I filed the application form for EAD with the help of our lawyer in the Atlanta office on January 8, 2004. Two months later we got the Notice of Action from Missouri office with two dates - Received Date: January 8, 2004 and Notice Date: March 8, 2004, which was a little bit confusing.
My EAD renewal (at VSC) had been pending for more than 110 days, so I decided to go to the CIS office in Bloomington, MN to get an interim EAD.On Jan 22, 04 the temperature was -10F with the windchill of -30F. I arrived at the CIS office at 7.25 AM. The office was already open. Inside, there were already 50 or so people in the line. The security officer gave me a ticket. After waiting in the line for an hour, I finally reached the security gate and went to the waiting room. It was 8.40 AM.
I got my Interim EAD card based on OPT.
I went to the Bloomington USCIS office (MN) around 4:20 am on Jan 7, 2004. As the weather was cold there were not many people. Somebody made a list and I was the fiteenth person.
Around 6 a.m, we made a line based on the list.
The office opened at 6:30 am.
The officer there started work at 7am. She asked me the reason why I was there and gave me a ticket. I got a ticket and went to another office.
Got there at 6am and there were already about 80 people ahead of us.
At 6:15 they started handing out tickets. At 7:30 we had ours.
Went inside to sit down and at 7:45 our number came up. Handed over copies of the I-765 and I-485 receipt notices (it speeds up things if they do not have to make the copies) and newly filled out I-765s (they want them).
Just wanted to share me and my wife's experience in at the Memphis Sub-Office on January 5, 2004. The Memphis office is severely backlogged currently in regards to AOS and EAD applications. We filed the I-765 for my wife on September 10th and hadn't heard anything. After corresponding with our congressional representative, we were told to travel to Memphis (a 350 mile trip) on any Monday to receive an interim EAD. We traveled to Memphis on Sunday to be ready first thing in the morning. Sunday night we decided to check out the office and went to the front door.
I had filed for my EAD renewal 3 months before the expiry date (September 16th). While my EAD was approved a little before 90 days, my wife's EAD was not renewed. They requested additional evidence (marraige certificate and I140 approval notice). After USCIS received the evidence and the USCIS website was updated, we went to Memphis on friday, January 2nd, 2004 (the day of the week when interim EADs are issued in Memphis) hoping that they would issue an interim EAD (since it was more than 90 days after the original receipt notice).
Philadelphia district office EAD Interview scheduled 2.5 months after filing the marriage-based I485 package. People visiting for appointments need not wait in the line. The interview process is only taking a photo, leaving the finger print. the EAD card was printed out right away. The whole process took about 20 minutes, excluding waiting time in the waiting room.
I would like to first thank you for all your support and help to the
community with their immigration matters.
Here is our ( unpleasant experience ) getting my wife's Interim EAD (we applied Sept 23, 03 ) at San Francisco USCIS.
January 09 2004
8:50 am Got to the USCIS office.
I went at 10.15 am with I-140,I-765 and I-485 receipt, they gave me a token and new I-765 application to be filled up and called me at 2.15 pm. They checked the above documents, Passport and took my photo and gave me EAD instantly.There is no need to take separate photos and go.
We won an EB1 Outstanding Researcher/Professor case for an applicant holding an M.B.B.S. This applicant had over eight years of teaching and research experience in addition to his experience practicing as an Internal Medicine physician. He was world-renowned for his exceptional contributions to his field of medicine. We offered 17 exceptional recommendation letters from experts around the world who acknowledged the high level of achievement of this individual.
The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on October 1, 2025, the first shutdown in six years. After Congress failed to pass funding legislation before the September 30th deadline, all non-essential federal functions have been suspended.
For those navigating the US immigration system, this creates both disruptions and uncertainty. However, not all immigration services are affected equally. Understanding what's operating, what's shut down, and what you need to do right now is critical.
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Number 8
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
The current government shutdown presents unusual challenges for H-1B workers and their employers. Here's what you need to know immediately: