Is EAD really optional?

[LionessDeon 2,060]

It can happen Lioness.. Darnell used to talk about that sort of thing in the SSN section of this forum. It should be happening less now that everything is electronic, but for whatever reason.. if you aren't in their database then they'll need a verification from the USCIS or you need to fix the record with the CBP... but I suspect this could have something to do with the SSA employee not knowing what they are doing. At any case it should be aggressively followed up and not allowed to just let slip by. This isn't a phone situation for the OP, this is a go in and demand some oversight sort of thing. Unfortunately it may be an additional problem now that the I-94 has been allowed to expire before rectifying.

You mean we actually had one thing in our process go correctly and smoothly! I'm impressed! lol

I hope the OP gets it resolved.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

It can happen Lioness.. Darnell used to talk about that sort of thing in the SSN section of this forum. It should be happening less now that everything is electronic, but for whatever reason.. if you aren't in their database then they'll need a verification from the USCIS or you need to fix the record with the CBP... but I suspect this could have something to do with the SSA employee not knowing what they are doing. At any case it should be aggressively followed up and not allowed to just let slip by. This isn't a phone situation for the OP, this is a go in and demand some oversight sort of thing. Unfortunately it may be an additional problem now that the I-94 has been allowed to expire before rectifying.

Now that I think about it, we did ALMOST have a hitch at the SSA office. When the woman, who was very knowledgeable about the K-1 process and over all the immigration process, was putting my husband (then fiance)'s name in, it was kicking back. After a few attempts, she realized that immigration had put his First and Middle name as JUST his first name, so it looked like this <FIRST MIDDLE> <NO MIDDLE> <LAST> in the system, versus <FIRST> <MIDDLE> <LAST>. So the correct way for his name wasn't popping into the SAVE system and wanting that verification, which she knew he was good due to having the passport and the I-94 with him (and again, she clearly had experience with this), so she just kept trying alternate combos of his name til SAVE came through with a YES.

If the person the OP dealt with, didn't want to try multiple names or to look further into it, they may have pushed in a name that wouldn't have hit, which may have been the cause for the hitch and why it was sent for verification.

May not be the case, but just an idea!

Edited August 15, 2016 by Ash.1101

[njs051914 52]

Really no need for the sarcasm, she wasn't aware that EAD was free and I am pretty sure she doesn't need to explain why her husband isn't working or their financial situation to you or anyone else. She asked a simple question and you jumped all over her.

I never thought I would see the day that you of all posters would look down on someone for jumping all over someone for asking a question. That's like your whole thing.

[Unidentified 2,930]

Since it's the 2nd time you have gotten hung up on what I've said today: there's an ignore function on this forum, use it and you won't have to see what I write.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

OP: Submit EAD now with the NOA1 from the I-485. While you're at it, also submit the I-131 which is for travel permission. They both are free, and you never know when he might need to travel suddenly. You won't be able to get a SSN for him until you get the EAD now. Good luck.