*** WRITING TO USCIS ***

[dirtyweebesom 8]

OK, so I know that everybody on here waiting for the EAD to arrive is probably broke and frustrated. I know that I certainly am - I would have had a teaching position in August if I hadn't had to drop out of my teaching program because I hadn't yet applied for AOS, and therefore couldn't work (didn't have the money at the time to apply).

At the moment, I'm busy applying to various other alterative teacher certification programs so that I will hopefully be able to find a teaching job in August 2010 and work towards getting certified. The only problem is that all the programs to which I've applied require applicants to be either US citizens or permanent residents. Of course, I'm not a permanent resident yet, but I said I was on the application because I hopefully will be by the time I'd start teaching next fall. Maybe that was presumptious of me, but, well, it's not like my husband and I are committing marriage fraud, so I see no reason why my green card wouldn't be approved by then.

Unfortunately, the interviews for most of these programs are coming up soon (one maybe even next week!) and I'm pretty sure that I need to provide proof of my immigration status/work authorization at the actual interview. Obviously I can't do that yet. If my application is rejected from these programs because of this I'd have to wait a whole year before I could apply again! I'm nearly thirty-two, so I'm not exactly getting any younger, and I really want and need to start my teaching career as soon as possible. Apart from that, my husband is a typically broke artist, and he's finding it very hard to support both of us. In fact, my landlady nearly threatened to throw us out our house earlier this year because we couldn't pay the rent on time once my OPT work permit ran out, and I couldn't work!

Last night I wrote a letter to my husband's congressman asking if he could possibly help speed things up for us. I'm not sure if that will help, but anything is worth a try. I would also like to write to USCIS and request that they expedite my work permit and also possibly my green card. I don't know where I should send the letter, however. The address on all of my NOA's is Lee's Summit, MO, so is this where I should send it? To whom should I address the letter? I'd like to address it to an actual living, breathing human being because I don't know who would ever receive and read it otherwise.

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. I know you're going to say that expedite requests don't work but, well, it would make me feel better to try!

PS/ I hope this post doesn't come across as if I expect special treatment from USCIS. Honestly, if I wasn't broke and desperate I would just sit and wait like the rest of you, but this is kind of urgent!

[dirtyweebesom 8]

Come on, I see you looking! Somebody must know something!

[Betti 1]

I do understand your situation, but must say that I do not think that a letter to your Congressman would do your application any good.

The process of AOS normally takes about 6 to 8 months and you have just sent off your application one month ago. You were done with your biometrics after 20 days, which is very fast.

As you know I am in Austin, too and had my greencard in under 3 months. It can't get any faster than that, even with the Congressman involved!

I really know how you feel, I was desperate to start working again, too. But I really think in your situation, patience is the key. Can your husband maybe get a second job while you are waiting for the EAD, just to make it a bit easier for both of you? Or do you have any furniture/valuables, that you might be able to sell on Craigslist?

I know you have set your mind on sending the letter and if you do, I hope it works out for you. I don't know where you would have to send this letter, but would probably take the address from the NOA's.

Good luck!

[dirtyweebesom 8]

Hi, Betti! Yes, you are probably right about sending a letter to the congressman, but it would really just make me feel better to send it, and to contact USCIS. If I don't get accepted to any of these programs because of my immigration status, I would always wonder "what if". At least this way I will be able to accept my fate more easily because I'll know I did everything I could.

Thanks for your advice!

[Starburst 4]

You'll prob hear something about your work permit by the end of this month ( I would assume)

It seems to be about a month or so after your bio. My application was processed from submission to interview approval

in 2.5 months which is INSANELY fast.

Just give it some time and wait it out. Everyone else has to, so do you

[FortLaudy 10]

I would suggest you go to all those interviews and take your NOA's along and say that you should receive your EAD in a matter of a week or two, you have nothing to lose by going to those interviews, maybe you'll secure a placement and by the time the program starts you'll have all your documents...

[dirtyweebesom 8]

It would seem that I got my knickers all in a twist over nothing (a not too uncommon occurence for me, unfortunately! ).

I just heard back from the first teaching program I applied to, and they do want to interview me but not until February 2nd! They were a bit iffy about giving me an interview at first (and they put my application on hold until I reassured them I'd have my work permit soon) but at least I got one! Unless something goes horribly wrong, I should have my EAD by the start of February. Here's hoping, anyway.

As for actually having the green card, they seemed more interested in seeing my EAD even though it stipulates very clearly on their website that you need to be a USC or LPR.

Thanks for all your advice, guys and gals. I'll just go back to waiting (not so) patiently.

PS/ Shani682...I see you got your biometrics appointment today in the mail. Congratulations!