Service Request for Expedite Process: Economic Hardship & USCIS Error

[clmclmclm]

Hi there,

I thought I should share my experience regarding my Service Request for Expedite Process so far.

•••06/22/17••• Package I-485/I-765/I-130 got accepted (Finally, after 6 months struggling: http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showth...San-Francisco/...)
[With that package, we already add a letter explaining we were hoping for expedite process right away since USCIS made a couple of mistakes with my application]

•••07/19/17••• Biometrics Appointment + Status changed to "Ready for Interview"

•••08/15/17••• Not 75 days yet, but my Lawyer told me USCIS is dealing with ~2 months delay on regular EAD process, so we decided to start doing everything we could against that...

•••08/16/17••• Lawyer started a SR for EP via phone due to "USCIS mistake".
[SR got accepted but we won't have a response before 08/23.]

•••08/17/17••• Got a last minute InfoPass Appointment, rushed to the San Francisco USCIS Field Office in order to start an in-person SR for EP due to "Economic Hardship" (renting a new apartment since March, missed one job offer, can't miss the new one I just received...)
I was expecting a very crowded place, but it was the opposite...only 2 agents working for 15 counters...Even though I had an appointment, it was first come first serve for everybody...Luckily the place was empty as I said...
Finally, an extremely non-sympathetic agent only told me: "We can't help you here, only via phone or mail. Ok bye."
[But fact is, an USCIS Officer did tell my Lawyer via phone that I should go to a Field Office in order to start an in-person SR and provide all the documentation right away...Conclusion, NEVER LET YOURSELF GET BULLIED BY A BAD USCIS AGENT! Always ask to talk to somebody else, and wait for at least twice the same answer before leaving disappointed...]

•••08/18/17••• Emailed my CongressWoman and my 2 Senators about my inquiries.
[Still haven't received any news yet...]

•••08/22/17••• Finally got a last minute InfoPass Appointment after I decided to go back to USCIS Field Office 2 days ago...
Completely different experience, much more people working that day. Went through a first checking verifying I have all the document I need. And got a ticket number this time.
After a short wait, I spoke to a very nice lady. She took the time to understand my situation and request, and started looking at my case.
Unfortunately, she told me she couldn't start another SR, until the first one (from my lawyer, via phone) is treated.
However, fortunately, she offered to take all my information, and told me she would start a new SR on my behalf, once the first one is treated, tomorrow or Thursday!!
[Unbelievable to have such opposite experiences of a same system...so don't give up, go back if necessary and even ask to talk to someone else if terrible experience with agent!]

•••NEXT STEP••• Wait for USCIS reply to first SR, and then call my representatives if necessary!

[clmclmclm]

Update 09/05/17

•••08/24/17••• The very sympathetic USCIS agent I met during my last InfoPass Appointment has been able to start a SR for EP on my behalf.

•••08/28/17••• Contacted my CongressWoman, talked to someone from her office, provided all the authorizations and documents related to my SR for EP.
•••08/28/17••• Also contacted my Senator office, sent everything and had confirmation they received my email. But no more news since then.

•••08/30/17••• Received an email from my CongressWoman office saying they sent an inquiry to USCIS and telling me to reach back to them after 14 days without news from either USCIS or them.

•••09/02/17••• Received notice from USCIS regarding my SR for EP due to USCIS' mistake on my case. This SR is being reviewed right now, should receive news within 14 days.
•••09/02/17••• Received notice from USCIS regarding my SR for EP due to Economic Hardship. USCIS asked me to fax them my letter offer, but their line has been busy most of the day. Still working on it.

I really hope all of this won't be for nothing eventually. I keep my finger crossed and hope to receive at least my EAD card very soon!

[clmclmclm]

Update 09/06/17

•••09/06/17••• Received news from my CongressWoman Office. I-765 "This case will be routed for Expedite Process". I-485 "Your case has been place in the interview scheduling queue".
[Yesss! Finally some luck. I should receive notice(s) of action very shortly according to the rest of that email.]

I think USCIS accepted to expedite my process due to all the delays I already suffered on my case. I don't think they did due to an economic hardship since they didn't get a copy of my job offer yet...

Anyway, asking help to my CongressWoman was definitely the way to go! It was very easy, and their agents are very sympathetic and supportive.
Hopefully I can expect my EAD card to come within 14 days now.

[llim93]

•••09/06/17••• Received news from my CongressWoman Office. I-765 "This case will be routed for Expedite Process". I-485 "Your case has been place in the interview scheduling queue".
[Yesss! Finally some luck. I should receive notice(s) of action very shortly according to the rest of that email.]

I think USCIS accepted to expedite my process due to all the delays I already suffered on my case. I don't think they did due to an economic hardship since they didn't get a copy of my job offer yet...

Anyway, asking help to my CongressWoman was definitely the way to go! It was very easy, and their agents are very sympathetic and supportive.
Hopefully I can expect my EAD card to come within 14 days now.

Hi! What documents did you present to your congresswoman? I'll be visiting mine tomorrow and will be bringing my receipts, job offer letter and a letter explanation economic hardship. Any other documents that you found to be useful? Thank you!

