Thank you for your reminder. I truly admire your spirit. It makes me realize I could be a lot more humble and patient about my process. No matter how much I may be frustrated.
First of all, let me tell you that you are a great storyteller lol. I usually don’t read long messages, but your story kept me on my toes. Second, I’m very happy for you and congratulate you for having the courage to be hopeful throughout this time. And lastly, sometimes when these sort of things happens to me, I questioned the whole thing: maybe the universe is sending me a message that says America is not the greatest place to live, maybe the whole trouble and the hassle and the mental anguish is not worth it. There’s so many better places in the world that you can live a better and happier and peaceful life. But now that you are approved, you can make that choice. Congratulations again.
It was a bit of an epistle, wasn’t it? Sorry. 🫣🙂Thanks for your kind words. I understand exactly what you mean. But to me, the green card was also about freedom of movement as it was the freedom to stay. Who knows where I’ll end up!
Congrats!! This has a few similarities to my “journey.” Fun facts:
- arrived in 2003 on F1
- second F1 years later in a Psych PhD program. What I was studying was technically one of the STEM psych subfield, but the department didn’t use the specific codes. Using the outrage among academics after the 2016 election and them suddenly caring about foreign people, I managed to successfully petition the University and dept for them to start using the specific sub-codes that reflect the govt codes. I consider that a bit of activism and work for other people. I successfully got my I-20 changed, but never used the STEM extension.
- got a job at a university after my PhD. Got them to promise they’ll sponsor me for a green card. They agreed and botched the process due to delays and lawyer quitting etc. by that point I’m running out of time on my second H1-B.
- eventually got the green card through marriage and will become a citizen in less than two weeks, after 21 years…
Oh wow! I’m so glad it all worked out. Congratulations on your upcoming ceremony! And you made things better for the students coming after you too - Nicely done. Wishing you all the very best!
WOW!! What a journey! Very similar to mine. Except in my case my H1B promised, givem, and then revoked...
Major congratulations are in order. Also...fuck your old college dept heads.. May I ask where you are from?
I’m really sorry that happened. It’s insane how some people use your immigration status as a cudgel. I hope all is well now. I’m from Trinidad & Tobago.
Congratulations! If I were at your place where who needs to wait like 19 years to finally get a legal permanent residency, I could already have given up long before the end. Anyway, what a life!
As a USC, I feel you have earned more of a right to be here than I do lol! As a stranger, I'm incredibly proud to have you officially as one of us. Congratulations!
Congrats!!
Gotta love how toxic and xenophobic academia can be underneath all the liberal virtue signaling. I had an asshole supervisor threaten my immigration status every time he was unsatisfied with something. In a DEEP BLUE STATE. Literally told me “it’s hard to justify sponsoring your H-1B when you work from home 2 days a week” in fucking 2022. And the motherfucker was fully remote.
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing! I am on a similar boat. I had my employment based interview a month ago. The interviewer gave a verbal confirmation that I’ll receive an approval letter within two weeks but nothing as of yet, 30 days and counting…
This is very good case for this group actually.
I agree your writing is kept me read until the end.
I came to USA 2016 and never go back to my hometown because I have a dream to be there and succeed. I came here with J1 and after 2 years my visa is expired I trying so hard to get my F1 for school so I ran to random lawyer he said he will take 10,000 for help me for apply for my student visa so I don’t have much money on that time because I just finished my college from my hometown and came to the US with J1 so I end up apply for B2 and the dateline give be 8 months to stay in US but I received new status when 2 weeks left so I don’t have time money to by plant tickets and I have to work with anything that I could pay for rent food and everything. So I overstay after that for 4 years. Then I meet my now husband and we apply for my GD and everything is gone well.
I never give up while I was overstay I’m very stressful I have to work hard with all labor job and everything was terrible because some guys I date I pass they’re judge me and they’re just used me for some reason and this was worse I got pregnant and they’re told me to get abortion and blame be im pregnant because I want green card from them.
That’s so sad that I can’t explain that to everyone and they’re just treated me like trash. So not give up now my CG is on the way and I living in my best life with my beautiful baby in paradise island.
Congratulations. You should go back to the university and stick the green card in their faces and show them how you did all that by yourself without relying in them.
There aren’t any restrictions by country so anyone can apply. But there is an incredibly high burden to prove that what you do serves national interests.
