AOS Interview Today - Approved!
yeaaaahh..i am so happy and that wouldnt have been possible w/o this forum and all the help I have received!
yeaaaahh..i am so happy and that wouldnt have been possible w/o this forum and all the help I have received!
I have worked with Mr. Khanna's law firm over past 3 years for my Green Card renewal. I found the team to be meticulous and very responsive. Recently I am in India and trying to renew my green card. Mr. Khanna's team had no obligation to provide any counsel. They always made themselves available to answer the questions during uncertain times, so that I would any missteps in this often confusing process. I believe Mr. Khanna's law firm offers more than just handling of the legal process. They go above and beyond to create a sense of community and offer a great service to folks dealing with varying immigration circumstances.
Alright, first off thank you to everyone that helped me out with what to bring!
We showed up with about 30 pounds of paperwork, photos, tax returns, wedding albums, cards.
Our appointment was at 1 pm, we arrived around 12:15. We got in the lineup, and waited. and waited and waited. (got a little warm considering it is still in the high 80s, 90s) At about 12:55 they let us in along with a swarm of other people coming in for the same thing (and some naturalization cases) We signed in, and waited right up at the door to be called.
As I got my approval/551 stamp this week, I thought it would be best to share some experience to help others; This may be applicable in Texas and
Atlanta, so read with caution and use accordingly.
Texas SC
485 rcpt date 2/2002
FP done 4/2003
Approved 5/2004
My online status never changed, except when approved (No change during FP etc). This may help some who are worried like me when online status never changed.
Here is a commonly encountered situation for AOS applicants (I-485 pending) from our clients-only extranet:
Trying to get an F-1 while an AOS/I-485 is pending has been a recurring theme in our community. Last year in May/June we had spent two hours talking about this theme in our community conference calls. A lot of people wanted to do their MBA and were not able to wait for their green cards to join school.
Generally speaking when you have exhibited immigrant intent, getting an F-1 becomes difficult. On top of that, USCIS has said that F-1 is not compatible with a simultaneous I-485. But USCIS has never told us what happens if do file for an F-1 while an I-485 is pending.
USCIS is launching a pilot program in July 2010 that will use Dun & Bradstreet databases to verify business information of employers who submit immigration related petitions. "Verification Instrument for Business Enterprises" (VIBE) is a tool intended to help combat immigration fraud, and to minimize RFE's regarding petitioners' business data and eventually to make submission of routine documentation unnecessary.
Is this true ? - "If the ‘Schedule A’ application falls into the “EB-2” or Employment Based Second Preference category (the employer requires a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy or a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy + 5 years of experience), then the Adjustment of Status application can be submitted simultaneously with the Form I-140".
Concurrent filing is possible ONLY if your priority date for EB-2 is current, and not backlogged.
For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.
Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action:
1. USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization. That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.
2. Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:
a. Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;
b. Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs. USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field. USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.
3. Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).
4. Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the following parole program will help:
a. Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where:
i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR
ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research
5. Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the parole option above could be helpful.
6. Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify.
I am a physician completing my J-1 waiver ( on H-1B now in US, waiver will finish by June 2015). My wife became a U.S. citizen few months ago and she has filed I-130 for me. If I-130 is approved, do I have to wait till June 2015 to apply for adjustment of status or can I apply sooner ? If I have to wait till June to apply for I-485, will I be able to get EAD right away or will I need to be on H-1 for a while I-485 is accepted ?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YV-qIlAEpI#t=1320
FAQ Transcript
My wife and I petitioned to adjust her status and shortly before our travel date we received an advance parole document in the wrong name. Rajiv graciously assisted us in handling the situation so we can travel to Korea for a wedding ceremony since her family did not attend our American ceremony. As an attorney myself, I knew the importance of finding someone with experience who can help guide his client -- Rajiv Khanna is very much such an attorney. I wish I had retained him earlier in the process.
I am in L-2 Visa with an approved I-140 from my employer with a priority date of August 2012. My H-1B applications never got picked up in the lottery. My husband's 7 years of L-1A comes to an end in March 2015. So we have to go back to India. My question is, if with Obama's immigration action develops and a possibility occurs for allowing approved I-140 petitioners to apply for I-485 and EAD, what is the process for me to get an EAD while I am in India and how can I come back to US using the approved I-140?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvnIAm0nQJ8#t=808
FAQ Transcript
Thanks to one and all at Rajiv Khanna's office for the excellent support and cooperation extended to me through out my GC journey.
