USCIS Delays in Your Immigration Case

Why Are There USCIS Delays in Processing My Immigration Case?

Unfortunately, USCIS delays are common.  Maybe you sent an immigration application with United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) years ago, but never got a decision. Now you wonder if something went wrong.

Why is there a delay?

Sometimes, nothing is wrong, and you simply need patience.  Bear in mind that the government’s immigration case backlog and processing times are unusually high.

But other times, something does go wrong, and you need to fix the delay.  Below we look at reasons for USCIS delays in your case and how to fix them.

child

Reasons for USCIS Delays in Your Immigration Case

Many things can cause USCIS delays.  Let’s look at a few:

USCIS needs more information or documents

Delays happen when USCIS is missing information or documents.

For example, if you’ve filed a visa petition (Form I-130) as a parent of a U.S citizen and didn’t include proof of your relationship, then USCIS may need a birth certificate or marriage certificate.  Or, if you filed a work permit application (Form I-765), then USCIS may want for more proof of how you qualify for one.  Or perhaps you filed for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and USCIS wants to know more about some old criminal charges against you.

Sometimes forms are missing.  For example, green card applicants often forget to include an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) or a Declaration of Self-Sufficiency (I-944).  Without these, your case could get stuck.

Sometimes information is missing.  For example, applicants often leave blanks answers to important questions. If you leave a portion blanks, expect USCIS to send you a request for evidence.

The case is complex or there are serious legal issues

USCIS delays can also happen when a case is complex or unusual.  In hard cases, the reviewing officer has to get guidance from their supervisors or from lawyers at their agency. Or sometimes one officer passes the case to an officer that has more experience or knowledge.  When a case is transferred official because it is hard, you can expect a case delay.

When is a case complicated?  Several factors can complicate an immigration case:

  • you have multiple entries to and exits from the U.S.
  • you were in deportation proceedings at one point
  • you have criminal arrests and convictions
  • you have negative immigration history, like lying to immigration officers

In any complicated case, expect your immigration application to touch multiple hands, as immigration officials try to figure out what to do with your case.  If this happens, your immigration case processing time will be slower than normal.

USCIS misplaced your file or it’s stuck on someone’s desk

Sometimes a file makes its way to a USCIS official and gets buried in a pile.  Worse still, multiple USCIS officials may look at your case and the file gets lost.  If you suspect this has happened, then you need to act immediately.

What should you do if you there’s a delay at USCIS?  Below are a few suggestions.

Fixing USCIS Delays in Your Immigration Case

If your USCIS delays your case, you’re probably confused about what steps to take next to fix the problem and speed up processing.  Below is some guidance.

Contacting USCIS

  • The first step if USCIS delays your case is to check your case status online.  To do this you’ll need your receipt number, which can be found at the top left corner of the form I-797 that USCIS sent you when you filed your case.   Enter this number on the case status page in the space provided to see if there is any information about the delay.
  • If there there is nothing helpful when you check the case status, you should next complete an online inquiry with USCIS.  The online inquiry can help with USCIS delays.  To make an online request, you’ll need the I-797 receipt number (found at the top left corner), the form type (found at the top right corner) and information about the parties involved.   After you submit an online request, you will receive a letter or email telling you that your case inquiry has been received and that you need to wait for a period of time.  You may also be able to do this through the USCIS online system.
  • If after the period passes and there is no answer, you can call 1-800-375-5283 about the USCIS delays in your case.  Follow the prompts and have the receipt I-797 ready.  Note, the person who filed the form has to make the phone call or be present on the phone call.  Otherwise, USCIS will not assist you.
  • If all these fail, then consider contacting the USCIS ombudsman.  This is an official appointed to help resolve customer complaints with USCIS.  The process for requesting case assistance through the ombudsman is online.   Keep in mind that the ombudsman is not meant to be the first step you take, the ombudsman will only assist you if you’ve already made an effort to use the USCIS system to resolve the issue.

