EAD + AP Jan '17 filing... Asking for Help

[bowiebowdog 0]

Hello everyone, 

I'm reaching out again because this has been the most helpful and important space during this whole process.

 

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who filed to Chicago late Jan this year, and where you are in the process? I arrived in the US with a J1 visa, and am filing AOS through marriage. 

 

I concurrently filed I-130, I-485 + I-765  (received Jan 25th) and I-131 (received Feb 28th) and have updates on My Case saying the I-485 ready to be scheduled for an interview ( as of April 13th - still no interview date but that's to be expected)

 

On July 18th I received in the mail NOA for both I-765 + I-131 ( 174 days! ) There has been no update on My Case for either of these, they both still say "On ___ we received ___ etc)

 

I have plans to meet up with my mother who will be travelling from Australia to London (where my little brother has been living for the past 2 years) and for my family to meet my wife. We are due to fly out Aug 10th and I am in a PANIC that my physical card will not arrive in time. Does anyone else here have similar dates to me? Do you have any updates on My Case? Did you get your card without there being updates on My Case? Have you received your card? How long did it take from the letter of approval to having the physical card in hand? 

 

I know there are people who are in much worse situations than myself. But not being able to work for the last 6 months and being financially dependant on my spouse (I have never been financially dependant on anyone since leaving home) has taken a huge toll on my mental health and self-worth. To now be in a situation where I might miss out on seeing my family, and losing thousands of dollars is tipping me over the edge. 

 

I have called USCIS (twice, the first time was around the 100 day mark, and once again two days after receiving the NOA's) And she put in a SR (which takes 15 days for a response which is basically moot)

Should I keep calling and asking for updates or will that be fruitless/ make things worse?

Should I visit my local congressman, or is that useless at this point? (I also didn't know this was an option/ don't know if its an option for my circumstances)

 

Any information you have, and words of comfort etc - are so needed at this point. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm worrying myself sick over this. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this long winded and desperate post

 

Sara

 

 

 

[Bzlibem 111]

6 minutes ago, bowiebowdog said:

Hello everyone, 

I'm reaching out again because this has been the most helpful and important space during this whole process.

 

I'm wondering if there is anyone out there who filed to Chicago late Jan this year, and where you are in the process? I arrived in the US with a J1 visa, and am filing AOS through marriage. 

 

I concurrently filed I-130, I-485 + I-765  (received Jan 25th) and I-131 (received Feb 28th) and have updates on My Case saying the I-485 ready to be scheduled for an interview ( as of April 13th - still no interview date but that's to be expected)

 

On July 18th I received in the mail NOA for both I-765 + I-131 ( 174 days! ) There has been no update on My Case for either of these, they both still say "On ___ we received ___ etc)

 

I have plans to meet up with my mother who will be travelling from Australia to London (where my little brother has been living for the past 2 years) and for my family to meet my wife. We are due to fly out Aug 10th and I am in a PANIC that my physical card will not arrive in time. Does anyone else here have similar dates to me? Do you have any updates on My Case? Did you get your card without there being updates on My Case? Have you received your card? How long did it take from the letter of approval to having the physical card in hand? 

 

I know there are people who are in much worse situations than myself. But not being able to work for the last 6 months and being financially dependant on my spouse (I have never been financially dependant on anyone since leaving home) has taken a huge toll on my mental health and self-worth. To now be in a situation where I might miss out on seeing my family, and losing thousands of dollars is tipping me over the edge. 

 

I have called USCIS (twice, the first time was around the 100 day mark, and once again two days after receiving the NOA's) And she put in a SR (which takes 15 days for a response which is basically moot)

Should I keep calling and asking for updates or will that be fruitless/ make things worse?

Should I visit my local congressman, or is that useless at this point? (I also didn't know this was an option/ don't know if its an option for my circumstances)

 

Any information you have, and words of comfort etc - are so needed at this point. I don't know what to do with myself. I'm worrying myself sick over this. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this long winded and desperate post

 

Sara

 

 

 

It took me 1 week from getting the notification to get the card in hand. I got the approval letter along with my card. If that's what you mean. 

 

Calling USCIS have no influence on your case. I called them at least 6 times myself.. my filling date is similar to yours but I got my GC over a month ago

 

Do you have the USPS account? Did you signed up for Informed Delivery with them? They also offer a dashboard where you can see if there's any package or mail incoming to you 

 

also if you call USCIS and speak to tier 2(insist to be redirected) you can get a tracking number. I found tier 2 a great help..

