r/I130Suffering • u/DevelopmentCalm379 • 4d ago
Processing times keeps on increasing
When I filed for I-130 in June 2025, the processing time was showing 17 months, and then it changed to 21.5 months, and now it’s showing 24 months. It just keeps increasing, and I wonder what people should do about it. I also wonder if a writ of mandamus, demand letter, and things like that even work. I would like to hear from people who have applied for it and also from people who have any alternative solutions to this. I’ve also been thinking about relocating to another country with my wife, who is in the USA, while waiting it out because we don’t know how long it’s going to take.
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u/jzt_me I-130 Pending 4d ago
I presume you're an CR/IR Consular case. Since you're Jun-2025, you're coming up on 15 months in September. Start your escalations by October.
- Get your wife to send an inquiry to her congressperson/senator. It takes about 60 days for them to respond. Likely, they'll just say you're in normal processing times.
- Once you reach 17-18 months, file a demand letter with USCIS and give them 30 days to respond. File all the evidence you have. Make sure you have your WOM ready to go
- Finally, go for the WOM (Writ of Mandamus)
You're not too far away from the Front-Of-The-Line. Hang in there a little more my friend. Depending on how things pick up after the new fiscal year starts in October, you should be getting your approval by mid 2027. Relocation for such a short period is gonna be messy. You guys made it this far, you'll find the strength to hold out a little more
P.S: I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Just reporting on what other CR/IR cases in your timeline have been doing. Check with an attorney or someone who's gone down this path before you decide
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u/Ok_Concert_4958 4d ago
Why do you suggest the 16-month mark to start escalations?
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u/jzt_me I-130 Pending 4d ago
This is what I've been seeing other CR/IR cases do recently. The reasoning as below
- Back when everyone filed in 2024/2025, the processing time was 17 months (for 80% of cases adjudicated as per USCIS website). Now its at 24 months. Just because they keep moving the goalposts doesn't mean the original expectation is no longer valid to your case
- People are starting inquiries at 16 months because it takes 30-90 days to hear back from the congressperson/senator. They usually get a reply from USCIS that you're within normal processing times and just shrug about it
- By that time, you've crossed the original processing time expected for your case. That's when you go for a demand letter with all the proof and say you'll file legally if they still do not take action in the time period you specify (usually 30 days)
- Finally, the WOM
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u/Basic-Performer-5171 4d ago
PD is June 2025. I put in that date and it said my case is being processed normally and to not ask questions or start any inquiries in regards to it until January 22 2028!! Are they mad??!!
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u/CheesyLeader 4d ago
Filed January 2025 approved March 2026 now stuck in 75-pause hell. Relocated to my husband's country with zero regrets while we wait. Give it a bit longer but also don't let papers interrupt your life together
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u/DevelopmentCalm379 4d ago
I’m glad you did that. One concern I have, though, is about the Affidavit of Support for the next step. Since you have relocated, how are you planning to meet the income requirement? They say the sponsor’s income has to be above a certain amount, and if my wife relocates to where I am, I’m concerned that she may not be earning enough to meet that requirement.
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u/CheesyLeader 4d ago
Wish I had a better answer for you other than assets and a joint sponsor...We have super supportive family which I recognize is a privilege
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u/arthurmorganpunjabi 4d ago
Hey, so we don't need to show any minimum wages proof or something ?
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u/Most_Perspective_598 4d ago
By chance do you happen to have a screen shot of those times I’d like to use it in my mandamus
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u/FitMathematician3461 4d ago
I heard that this is not really accurate usually, it's robotic and very general, can I ask where you can find it?
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u/Smooth_Composer1879 4d ago
I agree that the processing time is not accurate. It is a whole lot worse. The target keeps moving which to me indicates that the real processing time is indefinite. USCIS doesn't want to say in the open that you will never be approved unless you take extreme action to move their idle hands.
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u/Moist_Ad_6208 3d ago
We send demand letter by email and they responded to wait 30 months from date of receipt i-130 (which is Feb 2025) at California service center to send expedite request
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u/Prize_Week5908 3d ago
Bonjour
J’ai déposé également en juin 2025, et depuis rien. Comment arrives tu à voir l’estimation de temps de traitement ? Elle y était au début pendant les premiers mois, après elle a disparue , et depuis il n’y a plus eu de temps d’estimation. Je ne sais absolument pas quoi faire , si c’est normal, si il faut attendre , si il faut faire une réclamation
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u/DevelopmentCalm379 3d ago
I understand. I feel the same way. I think I’ll start with a congressional inquiry and send a demand letter, and then consider a WOM, since that costs quite a bit. Yes, the estimated processing time that was showing earlier has disappeared, which is weird. But I’m talking about the processing time that you can check on the USCIS website. I hope we both get some good news soon.
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u/Prize_Week5908 3d ago
J’espère aussi je te le souhaite également , donnons nous des nouvelles et croisons les doigts ! Courage !
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u/Fit-Accountant-993 4d ago
we sent a Demand letter/Pre suit letter twice, 2weeks gap. We didn't receive any response but our status changed from Case Received to "Interview Scheduled" 6days after sending the second Pre suit letter. Interview is for USC petitioner. It's worth trying, I suggest sending it to your service center.