NancyLyz

14 hours ago, QN&CD said:

Hi, can you give me some advice, since I believe you have experience with EAD expedite. Please help

 

I called USCIS yesterday to expedite EAD process based on financial hardship and have active job offer. Today, I just received email about my case:

 

"The status of this service request is:
Due to the high volume of expedite requests for this case type, we are strictly enforcing the criteria that has been set for these expedite requests. While your situation appears serious, you have not provided evidence of an extreme emergent need. "

 

This is the first email I received, and I didn't not have any chance to send/fax my supporting documents. Does it mean a denial?

 

The case history shows:

1. On August 8, 2018, your request to have your case expedited, referral number xxxxxMSC, was assigned to an officer for response.

2. On August 8, 2018, we sent a response to your request to have your case expedited, referral number xxxxxMSC.

3. On August 8, 2018, your request to have your case expedited, referral number xxxxxMSC, was completed.

This is the first time I've seen responses like this. I'd say give them a call asking them to clarify the email. 

11 minutes ago, gvantsa said:

I got email this morning to fax my documents. Does anyone have the same update? Is fax working for them business hours? I am planning to fax everything tmrw morning at 8am. Any suggestions for fax? Better use online right?

Thanks people

I don't think the business hour starts until 9 but sure you can try early. It's better to use an app or e-faxing because it can be difficult to get through.

2 minutes ago, George & Roth said:

I mostly wanted to brag about our next baby, but really I don’t see her working when we have 2 young kids

Ah congrats about the baby.

She may need to travel or she may need a ssn to file joint tax with you. It doesn't really matter whether you're going to use the combo card tho. It's better to have them in hand while waiting for interviews (which can take months).

1 hour ago, George & Roth said:

We are going to have another baby, how can I further delay the EAD for my wife?

Why do you want to delay the EAD?

2 minutes ago, Damara said:

Did they say why they couldnt file it for you? Thats really strange that they told you that.

She simply said she couldn't. But I was going to file for expedition request via phone calls anyway so it wasn't such a big deal for me.

2 minutes ago, Damara said:

Well if you are approved you also get the same 1-2-3 descriptions.

 

What Im saying is if you have the message "completed" and you didnt send proof you may have gotten denied. Ive never heard of an infopass refusing to assist in filing an expedite. Its one of the things they offer at infopass.

 

 

I've received the messages "completed" since they sent me a mail requesting evidence. 

And I went for an infopass before I called to expedite. The lady there told me she couldn't file an expedition for me and I didn't have a choice but to call.

I'm not discouraging people from going. It's just in my case, the infopass didn't work at all. 

14 minutes ago, Damara said:

I dont know who posted the screenshots or where everyone is in the expediting process- but from my observations/experiences if you got updates that show the following:

 

1.assigned to an officer 2. response 3 completed

 

That usually means it was denied. first its assigned to an officer. Then they sent a response (a no), then they close the request (completed).

 

If you apply for an expedite over the phone its a risk you take. Basically the phone rep takes a min amount of info and submits a request. The Officer then looks at it and sends a 'response'. If they feel your situation (from the limited info they have) qualifies they will send you info on how to submit proof. So number 3 wont say complete. It only shows complete when its done. If its shows complete and you didnt send proof then you were denied before they even saw it.

 

If you apply through infopass you can give them all your documents when you apply.

That's probably not true. I've received twice the "assigned to an officer/response/completed" messages and I got approved. A lot of people who filed for expedition requests here on the forum also have filed for and gotten approved for expedition requests have also received the messages.

Depending on your local field offices, some offices take forever to get an appointment at infopass and chances are they won't assist with your expedition.

Photos, travel itinerary, both names under the same account (gym membership, family phone call plans, costco, etc).

Gifts, communication records(phone calls, text messages, etc), letter or cards from family and friends

I'd suggest you to send everything including the stuff you've already submitted.

The more evidence the better.

On 8/4/2018 at 12:51 PM, Larindra said:

Thank you so much for this explanation. Like I said I couldn't find any answers. When I try to google it, the results only talk about how to apply for AP but that's not what I needed to know. Thanks again!

 

By the way the entry was super easy and they didn't even ask any questions. They gave my passport and EAD card back to my spouse and said "you are good to go" while I was in the restroom. 😁

Yeah you don't need to worry about it. Just apply for renewal at least 120 days before the combo card expires (under a pending 485).

32 minutes ago, gvantsa said:

Good afternoon guys.

I just checked my status on USCIS web and this is what I got as an update.

