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Heyyyy everyone ... I sent my application on august 15th 2012 ... Went for bio on September 20th ... Never called even when my six month mark passed .. and 10 min ago my status changed in one of the applications ... It says card productionnn ))))))))))).

Oh God...we can travel outside of the country without waiting for GC???? That is all I wanted to ever hear! Thank you Obama and Gang of 8!!!!!

None of us here has waited less than 4 months, I don't think. Mine took exactly 7 months from the application mailing date til now, I just got my card last week. With the rising number of applicants, I think if you are lucky, 6 months, if not, 8-9. I think the application numbers can only rise. It is completely normal to take longer than 5 months. If it takes more than 6, then you can call. Otherwise, it is just a waiting game. I will be honest and say chances are they didn't even open your letter except to take out the check, and they will only open it a week before they approve you or request RFE. They only put everyone in Initial Review so we can all be at ease and make us think they are looking at our stuff, but reality is they are not. They will approve you in the weeks they open your package, and it is not going to be for another 4 months, at least. But like I said, if the 6 month mark comes and they don't say anything, call them. 6 months from the application date, not the biometrics date. Good luck. (They are frustrating, but don't get mad and desperate, because believe me, that does not help, most of us were tired of waiting and complianing before our stuff came in the mail).

Me too me too me too )) ... After 8 months ) Sent my application on august 15th ....bio Sept20 Never called .... Half an hour ago my status changed in one of the applications to ... Card production )).

Hopefully they release the entire thing today.

Some of us have already been approved and have even received our EADS and SS Cards...now the tough climb begins.... This topic is for us to share our experiences and tips upon entering the workforce. Ill start by sharing mine: I worked "under the table" and never attempted to use my SS # because of the NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT restriction, neither did I use a fake one for fear of getting caught and the consequences. This "under the table" jobs dont qualify as experience and shouldnt because I shouldnt have been working in the first place. Needless to say, the economy SUCKS. At this moment as we approach the holiday seasons, is when more jobs should be available but it seems they arent availble to those "unexperienced" Ive been applying mostly at retail jobs, heres my list: Kmart Sears Pet's Smart Pet's Barn Radioshack Dollar General Family Dollar Ross Jack In the Box Macys Local supermarkets Clerical jobs at local businesses Local Laundromat Some of these places have already sent me emails from their human resources departments that I cant be considered for the position because I have NO WORK EXPERIENCE. Its sad and disheartening but all I can do is continue. I prepped up my resume with special skills to see if I'd catch anything with the following statement: I am highly skilled in the use of computers and the Internet, including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook and Internet searches. I learn very quickly, possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. I am fluent in both English/Spanish and possess the ability to speak, read and write at an advanced level. I can type 55 words per minute and am a firm believer in providing exceptional customer service. I am currently training at a local business as a cashier. I started intershiping/training as a cashier at my father in laws business. Hopefully Ill be able to learn quickly and find a job ASAP. Some jobs ask if you have a DL, be sure and obtain this ASAP. It shows one is prepared. Im still in the process of obtaining mine but will eventually. My personal advice is: Many doors will close but when that "golden" door finally does open, its because it was meant to be.

After months of negotiations, a bipartisan group of eight Senators has drafted a blueprint that would sharply transform the nation’s current immigration laws. NBC Latino obtained an advanced memo of the bill’s main points ahead of an announcement. Here are some brief key provisions: Pathway to citizenship for undocumented The bill provides a path to citizenship for the nation’s approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants as long as they entered the country before December 31, 2011. Undocumented immigrants without serious criminal convictions have one year – though that may be extended - to apply for Registered Provisional Immigrant Status (RPI). This would allow them to be in this country legally, work for any employer and travel outside of the United States. While RPI confers legal status, it does not make individuals eligible for public benefits, including healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. The costs to apply for RPI status are a $500 fine, assessed taxes and application fees. After 10 years, a person with RPI status will be eligible for a green card provided they have worked regularly, paid taxes, learned English and civics, and paid a $1,000 penalty. After three years with a green card, they can apply for citizenship. Dreamers can get their green cards in 5 years, and will be eligible for citizenship immediately after that. Under a new AgJOBS Act, undocumented farm workers who have been working in the U.S. would be eligible for an Agricultural Card, and if they pay taxes and a $400 fine they and their spouses and minor children can adjust to legal permanent resident status. The bill addresses the issue of families who have been separated through deportation. Undocumented immigrants who had been deported for non-criminal reasons but who had been in the U.S. before the end of 2011 can reapply to re-enter and apply for RPI status, if they are the spouse of or parent to a child who is a U.S. citizen or legal resident, or a Dreamer eligible for the DREAM Act. SOURCE Here's a 19 page Outline if anyone cares to read it. http://www.scribd.com/doc/136230105/Outline-of-the-Border-Security-Economic-Opportunity-and-Immigration-Modernization-Act-of-2013

I finally got approved after waiting almost 6 months & so did my sister & brother! thanks God!!!! I'm so happy guys!!!! wish those of you who are still waiting the best! Hang in there!

