hello Ethan! you're right about the Nebraska center. I got my EAD approved today from that center after almost 7.5 months. I sent an expedite request on October 26. my congresswoman did too. today they send me an email to say that my request has been assigned to an officer AFTER the original case was already approved. not sure if either request from me or the Congresswoman helped as I haven't heard anything from her office either. but when I called USCIS last week, they told me that my case was in line to be adjudicated any day now and most likely between last week and this one, with or without any expedite request. but I do agree with you. the whole process is frustrating and even infuriating. what category did you file under? because that too plays a role, as they changed the processing times for all categories last year. also, different centers have different timing for the same documents.

Lilo, glad that you got yours approved. my category is C9 and it's a new application. I have been dealing with this sine June that my EAD was expired (under E3 visa). Currently I have 1 ER and 1 congressman request waiting for response. I hope to see some updates soon.

Same here waiting for ead from Nov 2020.. Texas center

EB category as well

I hope so too, for you, Ethan! Your case is definitely outside processing time if it's been 13 months, because the time frame for C9 in Nebraska is 9.5 to 10.5 months on USCIS website. my category is c8, and this was a renewal. the 3rd one actually. (I wonder how many times they're going to renew my EAD before they finally decide my entire case.🤔) @A G, I too hope that you receive your approval soon. November 2020, that's a year. 😨

@Lilo how did you contact Nebraska and was able to speak with anyone at all? I tried calling many times but never could get past the automated system, if I ask to speak with an agent more than once the system responds it will disconnect my call

Juliana to get through the automated system you just have to say “info pass” I recommend calling early in the morning because usually in the afternoon it’s over an hour waiting.

Ethan I have had 4 expedite requests denied from Congress and myself requesting so I wouldn’t hold your breath on that. I just submitted my 5th one because the denial I already have so maybe by my 10th request they will approve it lol

deds- That's quite a strategy lol. good luck :)

Ethan it’s not really a strategy but I am out of work and have all this time on my hands lol so far every time I requested an expedite I would receive an update with my denial lol for example I got my rfe last month and I know there is still a lot of people waiting on that too so maybe me bugging them worked for that

@Juliana, when you call, say "expedite request". but that is only for that purpose, as I doubt they'd remain on the line of not. also, if m to submit an expedite request, you need more evidence than "case is taking too long". I would recommend to call them in the morning, and possibly right when they open at 8am ET. I've called them 3 times: morning at 8am, evening at 7pm, and afternoon around 2:30pm. morning, I was transferred straight to an agent. in the afternoon, I had a 20-minute wait, evening, over an hour until I got disconnected because they closed at 8pm. it also depends on how many people are calling that day. but mornings seem best.

@deds, did they ask for evidence before the expedite denial?

yes, @deds is right on calling in the early morning. and now I know about "info pass" too. thank you, Deds! 🙂

they never requested for evidence for any of them. just denied and I think it has to do with my 140 because it was premium processing but like I said I get updates with my denial so that’s a plus.

Lilo - yeah I decided to do everything through Emma after I called one time and waited almost 2 hours lol but I did call in the morning one time and I went straight to an agent.

does the agent really help in anything?

I tried calling before.. they just give what’s your current status, which we already know

Deds - I never got through Emma. I actually hate Emma.🤣 so, I call. lol their wait over the phone can be ridiculous. the lady time I called we were even cut off. I didn't bother calling back. I still don't know if I was mad about the call cutting off or USCIS not dragging their feet. 😂

A G - the agent helps in filing the expedite requesr as long as you have a valid reason for fiking one. other than that another one told me that they're powerless over the phone.

deds - do you by chance know what are the Nebraska working hours? I read somewhere that it's 8.30am-4pm ET. just wondering when I should stop checking my case status lol?

yeah idk but honestly I have received notifications of updates at all kinds of hour so I don’t think it matters lol

for system generated notification it can be at any time. rfe responses also got notified by 9pm pst. but officer actions for me has been in mornings

did anyone notice that the “Case Inquiry date” for Nebraska moved back 3 months. Eg: for I 485 - EAD which was around Jan 7 2021 as of yesterday moved to Nov 18th this morning. While it seems to be course corrected to reflect the reality with holidays coming up, not sure where it will all land. is there no legal route we can take?

A B - I noticed that and it is the reality. Nebraska stuck at October filers. I'm up for any action that brings that problem to the attention of public. maybe talking to press?

