February 2018 submission- i-130, i-485, i-765 - concurrent filing

[Hluu67]

USCIS just rejected my expedite request for the EAD. They claim that my case is not severe enough. I did submit my job offer. Should I try again?

I requested expidite for my Ead too but they say my case is still in normal processing time so they dont?t accept the expidite. I still have to wait (( it is 105 days.

[xnot]

Hey guys,

I had my green card interview yesterday and I wanted to share my experience. I live in Chicago and went to the Chicago Field office. Waited for about 20 minutes until the fire alarm went off and everyone had to leave the building. We got back in about 20 minutes later. Was called in for the interview about 2 hours after we had initially arrived. We had a brand new IO, and in the room was another IO who was observing. The IO asked for our birth certificates, ID's, passports, etc. Then he proceeded to ask me (applicant) questions about I-485. What's your full name? Where were you born? What's your current address? When last did you enter the country? How did you come to the country? What's my current job? What's my father's name? And then he went on to ask me the Yes/No questions on the I-485. He then asked my husband questions on his I-130. Where was he born? What does he do? What's his address? Do we have recent tax returns? (We had filed jointly for the first time this year). He then asked about his mother who was the joint sponsor. Then he asked for any other supporting evidence. And finally asked how we met and who proposed. We then chatted about people submitting outdated medical forms, and he said that our file looked pretty good, and that a decision will be made at the end of this week. Both officers then explained that I had to keep an eye out for when my GC would expire because I need to apply for a new one 90 days before it expires. They made it seem like everything was good and that we should get approved soon. Fingers crossed we have a decision by Friday. I'm an F-1 student and my OPT expires on June 14th so I really hope that I will have it before then. Oh! I also asked about the EAD and the observing officer said that that office was running very behind and that things that take 2.5 are now taking 6 months and that I would get my GC before my EAD. I keep frantically checking my email and my case status online for a decision. Let's hope all goes well.

Thanks!

Best wishes, I hope all is well. There is light for you.

[MissTz1982]

USCIS just rejected my expedite request for the EAD. They claim that my case is not severe enough. I did submit my job offer. Should I try again?

Did you call them ask what they meant by your case not being severe enough? When is your PD?

[cpthk]

USCIS just rejected my expedite request for the EAD. They claim that my case is not severe enough. I did submit my job offer. Should I try again?

[MicaAshani]

You're on a roll! That's great. Yes, you can go ahead and enroll. Every college has their own requirements. Some are more strict than others regarding the residency for tuition purposes requirement. Generally, you can appeal being classified as non-resident for tuition purposes if you're the spouse of someone who has lived in that state for a year and 1 day and has filed taxes in that state, is registered to vote in that state. The criteria varies from school to school. Universities tend to be more strict than community colleges. If you're looking to enroll in a course or two, sure, you should be able to. Keep in mind that there are a lot of courses offered online that are free. You can find them on itunes. There are also programming courses on lynda.com

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/intro-programming/

https://medium.freecodecamp.org/600-...y-3d4b1ed473aa

Awesome ! Thank you again

[newgradgirl]

Hey guys,

I had my green card interview yesterday and I wanted to share my experience. I live in Chicago and went to the Chicago Field office. Waited for about 20 minutes until the fire alarm went off and everyone had to leave the building. We got back in about 20 minutes later. Was called in for the interview about 2 hours after we had initially arrived. We had a brand new IO, and in the room was another IO who was observing. The IO asked for our birth certificates, ID's, passports, etc. Then he proceeded to ask me (applicant) questions about I-485. What's your full name? Where were you born? What's your current address? When last did you enter the country? How did you come to the country? What's my current job? What's my father's name? And then he went on to ask me the Yes/No questions on the I-485. He then asked my husband questions on his I-130. Where was he born? What does he do? What's his address? Do we have recent tax returns? (We had filed jointly for the first time this year). He then asked about his mother who was the joint sponsor. Then he asked for any other supporting evidence. And finally asked how we met and who proposed. We then chatted about people submitting outdated medical forms, and he said that our file looked pretty good, and that a decision will be made at the end of this week. Both officers then explained that I had to keep an eye out for when my GC would expire because I need to apply for a new one 90 days before it expires. They made it seem like everything was good and that we should get approved soon. Fingers crossed we have a decision by Friday. I'm an F-1 student and my OPT expires on June 14th so I really hope that I will have it before then. Oh! I also asked about the EAD and the observing officer said that that office was running very behind and that things that take 2.5 are now taking 6 months and that I would get my GC before my EAD. I keep frantically checking my email and my case status online for a decision. Let's hope all goes well.

Thanks!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Do you guys know if we can enroll into college once we have a social and EAD. I know the EAD is for working purposes but can we further our education or wait for the Green Card interview.

