July 2018 AOS Filers

[Silver Fox 23]

hi @Jaquelly , 

 

I had the same experience when I was renewing my license. I was not granted immediately to renew because my I-94 had expired last Aug 1. They said they need to validate my lawful status with DHS.  A few weeks later, I got a letter in the mail from MVD Aug 20 and last Aug 28 the system allowed me to proceed with my license renewal. They extended my license until Aug 27, 2019 - I waited for 4 1/2 hours. Certainly worth the wait because I can drive in US even without my EAD and GC yet.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2018 by Silver Fox
Need to resize my attachment

[Jaquelly 1,647]

4 minutes ago, Silver Fox said:

hi @Jaquelly , 

 

I had the same experience when I was renewing my license. I was not granted immediately to renew because my I-94 had expired last Aug 1. They said they need to validate my lawful status with DHS.  A few weeks later, I got a letter in the mail from MVD Aug 20 and last Aug 28 the system allowed me to proceed with my license renewal. They extended my license until Aug 27, 2019 - I waited for 4 1/2 hours. Certainly worth the wait because I can drive in US even without my EAD and GC yet.

 

I hope this helps.

 

 

 

 

Thank you @Silver Fox. I took some solace that they told us to come back and immediately talk to one of the staff members so that we could skip ahead of the line. Thank you for your experience.

[JasonGG 280]

Woke up this morning to an email saying there was a change in our status.  Logged on to USCIS and it said my wife and daughter's green card interview was scheduled!  I am shocked we could get an interview so quickly at the Baltimore office (filed in July and biometrics August 9).  The website doesn't say what the date is, just that a letter will be sent.  Hopefully this is not a mistake!

 

Jason

[JasonGG 280]

55 minutes ago, JasonGG said:

Woke up this morning to an email saying there was a change in our status.  Logged on to USCIS and it said my wife and daughter's green card interview was scheduled!  I am shocked we could get an interview so quickly at the Baltimore office (filed in July and biometrics August 9).  The website doesn't say what the date is, just that a letter will be sent.  Hopefully this is not a mistake!

 

Jason

I called USCIS and it's not a mistake.  The agent I spoke to couldn't provide the interview date, though.

[emekus94 1,125]

20 hours ago, Jaquelly said:

Today was SUPER frustrating, to say the least.

 

We went to the Texas BMV to get Andy all set up to be able to get his license. After waiting for almost two hours, they told us the USCIS system went down. Sure. OK. We waited around, they finally saw him, got him all processed...

...

...

And then said they couldn't verify that he was here legally. We should be getting a verification letter from USCIS in less than two weeks that states that he can get his license.

 

So, you know, same #######, different day. They told us the same thing when he went to get his SSN. Why can't they just make their system work? Not everyone can just take time off of work.

Jackie girl- breathe
It's all part of the new administration. Supposedly everyone now (At least in Texas) without a 10 year green card/citizenship has to be first verified by DHS before getting ANY type of license
It sucks cuz that means you MUST waste time at DPS 2x - once to apply and have them cue the system for u to get the verification letter and then come back another day AFTER u get the letter to do whatever it is you want to do.

 

It's a process. 
This too shall pass.
 

3 hours ago, JasonGG said:

Woke up this morning to an email saying there was a change in our status.  Logged on to USCIS and it said my wife and daughter's green card interview was scheduled!  I am shocked we could get an interview so quickly at the Baltimore office (filed in July and biometrics August 9).  The website doesn't say what the date is, just that a letter will be sent.  Hopefully this is not a mistake!

 

Jason

Congratulations!!!!!!

[Ana Maria 265]

FYI...We received online notice Friday 9/14 that our case is ready to be scheduled for interview....so far notice has not come in the mail, we're waiting.

Biometrics were completed on 8/30.  (North Carolina - Charlotte)

[Jaquelly 1,647]

15 minutes ago, emekus94 said:

Jackie girl- breathe
It's all part of the new administration. Supposedly everyone now (At least in Texas) without a 10 year green card/citizenship has to be first verified by DHS before getting ANY type of license
It sucks cuz that means you MUST waste time at DPS 2x - once to apply and have them cue the system for u to get the verification letter and then come back another day AFTER u get the letter to do whatever it is you want to do.

 

It's a process. 
This too shall pass.