Does it mean they sent me a rfe? 

I have no idea what to think 😂

All expedition requests need evidences. So you're probably going to receive a mail telling you how and what to send as evidence.

2 hours ago, gvantsa said:

Hi all once again. Love to read positive outcomes in here. Keeps my hopes up.

I have an issue as it's been 5 days already after submitting the request I haven't got any email from USCIS with the next steps. Should I wait for mail? How long it took you guys to get any response from them? I am going crazy in here. My status hasn't changed since receiving finger prints fee received  so I don't know what to think.

Thank you in advance😌

Some gets mail, some gets emails. Give USCIS 5 full business days to wait for an update. For example, if you submitted the request on Monday July 30th, USCIS will very likely provide an update before Tuesday August 7th. If not, give them a call on Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. 

I filed an request on 5/25, online update 5/31, received request for evidence on 6/8, submitted evidence 6/13, another online update 6/19, approved 6/25, received my card 6/30.

Good luck

20 minutes ago, asaeljethro said:

I only sent a credit card billing statement with it stating we owe $3,200. Hopefully thats good enough? 

23 minutes ago, thepanda said:

I only have bank statements and next week the offer letter but I'll see what I can do. I am currently avoiding the doctors because of the costs. I'll put that in the cover letter. 

 

I just submitted the request an hour ago.  Thank you! 

Ah the rule of thumb is to send whatever evidence you have for the expedition request. There is no guarantee that USCIS will  or will not approve. A lot of times it's up to the officers and local office who handle your case.

But good luck on both of you.

6 minutes ago, A&H2018 said:

You are switching jobs, curently employed right? Is the new employer willing to write a slight opening or even an email to you to show how important you are to the firm? If you have that and job offer letter, you are golden no issues.

I'd say a termination letter may also help if he or she is switching job. At least in my case it worked lol 

Ah I think consulting with multiple attorneys may be a better idea before OP makes up his mind. OP obviously is not worrying about financial burdens from his responses so he may as well hire an experienced and reputable immigration attorney to work on his case. OP's original intention of bringing his wife to the US on tourist visa has been determined by CBP that they did not intend to commit visa fraud. Therefore arguing whether that behavior will affect his current application somehow seems a bit irrelevant. However, considering how USCIS gets stricter and more suspicious, it's not completely impossible for them to frown upon the records and to give OP headaches. 

In addition, once OP files for the AOS, the wife won't be able to travel abroad until she receives her AP (4-6 months wait). Without an EAD, she is not very likely to get her Driver's license either.

But anyway hopefully OP will keep us updated.

1 hour ago, thepanda said:

After following this topic a while I am so happy to finally post my own post now. I received my dream job offer and now I need to expedite my work permit. I am on day 92 with my work permit. I have been reading that a lot of people are sending "all supporting evidence". Can anyone give me an example what you guys sent besides the job offer? Should I also send a copy of my checking account statement? 

So any sorts of big bills (e.g. medical bills) or debts (business loans, mortgages, car loans, etc), bank statements (if it shows you're suffering financially), the loss of medical/life insurance due to financial hardship, letter of reminder (any behind payments), an offer letter from your company, any communication between you and the company HR, things like that.

But first, submit your expedition request ASAP if you've had your fingerprints done. The expedition request normally takes at least 2-3 weeks, up to a month or 2 to get you your EAD.

Good luck!

Don't worry about the RFIE. USCIS sometimes overlooks the package and asks for things you've already submitted.

It could literally be anything:

I130A

Birth Certificate

Marriage Certificate

Medical exam results (which doesn't need to be submitted till interview, and the RFIE will be seen as just a courtesy reminder)

I864 

It could also be questioning whey your wife comes in via an non-immigrant visa (F1).

But anyway it's good to receive updates from USCIS than having nothing.

Good luck

2 minutes ago, txkangaroo said:

I'm so sorry that you have to go through this mess. Normally when the website showed the case was returned to agency (State DPS), it means we could go back to the DPS to renew the DL. Not really sure why there's no entry on the site. I think you should go to the DPS ASAP just to make sure, act as if this is your first time to renew. If the staff tell you there's a pending verification in the system, that'd be great, if not, they will put it in this time (I hope)...

Yeah I'll give them a call again later. Is the DPS same as DMV, Department of Motor Vehicle? 

I'll ask for verification number if they said they've put in. If not, then I'd ask them what I need to do to get my Driver's license request verified.

On 7/26/2018 at 2:15 PM, txkangaroo said:

The SAVE system is from USCIS and anyone can check their status. Try this website.

