Ayrton

A person who is eligible for a SSN is not eligible to apply for an ITIN. OP's wife is a GC holder, therefore they can't apply for an ITIN.

The SSA issued new instructions that says that immigrants must not mail original immigration documents. They have to call and request an appointment. If the office is saying they don't accept appointments, tell them to look for the EM-21041.
 
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/05262021015248PM
 
IMPORTANT: Do NOT request a non-citizen to submit his or her immigration documents by mail or using the drop box. Due to DHS regulations, non-citizens are required to have their immigration documents in their possession at all times (GN 00303.610.B).
 

The SSA issued new instructions that says that immigrants must not mail original immigration documents. They have to call and request an appointment. If the office is saying they don't accept appointments, tell them to look for the EM-21041.
 
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/05262021015248PM
 
IMPORTANT: Do NOT request a non-citizen to submit his or her immigration documents by mail or using the drop box. Due to DHS regulations, non-citizens are required to have their immigration documents in their possession at all times (GN 00303.610.B).
 

A person who is eligible for a SSN is not eligible to apply for an ITIN. OP's wife is a GC holder, therefore they can't apply for an ITIN.

The SSA issued new instructions that says that immigrants must not mail original immigration documents. They have to call and request an appointment. If the office is saying they don't accept appointments, tell them to look for the EM-21041.
 
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/05262021015248PM
 
IMPORTANT: Do NOT request a non-citizen to submit his or her immigration documents by mail or using the drop box. Due to DHS regulations, non-citizens are required to have their immigration documents in their possession at all times (GN 00303.610.B).
 

There are two ways you can read this sentence:
 
...labor performed...within the United States...
 
...an employer within the United States...
 
I believe the first one is the way to read it, and that's based on the RFE asking for work authorization sent by the USCIS to an immigrant that was trying to use their foreign income as part of the 864.

That's not how it works. Remember that we're talking about 2 different things here. Immigration (USCIS) and Taxes (IRS). They are different government entities and have different rules and definitions for these common terms.
 
Resident and non-resident aliens are defined by the IRS and doesn't necessarily depend on your immigration status. You can find the definitions here: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc851
 
You can see that you can actually be a resident alien for tax purposes without even being a GC holder by just meeting the substantial presence test or electing to be treated as one on the 1st year. A tourist that overstays their visa here is considered a resident for tax purposes after meeting the presence test and must file taxes as a resident alien. For K1 visa holders, where most of the couples wants to file MFJ for the 1st year because of the tax benefits, they need to be elected as resident for the whole year when presence test is not met.
 
The moment you move to a different county (immigration intent), you are changing you primary residency. That's why some immigrants lose their public benefits as soon as they land in another country with immigrant intent (k1 visa holders moving from Canada from example, they cannot use public health on a later visit, it doesn't matter when they actually became a LPR).
 

That's not how it works. Remember that we're talking about 2 different things here. Immigration (USCIS) and Taxes (IRS). They are different government entities and have different rules and definitions for these common terms.
 
Resident and non-resident aliens are defined by the IRS and doesn't necessarily depend on your immigration status. You can find the definitions here: https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc851
 
You can see that you can actually be a resident alien for tax purposes without even being a GC holder by just meeting the substantial presence test or electing to be treated as one on the 1st year. A tourist that overstays their visa here is considered a resident for tax purposes after meeting the presence test and must file taxes as a resident alien. For K1 visa holders, where most of the couples wants to file MFJ for the 1st year because of the tax benefits, they need to be elected as resident for the whole year when presence test is not met.
 
The moment you move to a different county (immigration intent), you are changing you primary residency. That's why some immigrants lose their public benefits as soon as they land in another country with immigrant intent (k1 visa holders moving from Canada from example, they cannot use public health on a later visit, it doesn't matter when they actually became a LPR).
 

The paper that came with the EAD tells you need to do in case there's something wrong with it. You don't file another form. You mail back the EAD with proof of what's wrong and they mail the new fixed card to you. In my case it took about 2 months.

USPS can't forward GC. Your GC will be destroyed and you have to file for a new one with an I-90.

They are separate cases and are going to be adjudicated separately. Since card is already in production, you will most likely receive it, but it will be voided as soon as GC is approved.

You lawyer clearly didn't reply to the RFE. I would get rid of them and file by yourselves.

Ask your spouse to add you as an authorized user. No SSN required.

Ask your spouse to add you as an authorized user. No SSN required.

Ask your spouse to add you as an authorized user. No SSN required.

If you are submitting a 1040, instead of tax return transcript, you must submit the whole tax package. You said you only submit the first page of the 1040. That's not enough. When you're self employed, the instructions also mention that you must submit all the schedules that shows how much money the sponsor is making. When it's a joint return, the instructions also says that you should submit proof of just the sponsors income, and not the spouse.  That's all in the instructions.

If you are submitting a 1040, instead of tax return transcript, you must submit the whole tax package. You said you only submit the first page of the 1040. That's not enough. When you're self employed, the instructions also mention that you must submit all the schedules that shows how much money the sponsor is making. When it's a joint return, the instructions also says that you should submit proof of just the sponsors income, and not the spouse.  That's all in the instructions.

