If someone is filling for AOS who is in the country as an F1 student would it matter if the person is working without permit when applying as long as it is never mentioned during the interview. Or would it jeoperdize the process. Please give me your honest analysis.

If you entered the U.S. legally, your illegal working while on an F-1 visa will be forgiven when you adjust status through marriage to a US citizen. You should never lie to an immigration official if you are asked whether you worked illegally. There is no need to hide it because it will not jeopardize your ability to adjust status.

Well, lets say the person entered the US legally as a student, maintened the F-1 status. But worked both with (economic hardship & OPT) and without permits throughout. The person isn't adjusting their status by marrying a US citizen but lets say it is a DV lottery. And the person needs to work during the process to survive day to day.

Sofia

There is "paper trail" is there not? Person worked using their soc sec # that was not autorized to work? If so, then there is paper trail b/c these wages were reported to social security administration. Very easy to run record search on earnings from that soc sec #.

If wages were paid "under the table" meaning no taxes taken from pay etc. There is no record of working.

Thank you 4now. But are you saying that the person is S**t out of luck? No point of starting the process at all?