Community
For I130 December 2023 fillers that are still waiting:
It sounds like your I-130 petition is experiencing delays beyond the posted processing time (17 months), and you're unsure about next steps. Here’s a breakdown of your concerns and what you can do:
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### **1. Why Is Your Case Delayed?**
- USCIS processing times are **estimates**, not guarantees. Delays can happen due to:
- Backlogs at your specific service center.
- Additional security/background checks.
- Missing evidence or requests for further documentation (if you missed an RFE, for example).
- Administrative errors or workload fluctuations.
---
### **2. What Should You Do Now?**
#### **a. Follow Up with USCIS First**
- **Check Case Status Online**: [USCIS Case Status](https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/)
- **Submit an Inquiry**: If your case is outside normal processing time, file a **"Case Outside Normal Processing Time"** request via [USCIS e-Request](https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/).
- **Call USCIS**: Dial 1-800-375-5283, say "Infopass" to reach a live agent, and ask for an update.
- **Request Expedite**: If you have a valid reason (e.g., medical emergency, military deployment), request an expedite.
#### **b. Follow Up with Your Congressman/Senator**
- **Congressional inquiries CAN help**, but they’re not guaranteed to speed up your case.
- **If they didn’t respond**:
- **Call their office** (better than email).
- **Visit in person** if possible (bring your case details).
- Try contacting **your U.S. Senator’s office** (they often have dedicated immigration liaisons).
#### **c. Consider a Writ of Mandamus (If All Else Fails)**
- **What is it?** A federal lawsuit to force USCIS to make a decision.
- **When to file?** Only if:
- Your case is **long overdue** (e.g., 6+ months past the stated processing time).
- You’ve exhausted all other options (USCIS inquiries, congressional help).
- **Cost?** $5,000–$10,000 (attorney fees + filing fees).
- **Timeframe?** Usually forces a decision within **30–90 days** if successful.
---
### **3. What to Expect Next?**
- If USCIS is simply backlogged, they may approve it soon.
- If there’s an issue (like an RFE you missed), they’ll notify you.
- If no response after inquiries, **mandamus may be your last resort**.
---
### **4. Is Mandamus Worth It?**
✅ **Yes, if:**
- You’ve waited **far beyond** processing times.
- You need urgent resolution (e.g., family separation, visa expiration).
- You can afford the legal fees.
❌ **No, if:**
- You haven’t tried USCIS inquiries/congressional help first.
- Your delay is only slightly over the posted time.
---
### **Next Steps Summary**
1. **Check USCIS case status & submit an inquiry.**
2. **Call USCIS for updates.**
3. **Follow up with Congressman/Senator (call/visit).**
4. **If still nothing, consult an immigration lawyer about mandamus.**
Help..
Anyone in the same boat? how long do I have to wait to get an answer? Ik they said 90days but...
FO MINNEAPOLIS SAINT PAUL MN
PD 03/21/23
On 03/29/2025, you or the designated representative shown below, contacted us about your case. Some of the key information given to us at that time was the following:
Caller indicated they are:
-- Applicant or Petitioner
Case type:
-- I485
Referral ID:
SR×××××000000SPM
Type of service requested:
-- Outside Normal Processing Times
The status of this service request is:
Thank you for contacting USCIS concerning the above-referenced application. Below is a summary of what we have found.
We are experiencing a high volume of applications. Your case is awaiting review. You do not need to do anything at this time. If we need any information from you, we will mail you a request for evidence at your current address on file with USCIS. When we make a decision on your case, we will mail a notice to you or your representative at the address you gave us.
Please note that processing times are estimates and are not a guarantee that applications will be processed within a specific timeframe. Individual processing times vary. Once further action is taken, notice will be sent to the address of record. It is important that you carefully follow the instructions outlined on any future notice that you might receive.
We assure you that we are working to complete the adjudication of your application as quickly as available resources allow. If you have not received notice of further action within 90 days of this response, please feel free to submit a new request to the USCIS Contact Center for additional assistance.
If your receipt number begins with IOE, please consider activating your USCIS online account at myaccount.uscis.gov. You can use your account to get your current case status, access every notice we send you, and offers the capability to scan and upload any USCIS requested documents. You can also send messages and receive answers through a secure inbox.
