EAD (WorkPermit)

I have learned things in this forum, especially about expediting cases, and I'm really grateful for that. Now, I want to share my somewhat bizarre experience to not only give some insight but maybe some hints as well.

Priority date (as well as "Case was received" date) for my I-765, I-130, and I-485 is May 8th, 2018!
 
[2 points:
It took me about 2 months to complete my package all on my own, and so far have never received an RFE or stuff like that (I learned early on that its important to have a joint sponsor, and include his/her tax documents, as part of the petition by your USC spouse).
Also, I have been on F1 visa, and was under impression for a long time that I should get my EAD (in order to start my post-doctoral appointment) through OPT (and that's why I waited till May -- 90 days before my graduation). But it was too late when I realized you cant (and shouldnt) apply for OPT when you are applying for adjustment of status!]

Anyhow, I was very well hoping the processing time for c09-EAD is going to be still about 3 months, and not 4.5 and then 5 to 7 months as is the case now! So, as things started getting crazy in the administration, I had to think of expediting my case, BECAUSE I was supposed to start my appointment right on Aug. 8th (pretty steep timeline!). Here it goes:

After reading a lot of experiences here and in other forums and getting to know what to even say, I called USCIS for the first time ever on July 17th (not even over 75 days after pd). I was apparently lucky to talk with a nice guy (which later I realized he was SUPER nice comparing him with other reps!). When I started telling him my 'multi-dimensional' situation, he was like let me put these down in bullet points in your request file and tell me as many things as you can and want. I did of course explain my job offer, WHICH I HAD PUT IN MY ORIGINAL SUBMISSION, and that we have signed a new lease in the new state (where my new job is) and are going to move beginning of August. There have been a lot of housing and moving expenses incurred and we are out of saving. My wife has quit her job and wont find a job there, and so after going there for my job but with no EAD in hand we basically wont survive! I mentioned there are also some medical bills for me and my wife that need to taken care of. There is another personal medical condition which causes my wife not to work much but to need premium health insurance. Lastly, if I dont get to start my appointment I will likely lose the job and/or the project and the funding agency would be also financially jeopardized. He said he thinks these seem very convincing, and I should wait to hear a decision on that or if they require more actions (evidence, etc.)

After 2 days, on July 19th, I received an email saying "We received your request to expedite the decision on your application. Your case is currently under review. You will receive a decision or notice of further action shortly." (the egov.uscis.gov showed three consecutive messages about the completion of my expedite request). In almost all the expedite cases, we see USCIS mails a letter asking for evidence; that process with the fax not working can take up to 20 days overall. Nowhere in my mind could I ever imagine that email meant my expedite request was actually successful. Funny enough, I talked with reps several times after that and none of them ever said 'you're good'! Until I asked to take with a Tier 2 officer (thanks to this forum) and she said just shut up there is nothing to expedite any more! your case has gone under review and u just have to wait to hear about it! That was indeed good news but very surprising. Most likely it happened that way (taking only 2 days) because they already had my appointment letter and definitely because the first guy did his job perfectly (and so did I)!

As I was approaching August 1st I was getting frustrated because we were moving then -- thats the WORST feeling to move somewhere for a job, for which you need EAD but you dont have it yet!!! Thanks to this forum again, I had to try my last option. CONGRESSIONAL HELP.

Tried our congressman and senator's office. Sent them email (via contact us or similar place), and they mailed me a privacy release form to sign after a day. I included ALL the evidences (financial, medical, offer, housing, etc.) that I wanted to give USCIS (but never got the chance) with the form and sent them to the two offices. Congressman office fussed about it saying your address on package is different than your address in the form, which both are different than the place you are about to move to! COMPLICATED! But easy to understand: I put my mother in law address to USCIS because of a soon-to-come transition (and put the same address on the package I sent to these people because we were about to not receive in the mail in the previous place). But where my house was fell into their district at the moment, and that congressman could represent me. Well I never heard of them ever again. In contrast, SENATOR'S OFFICE SAVED ME!! A nice lady worked with me and after 5 days on Aug. 6 sent this to me:

"I received this interim response from USCIS over the weekend:
 
Thank you for your inquiry regarding this constituent's immigration matter. This case will be routed for expedited processing. Once this case is reviewed, your constituent will receive a decision or notice of further action. Due to the extremely high volume of expedite requests for this case type, there are numerous cases involving exigent or humanitarian issues already in the expedite queue, and we are unable to provide a specific timeframe for the expedited review. The strict enforcement of the expedite criteria means that all cases sent for expeditious handling are urgent, and we assure you that this case will be adjudicated as soon as possible.

So it's been submitted for expedite review. I will continue to check on it and let you know when I have more info."

Aug. 8th came and the employers office did NOT allow me to go on campus and meet my advisor/office!! HR people treated me very harshly, yet the advisor expected to see me soon and he does not know anything about these legal stuff!!! I missed the first 3 days of work the same way. Friday, Aug. 10th came; I was super super wrecked and about to cry -- Fridays are the worst 'cause you know nothing's gonna happen for 2 days! I called and talked with another Tier 2 officer and he told me it takes as much as the reviewing officer needs! and I have to continue to wait. I sent an email to Senator's office and explained how it is going with my employer, and being in the new state not doing anything is just not impossible. She said on 12:34 pm

"I spoke with the liaison. She is going to try to get it to an adjudicator today, but she could not promise anything.

She's going to call me back if it gets approved. Also, they are an hour behind us, so there is still time after I leave at 4:30. And it could till be approved over the weekend. So be sure to watch case status on line too.

I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything."

On 1:40 pm:

"NEW CARD IS BEING PRODUCED" !!!!!!!!!!!!

Now you can interpret this in any way you want! IT LITERALLY TOOK LESS THAN AN HOUR TO PULL PUT MY APPLICATION AND 'CHECK MARK' IT!!!!!!!!!!!

Without doing what I have did, I would have very well had to wait for about 4 months for my case to go under review and at least another month for a possible approval. I know having a job offer at the time of submission does not necessarily happen for everyone, and not everyone may have medical/health motives like us (you should be thankful though for not having those). BUT, still trying hard and trying EVERYTHING possible out there with perseverance is the key and the only hope we can hope. Hope my story could give some hints and insights. And I want to thank you all again for sharing your experiences here, without which I wouldn't have been able to even make the first move!