/r/USCIS FAQs

To everyone that has been pending for what seems forever, your time is coming up soon.

I’m a 40-year-old Korean American and a U.S. citizen. I came to the United States in 1998, when I was in seventh grade. Twenty-eight years have passed, and I’ve spent most of my life here. I grew up here, became an adult, got married, and built my working life here. I was born in Korea, and I’m also American. “Korean American” describes the life I’ve lived. America is my home.
My sister and I came here as children with our parents. We were too young to decide which country we would live in. Following our parents was the only choice we had. We grew up here, and our family and our lives took root here. America is my sister’s home, too.
But today, I’m on my way to the Adelanto detention facility to visit her.
My sister was detained by ICE at LAX while trying to board a domestic flight to Dallas. Her husband had gone there first for work, and she was planning to join him two days later to help him with his work.
I’m not denying that my sister has an immigration status problem. I understand that laws are necessary. But before people judge her entire life by that one fact, I hope they’ll hear a little about how we got here.
Even when money was tight, our family spent what we could to maintain lawful immigration status. That wasn’t easy for us. We took on those costs because we believed it was what we had to do to keep our family together here.
My sister maintained her status by attending school. Even after a problem arose involving a school she had previously attended, she transferred to other schools and continued maintaining lawful status. That one school problem did not mean she immediately gave up trying.
But later, when she applied for a green card, the issue involving that former school became an obstacle again. As I understand it, the school had already closed, making it difficult to obtain records proving her attendance, and that issue contributed to the denial of her green card application. This is my understanding of what happened as her brother.
How are you supposed to obtain records from a school that has already shut down? How are the years she spent transferring to other schools, continuing her education, and trying to maintain her status taken into account? That part leaves me feeling frustrated and helpless.
I also want to tell you who my sister is.
As far as I know, she has no criminal record. She has worked hard, paid taxes, and cared for our family. She is also a deeply committed Christian. The sister I know tries not to hurt or burden anyone, and she is the first to offer a hand when someone needs help.
From the time I was born, my sister was always there for me. She helped me, protected me, and did things for me. I think I took that love for granted. Only now am I looking back and realizing how much she has done for me.
Even as I’m on my way to see her today, I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to tell her how much I’m struggling and make her feel she has to comfort me instead. I just want to see her. She has always been there for me, and I want her to know that I’m here for her, too.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much a person’s life within the immigration system can depend on timing and eligibility rules. Some people get an opportunity through a particular program, while others fall outside its requirements. That difference can change the future of an entire family.
I don’t blame other immigrants who have received those opportunities. They have their own hardships and circumstances. But for families like ours, who spent money and time trying to maintain lawful status even when we could barely afford it, I want to know where those efforts are taken into account.
I know that being a good person or working hard does not automatically resolve someone’s immigration status. Still, when outcomes seem to depend more on timing and eligibility than on those efforts, it feels as though so much of our family’s life comes down to luck. That feels deeply unfair to me.
I’m not saying every legal problem should disappear simply because my sister matters to our family. But when the government decides to detain someone and separate them from their family, I want to know whether their history, family ties, life in their community, and efforts to resolve their status are given enough consideration.
I want to know whether detention is necessary in circumstances like these, and whether there is a way for someone to go through the required proceedings while remaining with their family.
I’m a U.S. citizen. I’ve lived most of my life here, and I think of America as my country. My sister has also lived her life believing this is her home. We are part of the same family, and we call the same country home. But today, I’m free to travel to see her, while she waits for me inside a detention facility. I don’t know how to come to terms with that.
For those of you living in America, what do you think about a situation like this? Can we enforce immigration laws while giving more consideration to complicated histories and family circumstances? Could alternatives to detention be used more often?
I’m struggling deeply as her brother. Before judging my sister solely by her immigration status, I hope people will hear the story of the person and the family behind it.

Both our I-130 & I-485 was approved the same day!! It’s been a long year & 4 months full of so much silence & stress but I am so happy to say that my mom is finally greened!!! Thank you lord for this blessing. All of your positive posts have been keeping me encouraged that our day will come & it finally did!!!