If you are submitting a 1040, instead of tax return transcript, you must submit the whole tax package. You said you only submit the first page of the 1040. That's not enough. When you're self employed, the instructions also mention that you must submit all the schedules that shows how much money the sponsor is making. When it's a joint return, the instructions also says that you should submit proof of just the sponsors income, and not the spouse.  That's all in the instructions.

Unfortunately your lawyer didn't do a good job. And since you trusted them, you didn't pay a closer attention to your forms.
 
A complete tax return is not only the first page of the 1040. It's the whole package. Every schedule, every W2, every 1099.
 
From the instructions of the form, which is what you and your lawyer should be following:
 
"Item Numbers 23.a. - 25. Federal Income Tax Return Information.
 
You must provide either an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) transcript or a photocopy from your own records of your Federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year. If you believe additional returns may help you to establish your ability to maintain sufficient income, you may submit transcripts or photocopies of your Federal individual income tax returns for the three most recent years.
 
You are not required to have the IRS certify the transcript or photocopy unless specifically instructed to do so by a Government official; a plain transcript or photocopy is acceptable. Do not submit copies of your state income tax returns.
 
Do not submit any tax returns that you filed with any foreign government unless you claim that you were not required to file a Federal individual income tax return with the United States Government and you wish to rely on the foreign return solely to establish the amount of your income that is not subject to tax in the United States.
 
If you provide a photocopy of your Federal individual income tax returns, you must include a copy of each and every Form W-2 and Form 1099 that relates to your returns. Do not include copies of these forms if you provide an IRS transcript of your Federal individual income tax returns rather than a photocopy unless you filed a joint income tax return with your spouse and are qualifying using only your income.
 
If you selected Part 6., Item Number 2. that you are self-employed, you should have completed one of the following forms with your Federal income tax return: Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business), Schedule D (Capital Gains), Schedule E (Supplemental Income or Loss), or Schedule F (Profit or Loss from Farming). You must include each and every Form 1040 Schedule, if any, that you filed with your Federal income tax return."
 
On your first package that you sent transcripts, did you also send the 1099s, and the schedules? If not, your RFE was correct. 
 
On the RFE response, you already mentioned you didn't send the whole tax return, and even if the RFE is not specific, you should still follow the form instructions to respond to it. Since you and your lawyer failed to do that, the denial was correct. 
 
Only option you have is to refile. Trying to appeal the case will only result in another denial and more money spent, because the case was correctly denied.

If you are submitting a 1040, instead of tax return transcript, you must submit the whole tax package. You said you only submit the first page of the 1040. That's not enough. When you're self employed, the instructions also mention that you must submit all the schedules that shows how much money the sponsor is making. When it's a joint return, the instructions also says that you should submit proof of just the sponsors income, and not the spouse.  That's all in the instructions.

If you are submitting a 1040, instead of tax return transcript, you must submit the whole tax package. You said you only submit the first page of the 1040. That's not enough. When you're self employed, the instructions also mention that you must submit all the schedules that shows how much money the sponsor is making. When it's a joint return, the instructions also says that you should submit proof of just the sponsors income, and not the spouse.  That's all in the instructions.

If they only requested the SSC on the EAD forms they're not going to receive any SSC because the GC was approved first. They are gonna have to apply in person in the SSO.

Just an FYI. Covid Tests for individualized diagnosis must be covered 100% by your Heath Insurance if it's in network. That was determined by the Cares Act. It doesn't matter if it's for traveling. It must be covered. My spouse and I had at least 20 tests between both of us, and they were all covered 100% (even the out of network ones), and we have the cheapest health insurance my company provides.
 
"Plans and issuers must provide coverage without imposing any cost-sharing requirements (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance), prior authorization, or other medical management requirements for COVID-19 diagnostic testing of asymptomatic individuals when the purpose of the testing is for individualized diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19."
 
https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-patients/index.html
 
The exceptions mentioned on the act are tests for "public health surveillance" and "employment". Getting tested before a trip definitely falls under the individualized diagnosis and must be covered by your insurance.
 
If you don't have health insurance, then find a place that offers the test for free, like CVS and Walgreens (they send the bill to the government).

Call the SSO again and tell them that the SSA issued a new guidance explicitly prohibiting offices to request immigrants to mail or drop off their documents. 
 
EM-21041: Express Interviews for Evidence and Enumeration Actions -- https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/05262021015248PM
 
EM-21056: In-Office Appointments Guidance -- https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/09082021124856PM

Just an FYI. Covid Tests for individualized diagnosis must be covered 100% by your Heath Insurance if it's in network. That was determined by the Cares Act. It doesn't matter if it's for traveling. It must be covered. My spouse and I had at least 20 tests between both of us, and they were all covered 100% (even the out of network ones), and we have the cheapest health insurance my company provides.
 
"Plans and issuers must provide coverage without imposing any cost-sharing requirements (including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance), prior authorization, or other medical management requirements for COVID-19 diagnostic testing of asymptomatic individuals when the purpose of the testing is for individualized diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19."
 
https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/cares-act-provider-relief-fund/for-patients/index.html
 
The exceptions mentioned on the act are tests for "public health surveillance" and "employment". Getting tested before a trip definitely falls under the individualized diagnosis and must be covered by your insurance.
 
If you don't have health insurance, then find a place that offers the test for free, like CVS and Walgreens (they send the bill to the government).