Experiencing Immigration Delays? Let Us Expedite the Process

There have been several positive trends to combat the pandemic between an increase in COVID-19 vaccine supplies, and the steady pace of U.S. markets opening back up. With the rapid change to adverse the devastation of this pandemic, it is no surprise that you feel your immigration application is taking a while to get approved. Most applicants do not consider retaining an immigration lawyer in LA, unless it pertains to a serious situation that can impact one’s visa status. At Grey Law, we also offer Los Angeles legal advice and guidance to help you understand why your case is taking so long.

Why Is Your Immigration Status Taking A While?

Millions of applicants are waiting for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process and approve their status. On average it can take between 7 to 10 months for the processing period based on the type of visa and filing. Now, because of COVID-19, people have reported it has taken additional few months. Government offices in the U.S. and other locations around the world have closed their doors to the public when the pandemic started. Trying to stream online appointments took time – and still there is a backlog. It is impacting how long prospective citizens are separated from family, able to work, and pick their life back up.  

What Slows Down the Process?

Applicants requesting visas, permanent residency, travel documents, family and employment-based immigration documents are affected by the backup. There are several reasons that case reviews can be slowed down. The new USCIS policies brought on through the Biden Administration is amending the regulations enforced by former President Trump.

Before the pandemic, a long wait was also normal. More than 40 million people living in America are from another country, making up a fifth of migrants across the world according to Pew Research. With that being said, as of 2017 more than 1 million immigrants were reported to arrive in the U.S. annually. That means the rate in which the USCIS has to assess a case and provide a response varies per applicant.

The Office Handling Your Case Was – And Still Is Backed Up

Immigration services always appear to see a spike in applications – sometimes more than they can handle in a certain period. When the USCIS receives a submission, it is reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Immediate responses depend on if you are submitting on behalf of yourself or your family. Visas that include more than one person require more time. The USCIS must ensure the I-130 petitions are filled correctly, specifically the beneficiaries’ priority date. Because an applicant already has a priority date for their visa, it does not impact their case as much.

Lost File Scenario

Getting a notification that your file is lost is what you hope not to hear awaiting your immigration status. This is a common issue that can happen. If you are inexperienced with the process, or exchanging information with USCIS, you should have a Los Angeles lawyer for delayed citizenship speak on your behalf. We normally recommend making a copy of your application before submitting it and opting to send copies instead to protect your status.

USCIS and related government agencies make it easy to track your case online. However, when you have not yet received a case number or receipt you risk waiting additional weeks or months to hear back from representatives. Again – a lawyer will be able to explain the situation, and help you submit a copy of the submitted application if you are uncertain.

This isn’t a situation that should be taken lightly. For example, applicants that are awaiting visa or green card status should act immediately. Citizenship is extremely limited per-year. When you apply as a child or spouse it can take up to ten years before you get a priority date and green card.

Security Check During A New Administration

Applicants can expect immigration applications to have a longer process time. It is required that fingerprints be taken for a background check through the FBI and other agencies that follow strict safety protocols. They will review one’s criminal and immigration record. If you have a criminal record (whether it was a major or minor issue) or a common name, expect for additional weeks and months to be added on to the approval process.

Four Useful Steps for Reassurance

1.   Update your Los Angeles immigration lawyer on important changes pertaining to your immigration application.
2.   Make sure you have a firm understanding of expectations while your case is getting processed. A legal professional can help you figure out how to plan around unexpected delays.
3.   Reach out to USCIS when your case is taking long to process – as this is a time sensitive process that can significantly impact your life. You can get a general idea of how long it might take through the “Check Processing Times” page on their website.
4.   Update important information, like change of address to avoid confusion and postponement.

About Grey Law Immigration

At Grey Immigration, the values of integrity, honesty, commitment, and results are at the foundation of our firm. 

David Grey provides experienced representation to safeguard your rights through the immigration process. Whether it is advice, assistance with visa applications, or resolving an issue that is stalling your citizenship, we are here to help. At Grey Law, we strive to help clients through complex processes for positive results. Our Los Angeles immigration lawyers are well-versed in more than several practice areas:

• Family-Based Immigration
• Employment-Based Immigration
• Naturalization and Citizenship
• Permanent Residency and Green Card
• Deportation and Removal
• Immigrational Appeals
• Non-Immigrant Visas
• Criminal Victim Visa 

In the past year, COVID-19 has drastically impacted citizenship in the U.S. We have been able to adjust and act accordingly based on new restrictions and regulations. Our firm optimizes individual skills to produce superior results for all clients. For a free case review, give us a call at 323-622-1764 or email info@greylaw.com.