Combo EAD and Advance Parole Card issues

[renjuzone]

Hello,

I need some advice on how to file for my EAD and AP renewals. Every year till now, I've filed the EAD and AP separately but am hoping to file them together to receive the combo card. Here's my question/problem.

Through some quirk that I am not sure I understand, It seems that my I-485 was receipted through the Texas Service Center rather than the Nebraska Service Center. Rules for proper filing location appear to differ for (APs) rather than for EADs.

EAD applicants seem to have to file the I-765 at the USCIS lockbox having jurisdiction over the FN's place of residence, which means my EAD application should go to the Arizona lockbox. [I am from the mid-west] For advance paroles, the rule appears to be that I have to file the I-131 based on the receipt number on the I-485 on which AP eligibility is based. (i.e, If the I-485 receipt starts with LIN or WAC, we have to file the I-131 with the Arizona lockbox. If the I-485 receipt starts with SRC or EAC, we have to file the I-131 with the Texas lockbox.)

Therefore, in my case, it appears that my AP application has to be filed at the Texas lockbox and the EAD has to be filed at the Arizona lockbox. It appears to be that USCIS only issues combined EAD & AP cards if the two forms are filed together but for my case, the instructions on where to file appear to prevent the two forms from being filed together.

What do I do to get the combo card? Does anyone have any similar experience to share?

[Desertfox]

If you apply I-765 online, it will give you an option to add I-131, and the receipt notice generated at the end of the application process will give you the mailing address for the supporting documents. The online system will ask you for the service center where your I-485 is pending at, and it automatically determines the filing location.

Originally Posted by renjuzone

Hello,

I need some advice on how to file for my EAD and AP renewals. Every year till now, I've filed the EAD and AP separately but am hoping to file them together to receive the combo card. Here's my question/problem.

Through some quirk that I am not sure I understand, It seems that my I-485 was receipted through the Texas Service Center rather than the Nebraska Service Center. Rules for proper filing location appear to differ for (APs) rather than for EADs.

EAD applicants seem to have to file the I-765 at the USCIS lockbox having jurisdiction over the FN's place of residence, which means my EAD application should go to the Arizona lockbox. [I am from the mid-west] For advance paroles, the rule appears to be that I have to file the I-131 based on the receipt number on the I-485 on which AP eligibility is based. (i.e, If the I-485 receipt starts with LIN or WAC, we have to file the I-131 with the Arizona lockbox. If the I-485 receipt starts with SRC or EAC, we have to file the I-131 with the Texas lockbox.)

Therefore, in my case, it appears that my AP application has to be filed at the Texas lockbox and the EAD has to be filed at the Arizona lockbox. It appears to be that USCIS only issues combined EAD & AP cards if the two forms are filed together but for my case, the instructions on where to file appear to prevent the two forms from being filed together.

What do I do to get the combo card? Does anyone have any similar experience to share?

[spicy_guy]

I have couple more questions on this.

My EAD expires in Sep. So I have to file it in July. My AP Expires in Dec.
Can I still file for combo card, though I have sometime left on my AP? Does USCIS accept this?

If I get a combo card, by chance, will my AP get 2 year validity along with my EAD?

[pappu]

We are meeting USCIS officials in the coming days. If there is a process related issue our members are facing (example massive delays experienced in a service center for a certain application) let us know. We will relay the problems that a lot of our members are experiencing. Last year we helped members with EAD delays. We can take up individual applications and make a request. However for that, the member must be a long term continuous contributor to IV.

[njverifier]

Originally Posted by spicy_guy

I have couple more questions on this.

My EAD expires in Sep. So I have to file it in July. My AP Expires in Dec.
Can I still file for combo card, though I have sometime left on my AP? Does USCIS accept this?

If I get a combo card, by chance, will my AP get 2 year validity along with my EAD?

I thought Parole validity is only 1 year, I am curious to know if anyone received a combo card for 2 yrs?

[njverifier]

Originally Posted by spicy_guy

I have couple more questions on this.

My EAD expires in Sep. So I have to file it in July. My AP Expires in Dec.
Can I still file for combo card, though I have sometime left on my AP? Does USCIS accept this?

If I get a combo card, by chance, will my AP get 2 year validity along with my EAD?

I was in a similar situation and my attorneys told me that combo card will be issued on USCIS discretion. I wanted to wait till I fall in 120 days period and then apply combo card as I am still on H1. My attorneys advised me not have any gap in EAD renewals(not sure why...). I honestly think that USCIS will abide by the 120 day rule for applying AP. so your application for AP may be rejected. Let's see if there are any such cases here on this forum.