Contacting an Immigration Lawyer

In the case of USCIS delays, sometimes it’s useful to get assistance from an  immigration lawyer. An immigration lawyer does not have a magic wand to resolve any case delay, but he or she may have a few extra tools that you may not.    You want to find an experienced immigration lawyer, however.

Most experienced immigration lawyers are members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).  AILA lawyers have set up special methods to communicate with immigration officials at every immigration agency, including USCIS.  In some parts of the country, AILA lawyers can communicate directly with local and national USCIS officers through email or phone, and can help resolve a case that is significantly delayed.

An immigration lawyer can also help you to file a lawsuit against the government agency that has delayed your case far longer than necessary.  This is called a petition for writ of mandamus, which is a lawsuit asking a court to make USCIS do something required by law like issue decisions on cases for green cards or citizenship.

A lawsuit against the government is a last resort as it’s generally very expensive.   It’s always best to try less expensive options first like the ones outlined above.

Keep in mind that fixing delays may depend on which form you filed

Fixing a USCIS delay in your immigration case can depend on which form you filed.  (Be sure to read up on how to check your case status for I-130s, I-485s, I-589s, and I-765s.)

If you’re experiencing a delay in processing of a family-based green card petition  (Form I-130), then the forms are usually processed first at a USCIS service center before they are sent to a local field office.  Use the steps above to try to locate the case and then decide what to do.

If you filed an application for citizenship or naturalization on Form N-400  then the process for fixing delays is slightly different.  You may have a few more options.  To start, immigration officials are required by law to give you a decision on your application within 120 days of your interview.  If they do not, you should write a certified letter to your local field office requesting a response.  If nothing happens, then you should consider contacting an immigration attorney.

The point is that each case is different, each form is processed differently, and the way to avoid and fix delays is to be patient and address issues on a case-by-case basis.

Related Topics

Need more helpful information? We've got you covered.

B2 Visitor Visa: A Complete Guide

This article is a complete guide for filing B2 Visitor Visa. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).

R1 Visa: A Complete Guide [2023]

The R1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa category that allows religious workers to enter the United States temporarily to engage in religious work.

Navigating the Requirements of VAWA for Immigration Relief: A Comprehensive Guide

VAWA, which stands for Violence Against Women Act, is a U.S. law that was first passed in 1994 to provide protections and resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, including immigrant victims.

U Visa: Requirements & Processing Times

A U visa is a type of non-immigrant visa available to individuals who are victims of certain crimes and who cooperate with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of those crimes.

O-1 Visa: Visas for Extraordinary Ability

An O-1 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa issued by the United States to individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.

USCIS Online Account: A Guide to ELIS

The USCIS Online Account Number, also known as the USCIS Account Number, is a unique identification number assigned to individuals who create an online account with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Alien Number: Find Your A-Number [2023]

Immigration agencies assign many non-citizens an identification number. The agencies use this number for all filings and to keep track of non-citizens. For this reason, it's important for your to know if immigration has given you one. In this article, we'll explain the number know as the "alien number," how to find it and what you use it for,

I-90 Form: How to Renew Your Green Card by Mail [2023]

The form I-90 is an application that is used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) when a green card holder needs to replace or renew his or her card. This page provides explanations of when to use the form, how to file it, where to file and the filing fees.

EB2 Green Card Overview: A Complete Guide [2023]

EB2 stands for "Employment-Based Second Preference Category." Learn everything you need to get an EB2 Green Card or EB2 Visa. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know for a basic understanding of the process.

How to Move Your Immigration Court

Moving your case to a different immigration court can be helpful. Learn how to transfer your case to a different city or state.

Master Hearing in Immigration Court

The master hearing is the first hearing before an immigration court. Learn more about what to expect from the immigration judge and how to prepare.

How to Cancel A Deportation Order

Do you have a removal order? Learn what how it will affect you and what you can do to cancel a deportation order.

Can A Deported Person Come Back Legally?

