Unreasonable Delay for Green Cards in Charlotte

No one is surprised to learn that immigration processes, including Green Card applications, can take a long time. However, sometimes delays go beyond what’s reasonable. This can happen for multiple reasons, like administrative errors, backlogs, and missing documents. An unreasonable delay for Green Cards in Charlotte can leave applicants uncertain about their immigration status and whether they can legally remain in the U.S. An immigration delay attorney can help you navigate the process, which can include filing a lawsuit if your application is excessively delayed.

How Can You Tell if Your Green Card Application Is Taking Too Long?

Normal processing times for Green Card applications in Charlotte can vary, which can make it difficult to know whether your application has been delayed. A good first step is checking the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case processing times page. This tool lets you enter the type of application you’re waiting for and get an estimate of how long the wait times should be. If your Green Card application is still within this window, you will need to keep waiting. Taking any extra steps will not speed up the application process at this point. If it has already been longer than the expected processing timeline, you may need to find another solution.

There are some options for contacting USCIS about your delayed case before you consider taking legal action. Checking your case status, which can be done online, is a good idea. You may only get a vague answer like “pending,” but you may be able to find out if there is a problem with your application. The agency offers an online inquiry form for those whose cases have been pending for longer than the posted processing times. You can also call the USCIS Contact Center. This can either get you more information or prompt the agency to move forward with your application. However, it’s also possible that USCIS still only tells you that your case is pending.

Can You Sue if Your Green Card Is Unreasonably Delayed?

If your Green Card application has been pending for an unreasonably long amount of time and you are unable to get any answers, your Charlotte lawyer can consider filing a lawsuit. This type of lawsuit is called a writ of mandamus, and it is filed in a federal district court. If successful, the writ of mandamus requires the USCIS to take action on your application. This usually means the agency makes a decision about whether or not to grant your Green Card. However, it might only mean that it provides an explanation for your delayed application. The lawsuit will not affect the outcome of your case. It can only speed up the decision.

Talk to a Charlotte Lawyer About Your Green Card Delay Now

The Green Card application process can be extremely slow and complicated. It’s often difficult to know whether the timeline of your application is normal or if there is a problem. An unreasonable delay for Green Cards in Charlotte can be incredibly frustrating, especially since you may not be able to travel or make other decisions while you are waiting for an answer. An immigration lawyer could help you assess your situation and file a lawsuit to push for a decision if necessary. Schedule a consultation with Sussman Law Firm, PLLC to review your options today.