What did you do while you were waiting for the EAD?

[Ning 619]

I saw on other people AOS timelines that it takes about 2 months to get the EAD so I wanna know what you guys doing when you were waiting? I am pretty nervous about trying to get a job in the US because I do not have work experience here so I am trying to look for a job but I don't know if it is a waste of time because I cannot apply for a job right away anyway. I don't know what I should do when I am waiting. I am trying to find volunteer work to do to get expose to US experience and wonder what other people doing.

Lets just stay with facts. " I am trying to find volunteer work " for example. Work of any type is ILLEGAL. You then ask how other people what other people are doing. I hope they are following the laws. If they aren't they should not answer you not attempt to teach you how to avoid the laws. Why ask people if you know they broke the laws?

Wait a minute lady, I did not want other people here to teach me how to get around the laws. I asked because I want to know others' experience and it does not mean that I am going to do it. AND do you REALLY know that looking for a job is illegal? Taking a job is illegal. And there is nothing wrong with preparing myself to get a job so that I can accept it when I am legally allowed to. And again your comment isn't any useful. Andy and Pui suggest going to english class, I am not going to do that because my english is already advanced. I asked Cam54 how she did it, it does not mean that I am going to do it. Do you get it?

The point is I asked people experience with what they do to prepare themselves to get a job before they get the work permit. You chose to misinterpret my intention. After this clarification, I hope you understand it. But if you still do not understand it and do not have anything useful to contribute, you should shut up.

I still insist, people who like to criticize and are not willing to help should be ignored and told to go f themselves.

You see you are so advanced in your English for example that you don't realize you could be doing something positive like going to school. Of course you have this all figured out so no need to help. I wonder if you really understand that subject or any others?

How could you prepare for a job? Education has eluded you so far so you might want to work on that for a few years. You see with your attitude you have plenty of time.

Useful? Its depends on your ability to absorb the info you have. Density factor I suppose.

[Nissara 0]

songsang has been here almost 3 weeks now and has adjusted I believe quite well, she gets a little angry when I keep asking her if she is ok so I have stopped asking. Her "experience" has come by watching American television,crochet,e-mail and phone calls to family and friends,our travels around Chicago on my off days,thai restaurants,cooking together...we would never consider doing anything that could have a negative effect on our I-485-AOS package.Ning, as is her style,gave a direct and honest answer to the OP`s "vague" question, telling her to "go !#%& herself because you did not like her response was quite rude and unecessary. In our case,as we have a house in Thailand and spend (me) 2-3 months a year there,employment for songsang here would be hard. Having waited for the K-1 process(and ours wa s shorter than most,luckily),it would seem to us that waiting for EAD and I-131 approval would be a happy time,a time to relax in this long process.

Your comment made me smile and thanks for sharing.

[Ning 619]

Thanks Lainie B and Cam54. And for Cam54, that is nice that the company let you work before you get the work permit because I tried that too but when they know that I don't have a work permit, they dont even want to continue talking. How did you do that? do you have special skills or what?

Here we see the truth in your intentions.

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ". Now does that sound like you were just checking the job market for future reference?

Now do you get that ???

[Cam54 84]

Your ignorance is offensive . I'll try to be a bit more direct.

You want to operate in the shadows. You want people here to advise you about how to do what is illegal. You are already looking for jobs even after you have been told by the U S government you are NOT allowed to work yet. The exact reason you MUST have the EAD or a green card. You don't have either yet you want to know what you can do to get " U S experience ". And you want others to teach you how to get around the law. Anyone that performed any work did so illegally.

You say you are aware that the laws are enforced here in the USA. Then you ask how to circumvent those very laws. You are already doing just that. You are also asking members here on V J to break the rules of using this valuable web site by advising you on breaking those laws.

Actually, as you see in the real life case of someone that did this all by working hard and being smart while following the rules and laws, Andy and Pui. There are many of us that have been on this journey.

There are a few that just arrived with all the anger and answers that will serve to make the journey a confusing affair as we see in you case to date.

Stop breaking the laws to get what you want if you really understand you aren't in Thailand any longer. That's what I said to you.

calm down!

they weren't asking how to be illegal they were asking for advice on the best thing to do before EAD to ensure you get a job quickly once it arrives! My employer consulted her lawyer who said that as I wasn't taking an advertised position and was not receiving any money or benefits it was ok. especially because I wasn't filling a job vacancy, the job was created for me

[Ning 619]

calm down!

they weren't asking how to be illegal they were asking for advice on the best thing to do before EAD to ensure you get a job quickly once it arrives! My employer consulted her lawyer who said that as I wasn't taking an advertised position and was not receiving any money or benefits it was ok. especially because I wasn't filling a job vacancy, the job was created for me

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ". Now does that sound like you were just checking the job market for future reference?

