If you’ve filed an I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), you might be feeling frustrated by how long it’s taking for your case to be processed. Unfortunately, the delays many petitioners face are largely due to backlogged processing times at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The chart below shows the processing times over the past five years. The backlog is growing.
USCIS has been grappling with a significant increase in application volumes, combined with staffing shortages and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in longer-than-usual wait times for processing various immigration forms, including I-130 and I-485 petitions.
To make matters worse for so many, USCIS has asked the Dept of State to limit the numbers of approvals by not advancing priority dates on the Visa Bulletin. The January visa bulletin has given us even more bad news.
For many applicants, the I-130 is the first step in bringing a foreign relative to the U.S. or adjusting their status. Once that petition is approved, the applicant may file the I-485 to adjust their status to that of a lawful permanent resident (green card holder). However, even once the I-130 is approved, the I-485 may remain pending for extended periods due to USCIS backlogs.
While these delays can be frustrating, it’s important to keep in mind that the backlog doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with your petition. If your case is still pending, it’s most likely due to the larger systemic delays at USCIS.
Patience and regular follow-ups are key during this time. Be assured that our office submits regular requests for updates on all our client’s cases to ensure that your case is properly pending. Understanding the reasons behind these backlogs can help ease the frustration and provide a clearer picture of the immigration process.


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