I just completed by associate degree this fall (2009) and I am on OPT right now, EAD card hasn't arrived yet though. But because of family emergency, I have to go back Nepal at any cost. I talked with my DSO but she recommended me not to go back during my OPT as it is risky. The only way she suggested me was to transfer to a university and take a semester break if possible and go back. But I'm too late to transfer to 4 year college or university.

Most of my friends also did not recommend me to go back. They scared me with the fact that they had some friends they know who went back Nepal on OPT earlier and were not allowed to enter US even when they had all the required documents including the job offer letter. One of my friends recommended me to join Kaplan ESOL preparation and get I-20 isssued from there. But still I'm feeling risky to go back because the DHS are too much strict after the recent Detroit incident. I must have to go back but If I can not reenter US, I am gonna lose everything. I now regret why I did OPT. I don't see any way. Can you please share me your experience if you were on same situation? Any suggestions will be highly appreciated.

if you get an i-20 for another 2 years, don't you get to be in f1, non opt status?what happened in detroit thats hurting international students, jus curious

AS you said, you have not received your EAD card yet.

If your OPT application is approved and you are yet to get the card, the day you leave US without job offer, ur OPT will expire and no way u can re-enter.

If your OPT application is pending and is get approved while you are out of US, you are very likely to get denial for reentry.

Even if you have OPT card and job offer but haven't started the job yet and you go out of US, very likely to get denial.

So its a total risk for you to go back to Nepal at present. 

I have a good news for u.
I went to nepal on OPT and reenter fine, no problem at all.
The only thing you need is valid visa and valis I 20, that is all.
Roanrana