Margaret Hellwarth, "My Immigration Advisor": Work Permits for Pending Immigrants

October 28, 2008

Work Permits for Pending Immigrants

When a person applies to immigrate, either through marriage or through employment, that person has a right to apply for a work permit, using Form I-765, along with the application for permanent residence and a request for a travel document (advanced parole). By law, USCIS is supposed to issue the work permit within 90 days of your receipt notice date. If they cannot issue the work permit within 90 days, a person is technically eligible to go to their local immigration office and request a temporary work permit. However, local offices no longer have the equipment to issue the temporary work permit so that leaves people who need a work permit with a serious problem.

USCIS has an ombudsperson who receives complaints from schools and other constituents and makes recommendations to USCIS. The ombudsperson has received numerous complaints on this topic so clients can be aware that USCIS is concerned about the delay in issuing work permits and is looking at various solutions. You can read about the recommendations made by the ombudsperson at the website for NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Hopefully, USCIS will find a way to issue the work permit within the 90 days required by law, or will give applicants an alternative way to get work permission. I will be monitoring this topic closely so if you have questions, please feel free to contact me. As soon as a solution is announced, I will post it on this blog.

1 comment:

Muhammad Umar Akbar said...: Being optimistic Work Permit in 90 days sounds good.. but still its a long period of time to stay in touch...!!!

Visa Application for USA, Non-Immigrant Visas for USA, Work Visa for USA; 5/2/12, 7:51 AM

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Gideon, Cameroon

"Ms. Margaret Hellwarth offered to me service beyond my expectations. Her depth of experience, professionalism and knowledge of immigration matters ranks well ahead of many attorneys and consultants I have met in both Florida and Nevada. The way she dissects a case, the way she provides information and the way she attempts to reason through an issue is well beyond the call of duty. It leaves me with no doubt that she is either exceptionally talented, or very concerned about helping her clients - and not just her bottom line as a business person."

Lisa, U.S. and Manolo, Mexico

“Without Margaret's guidance, my husband and I would have been lost in the permanent residency application process. While there was no substantial, complete information online on how exactly to file, Margaret had great worksheets and compiled checklists that made the process clear and a little less intimidating! She was also able to give us helpful tips on our personal situation, and address our questions and concerns because she has so much experience and knowledge of the subject.”

“Margaret is really a leader in the international education field – from presenting at conferences, to holding key positions at world-class institutions, to organizing local committees for professional development and growth. Her honest, direct, and candid advice has helped so many people. She is not only dedicated and committed to international education, but also to students, community members, and to helping all people, in all situations. I would (and have!) recommended her to friends that are filing for permanent residency, or need immigration advice.”

Gisella, Peru and Mitchell, US

I married my wife while she was here from Peru on a tourist visa. We were told that our case was an easy one, just fill out the paperwork. I thought well, ok but an advisor wouldn't hurt, and when we started filling out forms and compiling documents, our easy case was getting pretty complicated. We filled out the forms and had a meeting and when it was over there were so many corrections our forms, it looked like a math test I got a D- on once. If not for her red pencil, there is no doubt we would have had all kinds of delays and complications. We mailed the papers in July and my wife had her green card in November. Margaret saved us a lot of headaches. Cheers!

Jelena, Serbia

“I met Margaret Hellwarth in 2001, when I started graduate school at the University of Nevada, Reno. Margaret was a wonderful advisor. Margaret keeps up with changes in immigration laws and procedures, and her knowledge and command of various immigration details are impressive. Besides her competence, Margaret is always kind and has patience for all my questions, and I know I can trust her answers. Without any hesitation, I would recommend to anybody who needs immigration information to talk to Margaret.”

Jelena, Croatia

“Margaret has been my advisor since 1999 when she joined UNR's Office for International Students and Scholars. As an international student from Croatia I have had numerous questions and sought consultation on many occasions in regards to my studies, opportunities available for international students, as well as filing papers and employment options for F-1 students. Although I have graduated from UNR and left Reno in 2001, I keep seeking advice from Margaret even today as her openness, knowledge and willingness to assist me have been invaluable for understanding my options in terms of graduate studies and employment opportunities in the US that I am currently pursuing.”

Daniel, Iran and Norway

"Ms. Hellwarth was instrumental in helping me navigate the complicated US immigration system. With her help and support, I was able to pursue my university education while feeling confident that I was complying with the latest F-1 immigration rules and regulations. Not only is Ms. Hellwarth extremely knowledgeable on immigration matters, but she also cares deeply for the people she assists. Working with her is a joy because she always seems to find opportunities in the many challenges one encounters in this country's perplexing immigration system."

