Unreasonable Delay for Green Cards in Atlanta

When seeking a green card for legal permanent residency, people immigrating to the United States could wait months or even years for a decision. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a federal agency responsible for approving green cards, reviewing applicants’ materials, communicating decisions, and requesting more information.

While delays can happen, not all of them are normal. Unreasonable delays for green cards in Atlanta occur for various reasons and could interrupt your plans if left unaddressed. A hard-working green card attorney could investigate the delay and help move the process.

Causes of Green Card Delays

The process for applying for a green card can be lengthy and intense just by its nature. Applicants often need to secure a U.S. citizen sponsor or show they fall into a category that can get a green card without a sponsor, such as asylum-seekers and refugees. Applicants must also fill out forms, which will vary based on each person’s situation, followed by screening and processing at USCIS offices, at an embassy, or a consulate for applicants outside of the U.S. Delays in this process can occur for several reasons:

• USCIS requesting additional information
• USCIS losing documents in their processing
• USCIS performing a rigorous background check
• The officer reviewing your case not following up at various stages of an investigation

If you find out that you have any outstanding information requests from USCIC causing an unnecessary delay for your green card, you might be able to mail or fax the required documents to the Atlanta USCIS office. But, other delays coming from USCIS’s administrative handling of an application might be outside of your direct control.

How an Attorney Could Help

Getting a legal professional on your side and working on your behalf can help you overcome unreasonable delays with getting a green card. Whether you just need to provide missing documentation or there is some other issue blocking the way, an immigration lawyer’s expertise can make the difference.

An attorney could make a phone call or meet with USCIS in Atlanta to inquire about your unreasonable green card application delay, provide documentation, and make sure that the agency is doing its job. Communication through a lawyer could help keep things moving within USCIS and bridge the gap between you and the officer in charge of your application.

Of course, communication alone may not solve every unreasonable delay. You might need to file for a writ of mandamus—a legal order from a federal court that can force USCIS to accelerate your green card process. Your immigration attorney can make sure that you file your request in the right court and with the proper features as required by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Discuss Your Green Card Application Delay with an Atlanta Attorney

Your future livelihood and presence in the U.S. may be tied to your green card application, potentially making any delay very costly. Any unreasonable delays for green cards in Atlanta should be corrected as soon as possible with the help of our attorneys.

By speaking with one of our immigration lawyers about your application and how long you have had to wait, you can get the government to move your green card decision along. Call today for a consultation and learn more about preventing and solving unreasonable delays for green cards in Atlanta.