Collected and archived by: CND-US (Bo Xiong) ---------- Date: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 11:13:09 -0400 Sender: "A list for members of NAFSA operated by VPI&SU." Subject: CAFSS: latest INS office list (really long!) Hello, all. Well, it looks like I'm just about out of this job of keeping the list of INS offices, as the Big Change this month is going to render it a moot point. As a last gasp here, I have collected most of the postings I caught about the current situations regarding those offices that are still doing walk-in EAD service, at least temporarily. I added the address information I already had for those offices I had postings on. I won't take responsibility for the accuracy of this information, nor do I know anything more than is listed here. For more information, contact the office directly, or the person who made the posting. I'll try to keep adding to the list as I see additional updates, and I'll mail copies to anyone who's interested - just drop me a line. This will also be on our gopher, under University of Maryland, Baltimore County (not University of Maryland at Baltimore). Then look for: 16. Student Organizations and Services 6. International Education Services 5. work information 3. INS offices in other cities If anyone can think of a reason for maintaining a list like this (or some variation thereof) in the future, let me know and I'll give it some consideration. John Lorch lorch@umbc.edu International Student Advisor phone 410-455-2624 International Education Services, University of Maryland Baltimore County **** **** **** As of June 3, 1995, all Employee Authorization Document (EAD) applications will be processed at one of the four regional INS Service Centers instead of the local district offices, as was previously the case. Initially the change was immediate and absolute, but after much objection by DSO around the country, it was agreed that local offices could process some EAD applications locally for a limited time, in order to provide a smoother transition to the new policies. The following is a list of some of the offices and their policies. This information is culled from postings to inter-l, the NAFSA electronic mailing list, and is provided by DSOs under the jurisdiction of the offices listed. Please refer to the local office or to the individual listed for further information. **** **** **** **** (last updated June 20, 1995) Albany, New York U.S. Post Office Building 445 Broadway, Room 220 Albany, NY 12207 (518) 431-0330 (tape recording) The assistant officer in charge of the INS office in Albany, New York has just informed me that the Albany office will do emergency EADs on Wednesdays only, 8:30am - 2:00pm, through September 3, 1995. All applications must be accompanyed by a letter from the DSO explaining the reason why expedited service is being requested. Otherwise, Albany wants all EADs to go by mail to Vermont. The expedited service may be used for optional practical training, economic hardship employment, or J-2 authorizations as long as the DSO uses his/her discretion in determining what is truly a bona fide emergency. Thank you, Albany! Ellen H. Badger, Director International Student & Scholar Services Binghamton University (SUNY) 6000 Binghamton, N.Y. 13902-6000 EBADGER@BINGVAXA.CC.BINGHAMTON.EDU **** Arlington, Virginia prior to 6/3 EADs were taking more than 30 days-- All EAD applications go to INS-VERMONT If you get word from one of these offices that their situation has changed or if you have any questions, please let me know. Also, please share this information with colleagues you know who do not have access to INTER-L. Thanks! Linda Gentile co-GRAC rep. - Region VIII Email: LGENTILE@vms.cis.pitt.edu **** Atlanta, Georgia INS / Atlanta District Office 77 Forsyth Street, S.W. Room 111 Atlanta, GA 30303 This morning Janice Thomas (Assistant Director for International Student Services in this office) and I confirmed INS/Atlanta's policies and procedures for resuming walk-in Employment Authorization Document (EAD) processing. This is a little complicated to explain in a succinct manner, so to understand precisely what's going on, please read this whole message. Walk-in EAD processing has been resumed on a limited basis by INS/Atlanta. This resumption in processing is effective immediately and will continue through Friday, September 1, 1995. In terms of Optional Practical Training (OPT), there are two types of F-1 and M-1 students who will be permitted walk-in processing: 1. Students who are applying to begin OPT, provided they present a letter from an employer which states that work is to begin on a date which is within 60 days of the date of submission of the OPT application 2. Students who are applying to continue previously-authorized OPT, provided: a. They present a letter from an employer which confirms current employment and the desire to continue employment to an acceptable date AND b. The current EAD is within 60 days of expiration. INS/ATL will not entertain any F-1 applications for need-based or economic hardship employment authorization. They will not entertain any J-2 applications for employment authorization. They