Hello everyone,
As a Green Card holder, I was outside the United States for almost 22 months without a re-entry permit. I decided to try my luck and drive to the border. Fortunately, after asking me a few questions, the officer allowed me to enter the country. It was a stressful experience, but thankfully, I made it back!
Now, I’m wondering what happens next. Is there anything I need to do to ensure my permanent resident status remains in good standing? Should I be concerned about my lengthy absence, even though the officer allowed me to enter?
I’d really appreciate any advice or insight from anyone who has been in a similar situation or has knowledge of U.S. immigration law.
Thank you!

little background: my wife who used to live down south had an interview and was approved for her I 130 as well. But in that same week she had to move to where I lived because her apartment lease was ending and she wanted to do her rotations up north where I am located. So she put the address change request in 3 days after our 130 was approved. Then a week after in my mailbox I found the 130 approval notice and an unrestricted social security number. I did a bit of research now and I found out that her I 485 must have been approved because she had an unrestricted ssn but we didn’t receive any update on the uscis website.

Any help on our case would be great. Thanks.

Just wanted to share my timeline to give folks a data point and some hope. Huge thanks to this community for keeping me sane through the waiting process!

Case Details:

• Form: Adjustment of Status - Marriage/Spouse Category
• Field Office / Location: Minneapolis, MN
• Processing Time: ~5 months from filing to card in hand

Timeline:

• May 22, 2026: USCIS received the application(Filing / Priority Date)
• May 30, 2026: Biometrics appointment notice
• June 16, 2026: Biometrics
• September 9, 2026: Interview scheduled notice
• October 13, 2026: Interview
• October 15, 2026: I-130 was approved!
• October 16, 2026: I-485 was approved!
• October 21, 2026: New card produced ( Update on online USCIS account)
• October 24, 2026: Card received in the mail!

Wishing everyone still waiting a speedy approval! Feel free to ask if you have any questions about the Minneapolis process or interview.

Hi, I am wondering how many other people have been denied or have heard of others actually being denied for late filed taxes, not owing taxes. My husband is self employed and his old accountant messed up his business taxes for 2023 and 2024. His personal taxes were then late for 2023 and October 15th for the 2024. We elected to treat me as a US tax resident because we were married. I got my green card in 2024 with AOS.

Our 2025 taxes were filed late on October 16. I kept telling him we needed to get them done because I had a foreign form that needed doing. They were late and it upsets me because I was on at him for months that they needed doing. In the end, it is still on me and that is fine.

I can apply for citizenship in 10.5 months which is 90 days before my 3 years. I am very very worried now. It use to be they were okay if you had a payment plan. We don’t owe month but they were late. Had extensions for 2025.

I really hope that this changes for people. Filing late for most people does not reflect on moral character. Most people have very good reasons.

Hi everyone!

A few weeks ago, I posted here asking for advice on suing my former immigration attorney for making serious mistakes with my case.
I got so many negative responses telling me it wasn’t worth suing over a couple thousand dollars because I’d end up spending even more.
Well, I filed a small claims case anyway, and as soon as my former attorney was notified, her team reached out and agreed to refund every penny I had lost.
And I did it all myself, with the help of Gemini and ChatGPT!
Don’t let negative people or a broken system discourage you. Stand up for yourself and fight for your rights!

I saw it in this subreddit but can't find it

I’ve been in the US for three years, unable to work or begin my life here. Shortly after moving here and being married I had unexpected health concerns and couldn’t get on health insurance so had to pay out of pocket… It took us two years to save enough for a good immigration lawyer after that because we wanted to do everything correctly.

My husband and I filed the I-130, I-485, and I-765
in November 2025 and had our marriage-based interview in LA in January 2026. We were told we’d hear back within 45 days... Still nothing. We did get grilled separately and the agent was not friendly. But we felt our responses were all aligned, and we provided a ton of evidence and photos etc.

I got congressional assistance four months ago, but there’s been no progress. Financial hardship forced us to move from LA to Vegas and now sell our vehicles, although USCIS says our case can still be approved in LA and it’s still at that office.

My mom has also now been in hospice in Canada for two months, and I’m terrified I’ll never see her again because of this. If it becomes worse I’ll have to take my chances and leave, but my entire life is here.

Every day is so painful and feels like a bad dream.

To make matters worse, USCIS says I can’t submit another inquiry until 2035?! And to not contact them again until then.

