Hi
I am currently in J-1 status as a researcher working for a certain company according to the conditions of the exchange program. I am under the 2 years home residency requirement. At some point the company lawyers offered me the option to apply for a H-1b on my behalf and (a decision which I greatly regret right now) I have accepted (in my view I wished to complete the exchange program normally, at the same time at some point apply for the waiver and after having it approved consider a change of status from J-1 to H-1).
However, it seems that the DHS wrongly (that's what the immigration lawyers employed by the company say) updated my SEVIS record showing an updated end date of the exchange program on the same day as the start date of the H-1. This date is much more recent then the original end date (I may not even have time to pack my things) of the J-1. Because of the 2 years home residency requirement I can't just travel home and have the H-1b stamp issued and return on H-1, I actually need to go through a lengthy (probably a few months long) process to get the waiver first. Since it seems I am unable to get any straight answer from the company lawyers I am looking for a second opinion (even if that it's just me having to read a lot of documentation online on the subject).
My questions are:
1. is that possible? the DHS mistake? (I mean have you ever heard of something similar, does it sound likely?) Also do you think just the application process and having a H-1b approved means that I have started a "change of status" so it makes sense for DHS to update the end date of the J-1 exchange program?
2. on my I-94 I have a D/S end date, does that mean that after the new SEVIS updated end date (but not reflected on my DS-2019 which obviously have the old end date) of the program any day present in the US I am out of status? (ie do I get the 30 days time to pack up at least or do I have to leave immediately as I've read on some site which happens in cases of interruption or termination of the exchange program)
Thank you!

