@sd, I’m so happy for you. My spouse is dealing with that right now. He’s automatic extension is expiring on March 2nd. Employer already notifying of work stoppage on March 3. USCIS denied the expedite processing request.

How do you get the senator Helps you, and What is the process ?

@Sandy: Similar situation here (but my cut off is 02/22). Also reached out to congressman (waiting to hear back from their request) and our lawyers request is pending too (we sent additional information in last Monday and haven’t heard back yet).

Congrats! Would you mind sharing your timeline? I want to know how long it takes for uscis to respond to senator.

the Senator route works for EAD - I recommend it.

@Belle: It also takes time (except he actually takes up the phone himself). Mine send in a request on either the 28th or the 31st of January (they received my papers on the 29th and I called on February 1st and they had submitted it). I am since then waiting (so it’s been at least two weeks but feels like forever 😩). I think they told me 30 days (his office).

27th not 29th

that's exactly how mine went☺️ congratulations 🎉

@Sarah I was told 30 days as well... Except that they submitted Jan 12, so it's been 30+ days and they said still no response. They just asked me to wait more 😟

@a a: you can Google the senator name for your area and then just call them, explain your situation. Tell them that you need help from them to expedite your case. They will guide you from there .

@Belle: I think that’s the timeline USCIS gives them, but I don’t think it’s very accurate. i should also mention that the requests our lawyers made were not put into the system the day they were made but 7-10 days later.

@Sarah: This is crazy what they are doing with those renewals. I’m wondering why don’t they prolong those automatic extension for longer than 180 days if they already know they won’t adjudicate them before the end of the 180 days. There are so many people being forced to stop working because USCIS won’t adjudicate their work permit on time. This is frustrating when you have to stop working while you can’t stop the bills. Anyways, I’m not sure how it works, but we sent a request to the Senator on Thursday. I’m not sure how long does it take for them to send it. How long did it take for your congress person to send your request to USCIS from when they received it from you? Also did your lawyer submit an expedite processing request too while your congress rep send theirs? I mean do you have 2 active requests to expedite with USCIS right now?

@Belle M: I contacted senator January 25th and sent all my documents to senator office the next day. The senator office sent those documents to USCIS the same day. I got “expedite request receive “ notice from USCIS February 2nd and the final decision February 12th. hope that helps

@Sarah That's good to know. Hopefully the wait won't be too long

@s d That's really quick! Thank you

I also tried to expedite through congressman, they did put the request on Feb 7th, but my status hasn’t changed yet, is this normal?

@CA My status never changed, but my senator assured me the request was in.

@sd that went fast!! Congrats. At least you’re able to work waiting for any other pending application if it’s the case.

@Sandy: it does indeed not make sense. I had to fill out a form that my congressman (senator) sent me via postal service. Added documentation and cover letter and send it overnight and they got it the 27th (Thursday). I called them the Tuesday after (1st of February) and was told they had filed it (but not which day). But it hasn’t shown up in the system yet to my knowledge (but it also often takes forever). our lawyers filed one ER for the EADs (rejected after we sent in more information) and one ER for the 485. my husbands got rejected while they wanted more documentation from me. we sent that in the day it popped up in the system (02/07, request was originally on 01/31) and it’s pending since. so not sure if you can have two pending for the same number at the same time, however I hope as one is pending it puts more pressure on if another request is also coming from the congressman (for the same request and they then see it in the system as hopefully the info is being added in the background).

@CA bug @Belle M: I am not sure about changing the status. because when I first called USCIS to expedite my case, the status changed saying deny my request the next day. same thing with senator request. the status changed the next day saying expedite request received

@sassy J thank you so much. yes I am able to work now without traveling outside the USA. because my H-1b extension was approved through consulate processing which I didn’t want to go right now so I tried expedite the GCEAD

@Sarah let’s hope the congressional request went through successfully 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽. Do you mind sharing your state and/or your service center?

We are Texas Service Center and it’s been taking forever. My hope is, that I can have my L2 changed to L2S and that my employer accepts that. We can also extend our L visa and if we do premium processing that should be through before the current period is up, meaning if all goes 100% as planned I could maybe keep on working. but there are many ifs involved. need to get my status changed first and then my employer needs to accept it.

@Sabe I see now. It’s a lot going on. Lets put positive energy into it while you’re doing what you need to do. Hopefully, everything clears out soon. I was in this process for 4 painful years. I’m now waiting for my spouse’s case to be over. Good luck. Let us know about how your congressional request go.

I have my job offer latter how I can submit that

call and ask to be expedited.

thank you

did you receive email from Uscis that your expedite was received? i've submitted through my congressman too but didn't receive email from Uscis and when I called them, agent said they don't have access to congressman's request, I asked congrrssman's office and they said we have to wait for uscis to reply. I also have a job offer and applied for financial hardship.

@RL: USCIS usually update the case status wether they received/accepted/denied the expedite request. I didn’t get any emails but my online case status updated both times when I applied myself and applied through senator. But one thing: USCIS sent a letter to senator office when they accepted the request and asked for 30-45 days to give the decision.

@sd, thank you for replying. My online case status also updated to show expedite request was received but only when I submitted it myself, no update/no info about the one that was submitted by congressman. If you don't mind sharing, when did you submit expedite yourself? like how much time did you wait to submit through congressman after yout own expedite request. both of my requests were submitted apprx at thr same time so maybe that's why I didn't get update🤷‍♀️

@RL sure anytime. but just to be clear expedite request was received and expedite request was approved is not same. I mean once they approved the expedite request then only they will work on your case and let you know the final decision. Like for me when I submitted it myself January 24th, they received and denied next day. then I contacted senator same day they denied my request. senator sent all my documents the following day January 26th/27th. USCIS update online status Feb 2nd and let me know the final decision Feb 12th. I am not sure wether there is any impact applying both request together but I would not do that.

Congratulations

@victory thanks much it’s a relief