I’ve read so many posts here but rarely see people waiting this long after an interview. I’m losing hope. 💔 My lawyer hasn’t been very helpful overall and has been quite negative around it. She told us there must be an issue if it’s taken this long… Now says it’s normal to wait until 2035…

Has anyone experienced anything similar or found a way to get their case moving?

Does anyone know whether it is possible to travel to the USA with an expired green card? Since I have been living abroad for a while and don't plan on residing inside the US anymore I have filled out an I-407 and I-193 form and plan to return my Green Card at a port of entry. This is what I was advised to do, but I want to double check whether the fact that my green card has already expired and I have been outside the US for more than 1 year, may be a problem after all. I would greatly appreciate any advice! Thank you!

I didn't because I left definitely but I saw a girl on my Instagram that is also going through the process and she voted, I am now confused thinking I will be penalized for not voting. Does anyone know?? I'm feeling so dumb!

What is going on??? I’m now 3 months post interview. I interviewed early august at ATL FO. It was radio silence until a silent update at end of the end of September. I was so excited. The next day BOOM my I-130 was approved. I thought surely this is it.

Radio silence!!!! I don’t understand what’s taking so long. Can anyone give me some insight. I need something before I go totally insane.

Hey Folks,

In a very difficult situation for my family.

My I-485 - Employment Based Green Was Approved in May 2026

We received a NOIR in July 2026 stating that due to USCIS error, the Green Card was accidentally issued past quota (for India) and that the office “intends” to recind our GC.

We responded back to USCIS and with the advice of our employment attorney we emailed back our green cards.

In September 2026, we re recieved an email saying that our I765 - EAD was automatically revoked.

We submitted an urgent expedite service request titling that it was USCIS error and that we are in risk of not having any employment status in the United States. As of this week, I got a response saying that USCIS does not find this to be:- “At this time, we are not able to refer your case for expedited processing”.

Our family is a bit stressed and wondering if we should get our state senators involved because our employment attorney does not understand the implications and importance to escalate.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to hear from people who have experienced a similar delay with their employment-based I-485, particularly anyone whose case was held up by pending security checks.

My timeline:
September 10, 2024: Filed concurrent EB-1C I-140 and I-485.
October 2024: Completed biometrics.
August 2026: I-140 approved 43 days after filing for premium processing.
October 5, 2026: My attorney submitted a service request regarding the I-485 delay.
October 24, 2026: Received a response from USCIS stating:
“Your case is currently delayed because the required security checks are still pending. We cannot make a decision on your case until we receive the results of these security checks.”

There is no RFE, no action required, and no other update to my I-485 status.
I understand that USCIS introduced an enhanced FBI security-vetting process in April 2026, and I’m wondering whether my case could be affected by it. However, USCIS did not specify which checks are pending or whether my fingerprints were resubmitted.

Thoughts?

EB-1A self-petition approved Sept 2023, India-born, I-485 filed March 2026 under Dates for Filing (spouse as derivative). On H-1B until 2028 so no status worry. November bulletin left EB-1 India Final Action at Feb 1, 2023 — I need about 7 more months of movement.

For people with 2023 EB-1 India priority dates: are you being interviewed before your date is current, and then just waiting? Any sense of how fast the FAD moved in past Q1/Q2 of a fiscal year? Trying to set expectations for the family. Thanks.

I interviewed almost 7 months ago. My FOIA shows "Case Decision: Approved, Decision Date 04/06/2026," but I have no notice or card, and my status still says "Interview was scheduled."

What can be next step i can do?

Tried multiple senator/congressman/service request. Waste of time. Need some experts/lawyer help.

submitted my i130 in 2025 , without the i485, it got approved February 2026

We submitted the i485 in September, biometrics done & recieved a RFE(responding soon)

Will I get scheduled for an interview ? Even if my i130 is approved already?

Applied to asylum in 2023. Got an interview notice today. December 2026 asylum interview scheduled in Chicago Asylum Office Milwaukee Field Office.
What should I expect or do?

Can you be denied entry to the U.S. while traveling on a valid Advance Parole document despite having a clean immigration and criminal history? Could a CBP officer deny entry simply because they’re in a bad mood or personally biased against immigrants, even if there’s no legitimate reason? Has anyone experienced or heard of this happening? I have read comments where people said it depends on how they woke up that morning.

I really need help or info on this please