will consider exercising discretionary authority in any case involving extenuating circumstances or emergencies, but have made a clear request that telephone contact occur between the DSO and INS/ATL prior to sending any such student to their office. (Note: They denied a request to accept an OPT application from a recently-graduated student who had a family medical emergency in the home country. Without an EAD, of course, the student could not return to the U. S. to engage in OPT. It therefore appears unlikely that many cases involving extenuating circumstances or emergencies will be accepted by Atlanta. Only those which are thoroughly documented will be considered.) Either the new Form I-765 or the old Form I-765 are acceptable for submission to INS/ATL. They do not have supplies of the new form or the signature cards. If additional information is learned, it will be distributed over INTER-L. J. Greg Leonard, Member Government Regulations Advisory Committee (GRAC) NAFSA: Association of International Educators INTERNET: GLeonard@BamaNet.UA.Edu BITNET: GLeonard@UA1VM CompuServe: 73573,2142@CompuServe.Com **** Baltimore, Maryland U.S. Department of Justice / INS NationsBank Center, Tower One 12th Floor 100 South Charles Street Baltimore MD 21201 (410) 962-2118 between 3:30 and 4:30 prior to 6/3 EADs went to INS-VERMONT no change--ALL EAD applications to to INS-VERMONT Linda Gentile co-GRAC rep. - Region VIII Email: LGENTILE@vms.cis.pitt.edu *** Chicago, Illinois 100 W. Jackson (312) 353-7334 This is to repeat the content of my message to CAFSS of last Friday, June 9, which reached an odd assortment of recipients (some in New York, some in Illinois, some but not all in Chicago, not me or anyone else in my own office). My message was that we had just heard from a staff member of the INS District Director in Chicago that that office would, this morning (Monday), resume the EAD walk-in service that it offered previously. PRESUMABLY that means to F-1 and M-1 students and J-2 dependents, and the applicant will not be required to have a job offer in hand. Presumably, but I have no details, except that the restored service will continue until September 3. In announcing the resumption of same-day service, the Chicago office made the urgent, reasonable plea that NOT EVERYONE RUSH IN ON MONDAY. Actually, if my own school is any indication, the traffic may be very heavy this week. We're asking people to hold off for a while if their nerves will permit. As I said on Friday, we in this area are fortunate. For years, no INS office anywhere has been more responsive to public need than Chicago. Harvey Stein Associate Director, Office of International Affairs University of Chicago harvey_stein@UNEWS.UCHICAGO.EDU *** Cincinnati, Ohio 550 Main Street Room 8525 Cincinnati, OH Attention anyone working with Cincinnati INS: I spoke with Olga Gonzalez this morning concerning the EAD process in Cinci and she asked me to pass this information onto others in the area. I know its a repeat of what George sent out yesterday, but it won't hurt to say it again. INS will have walk-in EAD processing from June 14th thru Sept 3rd, M-F, 10:30 to 2:00. (This is the phase-in period) They are asking for us to carefully consider who we send there and why. If the student can show documentation of a job offer, it will speed things along. The process will be exactly as before, ie the students don't have to bring their own photos, signature card, etc. For those students who do not have a job offer and/or a compelling reason to have the EAD card immediately, they ask that those applications be sent to INS in Lincoln, Nebraska. They will accept Economic Necessity walk-ins, but it must be a compelling situation. If there are additional questions concerning the process, please contact Carol Deason at the Cinci INS office. Thanks to all those who worked on making this possible :-)!! I am once again happy, until the next thing comes up;-) Michelle Jackson International Student Advisor University of Dayton jackson@trinity.udayton.edu Cleveland/Cincinnati, Ohio INS 1917 Federal Building 1290 E. Ninth Street Cleveland, OH 4419 (?) (216) 522-4770 Tuesday, June 13 Both the Cleveland and Cincinatti Offices will be operating under the same procedures. According to Mark Hansen, the above offices will be accepting any request for local processing. The request has to include a letter stating why local processing is needed.In the case of opt requests,besides the letter, a job offer stating the starting date should accompany the request. One person even gives their students a copy of the cable. They will also accept requests for economic necessity for f-1 and j-2, but again the level of urgency is vital. It has also been recommended that the fsa give a strong compelling letter in th ese cases. The expectation is that we will be doing a filtering of those indivi duals who are in need. Our role is very important, Mr. Hansen feels they may be able to continue local assistance in emergency cases,if they are under actual time crunch. George Burke Cleveland State University P1641@VMCMS.CSUOHIO.EDU June 13: A further clarification needs to be made. The processing