With i485 application pending, can I attend grad school as a research assistant(20hrs / week ) position ?

With an I-485 application, you are eligible to work as long as you filed form I-765 application for employment authorization and have received the employment authorization document. Once you receive such, you can obtain a Social Security card and begin to work in the United States. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee & Arthur Lee, Esqs.’ (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.