I-485 Adjustment of Status Processing
Posted Dec 14, 1998

In November 1998, INS has stopped processing all adjustment of status applications: I-485s filed with the INS Service Centers and District Offices on or after April 1, 1998!! INS Headquarters has stated that it is expected to issue a Memorandum in the near future addressing this problem. The reason for the stoppage is to allow the CIA to complete the required name check on all adjustment applicants, which because of a computer reprogramming oversight had been missed for cases filed between April and July, 1998. While the software problem appears to be resolved according to the INS now, other computer problems (notably a Y2K compliance review) could very likely result in all adjustment of status applications filed on or after April 1, 1998, including aging out cases, to be processed to completion not earlier than February, 1999. Fortunately, the silver lining for us is that the INS has confirmed that no fingerprint data have been lost and applicants will not have to be re-fingerprinted. For those who have given their fingerprints at least 3 times to the INS within the last several months, this must be some relief!!

Many I-485 applicants at the Texas Service Center (TSC) who filed their applications prior to August 1998 have not yet been scheduled for fingerprinting. TSC reports that a large number were "misfiled" rather than being processed for fingerprint notices. According to the Service Center, most of these cases should have by now been identified, and fingerprint scheduling notices should have been sent out by the end of November 1998. If any such applicants have not yet received their fingerprint notices, they can inquire by telephone or by AILA attorney liaison.