Hello everyone my names Gian and I just wanted to share a bit about myself I wish I had signed up earlier but better late than never I suppose. I was born in the Philippines, moved to the United Arab Emirates at the age of 2 with my mother to live with my father who had a job working in Dubai. When I turned 13 my family decided to leave for the US to try for an even better life. We arrived in the states in 1997 I was 14 my younger brother was 4. From what I know my family tried several ways to get us all documented but lots of problems arose and with that our visas ended up expiring. Living undocumented was a tough ordeal I'm sure many of you know but I remember vividly instances of friends and family getting their drivers licenses for the first time and me just siting there wondering when ill ever be able to even do that. It was even harder after high school I just ended up going to a community college for a couple years and due to me not really being motivated due to my situation, I didn't see any way to progress even if I did get a degree, I ended up dropping out. I would spend my time in and out of depression for a couple years trying my best to keep my mind off things by extensively indulging in video games during my down time and helping my mechanic father make ends meet fixing cars. I remember hearing about the dream act and being a little skeptical about when it would pass but lo and behold it finally did, so last September my family hired a lawyer to work on both mine and my younger brothers cases Im 29 and he's 19 now. We both filed our cases together and sent them in on October 16th 2012, on November we both got our biometrics done and then on December my brother had his approved I was so happy for him he finally had a life to look forward to it was a joyous Christmas for sure but there was still mine to wait on. I knew in my heart that I would be approved, my record was spotless I had more than enough evidence to prove everything they needed but it was the longest few months I probably went through. I never really checked on my case status i figured i would just get annoyed checking on it if nothing was going on. Until around the end of march I got a severe urge to do so, I opened up the uscis website and typed in my receipt number. When I read the status my jaw dropped and saw that it was already on card/document production I screamed out loud for my parents and brother to see and hugged them as hard as i could. All our hard work and sacrifice finally came through I was approved on march 28, 2013 and the card was delivered to me on April 3rd. I turn 30 on the 17th and I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present.

The reason why they're not using the word Dream Act is because the process for the Dream Act is pretty much covered by DACA, they don't see a point of creating another program for "Dreamers", because that process is already in place. Its also important to note that this bill is going to change a whole lot when it comes to the Senate floor for debate.

ok, question. in reading the proposed bill, i keep seeing the "DREAM Act" used. is the bill using the "DREAM Act" and "DACA" interchangably?? from what i understand the "DREAM Act" and "DACA" have 2 sets of requirements. also, wondering this because "DREAM Act" never passed.

The immigration bill have been unveiled. John McCain and I think Chuck Schumer are supposed to meet with the president soon.

This is interesting... Some nice filters have been put in place, and they are not going to allow undocumented people to apply for RPI if they have not been here for around 2 years or more. Regarding the RPI itself, it is interesting that they will allow people with RPI to travel outside the US. I wonder what measures will be in place...will we get in trouble if we travel constantly? will there be a cap in the amount of time that we will be able to stay abroad? if so, how long is the cap? 1 month, 15 days? What if you are working for a multinational and have to work abroad for a longer period of time? What if you decide to join an NGO, and want to travel abroad for humanitarian reasons (peace corps, DWBs, etc etc)? In regards to the fine, I see how they have allocated the ~$2,000. $500 first to apply for RPI, $1,000 later to apply for a Green Card. I guess that is not taking into account application fees, which could make the fine somewhat higher. I also found interesting that taxes would be assessed...as in Sales Tax, as if we are buying something? or, will the taxes comprise the income taxes that were 'foregone' while we were here undocumented? If so, the fine could be significantly higher for some... We have to really analyze the ambiguous language used, since that is a staple of Common Law: language that is open to interpretation by a judge, with or without precedents... I also like how they have severed our wait time for a Green Card by half, and basically not having to wait to apply for citizenship, according to the outline...However, will it be wise to apply for citizenship right after receiving the Green Card? Perhaps we will have to wait some time (not three years) to apply for citizenship... As I read through the outline, the total cost to apply for citizenship, without taking into account 'income taxes,' attorney fees, and others, will be around $4000-5,000, which is right along my assumptions... Let us wait and see how this bill performs in congress...

