the website every 30 min it will dive you nuts. 

pdate 8/20/2018
 
 
I finally received my new Driver's license (almost 7 weeks after I applied in person in DMV). So the DMV representative was correct about the 4-6 weeks of processing time in California even if it has no record showing they're doing the verification.
 
For now I'm happy with everything and just keep collecting evidence for the interview.
 
It's been 4.5 months since I've submitted my package.
 
I honestly don't expect to see any updates on my interview scheduling until next spring.
 
And I've been reading posts from the April 2018 filers that they're starting to get their Combo card. Hope the journey goes smoother from now on.
 
 
 

Whatever address was in the email that's where I am going to mail it tmrw

@thepanda it took from Aug 3 (evidence received) to the Aug.15 to get approved (status updated to we ordered you a card, etc).. so a bit over a week. Good Luck!!! Yea, I was anxious about if they had received the evidence as well. 

Hey guys! Just to put some minds at ease, we only submitted a job offer (no financials) and didn't go through a senator/congressman, and we got approved today (mailed evidence on 7/20, so it took about 4 weeks). That's all they ask for in the letter, so I don't think you'll be denied for not providing more than that.

Yea, we had a status change that the case was being reviewed and then received a letter in the mail that the evidence was received, but it took almost 2 weeks.. but I submitted the evidence via snail mail.