How are some cases approved so much faster than others?

[Cathi 5,629]

I've been on this site for 11 years and nothing about USCIS and it's processing times have been predictable or made any sense whatsoever. Just when you think you have it figured out, something changes for no apparent reason, without explanation. Trying to figure it all out will drive you crazy. My husband and I had a very simple journey, from submitting his I-130, up to including naturalization, never so much as even having an RFE at any stage. And we had some major so-called "red flags". At the same time, others who started when we did, who had no red flags took months and in many cases, years longer. 

[martinzl 91]

They may be screening through the obvious ones that will be approved although they should apply this to all of the 751's and not just the more recent ones.  Also, since almost all are eventually approved, if this is the case, they should be pushing through many more.  Another possibility is that the older ones are allowed to sit as many may become combo interviews for removal of conditions and citizenship. My wife waited over 2 years and wound up with a combo interview.

Edited June 24, 2023 by martinzl

[Fe.Ta 858]

2 hours ago, Daphne . said:

They can take as long as they want, as long as they keep sending me extension letters if needed! 😅 

 

I am not interested in naturalizing. 

I admire this.  Your outlook is so refreshing.

[Rocio0010 5,577]

5 hours ago, igoyougoduke said:

Usually for most folks that kicks the 751 decision

I want to underline the word “most”. 
In my case, my N400 has done jack to my 751. Both my cases are completely dormant.

Edited June 25, 2023 by TBoneTX
prohibited word edited

[top_secret 2,130]

14 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

How can some I-751s sit for a long as 3 years (No RFEs) before processing while newly-submitted cases are processed in a little as 3 months?  I think USCIS is manipulating their processing times by processing cases last in, first out....at the expense of people who submitted cases earlier.  

Anyone have a better explanation?  Local office issues?

 

 

 

Honestly, I believe USCIS is well know and highly regarded as one of the foremost global purveyors of random nonsensical ...... can't write that here.

 

OTOH, my wife and stepdaughter's I-130's only took only 49 days for no apparent reason at all.  So who am I to judge USCIS. 

 

We are filing ROC a month from now.  It's possible we depleted our luck in the first round.  We have low expectations this time around.

[igoyougoduke 1,622]

8 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Bottom line is that USSCIS is giving preferential treatment to new cases while others wait in a pile.  There is no reason they could not have started this "new program" using cases already in the queue for YEARS!!!  There is no way to justify this.

 

My rant is finished.  I hope you, all, are soon out from under the thumb of USCIS.  It is a great feeling.

Yet again I think the only way you can deal with is to fight in court with mandamus. Until than people are not going to get results 

[TeddyFazBear 67]

7 hours ago, Jasskatten said:

 I don't think they were scanned before they started doing IOE numbers though. They used to send the actual stack of papers around, and if an officer wanted to work on a case, they needed that case to be physically sent to them. 

Correct. They previously would be mailing stacks of paper around the place. IOE cases are “online” in so much as they are all digital now on the officers computer screen. Hence the fact they are faster to process.

And yes I agree, it’s not fair that older cases are held up for the newer ones to process faster but it’s the way of the future now, and as another poster pointed out, it seems they are doing this to A) show cases are being processed faster and B) testing out the new system for data points. 

[igoyougoduke 1,622]

Just now, TeddyFazBear said:

Correct. They previously would be mailing stacks of paper around the place. IOE cases are “online” in so much as they are all digital now on the officers computer screen. Hence the fact they are faster to process.

And yes I agree, it’s not fair that older cases are held up for the newer ones to process faster but it’s the way of the future now, and as another poster pointed out, it seems they are doing this to A) show cases are being processed faster and B) testing out the new system for data points. 

something tells me they are going to move i-751 to be filed online soon. we shall see.

[TeddyFazBear 67]

10 minutes ago, igoyougoduke said:

something tells me they are going to move i-751 to be filed online soon. we shall see.

I honestly think you are right.
 

As another post pointed out; the 751 is basically useless outside of some potentially fraudulent cases in the vast minority - of which USCIS would already know who they suspect of this at the 130/485 stage of the process anyway.
 

If they intend to keep the 751 it should really be down to just background checks etc…and cool it on providing a tonne of evidence all over again. That would speed things up dramatically. I mean look at the stats, 98-99% of 751s are approved anyway. What is the point of it.

 

Just my thoughts anyway!

[TBoneTX 43,531]

Three points:

 

-- Way back in 2008, my then-Congressman's immigration liaison described USCIS as "our VERY worst" Federal agency.

 

-- Things were bad before, but they got even worse when the DACA program was decreed.  That program ground every other process to a dead halt, and I don't perceive that USCIS has recovered even by now.

 

-- All of us, even if finished with our own process, should contact our Congressman's office to mention this phenomenon with the "LIFO" I-751 processing.  This will raise awareness in Congress, and some members might put pressure on USCIS.  In addition, the responses to us can be posted in this thread.  (We'll be able to see which Congressional offices give bedbug answers that blow us off versus thoughtful, caring answers.)

[Fe.Ta 858]

36 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

Three points:

 

-- Way back in 2008, my then-Congressman's immigration liaison described USCIS as "our VERY worst" Federal agency.

 

-- Things were bad before, but they got even worse when the DACA program was decreed.  That program ground every other process to a dead halt, and I don't perceive that USCIS has recovered even by now.

 

-- All of us, even if finished with our own process, should contact our Congressman's office to mention this phenomenon with the "LIFO" I-751 processing.  This will raise awareness in Congress, and some members might put pressure on USCIS.  In addition, the responses to us can be posted in this thread.  (We'll be able to see which Congressional offices give bedbug answers that blow us off versus thoughtful, caring answers.)