Your employers shouldn't have given you a job if you weren't legally able to accept one. You shouldn't have taken a job if you understood the laws. The fact that the job was " created" for you is a great play on words but everyone knows what really happened. They didn't advertise the job because they had you there for free.

[Cam54 84]

Here we see the truth in your intentions.

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ". Now does that sound like you were just checking the job market for future reference?

Now do you get that ??

They were trying to work somewhere as a volunteer Ning, that's all they saying

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ". Now does that sound like you were just checking the job market for future reference?

Your employers shouldn't have given you a job if you weren't legally able to accept one. You shouldn't have taken a job if you understood the laws. The fact that the job was " created" for you is a great play on words but everyone knows what really happened. They didn't advertise the job because they had you there for free.

Please get off your high horse, its not like I did anything shady, lawyers ok'd it so why would I turn it down knowing it got me a foot in the door!.

Its no different to volunteering at an animal shelter or care home that also keep staff

[Ning 619]

They were trying to work somewhere as a volunteer Ning, that's all they saying

Please get off your high horse, its not like I did anything shady, lawyers ok'd it so why would I turn it down knowing it got me a foot in the door!.

Its no different to volunteering at an animal shelter or care home that also keep staff

I understand you and this other person want to believe people can work as volunteers. People can not work as immigrants until they have the proper approval. That is exactly why you had to wait to take the very job that was created for you. Or at least get paid for it. Simply because you still remain ignorant of the law.

Why would you turn it down? You wouldn't because you helped manufacture the situation.

Shady? Of course what you did is " shady ". That's why they had to check with a lawyer before they went ahead. Why did you call up USCIS and ask them? No you took the info you wanted to hear that suited a mutual need. Why didn't they just sign you up with payroll? Because you couldn't produce the docs and they weren't going to take a chance they would get caught using you. You worked for free because you wanted to have a job. Get real.

[Andy and Pui 16]

Andy and Pui suggest going to english class, I am not going to do that because my english is already advanced.

I think sometimes Pui thinks her English is not good and does not have a lot of confidence in herself in her English. Her English is better then she gives herself credit for. She translated her own birth certificate for the AOS and when the AOS was pending she translated her brother's death certificate so she could get emergancy AP so she could go back home to her brother's funeral.

One of the reasons for her going to ESL classes was to get out of the house to do something. With all the time sitting around the house it just gives you time to think about "why can't I be working" or "why can't I do this until I get my EAD or green card". You have to give yourself something to do. In its own way it is a humbling experience not being able to work and being dependant on other people for everything. This is all part of the adjusting to your new home and life in the US. Sit back enjoy yourself because it sounds like the second you get your EAD card you will be working.

It is not easy being able to do a lot of stuff you had in Thailand and espically if you lived in Bangkok. There most everything you need very close or easy tranportation as they have in Bangkok. One thing to be doing is studying for your state's permit test so once you get the EAD or green card you can take the permit test depending on the state you live in. Here in my state you have to schedule your drivers test 2 - 3 months in advance because there is that much of a backlog so you migh want to check and see if your state has anything like that as well.

[Nissara 0]

Hi Ning, this is Nissara's husband (a natural born US citizen). Most of your comments are not even worth trying to respond to, because as others already said, there was no attempt on anyone's part to "operate in the shadows". There is one this I do want to say however: Are you a lawyer? I suspect you are not, and if not you really have absolutely no reason or credibility to be questioning the legal opinion of a lawyer. It also seems like you do not have a good understanding of the US legal system. The opinion of lawyers is essential for shaping our law. Law are created, then adapted, shaped, and clarified through litigation. The understanding of laws is advanced by lawyers who have studied the law and present their understanding of it. This is part of the long tradition of Common Law that we inherited from the United Kingdom.

Andy and Pui: Thanks for your great advice. I have seen my wife occationally fall into the mindset you are describing, and it isn't helpful. You guys clearly understand the experience she is going through. Thanks again.

[Ning 619]

Hi Ning, this is Nissara's husband (a natural born US citizen). Most of your comments are not even worth trying to respond to, because as others already said, there was no attempt on anyone's part to "operate in the shadows". There is one this I do want to say however: Are you a lawyer? I suspect you are not, and if not you really have absolutely no reason or credibility to be questioning the legal opinion of a lawyer. It also seems like you do not have a good understanding of the US legal system. The opinion of lawyers is essential for shaping our law. Law are created, then adapted, shaped, and clarified through litigation. The understanding of laws is advanced by lawyers who have studied the law and present their understanding of it. This is part of the long tradition of Common Law that we inherited from the United Kingdom.

