What to Do if USCIS Takes Too Long to Process Your Case

You file your application, get the receipt, and breathe a little. Then weeks turn into months. You check your case online every few days—still the same line: “Case is being actively reviewed.” You start to wonder if it’s stuck somewhere. You’re not alone. I’ve had dozens of clients call about this exact thing.

The truth? Sometimes USCIS is just slow. But other times, it’s so slow that it starts to feel personal. And while you can’t make the government move faster, you can do a few things to get your case back on their radar.

Why It’s Taking So Long

There’s no single reason. It might be background checks, short staffing, or an officer who’s drowning in paperwork. Maybe the case was transferred between offices and got buried. Or maybe it’s just sitting in a giant pile waiting its turn.

Different field offices move at different speeds. Chicago might be finishing green cards in 9 months, while Los Angeles takes 18 months. Add in an RFE—a Request for Evidence—and the clock resets again.

So no, it’s probably not you. But you should still keep an eye on the timeline.

First: Check the Posted Times

Start on the USCIS website under “Check Case Processing Times.” Pick your form and office. You’ll see a range like “12 to 16 months.” The key number is the inquiry date at the bottom.

If your receipt date is before that date, you’re officially late—and you can ask USCIS to check. If it’s after, they’ll tell you to wait, no matter how long it feels.

File an Inquiry

Once your case is outside that window, you can file an “outside normal processing time” request online. It’s free and takes a few minutes. You’ll get a confirmation number by email.

Sometimes that’s enough to get someone to open your file. Other times, nothing changes. Still, it’s worth it. You’re creating a record—and sometimes that alone gets a slow file unstuck.

Get Your Congressperson Involved

When that doesn’t work, the next move is your Senator or U.S. Representative. Every congressional office has staff who deal with immigration delays. You’ll fill out a short privacy form, give them your receipt number, and they’ll send an official inquiry to USCIS.

No, it’s not magic. But I’ve seen this actually shake things loose. Sometimes, just having an outside office ask the question moves your file to the top of the stack.

Try the Ombudsman

Still waiting? There’s one more step before court. The CIS Ombudsman’s Office (part of DHS) helps when USCIS isn’t responding.

You can file Form DHS-7001 online. It asks for your receipt number, your case type, and what’s been going on. The Ombudsman can directly contact USCIS to request an update or a review.

They can’t force approval—but they can make sure your case isn’t lost somewhere between two offices.

When It’s Just Too Long

If you’ve tried everything—the inquiry, Congress, the Ombudsman—and months turn into years, your attorney might talk to you about a writ of mandamus.

That’s a lawsuit filed in federal court asking a judge to tell USCIS, “Make a decision.” It doesn’t guarantee approval; it just forces action. Most of the time, once a lawsuit is filed, USCIS moves quickly to avoid a court fight.

It’s not a first step, and it’s not cheap. But for cases that have been stuck for a year or more beyond the normal time, it’s sometimes the only thing that works.

While You Wait

Even while waiting, you can help your case.

• Double-check your forms before filing—one missed signature can freeze everything.
• Use the newest edition of each form from the USCIS site.
• Respond fast to any RFE.
• Keep copies of everything.
• And if you move, update your address right away.

Delays often grow from small mistakes.

Bottom Line

The wait can feel endless, but there’s a path forward. Start simple: check the posted time, file the inquiry, and follow up when needed. Then try a congressional office, the Ombudsman, and if nothing changes, talk about a mandamus case.

Most applications get approved eventually—it’s just a question of time and persistence.

You don’t have to sit in silence, wondering what’s happening. A polite inquiry or a well-placed nudge can remind USCIS that your case is still out there, waiting to be picked up.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes to get things moving again.

Sources:

• USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 1, Pt. A, Ch. 5 (Processing and Adjudication)
• 8 C.F.R. §103.2(b)(18) (Withholding of Adjudication)
• Form DHS-7001
• 5 U.S.C. §555(b)  

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