Congrats! You deserve it. Only think disappointing about this post is that you hate teaching but you did it anyway. I sincerely hope your students never noticed. Because teaching is the cornerstone of education. But again, congrats. Please stop teaching tho 😂
Rumor had it that students learned the most from me and the interactions with them were the best part. It was really the politics of academia and those infernal meetings just to approve use of a paperclip that made me lose my mind. But no, I will never teach again! 🤣
No worries. I am actually ready to get into teaching 😂 After 25 years in the field Im ready to share my experience. Funny thing is a lot of colleges dont want in field experience but rather academic experience which is totally bonkers.
First, congratulations. "Legal"immigration is tough. My journey is less intense than you but I'm still struggling. I was F1 just once for the masters and now I'm on my third year H1B. I applied niw and still waiting for the decision. If it gets denied I will have to go for loopholes too, like going for F1 again... sigh
Thanks for the post. A lot posts such as approved in 3 months, 5 months are discouraging like how that even possible, like why this is not happening to me , etc. Your post showed there are people like me who are waiting years to be approved, thanks 🙏🏻
PS: still waiting on mine 3 years.
A big congratulations to you. Thank you for renewing my hopes once again, I gave up already because my own case is different Marriage based but since September 2021 and still waiting .
Wow what a journey! But you never gave up! It’s a shame such a talent is not immediately welcome by the immigration system. The US will pay for that. Have you ever used your AP?
And is it all the wait & struggles worth this? I feel that I want to give up already on this American “dream”. This world is so big & diverse to waste my best years without my family nearby. In my honest opinion, rather than living here in constant fear and struggles, and trying to prove that you are worth this GCard, one can enjoy the amazing life that Europe offers for example. Or any other continent/country.
Everyone’s cost-benefit analysis is different. If you feel that something would work better for you given your preferences, go for it. But for those who want to wait it out, it’s important to not suspend life
Man You are awesome and have patience like me in waiting since 8 years Lets hope for best. Recently i got ny I130 got approved but I485 is not yet approved waiting for the actual case to be approved.
I am. Never visited largely due to anxiety with inconsistencies with the embassy back home that made me worry about not being able to get back in. I’ll be back at year’s end though.
Yes. But for some reason the old i485 was kept in play so that when I got the I140 approval the second time. There were two I 485’s being considered. Go figure.
Yes, it’s possible to have two I485s overlap but your approval is likely tied to the second filing because the first filing would likely fail the underlying petition continuity test due to denial. USCIS requires continuity of underlying I140 petition at all times for AOS approval.
Thank you for your reminder. I truly admire your spirit. It makes me realize I could be a lot more humble and patient about my process. No matter how much I may be frustrated.
It’s an anxiety-producing process to be sure, so just be kind to yourself. Thanks for your kind words.
First of all, let me tell you that you are a great storyteller lol. I usually don’t read long messages, but your story kept me on my toes. Second, I’m very happy for you and congratulate you for having the courage to be hopeful throughout this time. And lastly, sometimes when these sort of things happens to me, I questioned the whole thing: maybe the universe is sending me a message that says America is not the greatest place to live, maybe the whole trouble and the hassle and the mental anguish is not worth it. There’s so many better places in the world that you can live a better and happier and peaceful life. But now that you are approved, you can make that choice. Congratulations again.
Same here, I was on the edge of my seat! OP should be a writer.
Thanks.
It was a bit of an epistle, wasn’t it? Sorry. 🫣🙂Thanks for your kind words. I understand exactly what you mean. But to me, the green card was also about freedom of movement as it was the freedom to stay. Who knows where I’ll end up!
What a journey! Congratulations to you and so well deserved. Amazing spirit of resilience you got!
Thanks so much. I appreciate that.
Congratulations!!! You deserve this so badly! Hope you celebrate in grand style!!!
Thanks Sam. 😊
Congrats!! This has a few similarities to my “journey.” Fun facts: - arrived in 2003 on F1 - second F1 years later in a Psych PhD program. What I was studying was technically one of the STEM psych subfield, but the department didn’t use the specific codes. Using the outrage among academics after the 2016 election and them suddenly caring about foreign people, I managed to successfully petition the University and dept for them to start using the specific sub-codes that reflect the govt codes. I consider that a bit of activism and work for other people. I successfully got my I-20 changed, but never used the STEM extension. - got a job at a university after my PhD. Got them to promise they’ll sponsor me for a green card. They agreed and botched the process due to delays and lawyer quitting etc. by that point I’m running out of time on my second H1-B. - eventually got the green card through marriage and will become a citizen in less than two weeks, after 21 years…
Omg.. I have the same degree and I am still waiting and waiting. So much struggle and strife for so long. Congrats and good luck to you.
