Tampa

I applied for an EAD in April 2004 along with an I-485 etc. The EAD was applied for through e-file.

I heard nothing for 90 days, then made an appointment with Tampa USCIS.

I arrived and was told that as I e-filed the EAD application before I received my I-485 notice of action (but after I sent the I-485 pack) that my EAD COULD be denied. I was told that they couldn't issue an interim EAD and that I'd need to apply again. She then laughed at me and I was asked to leave for no reason.

We filed for an EAD renewal to VSC on Jan 30th 2004. Apparently we did not check how much VSC was back logged. EAD was expiring on 8th of April. When the Employer asked for a renewed EAD, we checked the status & realized the seriousness. We took an appointment with the local Tampa USCIS on March 19th (49th day of filing EAD). We showed all the documents to the officer, she did not allow me to utter a single word. She gave me an appointment for March 24th for Interim EAD. On March 24th Local USCIS issued an interim EAD in 10 mintues for 8 months.

"96 days after submitting the EAD application, Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD. Evidentially an appointment card had been mailed that same day.The appointment was set for 10 days later. Including 2 months wasted trying to get the initial appointment to submit the EAD application, it took 5.5 months to get this EAD renewal. The real tragedy was the loss a job and residual loss of income which lasted months. We will start this process again 6 months before this EAD expires. Hmm...that's pretty soon".