Our client, an Indian national, had her OPT application denied because her international student office did not provide her an I-20 in time. She appealed that decision, but it was denied and she was out of status. Thereafter, we filed an F-1 reinstatement request and argued that her failure to maintain her status was due to exceptional circumstances beyond her control, and that if her F-1 status were to be denied, she would experience extreme hardship. After USCIS issued an RFE, the case was approved.