will not be same day. The student will need to bring in all documentation. The officers will accept the request and if granted the student can pick up the EAD the next day. If the ead is not issued then INS will mail all documents to Lincoln. George Burke **** Detroit, Michigan It seems that Detroit'DD, Carol Jennifer, called Port Huron INS yesterday and annouced that they should continue doing EADs until Labor Day. Port Huron is less than happy, but being very good natured about it. On Tuesday they processed 54 EADs in 2 hours. Charlene Schmult, U-Mich cschmult@umich.edu **** Honolulu, Hawai'i Aloha from Hawai'i Good news from our Asst. District Director, David Gulick. The Honolulu district INS office will continue to process I-765 applications for students on a walk-in basis until July 31. (As an aside, they will also process EADs for Micronesians whether or not they are students.) I'm smiling alot today and want to thank everybody that contributed to this relatively fast victory for DSOs. Martha Staff Acting Director and ISA University of Hawai'i at Manoa mstaff@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu **** Houston, Texas U.S. INS 509 North Belt Houston, TX 77060 Here is the latest information about EAD processing at the district offices in Region III: Dallas - No El Paso - No Harlingen - No Response Houston - Yes* Memphis - No Oklahoma City - No New Orleans - No San Antonio - No * The District Office in Houston will process EAD's on Thursdays (8 a.m. - noon; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) for Houston area residents who can show proof of legal residence. This service is only offered to F-1 students applying for OPT with a letter of intending employment and to J-2 employees. Walk-in EAD service will end on September 3, 1995. (Note: The Houston Forum will be sending one I-765, one signature card and EAD processing instructions to each Houston Forum institution in the near future.) Should there be any changes about local EAD processing, I will let you know immediately. Sue Marlay, GRAC Rep. SMARLAY@TOLTEC.ASTATE.EDU> **** Indianapolis, Indiana (per Roger Piper, Director) INS 950 North Meridian Room 400 Indianapolis, IN 46204 1. No Economic Need Cases processed locally - must submit to Lincoln, NE 2. OPT Job letters must accompany application - will let students submit their applications in person to local INDY office - will not process the same day but will give them a call back date when dropping off the initial application. 3. J-2 employment - will take applications for those expiring through 7/31/95 - all renewal applications after that date should be mailed to INS Lincoln. They will work with schools on renewal applications, however, new applications for J-2 employment should probably be mailed to INS - Nebraska. Roger (INS-INDY) will work with individual cases - however - wants schools to get use to mailing applications to Lincoln. He said they would continue this service through 9/3/95, however he feels that we should decide if forms could possibly be mailed to INS-Nebraska. Addendum from June 13: Indianapolis office has informed me that they will not process J-2 ead's unless urgent. Don stressed that we need to determine if a case is actually urgent or not. We should write a cover letter if we feel a case is urgent. Example of urgent: J-2 full-time student whose EAD expires and they will not be able to continue their assistantship. Really encourages us to use Lincoln as much as we can. Any questions, please call me Donita Bowman GRAC Rep for Region VI dkb@issadmin.iss.purdue.edu **** Los Angeles, California INS 300 N. Los Angeles St. #2024 Los Angeles, CA 90012 I am pleased to inform you that the LA District Office has reinstated the processing of I-765 applications for Practical Training EADs starting this morning. They will continue to accept the old I-765 with the new code of (c) (iii) (i). The District will also process economic necessity applications but not J-2 work authorizations. They will continue their old practice of seeing students on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and will require a letter of job offer and an introduction letter from the DSO in order to process an I-765. Parandeh Kia Director of International Programs California Institute of Technology parandeh@pcmail.caltech.edu **** Louisville, Kentucky INS 601 West Broadway (6th and Broadway) Gene Snyder U.S. Courthouse Building 6th floor Louisville, KY 40202 (502) 582-6375, (502) 582-7373 fax The Louisville INS Office will accept walk-in EAD application till September 3rd, 1995. The Office hours will from 8 to 1pm from Monday to Friday. Clement Liew Morehead State University, KY CLEMENT LIEW **** Memphis, Tennessee US INS 245 Wagner Place Suite 250 Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 544-3301 (automated service) Memphis INS is now returning Practical Training to be filed at the DAllas SRC. They had told me they would call and let me know when they would stop but there has been no phone call and a returned form. Thank you, Nancy Rogers U. of MS Fax : 601-232-7486 IPROGERS@VM.CC.OLEMISS.EDU * update from June 19 * Meg Inglis wrote about the Memphis