Hi
I have some good news. I contacted the Immigration dept of the Canadian Embassy here in New York and explained to them my situation fully. They told me I could apply for Canadian Permanent Residence from New York because I entered the U.S. legally and also maintained my status for one year. Thinking of doing the PNP. Currently looking for employers in Canada.
You may wish to read this quote from the CIC web site for those submitting their applicaiton to Buffalo.
"have a legal status in the United States and are submitting your application through the Canadian visa office in Buffalo. Although there is nothing in the Act/Regs other 1 year legal admission. So you take your chances.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/skilled-simple.htmlPMM