I havent posted my interview experience elsewhere, so am just going to write it in here. I must say that I was not too prepared for the interview (esp compared to most of you), since I had been traveling all that week, and since I am basically lazy
My interview was for 9am, so we reached the DO 15 min before 9. There was no line at security, and we quickly made our way to the upstairs waiting room. I must say that the security guy here was much nicer than the ones at the front.
Had my interview today and the officer who was a lady was awesome. Very friendly and she had no hidden agenda to try and prove our marriage wrong. This is how interviews for this should be versus some of the horror stories you hear.
The only document she asked for was to see originals of: marriage cert, birth cert of me and spouse. She then asked for any documents I had showing joint documents: I handed her bank acc, and medical document showing joint memberships. Thats it!! She didnt even ask to see 1 photograph!! She took I-94.
Rajiv Is an amazing attorney, extremely knowledgeable on immigration matters, he understands even the complex cases right away and gives the best solutions. Even with his busy schedules he is always reachable to his clients. The staff of Law offices of Rajiv S Khanna is very nice and reachable all the time, personally I am with them for the last couple of years and their office has followed up my I-485 case with USCIS and moved it to the local office to get an interview. I would highly recommend them for all immigration related matters. Please feel to contact me if you need any other information.
I have a lot of experience with the immigration lawyers. This time with Rajiv's office is a WAY different (better) experience:
* immaculate filing preparation - this is not some sloppy paralegal preparing your docs with bunch of misspellings and inaccuracies;
* excellent communication - forget your voice-mails with no responses or the your attorney's email black-hole. Rajiv's teams are fast in response and their answers are clear and focused on what you need to know.
* deadline oriented - with Rajiv S. Khanna's office you KNOW the answer of all your when,where,why and hows....If they commit to date - that is your filing date.You never get nonsense excuses.
* respect - all we know that immigration process is not straigth forward and trivial process. Some times things can get bumpy and you may loose your patience. At this time you need moral support and respect no less then a legal help. Rajiv's team is there for you - your best friend and guide. Actually you become at some point member of the team.
* professional awareness - here I'm going to say just one thing and if you read this you'll understand what I'm talking about. This is the first attorney company that I'm working with and I DO NOT have the feeling that I'm more up to date with the immigration law changes and updates then my attorney.
I know at a time I sound like commercial ad, so let me put some names to my words.
My awes goes to the Mathew and Aruna team. Thank you for the excellent job done so far.
And here is my time-line:
PERM: FD: 8/11/2005 AD: 9/12/2005
EAD AD 10/4/2006
AP AD 10/4/2006
I140 AD 8/5/2006
I485 .. soon...
While the process of application to adjustment of status for my mother-in-law was in progress, (sponsored by my husband, a US citizen), my FIL and MIL came to India for a personal reason and there my FIL got into a medical emergency. My mother-in-law's finger print got rejected and they wanted conduct certificate for last 5 years wherever she lived. Now she is not in a position to travel to US until my FIL health gets stable, but we didn't know how to get the conduct certificate from US without her. That's where Mr. Khanna suggested I contact a congressman of our district and explain him the situation so that he will be able to solve the issue by talking to Immigration officers. This was definitely a helpful suggestion. I am yet to contact the congressman. Will let you know the results soon. Thank you very much for Khanna and his team for doing this great service free of cost.
Great help and follow through every queries from USCIS in detail. Mr. Khanna team is very helpfull. From the start of my H1 until my GC
I have worked with Mr. Khanna's law firm over the past 4 years for my Green Card process and the experience has been extremely satisfying ! Everyone that has to go through immigration process knows how stressful the whole situation can be and you need to have a lawyer by your side who puts you at complete ease. Mr. Khanna and his team is very friendly, professional, knowledgeable and outstanding in their service. I appreciate their invaluable advice/legal counsel and their promptness in every matter. The whole team is meticulous, very responsive and it's comforting to know that you have such a great lawyer by your side. I'm glad that I made the right decision in switching to Mr. Khanna's law firm and I strongly recommend them to anyone that needs immigration counsel !