INS office sticking by the rules, and not accepting anything postmarked after June 2. I was told the same, Meg. I have a student who applied first in April (April 5); had her papers sent back on May 25 because we sent the original I-538 to Memphis and the copy to KY, instead of vice-versa (although the cover letter listing the contents stated that it was a copy, so they knew we had sent one to KY, too). She re-sent the packet in late May and of course we're still waiting for it to be returned; then she'll get to go to Memphis (8 hour drive), but only on a Monday, of course, and get her EAD. What could have taken 1 day in some other areas will have taken about 3 months, if we are lucky. I guess I should be happy that by using the service center we might see this time go down to 3-4 weeks. Ugh. From: FRANKLIN@UTKVX.UTCC.UTK.EDU *update from June 20* On Thurs. June 15 I spoke with Mark Johns at INS Memphis about their PT procedures. He had been out of the office for at least two days of training for the new KLM flights that begin arriving in Memphis on June 27. He said he was following regulations and returning all PT applications received in Memphis after June 3rd. I had received my first one back the day before - it was mailed June 1st and sent within the city and MARKED "RECEIVED JUNE 5". I told him that other offices were making arrangements to receive PTs if the student had a job waiting but Mark said he would only react if he got official instructions from the top echelons of INS. Anyway, since the PTs are still on his desk that we mailed in late April and throughout May due to the KLM flights and Mark's adjudicating of PR etc., I have opted to mail to Irving. Two of my students waited 9 (nine) weeks this spring to receive their PT from Memphis and six weeks is the best we've done in recent months. How much worse can it be? Maybe we'll find out! I am dismayed that once again there is no consistency among the INS office procedures. From the beginning it has seemed very unfair that some students could get one day service while others got nine week service depending on how understaffed their local INS office was. Also the issue of our students going downtown while others crossed the state to get their photos done. At least I thought the new system would introduce a degree of fairness - unfortunately reaching the lowest not the highest level of service unless, of course, Irving is going to turn their PTs around in 2 (two) weeks. Meg Inglis International Student Advisor The University of Memphis MINGLIS@ADMIN2.MEMPHIS.EDU **** Newark, New Jersey I've just confirmed with Russ Owens that Newark INS will revive its emergency EAD program, effectively immediately and until Sept.3. ONLY students may get EADs there (no J-2s), and they must have proof of the emergency need, e.g., job offer letter. Hours will be as before, i.e., mornings only, no Wednesdays. Marcy Cohen Rutgers University-New Brunswick Campus marcohen@GANDALF.RUTGERS.EDU **** New York, New York INS Third Floor 201 W. 24th Street New York, NY SDAO Lula Hampton advised on 6/14/95 that the NYC INS office has extended the deadline for walk-in EAC applications at 24th Street until July 14. Thereafter, all F-1 I-765 applications will need to be filed at the Vermont Service Center. Eugene Goldstein, Esq. 73032.224@COMPUSERVE.COM *** Addendum: Good News from New York City! The Employment Authorization Unit at 201 West 24 street is once again processing EAD applications. Prior o the June 3 change, they were issuing the EAD within a morning, and expect to resume the same level of service. This service will be available until July 14, 1995. When making application, students need to use a new form I-765. The EAU will provide signature cards and take photos. At this time, applications for optional practical training and employment with an international organizations will be accepted. It is not certain whether applications for need based employment will be accepted. Please note that the EAU cannot except cash or personal checks. A bank check or money order is required. Students are advised to visit the EAU in the morning, and to bring copies of the I-20, I-94 card and passport as well as the originals. Please contact me directly if you have any questions. Beth Mugler Assistant Director International Students and Scholars Office Columbia University bam3@COLUMBIA.EDU *** yet another addendum: Just to let you know NYC will NOT do walk-ins for J-2 EAD's. This information comes directly from Lula Hampton. Thanks, Lula! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= . Rose C. Brown, Assistant Foreign Student and Scholar Advisor . . Foreign Student Services, Library E-5340 . . State University of New York at Stony Brook . . Stony Brook, NY 11794-3385 . . (516) 632 - 7025. FAX: (516) 632 - 6544 . . E-mail: RBROWN@ccmail.sunysb.edu or RBROWN@sbccmail.bitnet . . or Rose.Brown@ccmail.sunysb.edu :-) . **** Norfolk, Virginia Federal Building 200 Granby Mall Norfolk, VA 23510 (804) 441-3081 (recording) (804) 441-3533 (fax) prior to 6/3 EADS were taking about a month Norfolk is willing to continue local processing for the time being. DSOs should use their discretion about applications they direct to Norfolk. Applications that are not urgent or time-sensitive should go to VERMONT If you get word from one of these offices that their situation has changed or if you have any questions, please let me know. Also, please share this information with colleagues you know who do not have access to INTER-L. Thanks! Linda Gentile co-GRAC rep. - Region VIII Email: LGENTILE@vms.cis.pitt.edu **** Omaha, Nebraska INS 3736 South 132nd Street Omaha, NE 68144 (402) 697-9155 Some messages have already appeared on Inter-L about what INS/OMA is doing with EAD applications. Some of the information there conflicted with what an OMA staff member told me her office would be doing. I've talked with that person again, and been offered this clarification: INS/OMA will process EADs on a walk-in basis for the remainder of June for applicants seeking: -- OPT, if they have already graduated -- summer employment -- renewal of an EAD that expires before June 30 -- approval of an EAD that was submitted to any regional service center more than 90 days previously and has not yet been acted upon No "emergency" needs to be involved in these cases. Other EAD applications should be mailed to Lincoln, starting now. After June 30, all applications should be mailed to Lincoln except "emergency" ones. In the case of emergencies, as I understand it, OMA wants an FSA to phone and discuss the situation, rather than just sending the applicant to the district office. Gary Althen Office of International Education & Services 120 International Center, University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242-1802 Phone: (319) 335-0335 Fax: (319) 335-2021 Internet: gary-althen@uiowa.edu **** Philadelphia, Pennsylvania INS 1600 Callowhill Street Philadelphia, PA 19130 (215) 656-7182 (215) 656-7178 (records department) 1) Philadelphia INS will process student EADs on a walk-in basis on Tuesday and Thursday mornings only (I think the hours are 7:30 to 11 a.m.) 2) At this point they have indicated that they are willing to continue local processing until September 3 AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT SWAMPED WITH EAD APPLICATIONS. Therefore, if you are dealing with Philadelphia, please use discretion. Those applications that are not urgent or time-sensitive anduld go to Vermont. Philadelphia has indicated that if they find themselves flooded with applications, they will discontinue local processing. If you get word from one of these offices that their situation has changed or if you have any questions, please let me know. Also, please share this information with colleagues you know who do not have access to INTER-L. Thanks! Linda Gentile co-GRAC rep. - Region VIII Email: LGENTILE@vms.cis.pitt.edu **** Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 314 Federal Building 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (412) 644-3356 Pittsburgh INS is willing to reinstate local processing of EADs under the following conditions: 1) OPT applications only; no econ. hardship or J-2 employment 2) They will process applications on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ONLY BEGINNING ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21st. 3) They will continue local processing until Wed., Aug. 30th (so please DO NOT bombard them with applications on June 21st!) 4) They will ONLY deal with students having residence in Pittsburgh's jurisdiction. If you have any questions, please let me know. Linda Gentile co-GRAC rep. -- Region VIII Phone: 412/624-7120 Email: LGENTILE@vms.cis.pitt.edu **** Port Huron, Michigan USINS Truck Cargo Facility 2321 Pine Grove Port Huron, MI 48060 Hooray for Michigan, Port Huron INS. I've just had a call from Judy Stroh, Port Director at Port Huron. They will reinstitute the walk-in service until July 27th - same times: Tuesdays and thursdays, 9-11. They will do J-2 EADs and Post-completion OPT EADs only - for people whose completion date will be no later than August. They will NOT (I repeat - not) do EADs for Economic Need - these must go to Lincoln. They also will not be accepting any more OPT apps by mail - if you're going to mail it in - it MUST go to Lincoln. We should send flowers - some other offices have said - no way! charlene schmult, u-mich cschmult@umich.edu **** St. Louis, Missouri INS 1222 Spruce Street St. Louis, MO 63103 (314) 539-2532 I spoke to Chester Moyer about EAD processing in St. Louis in light of the INS cable. St. Louis INS is willing to accept applications for EADs for students or J-2s who are applying to work this summer. However, EAD processing will NOT be done on a walk-in basis. Applications need to be turned in downtown, but will then be sent to the airport for adjudication. When approved, the student will receive a notice to come downtown to get photos taken for the card. When an application is filed in St. Louis, photos and signature cards do not need to be submitted. Applications which are for employment commencing in the Fall will be referred to the Nebraska Service Center. Processing time is expected to be two weeks. If you have any questions, let me know. Kathy Steiner-Lang ksteiner@artsci.wustl.edu