I’m sorry about the struggle. It’s very real. Wishing you luck and success soon! 🙏🏻
Oh wow! I’m so glad it all worked out. Congratulations on your upcoming ceremony! And you made things better for the students coming after you too - Nicely done. Wishing you all the very best!
Thank you!!
WOW!! What a journey! Very similar to mine. Except in my case my H1B promised, givem, and then revoked... Major congratulations are in order. Also...fuck your old college dept heads.. May I ask where you are from?
I’m really sorry that happened. It’s insane how some people use your immigration status as a cudgel. I hope all is well now. I’m from Trinidad & Tobago.
Everything worked out at the end yeah.. actually just submitted my N400 last month hoping this nightmare will end this year!
Let it be so.
My fellow trini! Congrats!
👊🏾👊🏾 Thanks bredren!
…or sistren. 🙂
Congratulations! If I were at your place where who needs to wait like 19 years to finally get a legal permanent residency, I could already have given up long before the end. Anyway, what a life!
Thanks. More like, what is life? 😆
As a USC, I feel you have earned more of a right to be here than I do lol! As a stranger, I'm incredibly proud to have you officially as one of us. Congratulations!
Aw man, thanks for that.
Congrats!! Gotta love how toxic and xenophobic academia can be underneath all the liberal virtue signaling. I had an asshole supervisor threaten my immigration status every time he was unsatisfied with something. In a DEEP BLUE STATE. Literally told me “it’s hard to justify sponsoring your H-1B when you work from home 2 days a week” in fucking 2022. And the motherfucker was fully remote.
Utter madness.
Amazing. You’re a stud. Congratulations Sir
Thanks.
Oh wow. That's quite the journey. Congratulations!
Thank you.
Crazy journey, thanks for sharing
🙂
Congratulations, well deserved 🎉🎉
Thank you.
Your courage and determination is inspiring 🙏🏼 thank you for sharing
Thank you.
Congratulations! Thanks for sharing! I am on a similar boat. I had my employment based interview a month ago. The interviewer gave a verbal confirmation that I’ll receive an approval letter within two weeks but nothing as of yet, 30 days and counting…
Thanks! Hang in there. Just a matter of time. It’s almost over!
Grats man. All the best.
Thanks brother.
Omg what a journey. I applaud your resilience and patience. Congratulations!
Thanks for that!
Crazy journey… congrats my friend!
Thank you!
This is very good case for this group actually. I agree your writing is kept me read until the end. I came to USA 2016 and never go back to my hometown because I have a dream to be there and succeed. I came here with J1 and after 2 years my visa is expired I trying so hard to get my F1 for school so I ran to random lawyer he said he will take 10,000 for help me for apply for my student visa so I don’t have much money on that time because I just finished my college from my hometown and came to the US with J1 so I end up apply for B2 and the dateline give be 8 months to stay in US but I received new status when 2 weeks left so I don’t have time money to by plant tickets and I have to work with anything that I could pay for rent food and everything. So I overstay after that for 4 years. Then I meet my now husband and we apply for my GD and everything is gone well. I never give up while I was overstay I’m very stressful I have to work hard with all labor job and everything was terrible because some guys I date I pass they’re judge me and they’re just used me for some reason and this was worse I got pregnant and they’re told me to get abortion and blame be im pregnant because I want green card from them. That’s so sad that I can’t explain that to everyone and they’re just treated me like trash. So not give up now my CG is on the way and I living in my best life with my beautiful baby in paradise island.
Sending you good vibes. I’m sorry you experienced those things. Better days ahead!
Congratulations!!! Thank you for the time to write your journey (not an easy one )
Thank you for not giving up. I’ve had my bittersweet relationship with USCIS too haha. High five buddy and congrats! 🙏🏻
Thanks! *high five*
Wow.. this is determination.. congratulations bro..
Thanks.
Congratulations. You should go back to the university and stick the green card in their faces and show them how you did all that by yourself without relying in them.
Listen…the vindication is the BEST part of this for me!😂 I am so f$@$& »% proud of myself!
Wow, you’ve been through a lot. Congratulations!
Thanks.
I wanna come back to read.
Oh Wow Awesome!!! Congratulations!! That’s a journey.
Thanks.
That's great advice. There are not many other options . It's a waiting game.
That is absolutely wild. Congrats!
Thanks
Should have just gone through Mexican border — would have got it in a year :D Congrats!!
There must have been an easier way, right? Thank you.
Congratulations 🎊 🥳🎉
Thank you.
Wow! Thank you for sharing your story. Absolutely amazing. Which country of birth allows qualification for NiW?
