quistarrok

30 minutes ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

Oh that's not something you should worry about you can download it online the welcome letter a guide for new immigrants.👍

Thanks, @Stillwinning!!!😊. Is this blue booklet a an actual “welcome letter” that one supposed to receive? If yes I had it in the envelope with the card. Confused. 

I just thought a “welcome letter” is something different (actual letter addressed to me and etc.).

13 minutes ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

Congratulations!🎉🎊😊👍 I got my welcome letter with the green card so yeah when you get it you should go through it so you'll be well-informed of everything that you need to know as a green card holder.. a permanent resident!

Thank you. I got the envelope with the card but no welcome letter. What should I do?..

On 1/19/2021 at 12:15 PM, ponak98 said:

Thank you all. After calling the congressman and making him reach out to USCIS, I finally got the card. It turned out to be the expired fingerprints. 

 

One question, friends: when do I receive the welcome letter? Do I have to receive it and does it have anything important one must know about?

@sandranj

@Stillwinning!!!😊

@Villanelle

@Pinkrlion

My dear knowledge people can you please advise 

On 1/5/2021 at 1:19 PM, sandranj said:

The I-551 stamp is  to serve as evidence that that  person can live and work permanently in the U.S. You are not a a green card holder then you can't ask to stamp the I-551.

If you need advance parole then USCIS   will stamp the I-512,but you have to prove that you submitted the I-131.To work you need your work permit.

Thank you all. After calling the congressman and making him reach out to USCIS, I finally got the card. It turned out to be the expired fingerprints. 

One question, friends: when do I receive the welcome letter? Do I have to receive it and does it have anything important one must know about?

On 12/30/2020 at 2:31 PM, Villanelle said:

Keep calling for an infopass. Unfortunately the phone center is being very inconsistent in how they are currently handling infopass requests. Some people are given appointments and others are denied even though they are asking for the same reason.   So keep at it until you get an agent who will schedule you the appointment. Also when they call back its typically from a blocked number or can show up on caller ID as 000-000-0000. You MUST answer when they call. They will only try to call you once, if you dont answer thats it, you are removed from the call back list and have to get back on it again. It can take them 1-3 days to call you back so you have to be ready to answer the phone at any time. 

 

Informed delivery is a service by the post office that you sign up for and they email you pictures of what mail you should be getting each day in your mail box. Its a nice thing to have in general but it wont help you to know whats going to be in your mailbox if the mail you are looking for is going to the attnys address. 

 

HR at your job are typically the ones responsible for verifying employees work auth status. If they havent asked you for an updated work auth document yet they will as soon as they realize they need it. Verifying your work auth is their responsibility not yours but you will have a problem if they ask for it and you dont have it. At this point in your immigration process you are an LPR. You dont have the card in hand but that doesnt matter. The card is not a status. Status is not a tangible object- the card is simply a tangible object representing your status. The 551 stamp at infopass is the same. So you either need them to mail you the physical card or obtain a 551 stamp. 

 

If you continue to struggle trying to get a stamp for work purposes you may want to consider a different approach. I would never suggest you lie about the reason you need a stamp but I am sure this whole thing is very stressful for you and you would benefit from a vacation right? A beach in Mexico sounds nice and to do so you need a 551 stamp so you could request one for upcoming travel purposes.  They may be more likely to approve an infopass for that.

Made the final call to uscis today. The rep said I am not eligible to get I-551 stamp in the passport. The reason is that only those who renew green card, remove conditions from green card or applying for citizenship with expired green card - can get the stamp. Is it a BS or are they right? I asked from different angles and got the same response. The rep seemed to be knowledgeable. The rep said though that one can present approved I-485 letter to employer and it will work just fine. 

All the above is new to me and a bit shocking. Please let me know your thoughts. 

3 minutes ago, Villanelle said:

Keep calling for an infopass. Unfortunately the phone center is being very inconsistent in how they are currently handling infopass requests. Some people are given appointments and others are denied even though they are asking for the same reason.   So keep at it until you get an agent who will schedule you the appointment. Also when they call back its typically from a blocked number or can show up on caller ID as 000-000-0000. You MUST answer when they call. They will only try to call you once, if you dont answer thats it, you are removed from the call back list and have to get back on it again. It can take them 1-3 days to call you back so you have to be ready to answer the phone at any time. 

