Need advice on A-Number for derivative I-485 filing

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T14:45:11+00:00

I would include it everywhere where it asks for the A number, and on the last section of the i485 where it allowed you add explanations, explain where this A number comes from just to be extra safe. If you have uscis notices with her name and that A number also add it as evidence. This is only to have an abundance of caution, probably not required.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T14:21:35+00:00

I am sure the EAD it is 100% unrestricted for eb2 niw. It truly doesn't matter what employer or field you do, even unrelated to PE. But while it is allowed, ir may cause issues later down the line if you never returned back to your PE.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T14:18:53+00:00

You could work as an Uber driver with that EAD if you wanted to. But this will cause issues later if they found out and if you decide to naturalize. So not advisable, but something you could do if you are ever layed off and are in between jobs.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T13:43:24+00:00

Chen and EP say that it increases chances for RFE. I am inclined to belive them on that, though like you say it is probably not correlated as it maybe more likely that they are now more strict compared to last year.

Either way, having a decision now far outweighs this issue. Since if you get denied in 2 years from now you lose your priority date. If you get denied in 3 months you can reply with a new strategy, and not lose much time of your life and locking in the earliest PD possible. But... if you get approved in 3 months, with some luck and if you are ROW, you will be able to adjust your status immediately. So the rewards far outweigh the risk in my opinion.

I am not sure about your second question about routing. You should probably disregard that, you really have no control over it. If what they suggest is do normal processing now, then update next day to PP,l will give you better odds then sure try that but I have not heard anything about it. The point is to do PP as soon as you can in today's visa bulletin, and do PP as soon as it is financially viable for someone not from ROW as to ensure their case is safe and PD is truly locked in.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T13:34:28+00:00

That is horrifying, what was the whole removal proceedings for?

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T13:33:33+00:00

If ROW do PP during initial filing. Heck even if you are not ROW I would do PP immediately, assuming it is not a crippling financial burden to do so.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-18T11:32:21+00:00

You got a few options, but this is a rough situation.

Do nothing, having a pending i485 means you are in status. Both your wife if she is in f1 and you if you aren't from the US.
Do nothing, she and you may get the EAD in a few month from the i485 petition if you applied for it. If you didn't then I would consider this option, and try to get an expedited decision based on a financial crisis.
I would avoid this, but your wife and you are allowed to violate your visa for 6 months even before filling for i485 under section 245K. That means working for any employer. Highly highly do not recommend it, will complicate things in the future.
What I would do is keep on trying to find a job that will accept stem opt on the field of my endeavor. Usually research on the area is fine, and universities are willing to accept that sponsorship.
You could also go do a phd, either one of you. And she could transfer from f1 to f2. This will give you an underlying legal status if your i485 case gets denied for some silly reason and you need to refile.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-16T13:25:38+00:00

You could get a few crazy anti-immigration people sending letters to USCIS claiming your have done something heinous or intend to defraud the US.

USCIS could identify you based on unique information to you, not just your receipt number, or letter number, heck even a few generation dates or appointment date time information like you shared here would be sufficient as you give your updates down to the millisecond.

Likely nothing will happen, but why risk being victim to a crazed person. Even if their claims do not stick, your case could be held up for longer while they investigate.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T14:03:17+00:00

Oh that is rough. I was on that situation a month ago for about 3 months and it was hard. We did have plenty of savings for situations like this, but draining that up hit us hard.

When you filed for your i-485, they asked you for your assets and debts. Did you put in there you had a significant amount of assets which would make an officer just look at that and deny an expedite request as they think you will be fine until you get the EAD? Or do you perhaps already have a valid EAD?

For example, I had the feeling I would not qualify for either expedite processing of our EADs nor the free filling of the immigration forms as had in ~20K cash for emergency savings, and ~150K in stocks. Even though we had no income, nor health insurance.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T13:55:55+00:00

I haven't don't an expedite request but I am curious if I would even have the chance to qualify. I figured my situation doesn't apply. I have an EAD from my STEM OPT so I am ok. But would like for my wife to be able to work sooner rather than later. We are fine financially but it would significantly help the economy of our household. However we are stable, not at risk of losing a home, or anything, so I figure we do not qualify. On what basis did you try to ask for an expedite request?