VOTE for TBONETX 2024

 

Can you share if there is a specific template, guide, whatever to writing our individual Congress office?  I am guessing it is more of a direct letter rather than the process like the WOM.  Yes?

Edited June 25, 2023 by Fe.Ta
NA

[Jacobo 122]

Adjudicating newer cases before older cases can help improve efficiency and reduce the backlog over time for the following reasons:

1. Addressing Potential Issues Sooner: By focusing on recently submitted cases, USCIS can identify and address any potential issues or concerns in a more timely manner. This proactive approach allows for prompt resolution of any discrepancies or complications, reducing the need for additional requests for evidence (RFEs) or further delays.

2. Preventing Backlog Expansion: Prioritizing newer cases prevents the backlog from growing even larger. By promptly processing recently submitted cases, USCIS prevents them from adding to the existing backlog. This approach helps ensure that the backlog does not become more overwhelming and allows the agency to manage its workload more effectively.

Processing newer cases first allows USCIS to identify and address any issues or errors more quickly, as well as to ensure that applicants who are still waiting for a decision have their cases reviewed and adjudicated in a timely manner. This can help to reduce overall processing times and improve the experience for applicants. Additionally, by prioritizing newer cases, USCIS can ensure that they are adhering to any changes or updates to their new policies and manuals (like the use of the IOE/digitalization of applications).

 

Again, while this approach may not entirely eliminate the backlog, it helps make progress in reducing it over time. By addressing recently submitted cases promptly, USCIS can provide faster decisions, prevent backlog growth, and increase its overall capacity to handle pending cases more efficiently.

 

What do you guys think?

Edited June 25, 2023 by Adrianito

[Caligirl1 206]

9 hours ago, Fe.Ta said:

If it weren't that it would raise a red flag, and issues overall obviously, I would withdraw the 751 and re-submit.  Haha  Just cheat the system like they cheat us.

Yeah you're right- if there would be a guarantee that it works, I would submit again, too....I submitted last year in may😤

[Adventine 3,187]

6 hours ago, Adrianito said:

Adjudicating newer cases before older cases can help improve efficiency and reduce the backlog over time for the following reasons:

1. Addressing Potential Issues Sooner: By focusing on recently submitted cases, USCIS can identify and address any potential issues or concerns in a more timely manner. This proactive approach allows for prompt resolution of any discrepancies or complications, reducing the need for additional requests for evidence (RFEs) or further delays.

2. Preventing Backlog Expansion: Prioritizing newer cases prevents the backlog from growing even larger. By promptly processing recently submitted cases, USCIS prevents them from adding to the existing backlog. This approach helps ensure that the backlog does not become more overwhelming and allows the agency to manage its workload more effectively.

Processing newer cases first allows USCIS to identify and address any issues or errors more quickly, as well as to ensure that applicants who are still waiting for a decision have their cases reviewed and adjudicated in a timely manner. This can help to reduce overall processing times and improve the experience for applicants. Additionally, by prioritizing newer cases, USCIS can ensure that they are adhering to any changes or updates to their new policies and manuals (like the use of the IOE/digitalization of applications).

 

Again, while this approach may not entirely eliminate the backlog, it helps make progress in reducing it over time. By addressing recently submitted cases promptly, USCIS can provide faster decisions, prevent backlog growth, and increase its overall capacity to handle pending cases more efficiently.

 

What do you guys think?

 

So you want LIFO (Last In, First Out) to continue? It doesn't make sense, doesn't improve the USCIS experience and will only further antagonize people who waited years for their cases to be processed.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 39,859]

9 hours ago, Adrianito said:

Adjudicating newer cases before older cases can help improve efficiency and reduce the backlog over time for the following reasons:

1. Addressing Potential Issues Sooner: By focusing on recently submitted cases, USCIS can identify and address any potential issues or concerns in a more timely manner. This proactive approach allows for prompt resolution of any discrepancies or complications, reducing the need for additional requests for evidence (RFEs) or further delays.

2. Preventing Backlog Expansion: Prioritizing newer cases prevents the backlog from growing even larger. By promptly processing recently submitted cases, USCIS prevents them from adding to the existing backlog. This approach helps ensure that the backlog does not become more overwhelming and allows the agency to manage its workload more effectively.

Processing newer cases first allows USCIS to identify and address any issues or errors more quickly, as well as to ensure that applicants who are still waiting for a decision have their cases reviewed and adjudicated in a timely manner. This can help to reduce overall processing times and improve the experience for applicants. Additionally, by prioritizing newer cases, USCIS can ensure that they are adhering to any changes or updates to their new policies and manuals (like the use of the IOE/digitalization of applications).

 

Again, while this approach may not entirely eliminate the backlog, it helps make progress in reducing it over time. By addressing recently submitted cases promptly, USCIS can provide faster decisions, prevent backlog growth, and increase its overall capacity to handle pending cases more efficiently.

 

What do you guys think?

Illogical, imo.  The time they now spend on new cases COULD be spent on case which were submitted 3 years ago instead.  Working on new cases first does NOT reduce the number of pending cases. 

1.  I Disagree.   Seriously?  It does not change the number of RFEs or potential RFEs at all.  Last in, first out does not result in overall backlog reduction, nor does it address RFEs sooner. 

2.  I Disagree.  It does not prevent backlog expansion.  The number of pending cases remain the same whether the old cases or new cases are processed first.  

Same effort applied on old cases results in the very same results as far as backlog reduction is concerned......You seem to think old cases are more complicated.  They AREN'T!!!   

Edited June 25, 2023 by Crazy Cat