u/OtherwiseOccasion914

Hi everyone,
I’m currently in the U.S. on F-1 status and have a pending I-485 adjustment of status application.
Recently, I accidentally backed into another vehicle (a 2019 Dodge) while backing into a parking space in a parking lot. The other vehicle was unoccupied at the time. I left my phone number on the vehicle, and the owner contacted me afterward.
There were no injuries, no police involvement, no ticket, and no arrest. It appears to be a minor property-damage accident.
The owner had the vehicle inspected by a body shop and received a repair estimate for $1800. However, the body shop said the estimate was based only on the visible exterior damage and that the final cost could be higher once they start the repair.
Because of that uncertainty, we haven’t been able to agree on a cash settlement. The owner suggested handling the matter through auto insurance instead.
My questions are:
If I report this accident to my auto insurance and the insurance company pays for the other person’s repair, could this negatively affect my pending I-485/green card application?
Since there was no injury, police report, citation, or arrest, would this normally be considered an immigration issue?
Would you recommend handling this through insurance rather than paying cash, especially since the final repair cost could be higher than the initial estimate?
Has anyone experienced a similar minor accident while their I-485 was pending? Did it cause any issues with USCIS?
I’m mainly concerned about whether filing an auto insurance claim itself could create any problem for my immigration case.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,
My wife and I are international students in the U.S. and are currently nonresident aliens for U.S. federal tax purposes. My wife is in F-1 status, and I am her F-2 dependent.
Recently, my wife’s car was rear-ended. The other driver’s insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss.

Vehicle details
The car was purchased from a friend for $2,000, which was below its market value as a favor.
When we registered the vehicle, the county assessed taxes based on a higher standard presumptive value rather than the $2,000 purchase price.
The insurance company offered approximately $10,365 if they took possession of the vehicle.
We decided to keep the vehicle and received $7,280 instead, with the salvage value deducted.
We spent approximately $3,500 out of pocket repairing the vehicle.
We have completed the required DMV paperwork and obtained a salvage title.

Bodily injury settlement
Separately, my wife received a $1,500 settlement for bodily injury in exchange for signing a release of liability and waiving any future claims related to the accident.
She visited a clinic using our health insurance, and we are still waiting to determine whether the health insurance company will pay the medical claim.

Our questions

1. Would the $7,280 vehicle insurance settlement create any federal or Texas state income tax liability or taxable casualty gain?

2. Does the fact that the vehicle was purchased for $2,000, but the county used a higher value for vehicle tax purposes when we registered it, affect the vehicle’s tax basis?

3. Is the $1,500 bodily injury settlement generally taxable?

4. Does our status as F-1/F-2 nonresident aliens change the tax treatment of these insurance proceeds?

5. What documents should we keep in case we need to document the transaction on a future tax return?

We are not looking for legal or tax advice from you, but we would appreciate any insight from people familiar with U.S. tax rules, especially IRS rules regarding casualty gains, insurance proceeds, and personal injury settlements.
Thank you!

Hi everyone,
I’m filling out the CSS Profile for my child’s college application and I need help understanding how to answer this question.

Our situation:
Family (from Vietnam) is currently in the US on F-1 (primary) and F-2 dependent status
We have lived in the US for over 3 years continuously. Since 04/2026, we have an EB-3 I-485 (Adjustment of Status) pending while still holding F1, F2 status.

My child is applying to US universities

The question in CSS profile:
- Permanent country of residence (where they live permanently)?
(Instruction for above question below)
"Select the country where you live. This should be your permanent address, and it may be different from where you receive your mail. If you are temporarily living in another country, please indicate your permanent country of residence.”

My question is: In this situation, should we select United States or Vietnam for “permanent country of residence” on CSS Profile?

We are unsure whether this is based on:
immigration status (F-1/F-2 being non-immigrant), or actual long-term country of residence for financial aid purposes.

Any clarification from people who have filled out CSS Profile in similar situations would be appreciated.
Thank you.

I have been working for my employer for the past 3 years. The company filed a PERM labor certification for me in June 2025 under the EB-3 Skilled Worker category.

My STEM OPT has expired, so I returned to school to maintain F-1 status while waiting for the green card process to move forward.
Hopefully, my PERM will be approved in July 2026, and if my priority date remains current, I may be able to file my I-140, I-485, and I-765 around October 2026.

My concern is that by the time I am able to work again (with I-485 EAD) , the company may have already hired someone else to fill the position listed in the PERM application.
In that situation:

1. The company would still like to employ me, but in a different position at the same work location listed in the PERM.
   OR

2. The company would like to employ me in the same position described in the PERM, but at a different work location.

Would either of these situations create a problem for my EB-3 case or adjustment of status application?
Would the employer need to take any additional steps with USCIS or the Department of Labor if either of these situations occurs?
Thank you for any insights.

(asking for my friend)

EB-3 Other Worker

PD became current for filling in April 2026

• Block: IOE9363
• Receipt Date (RD): 04/10/2026
• Biometrics: 05/15/2026

Still waiting for my EAD.
Has anyone with a similar timeline already received their EAD or AP? If so, could you please share your receipt block and approval dates?

Thank you!

EB-3 Other Worker
ROW
PD became current for filling in April 2026
• Block: IOE9363
• Receipt Date (RD): 04/10/2026
• Biometrics: 05/15/2026
Still waiting for my EAD/AP
Has anyone with a similar timeline already received their EAD/AP? If so, could you please share your receipt block and approval dates?

Thank you!