USCIS to Shift N-400 and I-485 Caseloads to Decrease Processing Time Discrepancies

Introduction

On June 17, 2019, the us Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it's implementing a national strategy to decrease differences in processing times supported the situation of processing for the shape N-400, Application for Naturalization, and therefore the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status [PDF version].

New Policy

The USCIS stated that processing times for both the shape N-400 and therefore the Form I-485 began increasing at the top of 2015. This increase is due to above expected volumes of Forms N-400 and I-485 filed in financial year 2016 and 2017. While processing times increased generally thanks to the increased number of Form N-400 and Form I-485 filings, “[t]he increased filing volumes didn't affect [USCIS] field offices equally.”

As a part of its strategy to even out processing times for the shape N-400 and Form I-485, the USCIS will begin shifting caseloads between its field offices. Thus, it's going to schedule naturalization and adjustment of status applicants to seem for interviews at field offices outside of their normal jurisdiction. Form N-400 and Form I-485 applicants may expect to receive notices concerning their applications — like an interview appointment notice or an invitation for Evidence — from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. The USCIS clarifies, however, that “these caseload changes won't affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments.” no matter shifting caseloads, biometrics appointments will still occur at the naturalization or adjustment of status applicant's nearest application support center. The USCIS reminds applicants to always follow the instructions on notices received from the USCIS.

Discussion

The USCIS will shift caseloads between field offices to even out the processing times for the shape N-400 and Form I-485. this may ideally reduce the discrepancy where certain applicants for naturalization or adjustment of status are subjected to extremely long processing times thanks to an unusual number of filings at the sector office normally having jurisdiction over their applications. For those applicants whose applications are shifted from one field office to a different , the change may cause some inconvenience. Regardless, applicants should carefully follow the instructions that they receive from USCIS so as to proceed through the adjudication of their applications.

Applicants for naturalization or adjustment of status should consult an experienced immigration attorney for case-specific guidance on each step of their application processes. to find out more about this and related issues, please see our website's growing sections on naturalization [see category], adjustment of status [see category], family immigration [see category], employment immigration [see category], and investment immigration [see category].