Well, hot damn. Here are our steps (just venting)

1. Take a half day to go to the DPS and apply, to find out we need a letter

2. Wait for letter

3. Go back w/ letter, get permit (drivers tests are 6-8 weeks out atm)

4. Register w/ driving school and pay $50 just so he can take his test before 6-8 weeks out

5. Take test

6. Go back to DPS and get license

 

That's like two more days off at least.

I rarely have complaints about USCIS, you know, I get it. There are hundreds of thousands of us that have needs and only so many of them. I just wish they'd get it together and make it easier. Just for this. Sigh. ❤️

[emekus94 1,125]

4 minutes ago, Jaquelly said:

Well, hot damn. Here are our steps (just venting)

1. Take a half day to go to the DPS and apply, to find out we need a letter

2. Wait for letter

3. Go back w/ letter, get permit (drivers tests are 6-8 weeks out atm)

4. Register w/ driving school and pay $50 just so he can take his test before 6-8 weeks out

5. Take test

6. Go back to DPS and get license

 

That's like two more days off at least.

I rarely have complaints about USCIS, you know, I get it. There are hundreds of thousands of us that have needs and only so many of them. I just wish they'd get it together and make it easier. Just for this. Sigh. ❤️

Lol
It's really not USCIS - It's DHS as a whole
which the administration controls so...
Yea.

It's clear administration is not making immigration "easier"
It is what it is. 
Everything takes longer- but we all get to the finish. Just hold on to that

But I agree - I have used my entire vacation time this year dealing with getting SSN, DPS, etc. Literally no time left for the holidays. 
It's exhausting- but at least our loves are with us.

P.S. If you live near a megacenter for DPS, use the "get in line" feature for the paperwork stuff.
It's gonna save u so much time than going there and waiting till kingdom come

Edited September 19, 2018 by emekus94

[Jaquelly 1,647]

16 minutes ago, emekus94 said:

Lol
It's really not USCIS - It's DHS as a whole
which the administration controls so...
Yea.

It's clear administration is not making immigration "easier"
It is what it is. 
Everything takes longer- but we all get to the finish. Just hold on to that

But I agree - I have used my entire vacation time this year dealing with getting SSN, DPS, etc. Literally no time left for the holidays. 
It's exhausting- but at least our loves are with us.

P.S. If you live near a megacenter for DPS, use the "get in line" feature for the paperwork stuff.
It's gonna save u so much time than going there and waiting till kingdom come

LOL, we did go to the megacenter initially until Andy realized he forgot his SS card at home. So we drove back home, got in line at the Hurst office (stupid me, my suggestion) and went there.

Well, they were at capacity. So, they told all of us with appointments to wait outside on one side of the wall, and everyone without to wait outside on the other wall.

So, we waited outside for about 20 minutes. I was watching people go inside but not come out, so I confronted the lady working. Oh boy, she got upset. Two minutes later all of us were inside (with appointments, RIP people who don't get one before showing up).

 

We wait almost an hour. They don't let you check in on your own. They check you in and write your ticket # on a piece of paper. Once the line in the middle goes down, they call out a bunch of #s and line you guys up. 

 

So, we were behind just one guy to see an agent aaaaaaand the DHS check system goes 'down'. 

We decide to wait it out. I already took off work, besides, I can get my DL address changed since we were already there.

 

20 minutes later, a worker comes to get Andy. Bless his British heart, he has to deal with a group of giggling ladies (they were kind, but you could tell they weren't as excited to help him once I came over to the counter).

 

They get him all worked up into the system and then tell us we gotta wait for a letter.

 

 

sir please no just give me the temp

back home we go to wait a few more weeks, wheeee LOL

[emekus94 1,125]

27 minutes ago, Jaquelly said:

LOL, we did go to the megacenter initially until Andy realized he forgot his SS card at home. So we drove back home, got in line at the Hurst office (stupid me, my suggestion) and went there.

Well, they were at capacity. So, they told all of us with appointments to wait outside on one side of the wall, and everyone without to wait outside on the other wall.

So, we waited outside for about 20 minutes. I was watching people go inside but not come out, so I confronted the lady working. Oh boy, she got upset. Two minutes later all of us were inside (with appointments, RIP people who don't get one before showing up).

