Just want to share some experience on how to communicate with the congressman office to help expedite the OPT. Especially the working process is slower than before due to the COVID-19, hope the tutorial can help you guys.
** I got the approval notice at middle of August; got the EAD at end of August.
My case is received at the beginning of June, and also I worked as CPT stauts from June to August. I graduated officially at the beginning of August. That means I have to get EAD card at the beginning of August, otherwise, there is a gap, pending period. So, I tried to reach out the congressman for help to expedite my OPT.
Actually, asking help from the congressman might not work for you if your case is already assigned to an officer.
Step 1: Find the representative
Find the congressional representatives for your region where you live now. Simply go to these two websites
Step 2: Find your representative’s official website
OR you can google with keyword “representative’s name + Help with a Federal Agency”
Example website: https://napolitano.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency
Step 3: Download the request form
For most cases, you have to fill in the specific form, an example provided as below.
You have to download the form and then send the email attaching the form to their office.
Example Form: https://napolitano.house.gov/sites/napolitano.house.gov/files/documents/2018-Immigration-Authorization-Form.pdf
Step 4: Write your inquiry
Just briefly describe your case situation in the form. There is an example.
RE: REQUEST TO PLEASE EXPEDITE EAD APPLICATION PROCESSINGDear Representative [Representative’s Last Name],It’s my pleasure to connect with you, I heard my friend said you are a great person and put a lot of efforts on helping people to solve their issues. So, I was wondering if I could have your help for my EAD issue.I, [Your Name], have a request to expedite my case because my current employment authorization expires on [Date]. As demonstrated through Exhibit A, I am currently employed as [Position Name] at [Company Name]. I am very interested in extending my employment; however, my employer has informed me that my employment authorization is dependent on the obtention of the Employment Authorization Document.Therefore, my employment depends directly on the obtention of the Employment Authorization Document prior to [Date]. If my Employment Authorization Document is not received prior to such date, I will lose my job.Please find the requested letter from my employer attached herein (see Exhibit B). Please also find the notice received (see Exhibit C) and the job offer (see Exhibit D).I receive [$XXX,XXX] base annual salary with health benefits plus an annual bonus. Although [$XXX,XXX] income is above the minimum income requirement for this application, [$XXX,XXX] income represents [XX.XX%] of the student loan. My employer will have a huge risk of failing to earn [$XXX,XXX] in 2020. As a result, the loss of my job will result in severe financial loss for my family and my employer and depends directly on the obtention of the Employment Authorization Document as early as possible.Finally, if I am allowed to continue with my employment, my income will allow me to continue contributing through the payment taxes resulting from my annual income. Therefore, approving this request for expedite is also of interest to the government as this would allow me to continue being a contributing tax payer of society.For the reasons stated above, it is respectfully requested that my I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Request for Expedite is approved. Being aware of the considerable number of requests that are received by USCIS, it is respectfully requested that the important impact that this request would have in my household and my employer is taken in consideration in order to approve this request.My last hope is you, Representative [Representative's Last Name]. Could you please help me to inquire about my OPT status from USCIS, if my case has been assigned to an officer, could you help to speed up its approval process? I know this is an extra request, but I have no other choice in order to pay my loan and continue living in [State]. Appreciate your help.Thank you so much for your understanding regarding this matter.Sincerely,[Your Name]
Step 5: Complete the form with your signature
After you e-sign the form, just send the email to the representative’s office. Also, here is a writing example.
Subtitle: Request to PLEASE expedite EAD application process due to risk of employment termination — [Your Name]
Dear Representative [Representative's Last Name],It’s my pleasure to connect with you, I heard my friend say you are a great person and put a lot of efforts on helping people to solve their issues. So, I was wondering if I could have your help for my EAD issue. Please help refer to my request as attached.Please let me know if any questions, thank youSincerely,[Your Name]
- Remember to attach your form. You can attach more files as references, such as offer letter, the letter from employer, and I-797C notice letter.
Step 6: Keep tracking the response
Make sure the office received your request and track its feedback.
From my experience, it’s easier to communicate with the office via email, sometimes you might feel hard to contact the representative via phone call, however, you can still leave a voice message to them.
Last, there are some useful links that help you track the OPT timeline and answer your questions!
- Tracking your OPT timeline through the received date or receipt number
- Forums:
https://www.1point3acres.com/bbs/forum-99-1.html (Chinese)
I also want to thank for my friend, Sandy, we go through the process together, it is not easy. And now it’s time to help you guys. Feel free to have comments if you have questions, and good luck! 🙌🏻
