I-130 Expedite Request Issues [Request based on Emergencies or Urgent Humanitarian Situations: – Active Warzone in Ukraine / Humanitarian Crisis / Life-Threatening Danger]

[DimaSta4321 17]

Hi all! 

 

Looking for some advise and/or help here.

 

I filed two I-130 petitions for my dad and my mom, both residing in Sumy, Ukraine (a city directly bordering Russia and located only about 20 miles from active combat front line).

The city where my parents live are under drone or missile attacks almost every single day.

On June 3, 2025 there was a Russian strike on downtown Sumy that killed 4 and injured 29 people (its all over the world news).

My parents were going about their daily life running their errands in downtown Sumy at the time when the attack occurred. They were almost killed in this strike! They were only 700 meters / 0.45 miles away from the impact when it occurred.

This is not an isolated attack, this happens almost daily. 

City is in range of Russian close range artillery. 

 

Just two months ago there was an even bigger strike which even US Government and United Nations condemned: 

US Department of State – https://www.state.gov/palm-sunday-attack-on-sumy/
United Nations – https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1162196 

 

I submitted 8 page long statement from myself in which I included links to news articles, photos of damages and strikes on the city, link to US Govt and UN publishing about strikes on this specific city where my parents live.

I also included maps, Google Earth images showing measured distance from frontline to the city - which proofs that city is in a range of close range artillery.

I also included references to Institute for the Study of War (Washington DC based American nonprofit research group that provides research and analysis of modern armed conflicts) where they publish daily updates showing Russian advances near Sumy city.

I included proof of evacuation orders by Ukrainian Govt in Sumy Region, etc. There was even a Russian drone strike on an evacuation bus near Sumy city killing 9 few days ago (I included that too).

 

Expedite Request I placed over the phone on 6/4. They told me that I will be getting a phone call in the next 10 days.

But I never got a phone call and today I received an email stating: "Your expedite request will not be submitted. We can not grant your request for expedited processing." 

I am a bit confused here because it says "Your expedite request will not be submitted". Does that mean a rejection of a request ? Or they do not even allow me to submit it !?

 

Even the United States Government (U.S. Department of State) considers the whole country of Ukraine as a nation that is very dangerous according to its Level 4 Travel Advisory (Do Not Travel). Level 4 Travel Advisory for Ukraine by the US Government also means that there are life-threatening risks. So, I am a bit confused how can USCIS not agree with with U.S. Department of State determination !?

 

Overall, can someone please share any ideas why this could be ?

Clearly there is life threatening danger for anybody physically located in Ukraine. 

Am I doing something wrong ? I just don't understand how such request can be rejected.

I have also seen many posts of other I-130 / I-129 expedite requests being approved based on war in Ukraine just after a phone request with USCIS by some applicants (in some cases I see some data points that USCIS approved such requests with no evidence provided on the same day).

Any ideas, insights are helpful! Please help!

Maybe I have missed something critical in the evidence ?

I am open to a lawyer as well if anyone have done this successfully and connect me with one approved good lawyer. 

 

Thank you.

 

@Boiler @TBoneTX @MiOm @texastincup @gregcrs2 @O&R @keystringzz @Lonny&Kris @Natafaith @Cschaef25 @chivaschivas @Mrs:D @OldUser @Edward and Jaycel @Traveler101 @aaron2020 @Kineo @Austin&Olga @Cclemonds27 

 

Can someone

[Dashinka 25,851]

Just curious, when you made your request what evidence did you use to make the case?  I know you made the request via the contact system, so no evidence was physically submitted, but reading the instructions, it shows justification is needed.  Also, since you are filing for them normally (not attempting a refugee application), expedited processing is usually granted for issues related to the petitioner.  I realize this situation is different, and your request is based on emergency humanitarian grounds, but those can require a high bar.

 

You can try a lawyer, they may be able to offer some ideas to get the expedite approved, but remember, getting an expedite  does not mean a petition will be approved in record time, it just moves it to a different line behind all the petitions that have an approved expedite.

 

Good Luck!

 

You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation. You should be prepared to supply this to the office processing your case.

[appleblossom 4,410]

Unfortunately, as @Dashinka said expedites are usually only considered when it’s the USC petitioner at risk, beneficiaries circumstances aren’t really relevant. It’s a real shame that the current administration has cancelled the U4U program (which your parents could have used to move to the US and wait whilst their IV apps were being processed). 
 

Can your parents move elsewhere, somewhere safer? Perhaps another country in Europe, or a different region of Ukraine? 
 

I wish them and you the best, and hope they stay safe. 

Edited June 6 by appleblossom

[Boiler 47,460]

The Battly of Sumy was over 3 years ago, why did they not move then?

 

U4U had been in existence for several years.

 

In any event expediting a case is quicker than normal processing but not quick, certainly not effective in a situation like this when they need to move now.