Günter, Germany

"Margaret has been my guide through the oftentimes confusing world of visas and immigration over the last 12 years. In her role as an international student and scholar advisor at Georgetown University, she advised me on my J-1 student visa while I was in graduate school. As I transitioned into the workforce, my employer retained a lawyer for the initial filing of an H1-B work-visa as well as an application for permanent residency down the line. However, I still found myself calling Margaret to demystify the process, explain options and interpret what I was hearing from my lawyers as well as the US government in response to my petitions. Margaret always took the time to understand my goals as well as my unique situation, and helped me clarify which solutions worked best for me."

Jessica, Sweden

“Margaret Hellwarth helped me out immensely both when applying for my F1 visa and later on when I applied for my green card. The papers and the forms can be very confusing and I felt more confident about what I sent in after meeting with Margaret. She is very knowledgeable when it comes to new rules, fees etc, and it surely made my process quicker since all my paperwork was submitted correctly to start with. I would warmly recommend Margaret to anyone who is thinking of applying for a visa, green card, or to anyone who is getting naturalized!”

Arim, Mexico

“Margaret es probablemente la persona más capacitada en la ciudad de Reno para atender los diversos problemas legales que enfrenta la comunidad Latina. (Margaret) no sólo está consiente de la realidad que enfrentan los inmigrantes latinos, sino que delibera, apropiadamente, la mejor alternativa posible siempre logrando lo mejor para su bienestar. Gracias a los eficaces consejos de Margaret, obtuve mi visa de estudiante proviniendo de México, me gradué de la universidad y trabajé en Estados Unidos sin problema legal alguno. Me alegra muchísimo que ahora este ofreciendo sus servicios a toda la comunidad.”

Natalia y Mauricio, Argentina

“Margaret Hellwarth ha sido una persona clave siempre que hemos necesitado tomar decisiones relacionadas a nuestra condición de inmigrantes, aun estando fuera de los Estados Unidos y sin haberla conocido personalmente. Entre otras muchas cosas, Margaret nos ha ayudado a concretar nuestro anhelo de estar juntos, legalmente, en los Estados Unidos. Desde el primer momento, en que decidimos que lo mejor seria que Natalia emigrara a los Estados Unidos, en el año 2001 (Mauricio vivía aquí desde hacia un par de años), Margaret fue clave para nuestro éxito. Con su ayuda analizamos las opciones para que Natalia emigrara, luego nos guió para poder obtener exitosamente una visa de estudiante (F-1), reviso los formularios de solicitud, nos aconsejo que documentación llevar al consulado, etc. Luego, ya en los Estados Unidos, fue una excelente asesora académica, guiando a Natalia para que completara un titulo en Truckee Meadows Comunity College y a mantener el status de estudiante internacional en dicha institución. Mas tarde, nuevamente con la asesoria de Margaret, Mauricio solicitó la ciudadanía estadounidense, obteniéndola en unos pocos meses. Un tiempo más tarde, y una vez más con la ayuda de Margaret, logramos poner juntos todos los formularios y la documentación requerida, para que Natalia solicitara la Residencia Permanente en los Estados Unidos. Sin haber recibido las sugerencias y los consejos de Margaret, nuestras vidas quizás no serian las mismas. Hoy no solo vivimos felices en Reno, NV, sino que no tenemos preocupaciones de inmigración.”

Si desean conocer mas acerca de nuestra experiencia con Margaret Hellwarth, nos pueden contactar a:
Mauricio, mzimerman@gmail.com
Natalia, nzimerman@gmail.com

Shandy, Mexico

Desde mis años como estudiante en la Universidad de Nevada, Reno, Margaret siempre me dio las recomendaciones más certeras en cuanto a emigración y mi estatus F-1. Ahora que mi esposo y yo decidimos tomar el siguiente paso y contraer matrimonio, no dude en volver a pedir consejos y recomendaciones a Margaret pues se que años de experiencia en el tema la respaldan. Puesto que mi esposo aun está trabajando en su doctorado, nuestra situación económica no es la mejor y contratar a un abogado era imposible así que decidimos contratar los servicios de Margaret. Ella siempre estuvo al pendiente de nuestro caso - comunicándose con nosotros por medio de e-mail, teléfono y en persona. Checo con detalle nuestras aplicaciones, respondió a todas nuestras preguntas y nos preparo para la entrevista. Margaret es una persona experta en el tema de emigración, paciente y disfruta mucho lo que hace. Sin duda alguna cuando llegue la hora de aplicar para la ciudadanía volveré a requerir sus servicios. Mil gracias por todo de nuevo!!