 

[bowiebowdog 0]

20 minutes ago, Bzlibem said:

It took me 1 week from getting the notification to get the card in hand. I got the approval letter along with my card. If that's what you mean. 

 

Calling USCIS have no influence on your case. I called them at least 6 times myself.. my filling date is similar to yours but I got my GC over a month ago

 

Do you have the USPS account? Did you signed up for Informed Delivery with them? They also offer a dashboard where you can see if there's any package or mail incoming to you 

 

also if you call USCIS and speak to tier 2(insist to be redirected) you can get a tracking number. I found tier 2 a great help..

 

Thanks for getting back to me Bzlibem!

I have no notification on My Case from either EAD or AP, they both still say that they were received back in Jan/Feb. I have two letters now saying both have been approved. I worry without updates on My case, they won't be moving forward with the card production (I don't know this, hence why I'm reaching out for personal stories) 

 

I am signing up for a USPS account now! Thank you for that Info. 

 

I have spoken to the tier 2 at USCIS, both times I called actually. The second time she put in a service request, but Ill call again and ask about a tracking number.

 

[Bzlibem 111]

1 hour ago, bowiebowdog said:

Thanks for getting back to me Bzlibem!

I have no notification on My Case from either EAD or AP, they both still say that they were received back in Jan/Feb. I have two letters now saying both have been approved. I worry without updates on My case, they won't be moving forward with the card production (I don't know this, hence why I'm reaching out for personal stories) 

 

I am signing up for a USPS account now! Thank you for that Info. 

 

I have spoken to the tier 2 at USCIS, both times I called actually. The second time she put in a service request, but Ill call again and ask about a tracking number.

 

That's weird that you haven't gotten a notification. Same happened after my GC got approved. I didn't get a notification for I-130 approval but I got the letter 

I would say sign up for the myUSPS and the informed delivery, call tier 2 and ask them for a tracking number, you can eventually ask how long will it take to get a card. I'm pretty sure they will tell you that 30 days because that's the usual thing they say  but still worth to try 

I'm pretty sure that you are going to get the card soon  so don't stress over it maybe it's on it's way! 

I would say that if you don't get your card by Aug 1 contact the congressman and speak to tier 2 numerous times, or get a infopass appt. do whatever you can so it gives you time to maneuver before your trip 

 

Also so the thing with myUSPS is that it has to match your address at USCIS 100% to show the mail on your dashboard. Sometimes it tells you to go in the post office to verify your identity.. 

 

[xillini 71]

I did my interview in Chicago field office last week, which was approved a day after the interview, and myUSPS informed me something from Corbin, KY is sent to my address in this Friday, which will be expectedly delivered tomorrow (I know for fact, it is the green card as USCIS's green card facilities are located in Corin KY). Also, I already got approval letter for I-485/130 delivered yesterday from NBC. 

 

My filling date was Nov, 2016, and got RFE in FEB, 2017. Long story to be short, I did request my case inquiries through congressional office, which was successfully able to schedule interview in June, 2017 (oh my actual interview was July, just interview notice was made in June). I explained my circumstances, and they put me for the interview. I would say I was a bit lucky, cuz not all case inquiries through congressional unit can lead to interview that soon.

 

But in your case, please write the letter to congressman (or woman) why it has been such painful just to wait and attach specific examples. I did attach many details of why I would like to get EAD/AP when I was sending letters to congressional office, including I-9, employer's letter, and case receipt such that it is just not a single letter without proof, but comprehensively noted to indicate I needed EAD/AP. 

 

I did not get EAD/AP from congressional inquiries, but instead I was scheduled for the interview and successfully interview was completed, followed by approval letter and GC in hands by tomorrow. (So I dont need EAD/AP now). 

 

I would suggest that you write the letter to your congressman (or woman) to explain your circumstance and leave for seeing your family. Even if they schedule for the interview, it is mostly a month away from the notice date for initial interview, so timely you should be able to have interview after you are back from vacations. (Also I believe if you bring travel itinery with your spouse to the interview, it will convince the officer, which will give them positive impact)

 

Also, not all myUSCIS updates the status, my I-131 status still says "it was received", but no updates for "we mailed for the card" or "we approved". So I would say not all updates are informed to applicants, but rather physical approval notice is officially statement your application is approved (even my attorney says not all of his clients get updated for Combo card or green card). 

Edited July 23, 2017 by xillini