AOS, EAD, AP confusion

[JedNik 5]

SO just in case anyone was as confused as we were when it came to the filing of all three AOS forms (k1) and such ....I'll try and summarize what we learned after talking to a 2tier lady at USCIS...

-I came to USA on a K1 visa.

-Married may 6/2013

-filed AOS on June 10. Didn't file the EAD or AP because I was in no hurry to work or leave the country. Fast forward 4-5 months...my grandpa is fairly sick, came close to dying.I have no GC, or anything.

We also didn't file the EAD and AP because there was a $370 fee for the AP and we didn't think that was necessary, my family could come visit me, and i'd be fine. We (stupidly) didn't take into account my grandpa suddenly getting sick (he was healthy before).
After calling USCIS and talking to 3 different people, three different days, this is what I learned!

-Part of the $1070 fee for AOS included the AP (the website made taht Very unclear) so we had already paid for it, and should have filed it. (oops)

-the USCIS website says that if you travel out of USA on an AP, that when you come back in you may have trouble at the border and it could be a hassle. According to the 2nd tier lady I talked to, there should be No problem whatsover. (Which makes sense)
-the AP and EAD are basically a temporary green card (so instead of them approving JUST GC's, they have to approve EAD+AP's...more work? I think so!)

So I filed the AP and EAD. The USCIS lady I talked to said I can write a cover letter requesting my paperwork to be expedited because of my sick grandpa. You also have to some how 'prove' your emergency case...so I got a letter written to my husband and I explaining the last week or 2 of my grandpa's health and time in the hospital. Hopefully it works.
All in all, I currently have no green card, no Advanced parole, and a dying grandpa back home in canada! I have filed for EAD and AP and with the AP written a cover letter requesting why I think I deserve my case to be expedited!
We have found that the USCIS website kind of contradicts what the USCIS 2nd tier people tell you when you call.
I was also told that I likely won't get my greencard until next year sometime. And that my local office is currently processing February 12, 2013 and i'm a June 10 filer 2013. SO that's a tad discouraging! I was hoping to get home by xmas but now that's looking doubtful! I absolutely CANNOT wait for my greencard so I am USCIS FREE FOR 2 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyways, hope this is a help to someone out there!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I suggest that no one rely on "the website" except to get the forms and instructions. All the pertinent information is in the form instructions, if you had read that it would have helped.

Glad you got it sorted out. Sorry about your grandpa.

[JedNik 5]

I suggest that no one rely on "the website" except to get the forms and instructions. All the pertinent information is in the form instructions, if you had read that it would have helped.

Glad you got it sorted out. Sorry about your grandpa.

Yes, I agree COMPLETELY! Use the website for forms and instructions, NOTHING else! Even the processing times seem a little outta-whack!

I am extremely thankful for VJ and the ability to ask the questions I need and the help I can get! I hope others can use this too.

Thanks!