You're on a roll! That's great. Yes, you can go ahead and enroll. Every college has their own requirements. Some are more strict than others regarding the residency for tuition purposes requirement. Generally, you can appeal being classified as non-resident for tuition purposes if you're the spouse of someone who has lived in that state for a year and 1 day and has filed taxes in that state, is registered to vote in that state. The criteria varies from school to school. Universities tend to be more strict than community colleges. If you're looking to enroll in a course or two, sure, you should be able to. Keep in mind that there are a lot of courses offered online that are free. You can find them on itunes. There are also programming courses on lynda.com

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/intro-programming/

https://medium.freecodecamp.org/600-free-online-programming-computer-science-courses-you-can-start-in-january-3d4b1ed473aa

[MicaAshani]

Do you guys know if we can enroll into college once we have a social and EAD. I know the EAD is for working purposes but can we further our education or wait for the Green Card interview.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Great thank you ! Quick question. My license in Jamaica expired in November, am I able to use those to get a license in the US? Without having to take the driver's test and online test?

I believe that there is no way to be exempt from taking the "knowledge/written" test and/or the "road skills test/practical". An international driver's license spares you from having to get a permit first, I think.
You should refer to your local DMVs website for answers to those questions.

- - - Updated - - -

Finally, this morning got a text on phone saying my AOS case had an update. On checking on the Egov.uscisv.gov, the status was set to "Interview was Scheduled" and that a notice with more detailed information would be sent in mail. Also, my remaining 3 cases still show the first initial "case was received" status. However, https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ case checker still has not updated.

Question - Can I call a level 2 officer to ask for the date of interview?

Congrats! Of course, you can call. However, spare yourself any frustration and just call at 8am and be the first one in line. If the interview date is already set, you may not need to speak to a level 2, actually. A level 1 can tell you. You could even try Emma.

[averma1988]

Day - 84 - Status updated to "Interview was Scheduled"

Finally, this morning got a text on phone saying my AOS case had an update. On checking on the Egov.uscisv.gov, the status was set to "Interview was Scheduled" and that a notice with more detailed information would be sent in mail. Also, my remaining 3 cases still show the first initial "case was received" status. However, https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/ case checker still has not updated.

Question - Can I call a level 2 officer to ask for the date of interview?

[aria347509]

My PD is 2/28. Yesterday my status changed to ? interview was scheduled? through Casetracker app. However my uscis account doesn?t change its status. Hope i will receive the letter soon. Filed office: Boston.

[jzgr24]

no, I asked that as well as my license from my home country is still valid, they told me at the BMV that i still need to do both exams even when I have an international drivers license as well

Great thank you ! Quick question. My license in Jamaica expired in November, am I able to use those to get a license in the US? Without having to take the driver's test and online test?

[MicaAshani]

Your first step is to get your driver's license. Credit bureaus use your social security and driver's license in order to verify your identity. You are able to get credit cards without a driver's license. However, reporting to the credit bureaus is not consistent.
Usually, your best bet is to get a card from the bank where you have your checking account. US bank is very generous with those who are just starting, actually.

I strongly recommend that you inform yourself about identity theft. Consider the information on this website. You can opt out of pre-screened credit card offers. These offers can make you vulnerable to identity theft. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/article...surance-offers

Consider getting a mailbox at the UPS store.

Great thank you ! Quick question. My license in Jamaica expired in November, am I able to use those to get a license in the US? Without having to take the driver's test and online test?

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

@Uscitizenfilingforspouse, I will like to know if I can I register for the AARP then add my wife who is a US citizen to it?

Hi there,

yes, the cost of your membership includes a membership for your spouse. I was pointing out something else though. The link directs you to the Advance health care directive forms specific to each US State. I did a google search and that link came up. I worked for AARP in their membership department and know the organization offer reliable information to seniors. So I figured I could trust the info there.

All the best.

[pyx]

In order to expedite the EAD, USCIS definitely responds better to requests that involve a pending job offer than to those that involve financial hardship. The rationale is that for marriage based cases you had to submit an affidavit of financial support. Therefore, they hear financial hardship and it ends there.
If your adjustment category is (c) 9 then it can be any job. It does not have to be your dream job. Literally - anything. Be mindful of the fact there?s always a chance that you?ll be asked about your job history at the interview. if you get the request approved and don?t take the job, then be ready to explain that you got a better offer etc.
Are you familiar with an Advanced Health Care directive? https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/fina...ce-directives/
I think that?s a document that would be very useful to you and your spouse in case something ever happened and either one of you were unable to make their own health care decisions. It costs 20 dollars. It?s a legally binding document and USCIS takes it very seriously as evidence of bona fide marriage.
Just my two cents.

@Uscitizenfilingforspouse, I will like to know if I can I register for the AARP then add my wife who is a US citizen to it?