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Hello,
My initial 12 month OPT was set to expire on July 23rd. I had applied for my OPT STEM extension in the end of June. I had defended my Thesis and finished my degree
in the beginning of June. My university issued me a letter of degree completion which is proof that I finished all requirements for the degree. This is a standard letter which
is always given by my university for STEM extensions. The university confers the degree only twice a year at the end of the term, hence the letter of completion is provided
for STEM extensions to validate the fact that I have completed my degree.
My STEM extension got denied and the reason stated is that the university has not yet conferred the degree to me. I contacted my University DSO and he told me that they have never seen a denial for this reason and the letter of degree completion was always accepted.
I saw the decision online on Sept 15th and the letter arrived 2 days later with the reason. My 60 days of grace period was set to expire on 20th of Sept. I did not have any option left but to leave the country. I hired a lawyer and applied for the Motion to Reopen/Reconsider my decision. I left the country on 20 Sept to avoid accumulating any illegal days of presence which can then be used against me in any future chance of returning to the country.
My question is
1. Has any one ever seen a denial for the reason stated above ?
2. What are the chances of the decision being reversed in the MTR?
3. What is a tentative timeline for MTR ?
Any help regarding this issue would be extremely helpful and appreciated.
Thank you very much.
My initial 12 month OPT was set to expire on July 23rd. I had applied for my OPT STEM extension in the end of June. I had defended my Thesis and finished my degree
in the beginning of June. My university issued me a letter of degree completion which is proof that I finished all requirements for the degree. This is a standard letter which
is always given by my university for STEM extensions. The university confers the degree only twice a year at the end of the term, hence the letter of completion is provided
for STEM extensions to validate the fact that I have completed my degree.
My STEM extension got denied and the reason stated is that the university has not yet conferred the degree to me. I contacted my University DSO and he told me that they have never seen a denial for this reason and the letter of degree completion was always accepted.
I saw the decision online on Sept 15th and the letter arrived 2 days later with the reason. My 60 days of grace period was set to expire on 20th of Sept. I did not have any option left but to leave the country. I hired a lawyer and applied for the Motion to Reopen/Reconsider my decision. I left the country on 20 Sept to avoid accumulating any illegal days of presence which can then be used against me in any future chance of returning to the country.
My question is
1. Has any one ever seen a denial for the reason stated above ?
2. What are the chances of the decision being reversed in the MTR?
3. What is a tentative timeline for MTR ?
Any help regarding this issue would be extremely helpful and appreciated.
Thank you very much.
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