Andy and Pui: Thanks for your great advice. I have seen my wife occationally fall into the mindset you are describing, and it isn't helpful. You guys clearly understand the experience she is going through. Thanks again.

My understanding of the legal system here is good enough for me to have become a U S citizen. It was also clear enough to allow me to understand I couldn't go to work until I had a legal method to do so. Your wife has already tried to circumvent the laws as she has said here on V J. She then wants to believe the member that took a job illegally because one of these lawyers you think are the experts said they could get away with it. Why hasn't she contacted USCIS or better yet why haven't you?

I also understand that these lawyers you think shaped the laws fight in court for their clients. We see great lawyers work on the mafia type cases ect. They kept Gotti out of prison for years for example; during which he continued to kill ect. Don't try to sell the virtues of lawyers to me. You didn't use one did you? Why not? What about that long tradition?

Since you and your wife are interested in the foundation of our laws why not simply learn the law and follow it? This would have to include a clear understanding of the fact that under those laws immigrants can not work illegally. A job as a volunteer is still a job in the opinion of the lawyers at USCIS. Call them yourself. Talk to a lawyer that isn't being paid to tell you what you want to hear.

Here for example is a direct quote from the person you say isn't trying to operate in the shadows. She has been applying for jobs without the legal ability to do so.

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ".

[Avery Cates 1,141]

They were trying to work somewhere as a volunteer Ning, that's all they saying

Volunteer work is done for non-profit organizations, not a job.

Employees cannot waive their legal right to get paid for the work that they do. A job doesn't have to be "advertised" for it to be considered work, nor does the position have to have been in place previously. Working illegally is working illegally. A "working interview" is still working and must be compensated.

[Ning 619]

Hi Ning, this is Nissara's husband (a natural born US citizen). Most of your comments are not even worth trying to respond to, because as others already said, there was no attempt on anyone's part to "operate in the shadows". There is one this I do want to say however: Are you a lawyer? I suspect you are not, and if not you really have absolutely no reason or credibility to be questioning the legal opinion of a lawyer. It also seems like you do not have a good understanding of the US legal system. The opinion of lawyers is essential for shaping our law. Law are created, then adapted, shaped, and clarified through litigation. The understanding of laws is advanced by lawyers who have studied the law and present their understanding of it. This is part of the long tradition of Common Law that we inherited from the United Kingdom.

Andy and Pui: Thanks for your great advice. I have seen my wife occationally fall into the mindset you are describing, and it isn't helpful. You guys clearly understand the experience she is going through. Thanks again.

Here is some legal info from Duke University site. Find volunteer activities. Begin with # 5 . Then come back and explain about what the lawyer did in one case that you want to site. Remember these lawyers are following that long tradition.

" From the DHS perspective, if the alien is providing a service normally provided by a paid employee, then the activity is work and the alien is receiving the " compensation " of valuable training or experience and / or the "compensation" of possible future paid employment. It does not matter that no money changed hands at the time the work was being done. Being paid or compensated in the future, does not change the fact that one is performing real work in the present. For example, you can not serve as a lab technician while waiting for work permission that will permit you to do the same or similar work for pay ( Cam 54 ) . In that case DHS sees the current " volunteer " activity as work that is " holding " a position for the future and is therefore compensating or " paying " you with the reward of a future job".

Your wife can not volunteer to escape the laws you speak of just because Cam 54 did so with the permission of an poorly informed but paid lawyer.

[Nissara 0]

Lets just stay with facts. " I am trying to find volunteer work " for example. Work of any type is ILLEGAL. You then ask how other people what other people are doing. I hope they are following the laws. If they aren't they should not answer you not attempt to teach you how to avoid the laws. Why ask people if you know they broke the laws?

You see you are so advanced in your English for example that you don't realize you could be doing something positive like going to school. Of course you have this all figured out so no need to help. I wonder if you really understand that subject or any others?

How could you prepare for a job? Education has eluded you so far so you might want to work on that for a few years. You see with your attitude you have plenty of time.

Useful? Its depends on your ability to absorb the info you have. Density factor I suppose.