If you're deported from the United States, you can still fix your papers. Learn about the penalties for deportations, and how you can still get your papers.

Individual Hearing in Immigration Court

Individual hearings in immigration court are your last chance to fight a deportation. Learn what happens at a final hearing and how to prepare.

EB3 Visa: A Lawyer’s Guide

EB3 Visas are skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. Learn if you qualify for an EB3 green card and how to apply.

EB1 Visa: A Lawyer’s Overview

EB1 green cards are for leaders in their fields. These visas are part of a larger class of green cards know as employment based visas. Learn about getting a green card through the EB1 visa category.

Work Permit: A Guide for Immigrants

Learn everything you need to know about getting a work permit in the U.S. Here, we discuss the process, qualifications and cost of a work permit in the U.S.

F1 Visa Work Options: A Complete Guide [2023]

International students on F1 visas often ask if they can work legally. F-1 students can learn more here about whether they can work and where.

Bring a Sibling to the USA: Sibling Green Cards

Learn how to bring your brother or sister to the USA. In this article, we discuss the process and the different relatives you can sponsor to come to the country.

Automatic Citizenship in the U.S.

Learn who can automatically become a United States citizen and how to apply. Here, we discuss how to directly qualify to become a U.S. citizen without having to wait.

The Conditional Green Card: 7 Things To Know

Immigration has issued you a two year temporary conditional green card. Find out the 7 most important things to know about conditional green cards. In the article, we'll discuss processing and complicated situations that may come up.

Green Card Interview: A Complete Guide [2023]

Being interviewed by an immigration officer can be stressful. Here you'll learn everything you need to be ready and pass your green card interview. After reading this article, you'll be more prepared for immigration's questions for you.

F1 to H1B: An Immigration Lawyer’s Thoughts

Learn here how F1 students can get their H1B visas, the difference between change of status and H1B consular processing, and how to handle F1 to H1B denials.

F1 To Green Card: A Complete Guide [2023]

International students often want a way to go from F1 to green card. Learn everything you need to know about how international students can become permanent residents.

DACA News: Helping Dreamers Stay Current

Get up to date information on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for Dreamers. In this article, you'll find a description of the latest news and other explanations of the current state of the DACA program.

Public Charge Rule: Immigration’s New Rules

The Trump Administration has made it harder for immigrants to prove they financially qualify for a green card. Find out more about how to show you are not a public charge.

N400 Status: Checking Your Citizenship Process [2023]

If you filed an N400, you will need to stay on top of the status of your citizenship application. Find out how to check your N400 case status and more about the naturalization process. In this article, we'll review how to know when USCIS delays processing and what to do about it.

Asylum Case Status: A Complete Guide [2023]

If you are afraid to return to your home country, you may have filed a Form I-589, Application for Asylum. Learn how to check your asylum application status and what to expect throughout the process.

I-765 Case: What’s My Work Permit Status? [2023]

Confirming your I-765 case status is important. A lot depends on getting your work permit -- your job, your driver's license, and your social security card. Learn how to check the status of your work permit application.

Speeding Up Your Immigration Case With USCIS

If you have applied for an immigration benefit, you don't want to wait on USCIS any longer than necessary. Find out here how to speed up your case with USCIS.

USCIS Delays In Your Green Card Application (I-485)

Immigrants send tens of thousands of green card applications every year to USCIS. Often, you and others confront delays in USCIS making a decision on their green card application. While this can be frustrating, you can speed up the process by knowing the common causes of delays and how to fix them.

I-485 Status Check: A Complete Guide [2022]

The ultimate guide in getting your I-485 status check. Find out how to determine the status of your application and what to do if it's delayed.

I-130 Status: Checking a Pending Petition [2023]

If you filed an I-130 Petition, then you are trying to get a green card through marriage or some other family relationship to a U.S. citizen or green cardholder. Once you filed the I-130, you will probably want to follow up to check the status of your case. Here's how.