 

https://save.uscis.gov/casecheck/

Thank you! I checked the site but it only shows on 7/2 the SSA verified my case and it has been returned to agency.

I don't see any records of DMV verifying my case on this website (which they told me they needed to verify with DHS).

I'm confused. Does that mean they never submitted a request and I needed to call them again to see what's going on?

In addition, adding to the frustration today, I was not able to take my HR certificate exam because they neither accepted my expired driver's license (in my maiden name) with a renewal notice under my married name nor my EAD card because it doesn't have a signature on it. I'm more than upset at this point knowing DMV hasn't even submitted a request yet.

I'll give them a call at the 6 weeks mark again and ask for the verification number.

Thanks a lot for the website anyway.

3 minutes ago, gvantsa said:

Hi guys

I have requested to expedite EAD this morning. Lady on the phone was pretty lazy and I don't really know if she submitted. I got the reference number for the request and told me to wait either for email or mail. But I have been reading that most of people say they never get the email. Can anyone give me the fax number to send my job offer letter. 

Thank you

No they cannot. Every field office/local USCIS team has a different fax number (at least for different local office). It's more than likely you will receive either an email or a mail with specific instructions that you need to follow.

In addition, anything you submitted may be ignored before the request even enters their system or before they make a decision whether or not they even want evidence.

If you have the reference number already, give USCIS 5 full business days before you call them up again to inquire about the case.

Hope you get your email or mail soon. 

If you're afraid that the USCIS officer has not put in your request, reach out to your congressman. The liason office may help to even speed up the expedition request.

13 hours ago, Visitor User said:

What if I open a service request?

A service request has nothing to do with your application fees. 

https://egov.uscis.gov/e-Request/Intro.do

If you look at USCIS page for service request, refund or application fees related issues aren't even listed on the website. 

The rules about refund can be found here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/10/24/2016-25328/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule

J. Refunds

In the NPRM, DHS proposed a minor change in the provision regarding USCIS fee refunds. See proposed 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1); 81 FR 26936. In general, and except for a premium processing fee under 8 CFR 103.7(e)(2)(i), USCIS does not refund a fee regardless of the decision on the immigration benefit. However, USCIS will refund a fee if the agency determines that an administrative error occurred resulting in the incorrect collection of a fee. See 81 FR 26920-26921. DHS proposed to revise 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1) to provide that fees are “generally” not refunded. This would address concerns that the current regulatory text does not explicitly permit refunds at DHS discretion. DHS currently grants such refunds because as electronic filings and associated electronic payments have increased, there has been an increase in the number of erroneous payments where refunds are appropriate.

Some commenters stated that they supported the regulatory change to clarify that USCIS does not generally allow refunds, but that a refund may occur as a result of administrative error or unnecessary payment. See 81 FR 26936. DHS has made no change based on these comments. DHS is finalizing this provision as proposed.

 Upon further research into 81 FR 26936 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/05/04/2016-10297/us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-fee-schedule), USCIS further explains the "generally not refunded" clauses.

5. REFUNDS

DHS proposes a minor change in the provision regarding USCIS fee refunds. See8 CFR 103.2(a)(1) (providing that filing fees and biometric service fees are non-refundable.).^[70] In general, and except for a premium processing fee under 8 CFR 103.7(e)(2)(i),^[71] USCIS does not refund a fee regardless of the decision on the immigration benefit Start Printed Page 26921request. USCIS will refund a fee if the agency determines that an administrative error occurred resulting in the incorrect collection of a fee. Examples of USCIS errors include:

• Unnecessary filings. Cases in which USCIS (or DOS in the case of an immigration benefit request filed overseas) erroneously requests that an individual file an unnecessary form along with the associated fee; and
• Accidental payments. Cases in which an individual pays a required fee more than once or otherwise pays a fee in excess of the amount due and USCIS (or the DOS in the case of an immigration benefit request filed overseas) erroneously accepts the erroneous fee.

DHS is proposing that 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1) be revised to provide that fees are “generally” not refunded. See proposed 8 CFR 103.2(a)(1). This would address concern that the current regulatory text does not explicitly permit refunds at DHS discretion. DHS currently grants such refunds because as electronic filings and associated electronic payments have increased, there has been an increase in the number of erroneous payments where refunds are appropriate. For example, an applicant may be charged twice in error due to technical issues related to the specific device, software, or internet connection used to pay the fee. In such a case, if the request is not rejected for an erroneous payment, a refund may be appropriate. DHS is proposing to continue the practice of providing these refunds in limited circumstances where refunds are justified. Applicants would continue to request refunds by calling the USCIS customer service line or submitting written requests to the office having jurisdiction over the relevant filing.