[greencard.wait]

Pappu - your comment on my post pls

This time I am sure thousands of people will be available for H.R. 3012 rally in washington DC if IV team initiate. This will sure give more media attention to this bill.

Your comments / Thoughts

Originally Posted by pappu

We are meeting USCIS officials in the coming days. If there is a process related issue our members are facing (example massive delays experienced in a service center for a certain application) let us know. We will relay the problems that a lot of our members are experiencing. Last year we helped members with EAD delays. We can take up individual applications and make a request. However for that, the member must be a long term continuous contributor to IV.

[ebizash]

Originally Posted by njverifier

I thought Parole validity is only 1 year, I am curious to know if anyone received a combo card for 2 yrs?

I applied EAD and AP together in March and DID receive a two-year combo card couple of weeks back.

[veereddy]

Originally Posted by ebizash

I applied EAD and AP together in March and DID receive a two-year combo card couple of weeks back.

Whichever (EAD/AP) is expiring first you got 2 years from that date?

[ebizash]

Originally Posted by veereddy

Whichever (EAD/AP) is expiring first you got 2 years from that date?

My AP had expired late last year and EAD was expiring in mid July.

I had applied for both in late March and got approval in late May. The card is effective from the day of approval so essentially I got 1 year and 10 months for EAD and 2 years for AP.

HTH!

[spicy_guy]

Originally Posted by ebizash

My AP had expired late last year and EAD was expiring in mid July.

I had applied for both in late March and got approval in late May. The card is effective from the day of approval so essentially I got 1 year and 10 months for EAD and 2 years for AP.

HTH!

So you joined them together. Your AP was already eligible for renewal, so you combined them together. But question is, what if some delta left on EAD/AP? Can we still go ahead and apply together?

[DallasBlue]

Originally Posted by pappu

We are meeting USCIS officials in the coming days. If there is a process related issue our members are facing (example massive delays experienced in a service center for a certain application) let us know. We will relay the problems that a lot of our members are experiencing. Last year we helped members with EAD delays. We can take up individual applications and make a request. However for that, the member must be a long term continuous contributor to IV.

Can you check why they have to charge $740 for EAD/AP renewal for those who filed before 2k7 Aug each and everytime and only once for those who filed after Aug2k7 ? what different process or procedures do they do to charge everytime for renewal and why not just one time that increased charge ?

[pappu]

Originally Posted by DallasBlue

Can you check why they have to charge $740 for EAD/AP renewal for those who filed before 2k7 Aug each and everytime and only once for those who filed after Aug2k7 ? what different process or procedures do they do to charge everytime for renewal and why not just one time that increased charge ?

It has to do with rule change in 2007. To avoid pre 2007 being charged, there will have to be lengthy internal rule making process. But such rule will deprive the agency of additional revenue (and make advocacy difficult). It is surprising why the post 2007 rule that causes loss of fees revenue every couple of years was made in the first place. The whole EAD/AP process is still not perfect in our opinion. We had given several suggestions to improve it and some were implemented. The 2 year EAD is the biggest relief. We had suggested it to be 3 year instead of 1 year at that time. If you check the old threads you will see suggestions like delivery of EAD/AP documents so that they are not lost in the mail and returned, expedite processing after a certain time etc. Many are now implemented. All it takes is someone taking up the responsibility and preparing a document with a list, rationale, how it is possible in the current law without any law change or admin fix and how many people it will help. Officials are very receptive to suggestions and willing to implement good suggestions. But it needs someone to explain in meetings and take the extra effort to follow up periodically.This will seem contrary to popular opinion on the forums where people rant and admin may play to the crowd by talking negatively about the agency. But talking negatively only helps build site traffic and business. To bring positive changes, one has to constantly advocate the agency by building trust as a representative of the immigrant community.

[Chandini]

Originally Posted by pappu

We are meeting USCIS officials in the coming days. If there is a process related issue our members are facing (example massive delays experienced in a service center for a certain application) let us know. We will relay the problems that a lot of our members are experiencing. Last year we helped members with EAD delays. We can take up individual applications and make a request. However for that, the member must be a long term continuous contributor to IV.

.

What about unused visas for EB-3. Lot of people are waiting for more than a decade to get green card approval. Every one is suffering because of the long wait. Family is also suffering.

[checkmet64]

Originally Posted by Chandini

.

What about unused visas for EB-3. Lot of people are waiting for more than a decade to get green card approval. Every one is suffering because of the long wait. Family is also suffering.

I think this will open up the whole EB2 Vs EB3 discussion. Instead, the approach should be "every one is atleast able to file 1485 if I140 is approved", as was suggested by the previous poster.