I said " I am trying to find volunteer work to do" For example, if my neighbors put a sign inviting people to go clean the park near our houses together and then I go. Is there anything wrong with this kind of volunteer? And about the education that you are saying, I do not have anything to say to that because it is irrelevant, it is my right to do or not doing anything ( I hope a US citizen like you probably understand the concept of right) and it is a waste of time to respond that to a person like you.

Here we see the truth in your intentions.

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ". Now does that sound like you were just checking the job market for future reference?

Now do you get that ???

" I tried that too but when they know I don't have work permit, they don't even want to continue talking ". Now does that sound like you were just checking the job market for future reference?

Your employers shouldn't have given you a job if you weren't legally able to accept one. You shouldn't have taken a job if you understood the laws. The fact that the job was " created" for you is a great play on words but everyone knows what really happened. They didn't advertise the job because they had you there for free.

Looks like you try to use that sentence to attack me. " I tried that too but when they know that I do not have a work permit, they do not even want to continue talking." Were you there Ning? Do you actually know what I tried? How can you use this sentence to attack me when you do not even know what I tried, with whom I tried? And I want to ask you what is wrong with checking the job market for future reference. I went to ask if I can do volunteer work and they said no, the end. I did not perform any work. I did not get any possible compensation. And it is barely an interviewing for job, it is more like a talk. Is it illegal to go talk to someone asking them if I can do volunteer work for them?

Again Ning, your comment isn't helpful at all and I want you to stop commenting on my topic because you are not willing to help but ... I don't even know what your point is, since the first place. If you want to show off that you are an expert about immigration laws in part of working, you can do it some other place, not in my topic because it is not what I am asking for.

[Ning 619]

I said " I am trying to find volunteer work to do" For example, if my neighbors put a sign inviting people to go clean the park near our houses together and then I go. Is there anything wrong with this kind of volunteer? And about the education that you are saying, I do not have anything to say to that because it is irrelevant, it is my right to do or not doing anything ( I hope a US citizen like you probably understand the concept of right) and it is a waste of time to respond that to a person like you.

Looks like you try to use that sentence to attack me. " I tried that too but when they know that I do not have a work permit, they do not even want to continue talking." Were you there Ning? Do you actually know what I tried? How can you use this sentence to attack me when you do not even know what I tried, with whom I tried? And I want to ask you what is wrong with checking the job market for future reference. I went to ask if I can do volunteer work and they said no, the end. I did not perform any work. I did not get any possible compensation. And it is barely an interviewing for job, it is more like a talk. Is it illegal to go talk to someone asking them if I can do volunteer work for them?

Again Ning, your comment isn't helpful at all and I want you to stop commenting on my topic because you are not willing to help but ... I don't even know what your point is, since the first place. If you want to show off that you are an expert about immigration laws in part of working, you can do it some other place, not in my topic because it is not what I am asking for.

You posted questions in a public forum therefore the public will respond.

You do not have a " right " to do anything you want. I certainly understand my rights under the U S Constitution and the laws of our country.

Do I know what you tried to do? All I know is what you said you did in your sentence. " When they know I do not have work permit they do not even want to continue talking". You tried to apply for jobs but were turned away when they realized you weren't able to supply the LEGAL documents required. You were trying to interview for a job.

I understand you didn't work. They didn't want you or you would have done it. You still don't see what you attempted to do was wrong and illegal.

You still ask if its illegal to ask companies if you can do volunteer " work " for them. Yes it is illegal. Read the info from Duke again.

The basic concept here on V J is to gather info for many people to review that may help them in their case. This is why these posts are important. Your situation can serve to keep others from making these same mistakes as you have made.

Edited May 18, 2014 by Ning

[lil2be 11]

I would recommend you to look into training courses such CNA, vet tech, ESL or cooking.

With Degrees from Thailand, it really is useless. I obtained a master from Kasetsaft university but it is NOT good enough for employer here. I went for an interview once as a graphic designer. The employer told me "I am afraid that your English is not good enough to communicate with our clients." So I decided to go back to school and I received my license as LPN and soon to be RN. So communicating wise, I am proficiency enough to talk to doctors, other nurses and patients. With U.S. College certificate and degree, it is so easy for me to get a job.

My point is if you want to get a job that requires skills, your English will have to be in proficiency level and you have some kinds of U.S. Education background. Otherwise, I know many of my friends work as cashiers at Walmart or wait at Thai restaurant.

All in all, while you are waiting for your EAD, prepare yourself-- English as professional communication, not just everyday use, skillful career training if you want to get a better job than being a labor job. Don't get me wrong, I wait tables to support myself for years. My goal is not ending up in the kitchen. So anyway, good luck with your decision.