Tori

Each person is different as to how much pressure they want to impose on themselves after getting approved. I personally have very little pressure. I've built a solid career in the last 8 years and I just plan on expanding what I've already accomplished. The only door that remained locked for me was accepting W-2 jobs in the film industry. Before being approved I could only do 1099 jobs that didn't require me to fill out an I-9. Now that I'm legit I can take on more film jobs, get paid better, possibly join the union, and work on many more types of films/commercials/music videos/photo shoots/etc. And course finally having a license. I've been driving without one for 11 years, only been pulled over once.

You sure can. I sent in all my mine from 2007 - 2012.

Y'all right. Went in this morning, 30mins later I was out.

I put my last year's income along with a sentence stating how I want to get better paying jobs in the industries I work in. I also jotted down a few of my expenses: rent, gas costs, grocery expenses, etc.

So is the assumption that service centers back east don't have the resources/personnel to review the apps in a timely fashion? It took 5 months for me out of the CA center. I feel anything beyond a six month wait time is ridonkulous.

I sent in a copy of my official high school transcript, as well as copies of all the docs required for the app, and was accepted with no gripe over it. My lawyer prepared my package and we added an affidavit by one of the paralegals stating that all the docs we submitted were official/original.

I got approved after replying to the rfe. USCIS received my packet on the 29th of March and got approved this past week. EAD slated to be in my mailbox on Monday.

Nice. If there were a thumbs up emoticon I'd so put it here.

Cool beans! Congrats!

Welcome! Best advice: be patient.

One step closer. My ead got sent out today, USPS tracking code an all.

Good looking out. I got a ticket for driving without a license in CA, paid the traffic citation for the speeding. This all happened in 2005. I wonder how it's going to impact me when I go apply for a license now that I'm approved for DACA. On another note: I also was arrested for petty theft but not charges were ever filed, so there's no record of it. Would I have to jot that down on an app?

Thanks y'all! Now it's time to get started! Been waiting since 18, now 29, for an opportunity like this! I couldn't even relish the moment after reading the email: half asleep, eating breakfast, and gearing up to go on a photo shoot. Couldn't even believe what I was reading. Now just the wait for the ead to come.

Funny thing is the docs were already in the initial package, it seems that who ever reviewed my case didn't quite pick up on it or simply glanced over it. In the section for aliases I listed the aliases that I've used. As for the RFE, my lawyer wrote a letter clarifying the issue and what's in the resent package. So along with the letter with sent these exhibits: 1) The initial passport that uses my mother's last names (she was unmarried at the time) 2) My birth certificate that has my true name: first, middle, dad's last, mom's last. 3) My current passport that reflects the name on birth cirtificate I figure that my case is all about proving my Identity.

The rfe error initially occurred for me as well early in March and then updated itself the next week. I still haven't received the rfe to my address, but my lawyer got his copy. Either the rfe got lost on it's way to me or it was never sent to me in the first place. The latter is troubling since all notices are supposed to come to me and my lawyer.

I got an rfe to further clarify my name since my first passport to enter the country used my moms surnames and the second, and current, use my dad's and mom's last name. On the app I specified the aliases I used. And also on the app I jotted how I'd like my legal name to be: first, middle, and only one last. I'm not sure what the exact rfe notice says since it was only delivered to my lawyer so far. But he's already sent the clarification docs.

@freindscene: What part of the Bay are you from? And of course you're well aware of the diversity. I used to also walk in last after my friends then I just stopped caring, now I usually am the one leading the group. I came to the conclusion that I'm not affecting nor am I doing anything wrong by presenting a valid form of ID, especially since I'm far from shady, seedy, leery looking or have a negative demeanor so there's no need to be questioned whatsoever. I've never been questioned by any of my friends, co-workers, acquaintances, etc. Usually when asked where I'm from I'm straightforward and say I was born in Mexico, been living permanently in the states since 91, and the conversation usually ends there or we chat about the Mexican state I'm from and other places the question asker has been to, etc. As an added tidbit I'm also a part Chinese. It appears there was a Chinese migration in the mid 1950s to Mexico and Chinese blood flows on my Dad's maternal side of the family.

It didn't start off as a NYE resolution but it became one. It's to grow out my hair until I get approved and take a DL picture. I started growing it out in October 2012 when I first started getting my app together. I kinda dig the curls I got going and so do the ladies. Just might keep them.

@rawf: The Mexican passport is straight forward, Mexican seal with accompanying text for the cover. Inside where the ID info is it is rather plain, a UV Mexican seal is the only adornment. All the info is there, in Spanish and English. Of course photograph. @friendscene: I'm out in the SF Bay Area, San Jose, CA. It's beyond diverse with a a lot of foreign traffic since there's 3 international airports within a 50 mile radius. I get funny looks as well, but I think that's mainly because it's unexpected. It's like: DL, DL, DL, then foreign passport. None of my friend's know my situation, except for 2 who I see on occasion. But I live my live as if I were a resident/citizen. I drive everywhere (only been pulled over for a speeding ticket back in 05), work, live with a roommate, pay bills/taxes, etc; a member in this forum put it best in another post by saying that he was "an illegal citizen" (or something of that ilk). The excuses bug me much like you. It sucks when I have to turn down a W2 job that requires proof of residency and US ID. When a friend mentions something I say that I'm representing my homeland. There's no shame in pride for your nationality right? But it doesn't seem to bother any of them. I only really get carded when going to a club or new bar.

Lol, I'm an oldie. Not really. Age is only a number to me. Why be bound by a number?

I believe it's from the day that your app is received. And am under the impression that it's business days only. I wouldn't fret over it. Since it's a mystery as to how the process workflow actually plays out and app accept/deny timetables are inconclusive, I'd just sit back for 4 months from the time the app was received and expect something during that period.

If all your government docs (ssn, ead, etc) use both names then that's your legal name now and it'll be reflected in your DL, taxes, etc.

I have a similar timeline as yours. On Mar 8th a RFE was mailed out, but then it updated to Mar 14th. I still haven't gotten the notice personally, but my lawyer did. Did you mail your app through a lawyer or yourself?

I sure haven't received the notice, but my lawyer got a copy of it sometime in the last day and he's already worked out what we'll be submitting. It turns out USCIS wants further explanation regarding my name, aside from the aliases we jotted down in the initial submission. The passport I received as minor (4 years of age) to get a visa reflected my mother's name but I took on my father's name after reentering the States a few years after. I'm glad that's the only issue. I didn't want the rfe to be about evidence of living in the States. 2007 - 2009 were my weakest years to prove I was here since I graduated college in 05 and was starting up my freelance web designer and filmmaker career. All I had was a letter from my brother's oncologist stating that I was one of the primary caregivers while he was in-n-out of the cancer ward at Stanford (Lucille Packard Children's Hospital) between 07 - 09 and several invoices for clients, checks under my name, and online job application forms I filled out. I'm hoping the new evidence gets reviewed in a timely fashion and I get approved. The next wait starts ...

Talk about snaaaaaaaaaaaaail mail. Supposed rfe notice mailed out on Mar 14th, should of been in my box earlier this week, By far waiting on the rfe is much worse than waiting for the initial response after case was been reveiwed.