Please help - Unanswered Questions for I-485

[Riji]

Hello everyone.

I wanted to Thank you all in advance for all knowledge and experiences that you’re sharing and helping other people. This forum is Great!!!
My husband and I are preparing I-130 & I-485 to be filled for his GC. We have concerns about the following lines in Part 8 of I-485:
- (16) Have you EVER worked in the United States without authorization?
- (17) Have you EVER violated the terms or conditions of your nonimmigrant status?
Both answers in his case are “Yes” and we are not sure which explanations to provide. He has been in the country for over 5 years, arrived by B2 visa, obviously that he worked during this time; however, we do not know how to describe it all in a correct way. We appreciate your advices and help.

[Dori05]

Hello,
For the second question I answered yes, because I have violated the terms by staying in USA after my Visa was expired and without any other permision. I asked a lawyer and that’s what he suggested.

[newacct]

Just state the facts in the explanation. So for the explanation for #17, just state the date his I-94 expired (which he already answered on other parts of the I-485 anyway), and that he stayed past that. For the explanation for #16, just state the places he worked (which he already answered on other parts of the I-485) and that he was not authorized to work. No further reason or excuse is necessary.

I am assuming that you are a US citizen?

[Dori05]

Hi
Thanks for the answer,

Did you only put "yes" as answer or you also included an explanation in the end of the form ?

You have to put an explanation at the end of the form too.

[newacct]

So maybe he was self-employed and worked for various people as an independent contractor? If so, he can state that.

[newacct]

Unfortunately no, he was doing a regular labor in any occasion he possibly had and it was only for cash - just to survive.

So just state that then. Also make sure he has filed tax returns and paid taxes for those years he had income.