Canadian friends and Temp EAD stamp

[lynamon 0]

I'm on a quest to find out how to obtain the temp EAD stamp when they don't give them at the boarder even though I only have another month left since I came across ... I'm trying to get some info for those of you that will be coming across on a K1 since frankly .. I have a little time on my hands these days ... this is my post in working and travelling ...

So my husband and I were checking out at a Self serve check out in Home Depot today and I noticed that the uniformed man in front of us was with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and I told my husband that I should ask him a couple of questions ... so I did (apparently he was on the clock and more than happy to chat for a few minutes).

I told him that I was a K1 entry and USCIS advises that we are work authorized for the first 90 days upon entry but we can only satisfy the I-9 requirement with a Temp EAD stamp which was not provided at point of entry with the excuse of "we haven't given those out for quite awhile". The officer knew what the K1 was and about the temp EAD stamp and seemed surprised that the only guaranteed POE giving the stamp is JFK because as he said "I see them given all the time".

I told him that I had gone down to the immigration office in Cleveland with no help other than a number for the Cleveland airport which the immigration guy told me that I was no longer a K1 because I got married and am no longer able to get the stamp because of that fact .. that my status had changed.

This DHS officer was nice and polite .. gave me his card and wrote on the back the supervisors name with whom it is that I am to speak with tomorrow .. which I will be doing .. and when I do I will post more information

[lynamon 0]

P.S. I miss posting in the Canadian forum .. we're all so friendly here ...

[L_n_O 3]

wow!! you could break this thing wide open!!

[lynamon 0]

So I spoke with the Supervisor and he told me that he knows that there are discrepancies with the system. There has been since the start of Homeland Security in 2002. They apparently have not provided the stamp since that time and he knows that some major points of entry are still providing that stamp. He took my name and number and is going to ask around and see if he can come up with anything for me (he was a duty gard in Toronto and went through the immigration process as his children were born in Canada .. it took him 2 1/2 years). I asked him who I should contact and he told me the 1800# on the CBP website would be a good place to start. He also told me that contacting congress would be a good idea. I asked him about the I-9 requirements and he gave me the phone number for ICE in my area .. I've called and left a message for the duty guard.

[JoeCanuk 3]

They give you the temporary stamp in Detroit, I know for a fact. I don't know about anywhere else though. The guy in Detroit told me that it's policy that they DO give it to you. I'm working right now. My temp expires in about a month though.

PS Liz, good luck on your interview in Montreal. It's pretty painless.

Edited September 24, 2007 by JoeCanuk

[Ron/Sharon 0]

Lynette, Thank you for everything you are doing for us it sure helps to know where to go and who to talk with. I'm happy for you and Ed and the whole family. How is your son doing in the new school, loving it or hating it. How are you and Ed doing, well I hope, How is married life and the new home..