Why Is My Immigration Case Taking So Long?
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The immigration process in the United States is a notoriously long and arduous road. However, although you can expect some wait times during your case, there are instances in which those wait times may be excessively long. The good news is that the long wait times may not necessarily be your fault, nor the fault of your immigration lawyer, who does not have much more control over the speed of your case than you do. Below are some of the reasons your case may be experiencing delays.
The System is Backed Up
Immigration authorities in the United States seemingly always have more applications than they can handle in a reasonable amount of time. This backlog is often the subject of not only news stories, but also congressional inquiries. Other than the employment-related petitioners that have paid additional fees for premium processes, the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally processes applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. In regards to specific family visa cases, the USCIS sometimes takes longer to make a decision on I-130 petitions.
You are Still on a Waiting List
Certain visas and green card applications have waiting times built right into the process. For example, individuals who are placed in the third preference category of family-based visas must wait approximately ten years before their priority date is set, and a green card and visa number is available. Unfortunately, there is little you can do about these wait times.
Your File is Lost
Many people imagine huge government buildings with their small immigration file lost somewhere in it. This may sound like paranoia, but it is not. The truth is that this happens sometimes. It is always recommended that you make a copy of your entire application prior to submitting it, and do not send original documents if the USCIS will accept a copy of the same documentation. You may be able to track your application in the event that it became lost, but this is not possible if you have not yet been assigned a case number.
You Have Not Notified the Government of a Change of Address
It is often not realistic to expect immigrants to remain at the same location while they wait for a decision on their immigration case. If you move and do not inform the USCIS, it could hurt your immigration case. In regards to wait times, if you have moved and not notified the USCIS, important documents may be sent to the wrong address, which could hold up your case indefinitely if the situation is not corrected as soon as possible.
Our Illinois Immigration Lawyers can Prevent Unnecessary Delays
It is true that Chicago immigration lawyers usually have little control over the time your case will take. However, at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, we have the necessary experience to ensure your case is filed accurately and in a timely manner, and will not make any of the mistakes that can often hold up a case. If you are going through the immigration process, call us or contact us online to schedule a meeting with one of our skilled attorneys.
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I would like to sincerely thank Attorney Justin Burton and PL Kamila Lada for support with my adjustment of status case. I have been working with the firm for over a year now, and I have received nothing short of exceptional services and support throughout various cases for myself and family members. Highly recommend consulting and retaining this firm.
We have been in the dark with our case for over 2 decades, while working with other big firms who just kept me in the dark and sat on our case without making any effort to move it forward until I met the wonderful team at Kriezelman & Burton. AO and JP are truly God-sent angels who with their knowledge, collaboration, sense of direction and outside the box thinking, managed…
Highly recommend attorney Kevin Raica and attorney Agata Bigdanowicz. They were super helpful, responded on time, and won my case in record time. It took about a month and half in total for me to get my approval after filing!
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
Huge thanks to Attorney Matthew for his incredible support on our immigration case! 🙏 He was professional, responsive, and his expertise led to a successful outcome. We truly appreciate his hard work and highly recommend his service.
I’m deeply grateful to God for leading us to this law firm; it is a true blessing to work with such professional and passionate individuals. Their dedication and commitment help make a difficult situation far less traumatic. In our case, we received 100% support from Attorney Andrea Ochoa and paralegal Rafael. May God bless them and allow them to continue this wonderful work. Thank you—a thousand thanks.
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
Highly recommend Jennifer Peyton in federal litigations. She’s very polite and experienced.
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
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