Faster I-485 Approvals Likely
Posted May 07, 2004

As we previously reported, the USCIS Service Centers were directed to change their internal procedures for processing concurrently filed I-140/I-485 cases as of April 30, 2004. Information regarding these internal changes was discussed in our April 23, 2004 MurthyBulletin article, New Procedures for Concurrently Filed I-140/I-485 Cases, available on MurthyDotCom. More details about the procedures at the Nebraska Service Center are in the May 2004 update from NSC, also available on MurthyDotCom. The changes seem to be having an impact. We recently received a couple of I-485 case approval notices within a comparatively short processing time of approximately one year, instead of two or three years. Although these cases may merely be an aberration, it is our understanding that this trend is supposed to continue with even faster processing for I-485s planned on newer filings.

One of the cases was from the Vermont Service Center. This case was filed on February 6, 2003. It was not concurrently filed; the I-140 had been approved prior to the I-485 filing. The other case was filed with the California Service Center on January 31, 2003. The case was filed concurrently, with both the I-140 and I-485 literally filed in the same envelope. As many of our MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers know from personal experience, typical I-485 processing times generally are closer to two years and sometimes significantly longer.

We will continue to closely monitor the progress of our I-485 cases here at The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, to discern any trends or patterns. We would ask that those with pending I-485s continue to remain patient while the new procedures fall into place. We are pleased with the processing of these cases and certainly hope that it is the beginning of a move to improve processing times. We know that many people, however, have been waiting for I-485 adjudication for well over two years. Those who have been waiting are concerned that the processing times for similar cases could be a few months for some and a few years for others. We hope that cases can be processed in a manner that is fair to all, so that the processing times for cases of essentially the same nature are within a limited and reasonable range even while the government is trying to catch up on its backlogs. The USCIS processing times can have an enormous impact on the ultimate outcome of a case, family unity, and the general peace of mind of the applicant and all family members.