In short, almost anything that USCIS has cashed is spilled milk and you're not going to get it back unless:

1. USCIS mistakenly requested you to submit and to pay for a form when in fact you don't need to. (E.g. You have submitted and paid for I130, I485, I765, and I131 concurrently for your adjustment of status but they mistakenly requested you to submit a I751 or I140 and subsequently you paid for that. Later USCIS realizes that they make a mistake so they return the forms and the fees related to the I751 or I140.);

2. You paid more than what you should or you paid twice. (E.g. You have submitted and paid for I130, I485, I765, and I131 concurrently for you adjustment of status which should cost you $1760. However, because you didn't realize that fees for I765 and I131 are waived when they're filed concurrently, so you paid the extra $410 + $575. In this case, USCIS will return either return all the fees and forms asking for you to resubmit it correctly, or return part of the packages and fees to correct your mistake)

Hope this can answer your questions. But hey if you do have the time, you sure can try and talk to a tier-2 officer to see if there is any chance of getting anything back. Just don't keep your hopes up.

2 minutes ago, star6 said:

Does anyone here know if you get working card/AP if u have medical outstanding? I didnt submit my medical and got a letter stating to bring it at the interview....my case states ready to schedule an interview since may 27th.

No, that shouldn't affect your combo card approval. 

USCIS never refunds. Once they cashed the check, your money is gone.

On 7/27/2018 at 9:29 PM, DC909 said:

Greetings everyone. So I went ahead and mailed my evidence to expedite my I-485 case to my local office as requested in the letter they sent me. I did state in the letter that i needed to expedite my AOS application due to extreme financial loss for my family and I. I also told them that if not possible, then expediting my EAD would be nice. In addition, I emailed my senator yesterday to help me expedite my EAD and as of now I have not heard anything. Let’s see how this goes. 21 days until my EAD expires. 

I‘d say in your case, EAD expedition is more likely to happen. It takes about several weeks to a month to get your new EAD. Good luck.

How did this post end up being a political discussion?

Original OP disappeared.

I think it's time to call the Admin to close the thread.

On 7/26/2018 at 8:54 AM, mletelier said:

Hello, 

I am in the process of expediting my permission to work (I-765) under an adjustment of status (Green card) 

 

On June 9th, I went to a USCIS office to ask for expedite my permission to work. The officer told me that I would get a notification five days later (at that point I did not get any email confirming my request) Five days later I got the notification in the mail and it said that the request was on hold because I did not have my biometrics done (biometric appointment was for July 25th)

I did my biometrics yesterday morning (07/25), and in the afternoon I called the USCIS to put an expedite request again. Then, I immediately I got an email saying that they put up a request for me but it was on hold because they did not have my biometrics. 

 

Questions:

1. How long does it take for USCIS to get my biometric's results?  (I thought it was automatically)

2. Is there a way to check when the USCIS gets my biometrics?

3. Besides the biometrics, do I need to have my Physical's done before they decide to expedite my case or not? 

4. Should I call the USCIS everyday, to ask if they got my Biometrics? (that is my husband's suggestion

5. Some people contact the local Congressman for help. Have that worked for any of you?

 

Thanks in advance!, 

 

1. Biometrics takes about 1-2 business days.

2. You can probably try to get it expedited again today or wait till next Monday.

3. What do you mean by your Physical's? If you are talking about medical exams, then no.

4. I personally wouldn't suggest that. But it won't do any damages to your case and it may help. If you have the time and energy to keep bugging a new representative every day, it's your freedom to do so.

5. You can contact your local congressman for help. But in general, an expedition request doesn't need to be filed via congressman. A lot did reach out to congressman/senator, and most of the time reaching out works.

48 minutes ago, Aneta73 said:

I paid my attorney together with his fees and he was the one mailing his check to the USCIS. That how he told me to do it so now I have no way of checking.

I paid my attorney via a retainer agreement and write my own check for my application fees. Ask for proof that the check has been cashed. The bank statement will show when the check is cashed. 

3 minutes ago, asaeljethro said:

Thanks!

 

Ive been trying all day actually. Even signed up for an electronic fax online, saves time and frustration standing by the fax all day pressing numbers.

Look at all those unsuccessful attempts 

 

 

That honestly sucks. I guess I was just lucky. See if you can mail them the evidence.