I'm not at the 7 month mark yet but I have no doubts ill get there. I'm at the california service center and I've called a few times and when I used to call before my 6 months were up all they would tell me was that I had to wait that 6 months was the average waiting time. After my 6 months, which was on april 9th, all they tell me now is that they are a bit behind and are currently working on the applications filed on august 31st. I applied in october so it seems they are going to have to go through a whole months worth of applications before they get to mine. I called again yesterday and asked to speak to a level 2 officer and for the second time the person that answered my call told me that there is no such thing. That all the officers there are equally qualified to answer any questions we might have. So I asked for a service request since the website doesn't let me do it and they said that I'm still withing the average waiting time so I can't get one. I don't know if the people working there hate their jobs or hate us but none of the times I've called they've been any help. I understand and I know I may seem arrogant and frustrated and I know all cases are different but if we are all required to send the same information even though some send way more than others, why is it taking soo long?

That's still not known yet.

Basically people who were brought here by their parents as kids and never left. Grew up here, went to school here, basically grew up as Americans.

It seems promising for us Dreamers as well as people under the TPS program. Our time to be able to acquire a residency as well as citizenship seems we won't actually have to wait those ten years.

GUYS I HAVE BEEN APROVED!!!!!! I love you Nebraska! Now I can get my car! And girls that wanna date! Holla! lol!

Lets see if they actually approve it! What about the people that have TPS? My mom has been here for 16 years and when the hurricane happened in my country (Honduras) she was eligible to apply for that law and since then she's got a work permit and social if course. I'm wondering if she would get a green card faster?

People brought here illegally as youths would have a faster path: they could get green cards in five years and would become eligible for citizenship immediately thereafter. U.S. citizens would no longer be able to sponsor their siblings for eventual U.S. citizenship, a change activist groups have opposed. Also eliminated would be the government's Diversity Visa Lottery Program, which randomly awards 55,000 visas to immigrants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/16/bipartisan-senate-immigration-bill-provides-path-to-citizenship-for-millions/#ixzz2QcNDAqQS

I'm just wondering that while we apply for this reform or RPI will it be similar to what advanced parole is like right now...? Meaning risky to travel abroad? I have so much questions that come to mind, speculating will do no good... Very eager to see what's up and coming.

I think, most likely we will all be paying for this, since it is an application fee for residency. It is for paperwork, so, no matter what, all of us who want into the new law, will be paying.

I think "they" means the people that do not have a ssn or authorization right now, and they will eventually fall under the new law when approved and receive documentation.

I have about the same timeline as you.. its a waiting game.

App received on sep 4, 2012 Bio taken on oct 2, 2012 Today April 15 initial review

mmmm probably bcuz of your school status ...and plus u drop out ..damnn ...you should of enroll in a g.e.d program ..den apply for daca

I applied for deferred action on October 18th,2012 . I had my Biometrics doen on November 16th,2012 and yet my status on the application has not changed. Its been almist 6 months and i have not heard anything. Does anyone feel annoyed??!!!

I did my bios on octobet 30th and still nothing i hate this (sorry im from california service center)

What don't you understand about that? It means they cannot make a decision until your DACA is approved. The DACA doesn't have any type of approval length, it can take days, weeks, months, years.

Still waiting.... Well I sent them an email; As I mentioned in my last post and this is what they said: "USCIS records show that your case is pending background check clearance. USCIS is committed to adjudicating immigration benefits in a timely manner while also ensuring public safety and national security. A small percentage of applications and petitions have unresolved background check issues that temporarily delay adjudication. Although USCIS makes every effort to resolve such cases promptly, USCIS is unable to speculate when the background check will be completed. Upon gathering and assessing all available information, USCIS will adjudicate the application as quickly as possible. If you have not heard anything within two months, please contact customer service to complete a service request for status." Keep in mind I got a response from them on March 5th.... Also I have absolutely NO criminal background; finished high school a month early, went to a technical university and finished with a 4.0 GPA AND honors... I can assure them that they have no reason shape or form to think I'm a "public safety and national security" threat. I think everyone that is patiently waiting is on the same grounds as me or even make better qualifiers then me; but I'm well aware, that no matter where you stand in this or no matter when you turned in your application/Bios you still have to wait. On another note; Its beyond words how frustrating it is to hear a person that applied in January did the Bios and got accepted the following month say " hang in there" or "be patient". That is because they have no clue how it feels to be waiting for over 6 months for an opportunity that we have all been waiting for the moment we got here and not hear anything other then continuing to stare at the "initial review" of death page. (I'm NOT referring this to any one on this form I say this in general) Despite everything above, something even more frustrating to the point of depression is to hear someone give up. No matter how much anxiety, anger, and despair this is causing us we should never give up.The time will come when we will no longer have to stare at the "initial review" page, but focus on getting our dream job. So even as much as we hate hearing this we must be patient and remember that "The best things in life don't come with out a struggle" Once again God is good, with much respect to all and the best wishes, Jaime Quintero P.S I will be calling USCIS, in the coming weeks to see about "completing a service request for status" (Don't doubt one bit that they will tell me the same thing, but worth a try)