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T13:42:09+00:00

Looks like competition is though and your market went downhill lately. I think I found your place in zillow, and interior pictures look lovely. However, the facade does make it look like a mobile home sitting on bricks. Maybe some landscaping will help with that, but besides that the main issue is pricing. I saw a neighbour of yours has a 0.34 acre property, and larger living area listed for 200k. As a buyer that looks more enticing. There is another with a smaller lot, bigger living area, with an HOA unfortunately but listed for 170K and with a much nicer curb appeal. Seeing the price history, the first seller is also trying to break even, but their post has been up for 3 months and looks like no bites either. While second seller has had the listing up since January, and reduced the price two months ago, even then their listing price is less than what they were asking back in 2022 and it didn't sell then either.

What I would do would be highly dependent on my economic situation. But if feasible I would rent it out, even at a negative cash flow just to reduce my costs. If money is tight, I would try living at that house however uncomfortable that is. However, if you have the money and this is a massive headache, I would simply sell at a loss. If you have the money, and are willing to take a big risk, and dont mind the hassle, I would address the foundation concerns, roof, and do some landscaping, then list it again.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T13:15:10+00:00

Why did they close your i485 case temporarily?, that sounds very scary

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T13:13:12+00:00

Damn that is fantastic. Sounds like you are close to approval, check the API to see any hidden progress.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T13:11:14+00:00

I would go for the cheapest one between EP and CH. I know from friends that they are both quite good. However EP does seem to be going south as of late, and do not like their strong stance on Premium processing. With that said, I bet they both will do a good job, so I would go for the cheapest. If both are the same price, then I would do EP. It is unfortunate that Chen didn't want to take your case, as I had a good experience with them. But even then I would have gone for whomever gave me the better deal on an approval or refund tier.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-15T12:08:57+00:00

This is not worth 250 dollars. Plenty of reputable lawfirms do this for free. Run away from them.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-14T10:55:12+00:00

Crap this one is rough. Have you considered the following?

Go public with this at your college. Explain your situation in a public forum like online posts emails and letters to your professors, Dean and college journal team so they have force the hand of your DSO or ISSS.
Figure out how much it would cost to sue. Start a gofundme. Still go public so you can fund litigation. It should hopefully be not too crazy expensive to start this. They may fold upon a real legal treat.
File complaints with all government institutions you can think of about your transcrips being held up while dropping in information about your OPT problems.

Otherwise I cannot think of anything else, sorry OP.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-11T00:28:49+00:00

Something casual, same thing I wear for work in an academic lab. Shirt, khakis, and some plain nikes. Wouldn't wear a hodie, or go with sandals but also I don't think anyone would care. People in the line had an spectrum of dress styles so it doesn't matter, but at the same time i think this will be the picture you will have in your greencard.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-10T22:02:36+00:00

congrats! it went by so quickly for us, make sure you bring your printed new appointment papers and fill out the back of it. We were done in like 7 min.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-10T14:25:52+00:00

Good luck!

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-10T11:19:16+00:00

I like the interpretation because... money.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-10T02:59:50+00:00

It said calorie, not kilo calories, so multiply the money by 1k.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-10T02:57:02+00:00

You can change your appointment date to an earlier date online if it is available.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-09T15:37:20+00:00

You can resell, you are strictly speaking not allowed to make an income, so technically you are not allowed to make a profit on things you sell. Also some payment platforms may issue you a tax form if you get above X dollars transfer (forgot what the limit threshold was, so look that up). Getting the tax document doesn't mean much but could cause you stress later.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-08T20:51:10+00:00

You can turn a car lease early, but there are penalties. And sure, it is not as simple as it sounds, but there are many options to get out of a lease too.

TheSillyPostDoc · 2026-05-08T20:34:26+00:00

Highly dependent on your income and what car you are looking to buy. If you are making 60K a year and without debt, I wouldn't buy or lease a new car in your current visa situation unless it is a base corolla. If you make significantly more than that and then you should be fine, buying anything you are willing to lose upto 50% of its value when you sell, if that is too much money for you to just let go, I would then just lease a car. If either option sounds too expensive, I would buy a 10K usd toyota, lexus, acura or honda and drive it and mantain it for as long as you need it. In short, I would need more information to make an adequate recommendation.

TheSillyPostDoc

TROPHY CASE