We have recently received an EB2 approval for a Physical Therapist. EB2 classification has become especially important now that EB3 category cases for severely backlogged countries are delayed so much. The good news with PT’s is that they do not have to go through the PERM process. But the bad news is that USCIS seems to question whether or not truly a Master’s degree or BS+5 years level job is being offered. The I-140 approval took 1.5 months in regular processing.
Rajiv has been of incredible help to me for the last few years. I'd applied for the 485 Adjustment of Status and it looked like I'd be stuck in the queue for years before my greencard arrived. So, as I thought about my career, I decided to go back to school for a Ph.D. However, I was told by most everyone that getting an F-1 visa to go back to school would be very difficult. Rajiv gave me excellent advice to still go ahead and apply for the F-1 -- I ended up getting it with no trouble whatsoever. As the years went by, I then ended up getting the greencard as well -- Rajiv has been really helpful in letting me know the specific requirements (in terms of the job classifications, travel etc) related to obtaining permanent residency. I have been following his advice and I have been really pleased -- he's been absolutely accurate in all of his advice and I'm certainly counting on him in times to come as well.
State Department has indicated that as of 11 April 2012 there are no more immigrant visas (green cards) available for China and India-born EB2 applicants. The numbers will be reset on 1 October 2012, the start of the new fiscal year. In the meantime, USCIS will continue to accept I-485 filings until the end of June based upon the Visa Bulletin that will be published in May. No action will be taken on these applications until October, but its is expected that EAD/AP's will be issued.
Background:
1) PD - Initial Filing - EB2 MAR 2014 (Two Different EB2 filings with two different employers A and B)
3) Downgraded to EB3 with Employer B (New Petition but using the same EB2 PERM with Employer B) In Nov 2020, Filed I-485 Concurrently
3) Change to a different Full-Time AC21 - Same or Similar Role (Employer C) - Using AOS EAD
4) I-485 Got Approved in E26 Category (EB-2) before any I-485J submission whatsoever.
4) Initiated an inquiry with the Congressman to confirm this card is legitimate for usage and no errors / issues; still waiting on USCIS Response.
5) Spouse's I-485 also Got Approved about 2 weeks AFTER this inquiry was already sent over to USCIS (E27 Category).
Questions:
1) Suppose that a congressman's written response from USCIS comes back affirmative for legitimacy of the approvals quoting USCIS discretionary authority. There is also a recent trend of many such approved cases where the applicant had at least one prior approved EB-2 petition with PD current - so this situation does not seem to be unique any more.
Should we still then pursue USCIS E-Request / I-90 submission avenues from our side - would it really be worth to continue stretching this any further at that point ?
2) You had indicated that until notified otherwise, this LPR card can be used for Travel Purposes. Can it also be used to say take up a second week-end / part time job, renewal of driver's licenses etc. ?
3) If you use this card for any of the above purposes, and unfortunately USCIS response were to be negative, do you lose your status - have to do any reinstatement etc. particularly in the travel situation usage of LPR Card ?
4) Can you continue using your AOS EAD / AP instead during this seemingly weird time window, since that also is a USCIS-issued valid non-expired travel and work authorization ? In general, can you continue its usage until the expiry date, regardless of your I-485 status ?
1. I would suggest that you submit the E-request with an I-90 saying this green card appears to have been approved with an error.
2. My advice would be to avoid it if you can. But if you have to I think you can argue quite successfully that travel was valid and it does not affect your pending green card.
3. I do not think so because you have an EAD/Advance Parole.
4. I think you have a pretty strong argument. You can definitely continue using your EAD, but do not use your Advance Parole if you can.
Discussion Topics:
FAQ: Was Green Card approved in error? Time taken by the USCIS to respond to an E request for correction, travel?|| Entry into the U.S. using the Advance Parole after green card approval during a trip abroad ||
Background: Applied I-485 application under EB3 after downgrade from EB2 in 2020. Refiled another I- 485 application under EB2 in 2021. Received EAD/ AP combo card from EB3 application in Jan 2022. Used it to travel out of country in July 2022. Green card approved in EB2 category while out of country. Entered USA using the Advance Parole from EB3 in August 2022 as the green card was in mailbox in USA. At Port of Entry, I informed them about the approval of I-485. However, they paroled me in for 1 year until August 2023 and stamped Advance pare in my passport. I collected my physical card from the mailbox after reaching my home.
Question
What is my status now- Green card or Advance parole? Any impact on my green card status with that AP stamp as I used AP from EB3 after approval of green card from EB2? I did not receive any notice form USCIS about withdrawing EB3 application after they granted green card under EB2. Should I ask USCIS to cancel the EB3 application or assume that it is automatically canceled by USCIS?
You can contact the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and go to one of their offices which is usually at the airport. They are called Deferred Inspection. As a green card holder, they might be able to change your I-94 or your admission to a green card holder. I would also like you to double check first with the CBP and then with the congressman.
I am not just happy with the way the law firm of Atty. Rajiv took care of my case. I am more than satisfied that no adjective is deserving enough to describe the way they handled an impossible case like mine. After countless denials that I have received from my previous lawyers, I only got approvals from Atty. Rajiv. My family and I are just waiting for our greencards, which might come before the end of this year. This law firm deserves more than what they ask for their fees. And no monetary compensation could ever pay nor match the excellent job they have done for me. They saved my children's future, the primary reason why I want to be in America. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart! :)