 

We wait almost an hour. They don't let you check in on your own. They check you in and write your ticket # on a piece of paper. Once the line in the middle goes down, they call out a bunch of #s and line you guys up. 

 

So, we were behind just one guy to see an agent aaaaaaand the DHS check system goes 'down'. 

We decide to wait it out. I already took off work, besides, I can get my DL address changed since we were already there.

 

20 minutes later, a worker comes to get Andy. Bless his British heart, he has to deal with a group of giggling ladies (they were kind, but you could tell they weren't as excited to help him once I came over to the counter).

 

They get him all worked up into the system and then tell us we gotta wait for a letter.

 

 

sir please no just give me the temp

back home we go to wait a few more weeks, wheeee LOL

Nah-
that letter comes in about 5-12 days--- depending on how good ur local mail office is
cuz the DHS approval itself can be from 1 day to 5 days-- although I heard an unfortunate story where it was an entire month. Ayeeee

[AOSjuly 42]

2 hours ago, emekus94 said:

Nah-
that letter comes in about 5-12 days--- depending on how good ur local mail office is
cuz the DHS approval itself can be from 1 day to 5 days-- although I heard an unfortunate story where it was an entire month. Ayeeee

Hey guys, I’m a bit confusing here coz I went to the DMV office to apply DL here in California and they told me I’m not eligible coz my I-94 is expired,  unless I have a EAD or green card,  is this the same requirement as yours? Do I have another option to get a driving license or permit or whatever it is to drive legally at the moment? 

[emekus94 1,125]

5 minutes ago, AOSjuly said:

Hey guys, I’m a bit confusing here coz I went to the DMV office to apply DL here in California and they told me I’m not eligible coz my I-94 is expired,  unless I have a EAD or green card,  is this the same requirement as yours? Do I have another option to get a driving license or permit or whatever it is to drive legally at the moment? 

Unfortunately, each state is different
Cal might be of those states that won't let you get a license without EAD/GC/Citizenship -i.e. something permanent (and not just a piece of paper like AOS NOA1)showing residency.

 

I suggest you either go to a different DMV office and see if you get the same answer or google California laws and see what it says on the issue
Good news is that EAD pace seems to have improved. So us July folks might be looking at Nov/Dec for that EAD!

 

Edited September 19, 2018 by emekus94

[Joselio 196]

3 minutes ago, AOSjuly said:

Hey guys, I’m a bit confusing here coz I went to the DMV office to apply DL here in California and they told me I’m not eligible coz my I-94 is expired,  unless I have a EAD or green card,  is this the same requirement as yours? Do I have another option to get a driving license or permit or whatever it is to drive legally at the moment? 

Same issue with my wife. We went to the DMV here in CA a couple weeks ago and she couldn't get it because her I-94 was going to expire soon (Sept. 24th). They suggested to come back once we receive the EAD card.

 

In the meantime, I  was able to add my wife in my car insurance just with her foreign DL. They said she is allowed to drive in CA using the foreign DL.

[AOSjuly 42]

5 minutes ago, emekus94 said:

Unfortunately, each state is different
Cal might be of those states that won't let you get a license without EAD/GC/Citizenship -i.e. something permanent (and not just a piece of paper like AOS NOA1)showing residency.

 

I suggest you either go to a different DMV office and see if you get the same answer or google California laws and see what it says on the issue
Good news is that EAD pace seems to have improved. So us July folks might be looking at Nov/Dec for that EAD!

 

😉 I’m looking forward the combo card come in before Christmas so that not just the DL but also we planning for ski trip to Japan or Canada, figure crossed for July folks lol 

[AOSjuly 42]

7 minutes ago, Joselio said:

Same issue with my wife. We went to the DMV here in CA a couple weeks ago and she couldn't get it because her I-94 was going to expire soon (Sept. 24th). They suggested to come back once we receive the EAD card.

 

In the meantime, I  was able to add my wife in my car insurance just with her foreign DL. They said she is allowed to drive in CA using the foreign DL.

Thank you, I think I’m gonna go with the same at the moment, just don’t know how long they allow us to drive with a foreign DL,  I believed that I read a regulation somewhere says as soon as you residence in CA that have to apply DL within 10days, and technically we are between yes but without a solid card lol. So what the hell, what choice do I have hahah