US Immigration from Australia

Good Morning

My dad passed this morning. I live alone, support system is mostly virtual at this point. Including any living family members who live across the country.

I have called USCIS to inquire about an expedite (I m confused, numb state) and advised what happened. Hoping perhaps something can result, in me not being alone in grief for longer than need be. My dad was a best friend to me.

The waiting time was 30 minutes, the representative said this felt like it was a humanitarian request and submitted it on my behalf.
Within 10 minutes I received a denial. I wasn t expecting an approval. In the initial email, they said Although your situation appears serious, the information you have provided is insufficient to establish that your expedite request meets the following guidelines

It was good to know they work... so quickly. While I grieve, maybe there is another opportunity to ask for an appointment expedite in Australia when it gets there... perhaps..
I wish I wasn t alone. But, I guess life is like this. And sometimes out of our control our significant others can t be there.

Just wanted to share my experience of the Oath Ceremony during Covid as I know everyone's is a bit different and it's nice to know.

My ceremony was scheduled for 8:30am in St Louis, I arrived at about 8.15 - the letter specifically stated not to arrive more than 30 minutes prior, I had planned to arrive earlier but due to bad roads from snow and ice it took a little while to get downtown.

Walked in where security asked covid questions, took temperatures and went through security, was told about 5 times to keep masks on.

Directed down the hall where we were checked in, any family/guests were sent to wait in the cafeteria as only participants were allowed in (this was also on the letter but some people still tried)

There were 10 numbered seats spread out through the room, we were sent to our number and given a packet of information, passport application, mini flag etc.

Our USCIS rep was late due to weather but we all started checking in at about 8.45, just going over the form on the back of our appointment letter, giving in old green cards and confirming our information on the citizenship certificate was correct.

Once that was done the judge stood up, introduced himself, apologized profusely it wasn't a bigger deal as they normally had speakers, music etc.

Then went into formalities, we stood and took the oath, then the pledge of allegiance, the other USCIS rep congratulated us all, and passed out our certificates and sent us on our way as the next group of 10 was waiting to come in.

It all took just under an hour, was very relaxed and easy.

Good luck if you're still in the process! It's long and stressful but worth it

Hi guys

USCIS / NBC are taking forever with my work authority... 9 months so far, Bio done but still waiting on EAD and SSN...

I ve recently started applying for job in the hope they ll eventually pull their finger out.. and have an interview tomorrow, yes I know I can t work yet but should an offer come through I ve got a couple of questions..

1. How do I apply for EAD Expedite?
2. How long does it take to get approval?

3. What do I need from the employer in order to request interview?

all help appreciated..

Hey everyone. Need your advice again. I posted earlier about my issue in another topic, but as this is related to physical presence on N-400 specifically, I thought it best to start this question fresh.

I got my LPR on the 29th of May 2015.

My N-400 application was accepted on the 15th March, 2020 (filed early under the 90 day rule).

On the 18th of March, 2020 -- I left on an international trip and soon found myself stranded outside of the US due to the pandemic international travel bans, and because I was advised by my heart doctor not to fly due to Morbidity risks with Covid (due to scarring). And the complications kept coming (as you'd see in another post).

My work has me moving between two countries frequently (I'm in the film industry). I've had an apartment in LA since 2016, and have always filed my taxes, etc. The US is my home. But often the work requires periods of travel (shooting, pre, all of this fun).

My trips outside the US between 05/29/2015 and 05/29/2020 are as follows :

As you'd see... when I submitted my N-400, I was within the threshold for proving physical presence. Continuous residence, I have hoped, is not an issue as I've always had US employment during the whole five years.

But then Covid changed everything post N-400 application.

I've finally gotten a second interview date (I had to reschedule the first because I couldn't secure a flight to US in time -- a problem that's still going). that's for March 8th.

Although my doctor says it's an unacceptable risk to fly, my immigration lawyer disagrees. Not the least as I'm approaching twelve months stuck out of the country and I might be looking at an immediate loss of my GC.

The situation, for me, is dire. Even when you take the Covid risks out of the equation, cheapest flight available to me will cost $20K.

I'm looking at the maths of it all... and unless I'm missing something... appears I've completely blown the 913 day requirement... all by half a month. Even if I can prove continuous residence (which my lawyer is positive about) -- I don't see any stories on here about the physical presence requirements getting special consideration due to the Pandemic.

And since I'm so far past the 25/05/2020 mark now... my guess is all I'll hear in my interview is an automatic denial and be told I need to start the naturalization journey all over again for a new five year uninterrupted period.

All things considered, I feel defeated and stressed and lost over it all. My thoughts right now are to withdraw my N-400 and just let my Green Card lapse over into a twelve month absence, and apply to reactivate it when there aren't one in eight people with Covid-19 in my neighbourhood.

I see the issue from all sides. Rules and rules. And I get it

Just hoping for some advice... or even just to hear I'm right and to withdraw.

The last lawyer I spoke to charged me $650 for a thirty minute consult. And as my experience with visas and GCs and all things immigration has taught me over the last ten year journey (I used to be on 01s)... it's that lawyers just say anything to get paid. But they can't change my time away from the US from 929 days to 913 days no matter how good they are.

Hi.

My i-751 ROC is from fricking July 2018. 30 months to process an application, 13 months since my case is Waiting to Schedule for an Interview. I'm done. I'm moving back to Australia. Can anyone with more experience please comment on how long I can stay if I don't show up for the interview, whenever they book it? I'm planing on leaving within 3 months, but if they call me sooner I would like to stay 3 more months to sell everything before I go.

Thanks for your replies!