Laid off and want to move, please advise

[sudhir_akella]

Hi,

I filed for I-485 in April 02, 20002 (Notice Date) for myself and my wife from Houston, TX at the Texas Service Center. Within 3 months (by the end of June), I was laid off by my company. Fortunately, my company agreed to keep me on pay role some how till 180 days from April 2, 2002, which would allow me to change jobs after that. But I have been searching for a job since then. Also my immigration lawyer gave me back my paper work since he found another job with a different law firm.
Note: Lawyer giving back my paper work had nothing to do with me losing my job, because I lost my job after he gave me back my paper work.

Meanwhile my wife was trying for a medical Residency position in 2003. She got it in Dayton, OH. So, before she moved to Dayton, we consulted an immigration lawyer to assess our situation. We asked her if it was OK for both of us to move to Dayton, OH. Her advise was that, I stayed in Houston and search for a Job similar to my previous job in Houston. Her line of thought was that, if I did not change my address, then INS will most likely send my approval notice in the mail and I could get my green card without much of a problem. Without much of enquiring and research we decided that I will stay in Houston, TX and my wife move to Dayton, OH, which is a big burden financially. Infact my wife moved to Dayton at the beginning of this month (June, 03) and I am in Houston. Also, she did not change her Texas driver's license to Ohio Driver's License. But recently I started exploring the idea of moving to Dayton, OH inspite of my lawyer's advice, This is because we came across a few people who were in a similar situation.

With this as the background, I have the following questions.
1. In this situation, can I move to Dayton, OH where my wife is ? If yes, can I give my new Dayton, OH address to the INS or should I give the address of any of my friends in Houston, TX? What could be the consequences in both cases?
2. If I can move to Dayton, OH, should I change my Texas driver's license to Ohio's Driver license because I need to show my ID when I get my Green card.
3. God forbid, if I did not get a job and INS has decided to interview me, then will my case be rejected?
4. Any other suggestions and thoughts on this are welcome.

It would be extremely helpful if some one could clearly suggest what would could be done.

Thanks in advance.

Sudhir

 

[ginnu]

1. In this situation, can I move to Dayton, OH where my wife is ? If yes, can I give my new Dayton, OH address to the INS or should I give the address of any of my friends in Houston, TX? What could be the consequences in both cases?
---- I hope you are going to use AC21, you can find a job in Dayton better give the address of Dayton, because you will be staying at that address, inform the BCIS about your address change (by registered post, you have also to fill up some form) your wife also should change the address she needs to send her change of address, do research how to change address.
2. If I can move to Dayton, OH, should I change my Texas driver's license to Ohio's Driver license because I need to show my ID when I get my Green card?
--- YES, both of you should change your DL , FYI your past DL record will be in the National Data, no need to worry , just get DL exchanged or get new.
3. God forbid, if I did not get a job and INS has decided to interview me, then will my case be rejected?
--- You should be working at the time of Interview and should have Permanent job offer letter from employer

 

[GC012002]

When you move to Dayton, OH - do not forget to file AR-11 within 10 days of moving there. It is required by law!