Is volunteering permitted?

[lukefromireland]

Married a US citizen. My application for AOS was received on Feb 12th. Did my biometrics on March 16th.

I'm running out of money so I called USCIS to request they expedite my work permit. They asked me if it was an emergency, given I can't afford next month's rent I said yes. The customer service rep submitted my request. A week later I got a letter asking for evidence of my emergency. What should I submit? I can send my account balances and when my rent is due.

Also I volunteer as an animal shelter, is that permitted? The owner of the shelter has offered me paid work, I can get that offer in writing. I just wanted to know if they can state in their offer that I've been volunteering at the shelter.

Thank you!

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Married a US citizen. My application for AOS was received on Feb 12th. Did my biometrics on March 16th.

I'm running out of money so I called USCIS to request they expedite my work permit. They asked me if it was an emergency, given I can't afford next month's rent I said yes. The customer service rep submitted my request. A week later I got a letter asking for evidence of my emergency. What should I submit? I can send my account balances and when my rent is due.

Also I volunteer as an animal shelter, is that permitted? The owner of the shelter has offered me paid work, I can get that offer in writing. I just wanted to know if they can state in their offer that I've been volunteering at the shelter.

Thank you!

Lukefromireland!

You will have better luck with the letter offering you employment. It's perfectly fine to state you have been volunteering there. That actually adds credibility to it. Your future boss may even say he's so "impressed with your work ethic and skills, he's decided to offer you a job. But must fill the position within 3 weeks." That's basically the fastest that card can be printed even after an inquiry by a congress person.

Congrats!

[lukefromireland]

Lukefromireland!

You will have better luck with the letter offering you employment. It's perfectly fine to state you have been volunteering there. That actually adds credibility to it. Your future boss may even say he's so "impressed with your work ethic and skills, he's decided to offer you a job. But must fill the position within 3 weeks." That's basically the fastest that card can be printed even after an inquiry by a congress person.

Congrats!

Thanks for the info, that's good news. Could you elaborate on "inquiry by congress person"?

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Thanks for the info, that's good news. Could you elaborate on "inquiry by congress person"?

Sure, a congressional inquiry is just that. You reach out to your Congressperson, and explain your situation - case outside of processing times, expedite due to humanitarian reasons and request was ignored (ours). You fill out some forms and a privacy waiver. Then, the congress person's staff reaches out to the USCIS congress liaison and places the inquiry. USCIS has 48 hours to pull your case from the pile and respond. The same time it takes them to adjudicate a pending EAD/AP is the same time it takes them to brush you off and tell you to wait your turn. So usually, they play nice with the congressperson and the pending issue is adjudicated. Some people on this forum have reported getting a combo card expedited due to family emergency abroad in 3 weeks after an inquiry from congress.

[lukefromireland]

Sure, a congressional inquiry is just that. You reach out to your Congressperson, and explain your situation - case outside of processing times, expedite due to humanitarian reasons and request was ignored (ours). You fill out some forms and a privacy waiver. Then, the congress person's staff reaches out to the USCIS congress liaison and places the inquiry. USCIS has 48 hours to pull your case from the pile and respond. The same time it takes them to adjudicate a pending EAD/AP is the same time it takes them to brush you off and tell you to wait your turn. So usually, they play nice with the congressperson and the pending issue is adjudicated. Some people on this forum have reported getting a combo card expedited due to family emergency abroad in 3 weeks after an inquiry from congress.

Excellent, thanks very much for your help! I really appreciate it.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Excellent, thanks very much for your help! I really appreciate it.

You're welcome!

[lukefromireland]

You're welcome!

Hey UScitizenFilingforspouse, it worked, USCIS are sending me my EAD. Thank you

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Hey UScitizenFilingforspouse, it worked, USCIS are sending me my EAD. Thank you

That is fantastic! Congrats! Would you mind sharing a quick timeline of the process you went through and what you did? Thanks! *Nothing elaborate. Just like my signature below.

[lukefromireland]

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.
02/14/2018 - Case received
02/20/2018 - Four I-797 NOA letters - by mail.
03/16/2018 - Biometrics Walk-in
04/08/2018 - I requested my EAD process be expedited under the category of Extreme Emergent Situation
04/20/2018 - Received a letter requesting that I fax evidence of my Extreme Emergent Situation
04/26/2018 - I faxed the evidence
05/04/2018 - Received a text message from USCIS saying my case was updated. I checked my online status, the I-765 case now states that my new card (EAD) is being issued and will be mailed to my address.

[UScitizenFilingforspouse]

Marriage-based AOS - Concurrent filing.
02/14/2018 - Case received
02/20/2018 - Four I-797 NOA letters - by mail.
03/16/2018 - Biometrics Walk-in
04/08/2018 - I requested my EAD process be expedited under the category of Extreme Emergent Situation
04/20/2018 - Received a letter requesting that I fax evidence of my Extreme Emergent Situation
04/26/2018 - I faxed the evidence
05/04/2018 - Received a text message from USCIS saying my case was updated. I checked my online status, the I-765 case now states that my new card (EAD) is being issued and will be mailed to my address.

Awesome! Thanks! That will help others a lot. To be clear, you did not reach out to a member of congress then.

[lukefromireland]

Awesome! Thanks! That will help others a lot. To be clear, you did not reach out to a member of congress then.

I did not reach out to a member of Congress no.