JULY 2010 FILERS

[leash5 3]

I am getting worried because it seems that everyone's files get "touched" within a day or two of their biometrics, and none of mine have been touched since their initial receipt. Is this normal? I did biometrics on July 28th. No sign of activity.

Also, called my congressperson about my EAD. I haven't worked in 15 months and in the past two weeks have had to turn down two job offers because of not having any EAD! Very frustrating. They told me I'd basically have to be living in a shack with 5 children for them to help me out

[w8n4u 1]

Wow 2 job offers? I had to turn one down and it was basically a dream job. I feel for you. My Congressman Rep felt the same way as yours did at first, but I emailed him my job offer and then an email where I turned the job down, a near empty bank account statement and he got to work on it and he's really been helping me out. I say call your Congressman Rep again and stress why you need your EAD card expedited. I'm just waiting for my next job offer since I wont have to turn it down. Good luck

[w8n4u 1]

JULY 16: Filed AOS forms

JULY 19: Received by USCIS (DAY 3)

JULY 23: Received Emails and Text Meassages (DAY 7)

JULY 26: Received I-797 in mail (DAY 10)

JULY 26: I-485 Touched (DAY 10)

JULY 30: Asked Local Congressman Rep for help in expediting EAD Card (I just lost a pretty good job offer) (DAY 14)

AUG 3: I-130 Touched (DAY 18)

AUG 4: I-765 Touched (DAY 19)

AUG 9: Biometrics letter received (DAY 24)

AUG 10: Early Walk-in Biometrics done (DAY 25)

AUG 10: Congressman Rep informs me that my EAD Card is being processed (DAY 25)

AUG 11: EAD Card ordered for production (DAY 26)

AUG 11: I-485 Touched (DAY 26)

[Robert B 1]

Received my EAD card today!!! It's time for a little party!!! Now I just have to find a job

[leash5 3]

Wow 2 job offers? I had to turn one down and it was basically a dream job. I feel for you. My Congressman Rep felt the same way as yours did at first, but I emailed him my job offer and then an email where I turned the job down, a near empty bank account statement and he got to work on it and he's really been helping me out. I say call your Congressman Rep again and stress why you need your EAD card expedited. I'm just waiting for my next job offer since I wont have to turn it down. Good luck

Hmmmm... my job offers have been verbal. I started sending out job applications recently, hoping and hoping for the EAD, and being impatient to start working (BROKE!!!). So I've had two interviews and been offered both jobs. The congress person was adamant about not helping until after 90 days, but I will try for an email address, cannot find it so far-- Brooklyn. I think I am probably in a high immigration zone or something. I don't have high hopes for getting the EAD any time soon though, as no touches at all on my file. Very discouraged.

Congrats to you though!

[leash5 3]

Received my EAD card today!!! It's time for a little party!!! Now I just have to find a job

WOW! That was so fast, congrats! Did you take any extra steps to receive it so quickly, or just incredibly lucky?

[Krys & Nova 2]

I am getting worried because it seems that everyone's files get "touched" within a day or two of their biometrics, and none of mine have been touched since their initial receipt. Is this normal? I did biometrics on July 28th. No sign of activity.

Also, called my congressperson about my EAD. I haven't worked in 15 months and in the past two weeks have had to turn down two job offers because of not having any EAD! Very frustrating. They told me I'd basically have to be living in a shack with 5 children for them to help me out

Hey,

You can schedule an info-pass to make sure they have your prints. Bring your stamped bio letter with you.

You can always tell the congress mrep that you will be loosing your Canadian EI benefits if you do not receive your EAD soon.

As a canadian following your spouse to the US, you are entitled to EI, but in your case it may be too late

[leash5 3]

Hey,

You can schedule an info-pass to make sure they have your prints. Bring your stamped bio letter with you.

You can always tell the congress mrep that you will be loosing your Canadian EI benefits if you do not receive your EAD soon.

As a canadian following your spouse to the US, you are entitled to EI, but in your case it may be too late

Hmmm... I looked under info-pass and I didn't see that as a reason for being allowed to make an appointment. I definitely need to spend time on the phone with every person possible on Monday to work this out though. I can't believe it, I just got an email from an old co-worker offering me the PERFECT job, starting Sept. 13th and if I don't have an EAD by then I'll...

[hellomms 16]

Hmmm... I looked under info-pass and I didn't see that as a reason for being allowed to make an appointment. I definitely need to spend time on the phone with every person possible on Monday to work this out though. I can't believe it, I just got an email from an old co-worker offering me the PERFECT job, starting Sept. 13th and if I don't have an EAD by then I'll...

This may not be of any help ... but I had similar issues when I applied for OPT back in the day, I was initially told by my employer that I need to have EAD card with me the first day and luckily I got it the night before my first day. However, on the first day while filling out I-9 form (which determines whether you are allowed to work or not) I read the instruction that employers need to have the employment authorization card/evidence within the first 30 days. Later our HR confirmed that ... on-boarding people at the company were (usually are) just being #######.

