URGENT ISSUE: OPT process stopped midway and now I am stuck as I want CPT

[luvnfacade]

I am in a very difficult situation,probably the worst situation till now in last 9 months of my stay in usa.
I am a graduate student at a premier college in Bay area.
I applied for OPT in april and then the ICenter issued me a new I20. But they told me that I wont be able to get my EID card within 2 months. They advised me to think about it and wait.
I thought about it for one week and decided to apply for CPT. I didn't send any documents to INS. Then at the time I got my internship I applied for CPT and now Icenter says I cannot apply for CPT. I have already given a commitment to my employer saying that I will start my internship. But unfortunately I am stuck, i dont have a CPT , I dont have an OPT and dont even know what can i do. All my future plans are in doldrums. Please help me out as soon as possible.
Thanks,
Vaibhav

 

[fdtd]

I think you can work for free for your employer. You don't need authorization to work if you receive nothing from your employer.
I am in the similar situtaion. i want to start my job but i cannot apply for CPT because I finished all my course work and working on my thesis only.

 

[LucyMO]

that is not true. If you volunteer for a position that is usually paid, you are working illegally.