Hi everyone. I am in the US on F-1 visa and recently graduated from Umass Amherst, MA. I applied for a OPT work authorization on March 23, 2022, without which I cannot start working at this exciting, well-paid position I bagged in New York City.

My case is still pending with USCIS and nothing I tried seemed to work. I tried to expedite, but no use. Read online that I can reach out to congressmen but seems like even there they have a huge waiting list .

A line to get in a line to get in a line.

Its been waiting 100+ days that I applied but the case processing time USCIS mentions is 1 month. Everyone around me, all my friends who applied even after me got approved and went to join their companies. Given my start date was 5th July, I surely couldn't join but my company was kind enough to push my start date by a month.

I am still worried what happens if I still do not receive my work permit in that time. Will my company still want me? Will my job offer be cancelled? What happens if after all this wait the work permit is denied and I run out of everything by then?

All problems are quickly becoming bigger with my lease soon going to end, my health insurance soon going to end, my finances..(I hardly should be talking about that) are forcing me to be extremely frugal, be home bound in this college town Amherst which is now deserted due to summer, I cannot even do a part time to support myself since I have graduated. Is there anyone going through the same issue with this federal immigration agency? Is there anything else I can do? Is there anyone I can reach out to who will listen to me?

Yes, I am an international student, but my anxiety and depression, which peaks every morning is wilting me of any power I have to struggle more. I am lonely and scared in these uncertain times. After all, I was only trying to work for the United States.

Thanks for even reading so far, any advise or any thoughts are much appreciated!