Totally confused after interview

[qcmeetsnc 1]

Finally had my interview in Montreal this morning and was approved! That was the good news. However, just when I thought I had the entire AOS/EAD process figured out, the gentleman who did my interview gave me an answer that threw me for a loop.

I explained to him that I work in Canada for an American company and that after I received my EAD, I would be working for the same company, but in the US. Could I get the process expedited since I had to take a leave of absence? He said the process really wasn't that long, it really depended on how long it took till we got married. After we got the marriage certificate, all I had to do was file at the "local" USCIS office, which is in Charlotte for me. Really? I don't mail my documents to Chicago? No, he replied. Just go to the Charlotte office. I would then have my EAD in a couple of weeks.

Really? Can anyone please tell me if that information is true?

Thanks!

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

I cannot answer your question but - CONGRATS on your approval!

[SapphireDreams 71]

That doesn't sound right. Your EAD will likely take 60-90 days from when you send in your AOS so I'd plan for that.

You could try your local office, but likely they'll turn you away. (No harm in trying though).

[Canadiandggal 49]

sorry i cannot help, but grats on approval and why didnt I see you? or did i? lol

[slider100 8]

Okay, I really don't understand why I/O's would be so misinformed about the very Laws which they need to be good at. You are right, you need to send in your AOS package to the Chicago Lockbox and from there it will be either routed to NBC or CSC, based on the need for you guys to be interviewed. You DO NOT have to file at your local office.

You have to send your package to the Chicago Lockbox.

There is no way you will receive your EAD within 2 weeks, unless your expedite request is approved. (These requests are only approved if you can show financial hardship or a couple of other things).

The field office comes in to play if your application is forwarded to it in case you guys need to be interviewed or when you want to inquire about your case (in which case you go to your local field office after making an infopass appointment)

To sum it all up, I am sorry to say that the information you received at the Consulate was not right!

KnR aka slider100

[qcmeetsnc 1]

sorry i cannot help, but grats on approval and why didnt I see you? or did i? lol

Were you the one with the child? If you were there at the same time as the weird lady was, then we were there at the same time!!!

Congrats to you as well!

Okay, I really don't understand why I/O's would be so misinformed about the very Laws which they need to be good at. You are right, you need to send in your AOS package to the Chicago Lockbox and from there it will be either routed to NBC or CSC, based on the need for you guys to be interviewed. You DO NOT have to file at your local office.

You have to send your package to the Chicago Lockbox.

There is no way you will receive your EAD within 2 weeks, unless your expedite request is approved. (These requests are only approved if you can show financial hardship or a couple of other things).

The field office comes in to play if your application is forwarded to it in case you guys need to be interviewed or when you want to inquire about your case (in which case you go to your local field office after making an infopass appointment)

To sum it all up, I am sorry to say that the information you received at the Consulate was not right!

KnR aka slider100

Thanks for the quick reply and for confirming that I am not the one who was lost! I found it very hard to believe that I had been that misinformed. I actually had him repeat the information he gave me, and he did, looking annoyed that I didn't get it the first time!

Thanks again!

[slider100 8]

No problem, good luck with your POE, marriage and AOS!

Edited October 20, 2010 by slider100

[Canadiandggal 49]

I was and what weird lady? there was a weird lady?

Yes I was the one with the child running wild...oh such a headache.

Well congrats again!!

[birdnerd 5]

I was and what weird lady? there was a weird lady?

Yes I was the one with the child running wild...oh such a headache.

Well congrats again!!

Haha, I hope it's not me!

Edited October 20, 2010 by birdnerd

[joe_robin66 6]

Not everyone in the USCIS is aware of their own policies and procedures.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

There is definitely a disconnect between employees at the consulate level, employees at the local branch level, and adjudicators at the major processing centers. Neither one knows what the other does, and generally they have little understanding how the process works at the different branches. The problem is that they think they know everything, and confuse us all! This happens at the POE all the time. The CBP think they know immigration processes and procedures, but most of them really don't.

Congrats on the approval!!

Edited October 20, 2010 by Hugglebuggles

[Kathryn41 3,205]

That used to be true until a few years ago. When I was going through the AOS process (filed in 2004) is when it was changed. It is rather disconcerting that a current immigration department employee (DOS instead of USCIS, though) is unaware of changes that took place at least 5 years ago.

[Golden_State 2]

If only that were true! I've been waiting 2 months for my EAD, which seems about normal. Crazy that the guy you spoke with in Montreal gave you such bad advice. Another reason why VJ is so necessary!

[Flames9_RN 359]

One thing to remember, these Foreign Service workers at the consulate may be new! Typically they spend 2-4 yrs out of country (USA) then back to the USA and their jobs differ from consulate to consulate! Not an excuse, just saying!

[marlea 84]

Actually, the consulate and embassy employees are in a completely different agency from USCIS. The Embassies are part of the Department of State, and their goal is to reach out to the rest of the world. They have absolutely nothing to do with anything that happens here in the US. They only grant visas to come to the US. USCIS processes petitions and citizenship applications. They are looking at the backgrounds of people who want to come to the US. Their only concern is to make sure that the people who want to come here or stay here fit the regulations. The Department of Homeland Security (a third department) is the one that actually grants the ability to work in the US. These three agencies are VERY different and focus on different things. It's not surprising at all that a consular officer was incorrect about the EAD's. His responsibility is granting the visa, and nothing more. Once you are approved for a visa, the consular office has no idea what happens next, so EAD's, AP's, SSN's, those are out of the embassy's realm of expertise. (I know this as I was attempting to work for these government agencies at one time and have many friends who work in them.)

But congrats on your approval!