 

Informed delivery is a service by the post office that you sign up for and they email you pictures of what mail you should be getting each day in your mail box. Its a nice thing to have in general but it wont help you to know whats going to be in your mailbox if the mail you are looking for is going to the attnys address. 

 

HR at your job are typically the ones responsible for verifying employees work auth status. If they havent asked you for an updated work auth document yet they will as soon as they realize they need it. Verifying your work auth is their responsibility not yours but you will have a problem if they ask for it and you dont have it. At this point in your immigration process you are an LPR. You dont have the card in hand but that doesnt matter. The card is not a status. Status is not a tangible object- the card is simply a tangible object representing your status. The 551 stamp at infopass is the same. So you either need them to mail you the physical card or obtain a 551 stamp. 

 

If you continue to struggle trying to get a stamp for work purposes you may want to consider a different approach. I would never suggest you lie about the reason you need a stamp but I am sure this whole thing is very stressful for you and you would benefit from a vacation right? A beach in Mexico sounds nice and to do so you need a 551 stamp so you could request one for upcoming travel purposes.  They may be more likely to approve an infopass for that.

Thank you for the tip @Villanelle. I do hope that all the friends on the forum will benefit from your advice. 

I do have to say that I have the c9 that will expire in a week. I also have c31 that I never used and it will not expire for 3 more months. Will using the following strategy be completely legal? 

1) present C31 to employer if they ask me and if I don't get InfoPass asap as a way to win some time. What makes me to hesitate to do it is whether c31 is still a good document to present? Technically both i360 and i485 are approved and I thought that c31 can be used only when i360 is approved and i485 is pending approval. Maybe I overthink here? My c9 renewal was denied just few weeks ago (assuming because i485 is approved)

2) if the card still not received by time c31 expires then present the stamp in passport assuming I will eventually get the InfoPass and get the stamp during the appointment. I have called USCIS every other day for the past 2 weeks. They keep saying I am in the line but no tier 2 officer calls me back. 

20 minutes ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

USCIS has been using fingerprints on file especially since the pandemic... and also the first and last time I did fingerprint was in 2017 up to when I got my green card in 2020!💁

Praying. In the meantime still staying to get InfoPass appointment. Believe me it's a challenge. Called to schedule 2 weeks ago. Called them again yesterday and they tell me I am still in the queue. I do hope things will get better for my fellow friends here in 2021...

49 minutes ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

Ok great.. but going by the officer's words, it says I" have submitted the biometrics for updating" it clearly means it's right there and will be applied to your case..but hey since USCIS is shrouded in mystery, let's see what the response will look like!💁

Yeah, my biometrics technically are expired. I googled and found that they are valid for 15 months. It's been 2 years since I did them. But I believe it's super rare USCIS makes people to redo biometrics at asc?

16 minutes ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

Hello from the statement above I think they're going to use the Biometrics on file. The officer mentioned that they're going to update the Biometrics on file so when it's updated, they'll produce your card. I guess this is the part where most people get the notification 'fingerprints was updated'.😊👍

Thank you @Stillwinning!!!😊. I emailed to congressman back and asked if they can clarify. I hope so that they will use my “old” biometrics. Isn't it strange though - I-485 is approved and now they cannot produce the card because of expired biometrics....?

On 12/28/2020 at 5:59 PM, Demise said:

Yeah VAWA confidentially protections just make getting information about your case difficult. You have to basically write a letter to VSC.

Friends - received this replay from USCIS passed through congressman in regards to my delayed green card:

“the card has not produced due to expired biometrics. I have resubmitted the biometrics for updating. Once the update is completed the card will produce”

Does it mean I will get a notice to retake my biometrics, I.e. going to ASC office again and do fingerprints and having USCIS to take my photo? Else, does “i have submitted the biometrics for updating”  mean something else as apparently USCIS rep submitted something?

Hi Friends - is there anyone like me here? Got AOS approval 2 months ago and still no green card...

On 12/5/2020 at 5:21 PM, Boris Britva said:

Hey! I had an interview 5 weeks ago which end up with review, officer said I will get an update within 2 weeks and silence since then

Have you heard back? I am still waiting on GC - 2 months since approval. 

