Moving to another country is an exciting phase but a challenging process at the same time. There are lots of papers to process, most especially your immigration application and green card if you’re keen on settling abroad.
Delays in these kinds of applications are kind of common. Reasons like overwhelming paperwork can be one of those. A mandamus lawsuit can be filed to expedite the application, but it’s better to use it when all else fails.
Don’t worry if your application gets delayed. Learn more about what you can do in this guide.
Steps To Take in Case of Application Delays
Here’s what you can do when your application seems to be delayed:
1. Take a look at the application status.
You can check your application at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official website. If you’re checking it online, use the 13-number receipt number in your petition as the identifier. If you check by phone, call the USCIS contact center at 1-800-375-5283 or TTY 1-800-767-1833. When you’re out of the U.S., call 212-620-3418 and learn more about your immigrant application.
2. Backtrack your documents.
Sometimes, going back to all of your papers might give you the answers you need. You may have filled out the wrong information on a particular part of the form. Errors in documents may set your application back by weeks or months.
Make sure you have the latest form. Check if the documents you filled out are error-free before submitting them. Forms without any errors help move up your application and get that approval.
3. Message your immigration consultant.
Ask your immigration consultant if your application isn’t moving forward. They might have an idea why your papers are stuck at immigration at the moment. Ask for information on speeding up your application and follow the necessary steps.
4. Think about hiring an immigration attorney.
Waiting longer than the normal processing time is strange and frustrating. When you get to this point, it’s time to hire an immigration attorney. They can guide you through the complicated and stressful immigration process and immigration laws. When it comes to advocating and putting in a good word for the best interests of your case, immigration lawyers are the perfect people to turn to.
5. Patience is the key.
Nothing goes right if you’ll just get angry. Take a deep breath, loosen up, and keep cool. Be patient in waiting for updates regarding your application. Things that cause the delay are out of your control. Waiting is always the best thing to do if you have exhausted all solutions to get an update.
Reasons for Delays in Immigration Applications
Your papers could be stuck at the immigration offices due to reasons that are beyond you. If you’ve been waiting for some time, these could be causing the delay:
1. Backlogs in paperwork
The USCIS receives and processes thousands of immigration applications. They may face paperwork backlogs, especially after opening the offices a little past the holidays. Immigration officers may work extended hours just to beat deadlines in going through every single application. Yours might be one of the backlogs or those that will be processed at a later date. Especially now that the world is slowly getting back up from the pandemic, backlogs from a few years back are still being processed.
2. Lost documents
Your papers could get lost in a sea of paperwork at immigration. It comes across as surprising and a huge possibility since the government agency is swamped with applications every single day. When even one form is lost, you have to secure another and fill it out again, which slows down your application process.
3. Security checks
USCIS ensures that any person entering the U.S. is not a threat to the country and would get proper immigration benefits. Security checks can be a long and arduous process, which delays the application process.
Some of these security checks include:
- Short for Interagency Border Inspection System Name Check, these checks are done before any application gets decided. The IBIS is a data system that gives information on public safety concerns, such as criminals and known terrorists. Once IBIS identifies a “hit,” the Federal Bureau of Investigation resolves this case while the USCIS waits.
- FBI Fingerprint Check. This test helps determine any criminal background of the applicant before being considered for entry and employment in the country.
- FBI Name Check. This test helps in identifying people with the same name as yours and looking up any similar records. The application gets delayed again when there’s a hit, and the FBI has to resolve it first.
Final Thoughts
Delays in the processing of your immigration papers can sometimes be out of your hands. While the waiting game is the most frustrating part of the journey, calling USCIS to find out why your application was delayed sheds light on your immigration status.