Address Changes; If you move, please provide us with an updated address. For more information about address changes, please visit our website at uscis.gov/addresschange, and click on "How to Change Your Address." To ensure that all mail is delivered as addressed, please also ensure that you are registered with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to receive mail at the address of record you have provided to USCIS.
For questions about your application, you can use our many online tools (uscis.gov/tools) including our virtual assistant, Emma. If you are not able to find the information you need online, you can reach out to the USCIS Contact Center by visiting uscis.gov/contactcenter. The USCIS website also provides detailed information about policies and procedures, and you can download and e-file forms from the website.
Hola mí nombre José Alfredo García García con 52 años tengo 2 visas H2-B ya expiradas la última en el 2005 intente entrar ilegal las 2 veces me detuvieron esperó me la renueven 20050283250004
una mala acción de mi parte me hizo reflexionar en varios aspectos intente cruzar de ilegal en dos ocasiones y fuí detenido la juez me preguntó cuando fue la última vez que intentaste cruzar ilegal mente le dije hace 15 días y imprimió mi foto y me dice mira la diferencia de mentir sí hubieses metido te hubieras ido 5 años a prisión aquí dice que tú tienes visa solo tienes que renovarla bien buscá la forma de renovarla y te la van a renovar pero lo puedes hacer después de 3 años ya pasaron más de 10 una disculpa por el trabajo que les ocacione a los oficiales ellos no tienen la menor necesidad de que les ocacionemos tanto trabajo y pues aquí vamos con toda la actitud a hacer los trámites como lo marcá el reglamento de inmigración de US.
eb1-b India update
Your case is at (SAN BERNARDINO FIELD OFFICE) and the last time the office reviewed your case was (04-29-2025) There are no notices issued and nothing on your case that requires your attention at this time. Please continue to wait while the case is in process.
I hope this is good news? anybody got transferred to this field office? any insights?
update about the interview
This is the message I received : The above application has been approved. Prior to receiving your permanent resident card you may be required to report for biometrics processing (photo/
fingerprint/signature). Please do not take any action at this time. If you are required to report for this processing, you will receive another notice advising
you of the date, time and location to appear.
If you have not received your permanent resident card or the above mentioned notice to appear for biometrics processing within 90 days, please call this
number (800-375-5283 TTY 800-767-1833).
NOTICE: Although this application or petition has been approved, USCIS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reserve the right to verify this
information before and/or after making a decision on your case so we can ensure that you have complied with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and other
legal authorities. We may review public information and records, contact others by mail, the internet or phone, conduct site inspections of businesses and
residences, or use other methods of verification. We will use the information obtained to determine whether you are eligible for the benefit you seek. If we
find any derogatory information, we will follow the law in determining whether to provide you (and the legal representative listed on your Form G-28, if you
submitted one) an opportunity to address that information before we make a formal decision on your case or start proceedings.
How long do I have to wait for my residence to arrive?
Case Approved
PD: 12th Jan 2024
Hello people!
Finally my case got approved yesterday. I’m happy to announce this news.
Also, for people who has received msg or email from USCIS saying “we have taken action your case” but didn’t receive approval. First, wait for 2-3 days to update on your uscis account. If still didn’t see, that’s means they have send your case for security Check to FBI and Interpole. This mostly happens when you marry some outside USA. It took 3 weeks to do verification of my case. I received notice on 7th April and they verified everything and now it’s approved. Be patience and believe in God, you all will get approval very soon.
#approved #i130
IR-1/CR-1
U.S. citizen filing for a spouse
Total Days: 477 days
Case
2024-01-12
2025-05-03
I-130
477 Days
Texas Service Center: I-130
Vawa rfe
A friend mailed in her RFe before her March 31 deadline, somehow the post office couldn’t deliver the rfe notice to her address but her lawyer received a copy also. Online it says “notice was returned because we couldn’t deliver”. Like I said, she responded and mailed in the rfe docs before deadline, but since then, there hasn’t been any update. Has anyone experienced this?
Form AR-11 sent, no address update!!
I sent the form AR-11 to inform change of my address around 2 months ago, but upon inquiry today from USCIS they said that my old address is in file and send another AR-11 form, any similar experience?
EB2-NIW
Advanced degrees or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver
Total Days: 531 days
Case
2023-12-01
Today
I-140
531 Days
Nebraska Service Center: I-140
