sorry that I have been completely caught up and did not check the forum during the last week. my background is summarized as follows:
*) phd 2002 from US school in chemistry (rank 20-30)
*) 8 papers (most first author) on OK journals, <30 citations
*) currently postdoc in a good school
*) 7 letters (PhD advisor, posdoc PI and co-PI, and independent experts from England(2), NIH and FDA)
*) distribute programs to dozens of group and also commercialized version is offered by a big company
*) have several awards (no national ones unless an ACS travel award is counted)
and I hired a lawyer in LA recommended by friends. I received the approval notice on last Thursday (my lawyer also got a notice on last Tuesday).
good luck to everyone who still has to deal with immigration issue (including me). it is so frustrating that H1b is out.