What To Do If Your Immigration Case Is Delayed or Stuck at USCIS
Immigration applicants are subject to even greater anxiety arising from a USCIS case that just halts moving. The forms are submitted, and so are paid fees and evidence. You followed every instruction, then everything stops. Weeks turn into months, and your case gives you no more updates. You start asking yourself, “What on earth could have gone wrong? Did the USCIS lose my file? Is that delay an indication that my application is denied?” Do not fear since you are not alone. Delays by USCIS are some of the most common aspects, but there are particular steps, which help in getting your case to move, provide answers, and at the same time maintain your status. By which this guide will tell you why there are delays and what you can do for now and when you need an immigration attorney.
Why USCIS Cases Get Delayed
Before you take action, it helps to understand the causes. The most common reasons include:
- High application volume
- Staffing shortages
- Background check delays
- Security clearance issues
- Missing or insufficient documents
- Errors in file transfers between USCIS offices
- Requests for evidence not delivered or received
- Long processing queues at specific field offices
- Administrative holds on certain case types
A delay does not mean your case is at risk. But it does mean you need a strategy.
Step 1: Check Your Case Status Online
Your first step is always to check:
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus
Look for indicators such as:
- “Case was received”
- “Case is being actively reviewed”
- “Request for Evidence was sent”
- “Interview scheduled”
- “Case was transferred”
If your case hasn’t updated in months, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Compare Your Case Age to USCIS Processing Times
USCIS publishes processing times here:
https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times
To evaluate your situation:
- Select your form
- Select your field office or service center
- Compare your case receipt date with their timeline
If your case is still within the normal window, USCIS will not take action. If it is outside normal processing time, you qualify for a service request.
Step 3: Submit an “Outside Normal Processing Time” Service Request
This is one of the fastest ways to prompt movement. You can submit it online or by phone.
You’ll need:
- Your receipt number
- The date your case was filed
- Your personal information
A response confirming the receipt of your request will be provided here.
Step 4: Call USCIS and Ask to Speak with Level 2 Officer
Calling USCIS at 1-800-375-5283, you’ll speak with a first-tier customer service representative.
- Check if your file is stuck in internal transfer
- Confirm whether additional documents are needed
- Identify system alerts or holds
- See officer-level notes on your case
Tier 2 calls are often the most helpful when delays are unexplained.
Step 5: Create a USCIS Online Account and Send a Secure Message
If you haven’t created a USCIS online account, do it immediately. With an account, you can:
- Track case movements more accurately
- Upload documents when allowed
- Communicate securely with USCIS
- Catch updates earlier
Sometimes USCIS posts updates to your online account before sending letters.
Step 6: Check Whether USCIS Issued an RFE or Notice You Didn’t Receive
A huge number of delays happen because applicants never received a notice due to:
- address changes
- USPS delivery failures
- mail forwarding issues
- system errors
If USCIS issued an RFE and you missed it, your case may be frozen.
A Tier 2 officer can confirm whether this happened.
Step 7: Request Help from the USCIS Ombudsman
The Ombudsman’s office is independent from USCIS.
They intervene when:
- USCIS does not respond to service requests
- Your case is unreasonably delayed
- You believe USCIS made a mistake
- You are facing hardship due to delays
Filing is for free. Everything else to file must have been done.
Step 8: Congressional assistance
You can ask them to do ‘status inquiries’ between the representative or senator who represents your district and the congressional research service. Their involvement often triggers movement because USCIS must respond. You’ll need to complete a privacy release form and provide:
- your receipt number
- your filing date
- your case type
- an explanation of the delay
This method is extremely effective for stalled cases.
Step 9: Consider a Writ of Mandamus (WOM) Lawsuit
If your case has been stuck far beyond normal processing times, and none of the above steps work, you may qualify for a Mandamus lawsuit. A WOM asks a federal judge to order USCIS to make a decision.
Important details:
- It does NOT force an approval
- It forces USCIS to act—approve or deny
- It is often the only option for extreme delays
- It must be filed by an experienced attorney
In many cases, once a WOM is filed, USCIS resolves the case before the hearing.
Red Flags That Suggest Your Case Is Truly “Stuck”
Your case may require intervention if:
- It hasn’t updated in over 12 months
- You called USCIS multiple times with no explanation
- Your field office has shorter timelines than your case
- Background checks are pending unusually long
- Security holds last more than 6 months
- Your application was transferred unexpectedly
- There was conflicting information from USCIS.
The longer the delay of action, the more the consequence of every move should be doubled.
What You Should NOT Do
Avoid these mistakes:
Do NOT file a second application
This causes duplication and more delays.
Do NOT ignore USCIS deadlines
Missing an RFE or interview date can destroy your case.
Do NOT assume USCIS will fix the issue on their own
Cases stuck in administrative limbo often stay there without pressure.
Do NOT attempt complex actions without legal guidance
Incorrect steps may jeopardize your immigration status.
How Fleites Law Helps When Your Case Is Delayed
Our firm steps in by:
- reviewing your full immigration history
- identifying the cause of delays
- contacting USCIS on your behalf
- correcting missing or inconsistent information
- submitting formal service requests
- preparing congressional intervention packages
- submitting Ombudsman requests
- evaluating whether a Mandamus lawsuit is appropriate
Get Addicted to Delay-relieving Stress Alone.
FAQs
Does a delayed case mean denial?
Not necessarily. Most delays are just because of paperwork or administrative work.
What’s too long for an untouched case to be left alone?
If your case takes longer than what USCIS has announced in their time tables, something is amiss.
Will contacting USCIS speed up my case?
Sometimes, especially if your file is stuck due to error or missing documents.
Can legal help make a difference?
Absolutely. Attorneys often receive clearer answers and faster responses.
Conclusion
Getting to the customs with a late USCIS case doesn’t mean your travel might miss its destination, but it sure is screaming for action to be taken. So similarly, a delay in customs is meant to happen to make you keep an entire process in a nutshell. So by knowing the reason why things are put on hold or delayed, and following the steps and measures outlined in this guide, you will be able to fast-track your case legitimately, saving yourself from unnecessary stress and keeping your future in the U. S. secure. Quite frankly, when someone has the right support one won’t have to stay stuck with waiting answers.
For personalized assistance with a delayed USCIS case and fast-tracking your application, reach Fleites Law today.