[clmclmclm]

Hi! What documents did you present to your congresswoman? I'll be visiting mine tomorrow and will be bringing my receipts, job offer letter and a letter explanation economic hardship. Any other documents that you found to be useful? Thank you!

No, you got them all. USCIS Receipt Notices (I-797...) and Job Offer Letter.
I called them, they gave me an email to send them everything, and the day after they made the inquiry.
The difference with me is that I made 2 SR for EP directly to USCIS, and then I called my CongressWoman office for help, to push for the SR. No idea if they can start the SR for you.

Good Luck!

[clmclmclm]

Update 09/09/17

•••09/09/17••• New I-765 Status on USCIS website: "We ordered your new card for Receipt Number MSC **** **** , and will mail it to the address you gave us."

I should be able to accept that job offer finally!!!

[clmclmclm]

Update 09/14/17

•••09/13/17••• Received my EAD Card in the mail.

Here we go, after 246 Days I finally received my EAD. It's not the GC yet but damn it's a giant step back into a normal life!
One way or another, I think asking help to my CongressWoman is a great idea, I believe they helped a lot in expediting the process. So I advice any of you in the same situation to try this as well.
Now, we'll see how soon we can get our interview for GC, but in the meantime I might look into Advance Parole request in order to go back to France before the end of the year.

Good Luck everybody!

[kare w.]

Thanks for the info.....quick question

•••09/13/17••• Received my EAD Card in the mail.

Here we go, after 246 Days I finally received my EAD. It's not the GC yet but damn it's a giant step back into a normal life!
One way or another, I think asking help to my CongressWoman is a great idea, I believe they helped a lot in expediting the process. So I advice any of you in the same situation to try this as well.
Now, we'll see how soon we can get our interview for GC, but in the meantime I might look into Advance Parole request in order to go back to France before the end of the year.

Good Luck everybody!

Hi,
I know its been quite some time since the Original Post, however i hope u r still somewhat active on the blog. Reason being, i need to ask you a question on your process: first of all, whats the update today so far? Got your GC yet. Secondly, i filed the I-30 only, no I-485 or 765 yet since my hubby has a GC, not citizenship. Its going to be 3 years (yes, 3!) since the last update. it has not been denied, neither has it been approved. Can i use the the EP due to hardship as i haven't had a job for 3 years now? Can i go through the similar process to get things going like u have detailed above?

Thanks

[Anita1000]

Hi there,

I thought I should share my experience regarding my Service Request for Expedite Process so far.

•••06/22/17••• Package I-485/I-765/I-130 got accepted (Finally, after 6 months struggling: http://www.immihelp.com/forum/showth...San-Francisco/...)
[With that package, we already add a letter explaining we were hoping for expedite process right away since USCIS made a couple of mistakes with my application]

•••07/19/17••• Biometrics Appointment + Status changed to "Ready for Interview"

•••08/15/17••• Not 75 days yet, but my Lawyer told me USCIS is dealing with ~2 months delay on regular EAD process, so we decided to start doing everything we could against that...

•••08/16/17••• Lawyer started a SR for EP via phone due to "USCIS mistake".
[SR got accepted but we won't have a response before 08/23.]

•••08/17/17••• Got a last minute InfoPass Appointment, rushed to the San Francisco USCIS Field Office in order to start an in-person SR for EP due to "Economic Hardship" (renting a new apartment since March, missed one job offer, can't miss the new one I just received...)
I was expecting a very crowded place, but it was the opposite...only 2 agents working for 15 counters...Even though I had an appointment, it was first come first serve for everybody...Luckily the place was empty as I said...
Finally, an extremely non-sympathetic agent only told me: "We can't help you here, only via phone or mail. Ok bye."
[But fact is, an USCIS Officer did tell my Lawyer via phone that I should go to a Field Office in order to start an in-person SR and provide all the documentation right away...Conclusion, NEVER LET YOURSELF GET BULLIED BY A BAD USCIS AGENT! Always ask to talk to somebody else, and wait for at least twice the same answer before leaving disappointed...]

•••08/18/17••• Emailed my CongressWoman and my 2 Senators about my inquiries.
[Still haven't received any news yet...]

•••08/22/17••• Finally got a last minute InfoPass Appointment after I decided to go back to USCIS Field Office 2 days ago...
Completely different experience, much more people working that day. Went through a first checking verifying I have all the document I need. And got a ticket number this time.
After a short wait, I spoke to a very nice lady. She took the time to understand my situation and request, and started looking at my case.
Unfortunately, she told me she couldn't start another SR, until the first one (from my lawyer, via phone) is treated.
However, fortunately, she offered to take all my information, and told me she would start a new SR on my behalf, once the first one is treated, tomorrow or Thursday!!
[Unbelievable to have such opposite experiences of a same system...so don't give up, go back if necessary and even ask to talk to someone else if terrible experience with agent!]

•••NEXT STEP••• Wait for USCIS reply to first SR, and then call my representatives if necessary!

Hi Kare!

May I know why you had to request a economic hardship? Did your Adjustment of Status was related to marriage and it was denied? I would like to know because I'll start my process...