N G
Mar 23, 2023
Explanation of why EB4 Retrogressed by almost 5 years
For those needing explanations, here's what happened:
The 2016 surge of unaccompanied minors (Special Immigrant juveniles) from Central America through the southern border created a backlog in the EB-4 category. So DOS put El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras under a separate EB-4 column, declogging the rest of the category. DOS has now opened up the floodgate that has caused a 5-year retrogression. Good for the kids (happy for them), but also sad for others in the category.
I wish they could find a way to make everyone happy.
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treble stratumMar 24, 2023
so that means people who have been waiting in that category have to wait even longer now?
treble stratumMar 24, 2023
i applied Nov 2020 and it seems like im gonna have to wait even longer now even though I just submitted my RFE a week ago
Angie GelMar 24, 2023
And is this the wait after the approval of i360? I am waiting for my religious worker i360 approval. How long will it take?
N GMar 24, 2023
@treble stratum: technically, yes. In April 2023, only those who filed before 01SEP18 will become eligible for green cards.
N GMar 24, 2023
@Angie Gel your I-360 approval will depend on the center it's being processed at. Check the processing timelines for your category on the USCIS website.
S AMar 27, 2023
Does this mean we have to wait for 5 years to get our priority dates current?
N GMar 27, 2023
@S A potentially, we might have to wait that long except something drastic happens
Báwng KeráwtMar 28, 2023
@treble stratum a friend of
mine is exactly in the same situation as you. Just submitted his RFE. Let me know if and when you have any updates. Will do the same.
treble stratumMar 28, 2023
@CZ T will do 🫡
N GMar 29, 2023
Case has changed to RFE received. I just need it approved before Friday. I need prayers, guys. Please, pray for me
Kim johlMar 30, 2023
@N G what were they requesting in your RFE?.
N GMar 30, 2023
Letter from employer, earnings statement, copies of EAD
Angie GelApr 10, 2023
@N G , did you get the approval? I submitted my RFE last week and now waiting.
N GApr 10, 2023
No. Technically, they'll shelf cases with priority dates after SEPT 2018 until the dates become current.
JSS SSApr 17, 2023
@Angie Gel I submitted I-360 on Jan 19, 2023.. Case was updated to Name Was Updated 10 days back.. Nothing yet.. What was your RFE about?
Sososo HGJun 10, 2023
For people who are affected by the EB retrogressions, let's urge USCIS to resume releasing the "EB 485 pending report" which can tell us the number of people waiting in line before our PD and estimate the wait time. This will tell us why there are these retrogressions. Btw they released for 10 years but stopped in 2018, so it's not hard for them to produce it, I filed FOIA request and commented on the USCIS data page (https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-and-studies/immigration-and-citizenship-data) many times to ask for this. The more people ask for this, the more likely USCIS will take this seriously and release it. (See more details here: https://uscis.gov/archive/questions-and-answers-pending-employment-based-form-i-485-inventory)