I'm on the same boat as every one here claiming "It's taking to long". My signature should hold all the information (Sorry I'm new to this). I have to say that I'm quite frustrated. I can't imagine every one else that has applied before me. You know what makes it worst when you see friends or family members that apply after you and they have already been approved, SSN, and Job. I mean I'm happy for them don't get me wrong, I'm very happy for every one that has had this opportunity. It's a dream come true for most of us. Just that I feel I have been patient enough. Right? It's funny because I complain about this when ever the topic is brought up amongst friends and I'm like "this is taking to F*&%#ing long!!" then there like "how old are you?" "21" "what are 4-6 months compared to you waiting 21 years for this opportunity?"... It makes me laugh and then I'm like "Ture" but a week or two later I'm back at it again "this is taking to F*&%#ing long!!". I'm sorry I'm not hear to boar everyone with my silly stories or I'm not sure if any one will even see this; but for some odd reason sharing this with every one has made me feel a little better. At lest I'm not the only one and not the only one pulling there hair out with anxiety! Again I'm sorry not sure if posting this here is correct, but hey it was great expressing my self. God is good, and every one hang in there! P.S I'm sending them (USCIS) an email, Is that OK?

Hi Itzel, I agree with Angela. This is my story. So according to my timeline, I recently got my EAD and still awaiting my SSN. I still did not allow this to stop me. The very next day, I hit up my local mall to start sending out those apps. I applied at, Macy's Lord & Taylor Barnes n Noble Express Bath and Body Works I've had 3 interviews with Macy's, Lord & Taylor, and Express. I was late for the one at BB because of the rain and public transportation (I know, bad sign and that's why I applied to the mall. Note: I don't have a car so all these places are in the same mall and 7-10 mins away by bus). Happy to say, I landed all three jobs; two on the spot. These are my tips: Use school extracurricular--I worked in a lab, I was on a Mock Trial Team Use internship experiences (even if unpaid)--I interned at a latino cultural center, community center, and law firm Use community activities (church, cultural organization)--I helped out in the office at church Use sports Use teachers, counselors, friends as references--I used friends and family friends. Some applications want to hear what your co-workers have to say about you. In the interview Make eye contact (very important) Make small talk while the interviewer is settling down/shuffling for papers (usually looking for your application) In retail, compliment them on something (your necklace is beautiful, nice lip color lol) Be confident (sit straight, hands on lap) Answer questions directly (don't blibber blabber lol, I tend to do that in everyday convo) I have had a lot of interviews and have been to mock interviews so I'm just sharing what I learn. Another note: do not settle for less. E.g. I intern at an immigration law firm. I started earlier this year. The position is unpaid. It is a small practice and I am the first "employee." Now, she offered me a position in August and I was excited but nervous at the same time due to my situation. Anyways, I went along and learned a lot about DACA and applied. Then, I waited patiently and prayed for a quick turn around. A couple weeks ago, my employer said that she wanted to pay me $9/hr. SAY WHAT!?! I was crushed. She is definitely taking advantage of me. Although, I do not have a lot of experience. I know her company in and out and the starting rate for inexperienced legal assistant (my title and position) is $12/hr. Anyways, with my mom's counsel and my own intuition, I gave her my resignation letter last week. She was disappointed but accepted and we're still cool. Anyways, long story short, do not allow employers to take advantage of you. You may feel inferior because of your lack of experience but still determine what you will accept and what you won't when applying for a job. Know what the standard rate for different levels of experience is in that industry. Just my personal take! I hope this helps and lemme know if you have questions.