That said, I knew through online status that my EAD was approved (as of certain date) and I was officially authorized to work even if I did not have the card with me.

[leash5 3]

This may not be of any help ... but I had similar issues when I applied for OPT back in the day, I was initially told by my employer that I need to have EAD card with me the first day and luckily I got it the night before my first day. However, on the first day while filling out I-9 form (which determines whether you are allowed to work or not) I read the instruction that employers need to have the employment authorization card/evidence within the first 30 days. Later our HR confirmed that ... on-boarding people at the company were (usually are) just being #######.

That said, I knew through online status that my EAD was approved (as of certain date) and I was officially authorized to work even if I did not have the card with me.

I had no idea about the 30 days, that may be helpful-- that would put me past the 90 day mark since filing.

I am so worried about this!! I accepted the job, hoping I will receive the card on time, but of course, if it looks like I won't, I will have to decline with enough time for them to find someone else. I was offered the job through a reference from a previous employer, and I do not want anyone to be angry with me!

The biggest problem is that they now want me to come in for one day of training THIS week, and to fill out the forms then. Even though I wouldn't be back again until the 13th of Sept.

I have called USCIS with a request to expedite, likely useless. And today I also faxed my congressperson with a detailed chart of how short we are falling financially, along with bank balances etc and a request to forward this info to the USCIS.

Sigh... very frustrated! This is sincerely the best job offer I have ever received and I just can't imagine another one coming along. It will be so unfortunate if I get the EAD just days after when I could have started.

[leash5 3]

I also called USCIS and asked about whether it means anything if your files have been "touched" or not. No one has touched my file since it was initially entered into the system, even though I have done biometrics. My agent claimed it meant nothing at all, in fact, she had no idea what I was talking about and said the date meant nothing, only a change in status means anything, and it will sometimes even skip a step. So who knows.

[hellomms 16]

The biggest problem is that they now want me to come in for one day of training THIS week, and to fill out the forms then. Even though I wouldn't be back again until the 13th of Sept.

That is somewhat of a problem, September 13 is far and most likely you will have something by then. But I would not worry about it too much as long as its just ONE day. They may not ask you to fill the form that particular day, might just give you to take with you and bring back on your first day. If they ask you to fill I-9, just tell them you can get back to them with the related documents (dont mention the 'in-process' part unless you really have to) within 2 weeks. If they persist then inform that you are awaiting final approval of EAD and have reached out to the Congressional rep. for rush processing (USCIS is required to respond to congressional office by law).

Companies usually dont let you work for free and is probably why might want you to fill I-9, so they could pay you for that one day training but I dont think one day would be a deal breaker.

EDIT: From what I have read here on VJ, 'touches' dont really mean much. There are people who got their GC and were never even able to find their case online. It doesnt mean anything I think.

Edited August 17, 2010 by M + M

[hellomms 16]

I also called USCIS and asked about whether it means anything if your files have been "touched" or not. No one has touched my file since it was initially entered into the system, even though I have done biometrics. My agent claimed it meant nothing at all, in fact, she had no idea what I was talking about and said the date meant nothing, only a change in status means anything, and it will sometimes even skip a step. So who knows.

I would push the congressperson's office, everyday till you hear back from them Dont think you have anything to lose. Send them the emails you got for training and Sept 13

[leash5 3]

That is somewhat of a problem, September 13 is far and most likely you will have something by then. But I would not worry about it too much as long as its just ONE day. They may not ask you to fill the form that particular day, might just give you to take with you and bring back on your first day. If they ask you to fill I-9, just tell them you can get back to them with the related documents (dont mention the 'in-process' part unless you really have to) within 2 weeks. If they persist then inform that you are awaiting final approval of EAD and have reached out to the Congressional rep. for rush processing (USCIS is required to respond to congressional office by law).

Companies usually dont let you work for free and is probably why might want you to fill I-9, so they could pay you for that one day training but I dont think one day would be a deal breaker.

EDIT: From what I have read here on VJ, 'touches' dont really mean much. There are people who got their GC and were never even able to find their case online. It doesnt mean anything I think.

THANK YOU for being so helpful! I am really in a panic, must be obvious! yes, they did say they wanted to pay me for my training time, which is likely why the i-9. In the past, most employers have had me fill it out on the spot, but maybe i can manage to work around it and ask to bring it back my first day. i just do not want to do anything that ends up upsetting the people that gave me the reference to get the job.

i don't even really have ID to get into the building, come ot think of it. My passport is being renewed. Yikes! This whole process is not going smoothly!!

But again, thank you.

[leash5 3]

I would push the congressperson's office, everyday till you hear back from them Dont think you have anything to lose. Send them the emails you got for training and Sept 13

I think I will try to get up the guts to go in in person tomorrow!