Read the:
http://www.immigrationlinks.com/news/news301.htm
http://www.murthy.com/UDnewins.html
I did talk to my lawyer. He recommends extending only the EAD.
One of my friends is in a similar situation. His lawyer has recommended he extend both EAD and H1. Another of my friend's lawyer wanted him to extend only H1.
****Better is to extend EAD and H1 if you are still maintaining H1 status
????? I still do not know what to do.
If I extend only EAD:
what happens if I am laid off? (I am still working for the firm that sponsored LC in Jan 2002)
find similar job using Ac21 with help of EAD
**** If you are laid off and have EAD you can join new employer.
what happens if 485 is rejected?
before rejecting I-485 ins usually send letter for intend to denied just start H1 premium process to get new h1 and get h1 before I-485 denies, so you will be in status and won't loose legal status
*** If you are using EAD and your I485 is denied you have to leave US, but if you are still maintaining H1 when your I-485 is denied then you can stay till you have H1
If I extend only H1:
what happens if I am laid off?
You will be out of status
**** if you maintain H1 and laid off you can join other company by H1 transfer
what happens if 485 is rejected
You will be in status but you have to start green card process from scratch
**** You will be on H1B status and depend on the reason of rejections.
If I extend both H1 and EAD:
what happens if I am laid off?
No problem, find similar job using Ac21 with help of EAD
**** Better try to find new job by H1 transfer if not possible then use EAD
what happens if 485 is rejected
if you never used EAD and have EAD card then it doesn't effect your status, only thing you need to start gc process again
if you used ead or ap for some purpose then i think you need to reneter to usa with new h1 visa stamp using your I-129 (i am not sure, but check with your lawyer )
Thanks
Best bet would be to get both h1 extention and ead for the safest bet, but obviously it cost more money.
So it's your choice to choose between money and safe thing
it usually vary by person to person, (same like if you get higher deductable insuarance it cost less as oppose to lower deductable insurance cost more, choice is yours.