1. Either I Can Apply for H4 EAD Now or Shift to F1 Visa from H4. Which is Better in Current Situation in USA?
I am joining a graduate school this fall. In order to work in USA, either I can apply for H4 EAD now or shift to F1 visa from H4. which is better in current situation in USA
Mr. Lee answers:
The choice of whether to apply for H-4 EAD or to shift to F-1 visa is up to you at this point. The H-4 EAD situation is still valid at present although it is one of the targets of the Trump administration for elimination. Under F-1, you would generally have to attend schooling for a year before being allowed to work under curriculum practical training unless that was a part of the program that requires internship or fieldwork.
2. If Someone Else Becomes an I-864 Sponsor, Can My Sponsorship Be Dissolved?
Divorced but am still my EX’S sponsor (form I-864). If she remarries am I still responsible? What if her new husband files for sponsorship?
Mr. Lee answers:
If your ex-wife remarries and if the new husband files for sponsorship, you would still be on the hook if your ex-wife attained conditional residence through your sponsorship. On the other hand, if her case through you was denied, you would not be responsible as the I-864 is a contract between you and the government under which the obligation begins when your ex-wife received the benefit.
3. Can I Study While My I-485 is Pending?
I am going to marry my fiancée after I am done with my associates degree, I however want to start my bachelor degree right after. So I have a gap of a couple of weeks between my AA and my BA. My question is, can I start studying again as soon as the I-485 is pending, or do I have to wait for the temporary work permission to arrive?
Mr. Lee answers:
If you are marrying a U. S. citizen, any gap in status will generally be disregarded at the time of your interview for the green card. If you are marrying a lawful permanent resident and adjusting status by filing form I-485, you must be in valid status at the time of filing form I-485. In addition, you cannot violate your status even after filing the I-485 by taking on unauthorized employment. That being said, a gap in schooling after marrying and filing the I-485 application would have no effect upon your ability to adjust status. In your situation, if you are holding F-1 status for both your associates degree and your bachelor’s degree programs, you would not be violating status by having a gap of a couple of weeks as the law provides for gaps of time between 2 levels of schooling. Even if you were not choosing to advance to a bachelor’s degree program, you would still be in legal status as an F-1 student for 60 days after completing studies during the grace period for you to change or extend status or depart the United States.
