F1 expired - honestly not my fault...

[Matce]

I'm in a bit of a situation here...

I'm from Europe - here since 2007 and taking classes at UCLA - I've never taken any vacation and I was always in excellent standing (already 2 certificates awarded, 1 class short of a 3rd one - no grade worse than B).
I do not work illegaly and obey the law - however I was arrested in Las Vegas but released due to a missunderstanding - the district attorneys offices send me a letter that no charges are filed and that the file is "sealed" (went through the whole "order to seal" process).

Last Monday I called for an appointment at UCLA regarding to OPT - I'm 1 course short for the 3rd certificate... well: I got an appointment for Friday and I was told that they can't do ANYTHING for me because my I20 is expired (since Monday!!!) - great news!

Walking up to the Business and Management office they told me that they have no idea whats going on - my record is open - I just paid for new classes - ISO should have monitored my file and they should have told me to extend my I20 for the 3rd programm...

Hell - here's the worst part: I finished the 2nd certificate 9month ago - and my I20 was formely extended with the remark "student takes 2nd programm" - so wouldn't I be technically "out of status" after the 2nd programm? BUT: the lady at the intern. student office called me 3 month ago because I forgot to pay for health insurance and she would need that taken care off immediately for immigration... she was well aware of the fact that I am taking more classes (for 3rd programm!)
I previously told the UCLA Office that I would take more classes (and a 3rd programm) and they kept my file open and said "no problem" ...

I JUST filled out the 539 and explained the situation (attached are all transcripts and letters of recommendation, etc) ... good idea?

I build quite a nice network here and I'm about to finish another 2 Masters degrees from a University in Europe...
I actually was planning on finishing all my education and apply for residency, etc ...

Cliffs:
Intern. student office closed SEVIS-file
Program office still has me enrolled as a full-time-student (which I am!)
F1 VISA is still valid till August

 

[Orion08]

I don't understand how they can extend former I-20 with remarks- everytime you do a change like extend time of study, change degree, or anything else like OPT, YOU SHOULD GET A NEW I-20 no matter what.

I am not sure if this will help you but here is my experience with SEVIS and ISO.

I had something similar happen to me while I was doing my OPT (I got kicked out of SEVIS from active -to- completed). Anyhow I was going to transfer to another school after that and that is when we found out that I was not active anymore according to SEVIS (I had finnished my degree and that was it).

The ISO at my school (where I got the OPT) she opened a ticket (case number with SEVIS) to fix the record. She sent all the paperwork to them herself with a letter explaining that I had been in status all the time plus any supporting documents. At that point I had my other ISO at the new school talk to the ISO at the former school and they said it is ok to register for the new degree and I took full time courses at the new school. While SEVIS took its sweet time to solve my issue (over a year) I was able to gain again active status in SEVIS and a new I-20 from the new school. I also requested a copy of the explanation for my records. I was told not to go out of USA while this issue was getting sorted out (in fact I had no I-20 for over a year).