7 hours ago, Villanelle said:

I read through your post history quickly but I just want to make sure I understand it all. You filed for VAWA and while Im unclear if you had an interview or not your case status for the 485 says 'approved' and it seems you got a paper approval notice of the approval in the mail but there hasnt been any update on the card being produced or shipped correct? And its been apx 2 months now you have been waiting for the card to be mailed right?

 

There was recently delays with printing cards and I suspect you got caught up in that. You should keep an eye on the online system for updates of the card being produced and mailed and use informed delivery from the post office to keep an eye on what to expect in your mail box. You can go to infopass and they will be able to see your approval and give you a stamp. The 551 stamp is for all intents and purposes a greencard. You can use it to work and travel. They can give you a stamp for however long they want- typically its 1 year but they can stamp for 6 months if they want. The stamp will be fine for DMV or banks or anything else you may need to present a GC for. Since your EAD is expiring and you urgently need proof of your status as a GC holder you need to get a stamp asap and then focus on trying to find out what the delay is on printing and mailing your card. Your congressman should be able to help you with that but since its unlikely they will be able to resolve it for you and get your card printed and shipped in the next few days you want to focus on getting the stamp right now. Once you have the stamp you will have proof of your status for the next 6 months to a year (or however long they choose to stamp it for) and that should be more then enough time to resolve the delay in printing issue your are experiencing. You can also ask for help at infopass about the delay in printing of your GC. They should be able to put in a service request about it however the downside to using infopass to do such is they wont follow up with you about it where the congressman would. 

 

 

Thank you, @Villanelle. You are awesome.

You are right - it has been 2 months since approval. The approval was done without the interview. I got an RFE to mail my medicals which I did. In a week - the online status changed to "approved" and 2 weeks after I got the approval notice. Silence on the actual card since then.

I have been trying to set infopass appointment since Dec ~12th. I call them every other day and they keep saying I am still in the queue and that I should get a call back so that Tier 2 officer can finally set up an infopass appointment. They put me in non emergency queue though I told them that I need work authorization renewed asap.  

I did reach out to both senator and congressman on delayed green card. Senator submitted an inquiry and I am awaiting to see the response. He emailed me saying that the reply to me will be in oil school mail form. Congressman is slow in responding and I have never her back from them on any kind of action. My attorney seems to have also emailed to VSC as there is a special line for attorneys to reach out to VSC (as understood).

I hope to get the infopass appointment eventually. Do you fee that "attacking" the delay of green card from different angles as you see above is okay?

Separately - does employer have to notify me to present valid work authorization document or I have to present it by the time my current EAD expires in few weeks?

I am keeping an eye on online status. What is "use informed delivery from the post office to keep an eye on what to expect in your mail box" and how to set it up if you happen to know? All correspondence comes to my attorney's address.

On 12/25/2020 at 10:36 AM, Demise said:

No, the I-485 approval notice is not acceptable proof for work or getting a DL, but if you have an EAD you can use that in the meantime.

Dear friends - Merry  Christmas!

Called USCIS 1800 number but they cannot tell me on the status of my I-485 / green card. They say its confidential. Is it because of Vawa? They told me to reach out to Vermont office. When I called Vermont I believe voicemail said that line is only open for attorneys. Did anyone experienced this and what to do to find out on the status?

1 hour ago, Demise said:

No, the I-485 approval notice is not acceptable proof for work or getting a DL, but if you have an EAD you can use that in the meantime.

Thanks again. As a backup, I am still trying to set info pass appointment with USCIS which is a challenge. If C31 EAD expires and I still don't have the green card - will a stamp in my passport be good for DL renewal? I understood that it's good for work eligibility. How long is the stamp usually valid for (6 months or a year)?

On 12/18/2020 at 8:44 PM, Demise said:

From my personal experience it only takes like a week or two for them to print out and send out a card these days so I doubt you'll have a problem with not getting the green card before the c31 expires.

Thank you for the advice. 

Do you know if I can renew my driver's license with the I485 approval notice? Also, will the employer accept the I-485 approval notice as proof of work eligibility? My attorney said yes but I think he is wrong.

39 minutes ago, Demise said:

From my personal experience it only takes like a week or two for them to print out and send out a card these days so I doubt you'll have a problem with not getting the green card before the c31 expires.

Thanks, @Demise.  What might the reason for me to wait 2 months already? Understood that its just two weeks to print and ship....

