let me summarize my situation. my father filed a I-130 for me in 1999. ( unmarried child of LPR over 21). it got approved in 2004. I was waiting for a visa number. My father became a citizen so my case become current.

I have been in US with a F1 visa for 3 years so I filed a I485 and travel and work permit applications. I received fingerprint paper last week.

Now my question is I got accepted to a doctorate program and got a new I-20 but actually I'm thinking about defering my school for a year. If I do this my F1 visa status will not be valid anymore. Can I do this or do I have to maintain my F1 visa?

Also during this waiting process for AOS what do I show to people to prove that I have a right to stay in US?

Thank you

Once you have put in yr i485 you are technically covered to stayin the US without maintaining student status, but try to contact a free consulting attorney. I don't think u have any issues though, I am in the same process.

Good luck!