I just saw that. this is infuriating. what a joke.

its the same for Texas center was on Jan 2021 now moved back to Nov 2020

I've asked my lawyer the same question about legal actions against USCIS so many times! 😂 no, seriously, I think a class action suit would have better chances than just a one-person suit. part of the reasons why the processing times are longer now include USCIS being recently sued in a class action where people lost their jobs because they were waiting on USCIS to renew their documents which never arrived on time. so, that's a precedent for another class action suit against USCIS, because their processing times are STILL causing people to lose their jobs.

@Ethen if October is not addressed then even this is not revealing the actual date. so there will be more retrogression. There was one other thread talking just now about - something called Mandamus Suit. Should we look at that option?

I have gotten INSOMNIA and life has become so stressful.

A B - I totally understand you. that's what those ridiculous process from USCIS do to us. Mandamus is a way, yes. the only thing with that is that it is an individual path, not a group one. at least, that's what I was told when I asked about it because I was considering it too, last month.

A B - we all need immediate solution and those legal actions take forever. although it'll be never late and worth considering. I just heard from my lawyer that part of this delay is due to reassigning resources to Afghanistan refugees visas. That completely aligns with the exponentially long wait times. the worst to come...

Ethan - you're right on the time that legal actions take. and now that you are mentioning the resources to Afghanistan refugees, it explains indeed. and I agree with you, too, this is not ending soon and might get even worse... 😨

Ethan have you tried ombudsman?

meanwhile nbc is approving people left and right.

Deds, yes I did twice. first time in Aug where I've been told to give 60 days since the recidve date of RFE and second time was last week that hasn't been responded yet.

Exactly @Deb, I also assumed something like what @Ethan mentioned. While the humanitarian way of thinking makes me feel they deserve they attention but what bothers me is why the impact is seen only in Nebraska or to some external Tx

Deds - right. they need a better system. creating a division or assigning a center only for refugees assistance would help stream the workload better without disrupting the other cases already in line. why has no one ever thought of that over there? 👀

because this country embraces the ones coming in wrong rather than the ones who do the right way. there I said it. it always comes down to politics and I hate that.

Deds - oh my, thank you!!! that's the same thing I've been decrying and what infuriates me about this current administration. though I'm for helping people I ain't stay silent and not say that it is a slap to our faces, we who do it right, to prioritize those who came illegally. the law doesn't care about your reasons for breaking it. we don't break in banks just because we are hungry and walk free. we all made sacrifices coming here and continue to sacrifice to stay here LEGALLY. we should be the priority. I'm on that with you, Deds!

I am in this country since 2006 and still waiting for EAD, makes me rethink my choices -

A B - sad indeed.

jeez A B. that’s nuts. I am just out of words. this is injustice.

Thank you @deda and @Lilo

@Ethan F. Did the congressman get back to you ? I am waiting for any response it’s been 9 business days now ! I also contacted the SF office

@Princy - I'm afraid not! it's been almost 30 days since they submitted ER and that hasn't been responded yet. I heard that due to high volume of congressional enquiries, the success rate is really low😔

I agree with @Ethan I don’t think they are checking anything they are just rejecting.

Ethan - I've seen on here people who filed another ER after 30 days and got approved. I would suggest you do as well. don't give up, friend! also, when you do, ask about the previous one and where your case currently stands. if you're lucky enough to talk to a helpful agent, he or she could even tell you about when your case would be adjudicated. that happened to me when I called to inquire about the ER I had made the week before, and the one that my congresswoman had done. the gentleman I spoke with was very understanding and wanted to help, and though my ER was still showing as pending on his screen, he told me my case would be adjudicated between that week and the week after with or without any ER. the week after my case was approved. ER approval rates are very low, but they're not 0%. 🙂

Thanks Lilo, I will follow up again.

Hello @Ethan my friend whom I was talking about who has the receipt date of November first week has an update today that the EAD card is being produced. This is from Nebraska, hope you would hear some good news. His ER was rejected and he submitted ER for his wife with the same “Financial hardship” and 24 days later he got the status update just like @Lilo pointed.

Thanks for the update AB. mine still pending but interestingly enough, they approved my wife's COMBO CARD 2 weeks ago! she never requested for ER and se is a dependent of my application. I'm really hopeless and don't think I'll get it this side of the year :(

@Ethan, somethings are unexplainable Hope you get it soon Brother