1 hour ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

I can understand why your imagination is getting really creative but trust me you you'll definitely get it.. Not sure if the approval letter can substitute..but you can show it to them so they can understand your situation..you should also look into renewing the EAD before the Green Card arrives not sure why it's taking long to arrive. I also told you before to contact your congressman.👍

Thanks. I contacted both congressman and Senator. I have my c31 valid for a bit in 2021. But c09 expires in January. My renewal c09 was declined just this week. Did not see the notice yet but attorney told likely because i485 is approved. So yeah in limbo now and need to ensure I can work. You told me earlier tho that I c31 can be still good to use given its unexpired. 

22 hours ago, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

Yes under the same case number for I-485👍

Thank you again. Do you know if I485 approval  notice can be a substitute for actual green card if presented to employer? I don’t see it listed under I-9 list. Needing to find a solution to continue working while waiting for the card as my current EAD expires in January. 

On 12/16/2020 at 12:23 PM, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

I believe they are able to put a stamp on your passport at infopass I also think you're able to use your C31 EAD for now.

Thank you thank you. Do you know if green card update like “card production” or “card shipped” will be under same case number as I-485? Tracking it online but still say “case was approved” only. 

Friends..has anyone had an infopass appointment with USCIS? My I-485 is approved but still no green card. Current C9 EAD expires in a month and I need to continue working. Wanting to get a temporary stamp in my passport to show that i am a LPR .

Question is: at infopass appointment, can they put a temporary stamp in my passport to show that i am a LPR so i can continue working when my C9 EAD expires? Also, i have my another EAD (under C31) that will expire in March 2021. Is it allowed to use unexpired EAD even though the I-485 is approved but no actual green card received as an alternative to gain some time while waiting for the green card?

@sandranj @Stillwinning!!!😊 @Pinkrlion @Demise @TBoneTX @Villanelle

Just now, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

They're going to use the fingerprints on file you do not have to do any Biometrics at this time.. for me since I started the process in 2017 I haven't done any Biometrics till I got my green card 2020.💁

Oh got it thanks @Stillwinning!!!😊 seems like it’s their standard language?

by the way...I sent requests and filled privacy act forms with both congressman and Senator. No response from them since mid last week. Reasoning if you recall is that I still don’t have my plastic green card. Approval of i485 was 1.5 months ago.......

Dear Friends...received this for my EAD renewal which I applied for 5 months ago. Does it mean my biometric expired and I will need to go to ASC again? Technically it’s been more than 1.5 years since I did biometrics for Vawa package. 
 

Your Case Status: Initial Review 

As of December xx, 2020, fingerprints relating to your Form I765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, Receipt Number EACxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, have been applied to your case. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address. 

During this step, USCIS initiates the background checks of the applicant/petitioner and identifies issues that may need to be addressed either during an interview or by asking the applicant/petitioner to submit additional information or documentation. USCIS reviews the applicant's/petitioner's criminal history, determines if there are national security concerns that need to be addressed, and reviews the application/petition for fraud indicators. If you have filed an I-485, I-589, I-751, N-400, I-90, I-821, I-131 or I-765, you can expect to receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints and/or photographs taken. The timing of your appointment is determined by the number of applicants ahead of you that also need a biometric appointment. We try to schedule biometric appointments as quickly as possible and in most cases you will receive your appointment notice within 30 days of submitting your application. We will send your appointment notice approximately 14 days ahead of your scheduled appointment. It is important that you keep this appointment. If absolutely necessary, you can request that your appointment be rescheduled however, please be aware that rescheduling may delay the processing of your application. Please follow the instructions on your appointment notice if you need to reschedule. Occasionally, you may receive an appointment notice to appear at an Application Support Center to have your fingerprints taken when you have filed a form other than those listed above. In these situations, you may receive your appointment notice more than 30 days after submitting your application or petition. 

On 12/5/2020 at 2:59 PM, Stillwinning!!!😊 said:

Definitely reach out!👍

Thank you @Stillwinning!!!😊   Sent an email. Will see what they say. Do you know if I will still get my renewal EAD even though I-485 is approved now? No sign of green card receivable though. 

Friends - are these people in same situation as me? Have I-485 approval. It has been 45 days. No word on actual green card or welcome letter. Should I reach out to congressman for help? Call uscis?