[DimaSta4321 17]

7 hours ago, Dashinka said:

Just curious, when you made your request what evidence did you use to make the case?  I know you made the request via the contact system, so no evidence was physically submitted, but reading the instructions, it shows justification is needed.  Also, since you are filing for them normally (not attempting a refugee application), expedited processing is usually granted for issues related to the petitioner.  I realize this situation is different, and your request is based on emergency humanitarian grounds, but those can require a high bar.

 

You can try a lawyer, they may be able to offer some ideas to get the expedite approved, but remember, getting an expedite  does not mean a petition will be approved in record time, it just moves it to a different line behind all the petitions that have an approved expedite.

 

Good Luck!

 

You generally need to justify your expedite request with evidence. When communicating with the Contact Center, you will be asked about supporting documentation. You should be prepared to supply this to the office processing your case.

I uploaded a 8 page long letter in which I provided links to news articles, links to US Dep of State and UN, photos of attacks with damages on civilian targets, evacuation order in Sumy region just issues weeks ago, maps showing proximity to a current frontline, Institute for the Study of War (American based) daily assessment of Russian advance near Sumy in recent weeks. And plus my statement describing how critical the situation is. 

 

@appleblossom well I hear before what you are saying, but I also see people reporting that they successfully expedited their cases based on the war in Ukraine, and some even with zero evidence provided. This makes me think that it just the luck of a draw on what officer you land ? Because obviously rules are not the same for all people. 

 

@Boiler My parents moved from first internally in Ukraine and then to Poland in the beginning of the war. Later they came back to Sumy due to our family situation (they had to take care of a grandma). 

Russian advances on Sumy again in just recent weeks. And recently my grandma died, so now my parents are willing to move from Sumy. This is why we are doing this now and not 3 years ago. 

[OldUser 9,896]

Sorry about situation, but I cannot add anything else to what already said in this or other thread...

 

 

 

[Dashinka 25,851]

1 hour ago, DimaSta4321 said:

I uploaded a 8 page long letter in which I provided links to news articles, links to US Dep of State and UN, photos of attacks with damages on civilian targets, evacuation order in Sumy region just issues weeks ago, maps showing proximity to a current frontline, Institute for the Study of War (American based) daily assessment of Russian advance near Sumy in recent weeks. And plus my statement describing how critical the situation is. 

 

@appleblossom well I hear before what you are saying, but I also see people reporting that they successfully expedited their cases based on the war in Ukraine, and some even with zero evidence provided. This makes me think that it just the luck of a draw on what officer you land ? Because obviously rules are not the same for all people. 

 

@Boiler My parents moved from first internally in Ukraine and then to Poland in the beginning of the war. Later they came back to Sumy due to our family situation (they had to take care of a grandma). 

Russian advances on Sumy again in just recent weeks. And recently my grandma died, so now my parents are willing to move from Sumy. This is why we are doing this now and not 3 years ago. 

Expedite requests are kind of luck of the draw.  I know in several years, I have not seen any sure fire cases of expedites being approved all the time.  Beyond that, I hope your parents stay safe as even if you are successful with an expedite (you can try again with more information), it will still take a considerable amount of time to get completely through their cases.

 

Good Luck!

 

 

[OldUser 9,896]

2 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

 Beyond that, I hope your parents stay safe as even if you are successful with an expedite (you can try again with more information), it will still take a considerable amount of time to get completely through their cases.

Exactly, even if expedite is approved, it can take months (3, 6?) to get any movement. 

 

US visas aren't issued in Sumy region either. Parents may need to go to Kiev or Poland (wherever visas are issued nowadays).

 

Parent's safety and immigration are two different things, with safety being a bigger priority in my opinion.

Edited June 6 by OldUser

[Boiler 47,460]

Can file an expedite request - yes

 

Should they have left anyway - yes

[SalishSea 18,462]

8 hours ago, DimaSta4321 said:

I uploaded a 8 page long letter in which I provided links to news articles, links to US Dep of State and UN, photos of attacks with damages on civilian targets, evacuation order in Sumy region just issues weeks ago, maps showing proximity to a current frontline, Institute for the Study of War (American based) daily assessment of Russian advance near Sumy in recent weeks. And plus my statement describing how critical the situation is. 

 

@appleblossom well I hear before what you are saying, but I also see people reporting that they successfully expedited their cases based on the war in Ukraine, and some even with zero evidence provided. This makes me think that it just the luck of a draw on what officer you land ? Because obviously rules are not the same for all people. 

 

@Boiler My parents moved from first internally in Ukraine and then to Poland in the beginning of the war. Later they came back to Sumy due to our family situation (they had to take care of a grandma). 

Russian advances on Sumy again in just recent weeks. And recently my grandma died, so now my parents are willing to move from Sumy. This is why we are doing this now and not 3 years ago. 

I doubt immigration officers would click on links embedded in your emailed request to expedite.  You would have to provide printed information to substantiate your request.