April 2013 Filers

[woods15 1]

Got my tracking number for EAD card!

Goodbar... SO happy for you that you have some movement! We will all get there!

[discoverusa 258]

Wow,looks like my case is taking so long, its been in testing and interview for 29 days now and no date no nothing..

for you guys who called uscis,whats the best time to call and talk to someone to know whats going on ? and how to do it?

one more thing,How many of you guys have an immigration attorney ? any idea how much they charge to be with you during the interview ?

Mine has been in 'testing and interview' for exactly 3 weeks. I am freaking out a little. I think I'm gonna call today.

[kiwivisa 8]

My EAD card status was updated to production last night. Things are moving along.

My L1 work visa expires on the 16th June, so its timely. I'm going with the assumption that its fine to keep working once the card has been approved despite it not being in my hands yet.

Edited June 12, 2013 by kiwivisa

[imjustagirl 0]

one more thing,How many of you guys have an immigration attorney ? any idea how much they charge to be with you during the interview ?

We talked to a lawyer. It was really weird. I had a feeling he did not know what he was doing. And the list he gave us we will need was nothing what I sent with my AOS package. I sent like 3x more papers to USCIS.

He wanted 3000$ + 100 $/h if he needs to do any extra work. But our interview is like 1.5 h from his office so he wanted only 300$ for driving there... + the waiting and interview time.

And he told me I'm in lot of trouble because I overstayed my VWP and without him I will be denied.

One more thing. I had filled forms (I-485, I-765, I-864, G-325a) with me and he had never seen these before. He said it's very interesting for him.

Edited June 12, 2013 by imjustagirl

[Dot and Nat 0]

And for the record, calling and bitching to level 2 consumer service seems to work :-)

can you give me the number to call for that L2 customer service? pleaseeeeeeeeeee

[discoverusa 258]

We talked to a lawyer. It was really weird. I had a feeling he did not know what he was doing. And the list he gave us we will need was nothing what I sent with my AOS package. I sent like 3x more papers to USCIS.

He wanted 3000$ + 100 $/h if he needs to do any extra work. But our interview is like 1.5 h from his office so he wanted only 300$ for driving there... + the waiting and interview time.

And he told me I'm in lot of trouble because I overstayed my VWP and without him I will be denied.

It seems like the lawyers do that a lot. I mean use scare tactics to make you hire them. I would say that lots of cases can be processed without a lawyer. If you can read and understand English, you can file your own forms just by reading instructions and doing tons of research. That's what I did and got no RFE. Also there are plenty of web resources where you can ask questions (avvo.com).

I don't like the lawyers tone sometimes. They try to make you look clueless and scare you into thinking that you need them. Some cases truly need a lawyer, like with deportations and different waivers. My advice is: do your homework and TONS of research. You are the one who knows the most about your own case/situation.

Edited June 12, 2013 by discoverusa

[Bullan 0]

Unclear but my EAD confirmation date just changed to 12th of June, before it was 7th. I've heard that they sometimes do that but what to expect? When do I get a tracking number?

Ayy.... so worried.

[Dot and Nat 0]

I am trying to call the USCIS and check my case status on the phone but i dont know how i can press my receipt on my phone when i was ask to press in my receipt number and that is bcos i dont know how to press the MSC on it.. can you please help me and tell and i need a number to call the L2 customer service number to call so that i can talk to customer service L2 directly .. Thanks

[discoverusa 258]

I am trying to call the USCIS and check my case status on the phone but i dont know how i can press my receipt on my phone when i was ask to press in my receipt number and that is bcos i dont know how to press the MSC on it.. can you please help me and tell and i need a number to call the L2 customer service number to call so that i can talk to customer service L2 directly .. Thanks

You have to press the corresponding letters under the number so for MSC you will press 672 and then the numbers.

[CarlaDave 27]

There isn't a direct line to Tier 2 reps (I wish!). You have to request to speak to one. The reason most people ask for T2 is because the person you will first speak to on the phone only has access to general information. They can't see the specific screens that contain the information you need.

Yay on everyone's EAD movement. I haven't even checked our statuses yet this morning.

[kiwivisa 8]

Unclear but my EAD confirmation date just changed to 12th of June, before it was 7th. I've heard that they sometimes do that but what to expect? When do I get a tracking number?

Ayy.... so worried.

It seems that this is fairly normal. I've read online that other people have seen theirs go from card production to post decision activity then shipped then USPS tracking number.

Regarding the lawyers, I agree completely. They are a business, and they need to drum up sales like any business. There is a lot of misinformation online, also a lot of conjecture based on out of date information. If you have a simple case then tis unlikely you will need them.

I will say though, if I was applying for a visa in a country where I didnt speak the language well, I would consider getting a lawyer. Following the long and exhaustive instructions accurately if they were written in a language other than English would be very challenging I think. Heck, I read and reread the instructions for the USCIS maybe 30 times!!

[CiaoBella23 0]

It seems like the lawyers do that a lot. I mean use scare tactics to make you hire them. I would say that lots of cases can be processed without a lawyer. If you can read and understand English, you can file your own forms just by reading instructions and doing tons of research. That's what I did and got no RFE. Also there are plenty of web resources where you can ask questions (avvo.com).

I don't like the lawyers tone sometimes. They try to make you look clueless and scare you into thinking that you need them. Some cases truly need a lawyer, like with deportations and different waivers. My advice is: do your homework and TONS of research. You are the one who knows the most about your own case/situation.

I know three close friends who got bullied into paying between $4,000 and $15,000 for a lawyers help in filing AOS... All very basic, straightforward cases. I had four different lawyers tell me id never get through the AOS process on my own. ... And yet with the help of visa journey and various online forums, from filing date to green card approval was 63 days. Lawyers just like to scare us, otherwise they don't have business!!

Unclear but my EAD confirmation date just changed to 12th of June, before it was 7th. I've heard that they sometimes do that but what to expect? When do I get a tracking number?

Ayy.... so worried.

Mine too!! Exact dates. I got my notification 12:45 pm Friday the 7th that my EAD was in card production, then got a 2nd notification of the same thing at 6:35 am this morning the 12th. Hope it all comes soon...

[Bullan 0]

Gaah so infuriating but hope we get them soon. I need my AP before monday evening... So close... Argh!!

[Ty Webb 0]

Unclear but my EAD confirmation date just changed to 12th of June, before it was 7th. I've heard that they sometimes do that but what to expect? When do I get a tracking number?

Ayy.... so worried.

Yeah. They have sent me four emails so far about the EAD. First one on the 5th, the last yesterday with the tracking number.

[mtkou8c 0]

Thank you all for your answers about immigration lawyers.

Is there a reason why you want a lawyer? as a matter of fact there is no reason right now, I did all the paperwork, just wanted to get an idea how much they charge, in case something goes wrong