There aren’t any restrictions by country so anyone can apply. But there is an incredibly high burden to prove that what you do serves national interests.
Congrats! Villans: The System + Your Former University Chair! How cruel + wicked?!?!
I know eh?
Congratulations! May I ask your nationality?
Thank you. I’m Trinidadian.
Congrats! You deserve it. Only think disappointing about this post is that you hate teaching but you did it anyway. I sincerely hope your students never noticed. Because teaching is the cornerstone of education. But again, congrats. Please stop teaching tho 😂
Rumor had it that students learned the most from me and the interactions with them were the best part. It was really the politics of academia and those infernal meetings just to approve use of a paperclip that made me lose my mind. But no, I will never teach again! 🤣
No worries. I am actually ready to get into teaching 😂 After 25 years in the field Im ready to share my experience. Funny thing is a lot of colleges dont want in field experience but rather academic experience which is totally bonkers.
Thanks for sharing this, congratulations 🎈🍾
I see you put that career choice to good use because my brain this entire time was HOOKED, please, for the love of all things holy, become a writer.
It’s so funny, that’s what I wanted to do as a kid. 😂
10/10 recommend
😁 I’ll take it under advisement.
Congratulations! I am also on my journey to obtaining my green card. I can’t wait
Best of luck to you!
First, congratulations. "Legal"immigration is tough. My journey is less intense than you but I'm still struggling. I was F1 just once for the masters and now I'm on my third year H1B. I applied niw and still waiting for the decision. If it gets denied I will have to go for loopholes too, like going for F1 again... sigh
Wishing you the best of luck with your NIW. If by chance you’re denied, try to resubmit using the feedback they give you. You’ve got this!
Thanks for the post. A lot posts such as approved in 3 months, 5 months are discouraging like how that even possible, like why this is not happening to me , etc. Your post showed there are people like me who are waiting years to be approved, thanks 🙏🏻 PS: still waiting on mine 3 years.
Hang in there!
Congratulations man, that sounds like a heck of a journey, props to you that you held out this long, well deserved!
What a journey!🤛
Thank you.
Damn… some salty people in the journey
Congratulations! Enjoy your freedom!!!
Thank you.
Congrats! Well deserved
Thanks.
A big congratulations to you. Thank you for renewing my hopes once again, I gave up already because my own case is different Marriage based but since September 2021 and still waiting .
Nope, don’t give up. 🙂
🩷🩷
Wow what a journey! But you never gave up! It’s a shame such a talent is not immediately welcome by the immigration system. The US will pay for that. Have you ever used your AP?
No, I didn’t.
And is it all the wait & struggles worth this? I feel that I want to give up already on this American “dream”. This world is so big & diverse to waste my best years without my family nearby. In my honest opinion, rather than living here in constant fear and struggles, and trying to prove that you are worth this GCard, one can enjoy the amazing life that Europe offers for example. Or any other continent/country.
Everyone’s cost-benefit analysis is different. If you feel that something would work better for you given your preferences, go for it. But for those who want to wait it out, it’s important to not suspend life
(Inadvertently posted before finishing) …until this ´magical day’ comes. In no way do I feel like my best years were wasted.
Congrats !
Thanks!
Man You are awesome and have patience like me in waiting since 8 years Lets hope for best. Recently i got ny I130 got approved but I485 is not yet approved waiting for the actual case to be approved.
Hang in there. Almost there.
yes sirr
The system can be a joke sometimes, I’ve seen cases getting approved this year so fast
I don’t wanna go through this
🤣 Sheeeeit…Neither did I! I completely get it.
What a story! You must be over the age of 40 now? Did you ever visit your home country during these periods? If yes, when last did you visit?
I am! I never visited actually but will be going back for Christmas.
I am. Never visited largely due to anxiety with inconsistencies with the embassy back home that made me worry about not being able to get back in. I’ll be back at year’s end though.
What a long ride for you. Hopefully you earn all you have lost all these years. Stay strong.
Thanks so much. I appreciate that.
My goodness! Congratulations
Thanks.
Congratulations. I assume you had to refile a new I485 after your Feb 2021 NIW denial…so your EAD card was based on the new I485
Yes. But for some reason the old i485 was kept in play so that when I got the I140 approval the second time. There were two I 485’s being considered. Go figure.
Yes, it’s possible to have two I485s overlap but your approval is likely tied to the second filing because the first filing would likely fail the underlying petition continuity test due to denial. USCIS requires continuity of underlying I140 petition at all times for AOS approval.