Unreasonable Delay for Green Cards in Tuscaloosa

You expect some delays when applying for or renewing a green card. These delays are often due to logistical errors. You may have forgotten to include specific information, or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) temporarily misplaced your file. Your sponsor may not have provided all the pertinent information needed for your approval.

While these are legitimate reasons for delays, the delays are usually short and relatively easy to fix. When delays are unreasonable, you may wonder why and how you can rectify them. An unreasonable delay for green cards in Tuscaloosa is best understood with help from a skilled legal professional. A dedicated green card attorney at Solano Law Firm is here to help.

Delays Caused by the Controlled Application Review and Resolution Program

The Controlled Application Review and Resolution Program (CARRP) is a federal government program that was established in 2008 to better control national security. Under it, USCIS and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enhance scrutiny of immigrants from Muslim, Arab, Middle Eastern, and South Asian countries when they apply for a U.S. green card or asylum.

These applicants are not necessarily known criminals. They may be on the Terrorist Watch List as a national security concern because their native country has connections to terrorism, their lawful religious activity is tied in some circumstances to terrorism, or they may regularly travel through countries or regions known for terrorist activity. Even innocuous contributions to some charities can land someone on the CARRP list. The American Civil Liberties Union estimates this list contains hundreds of thousands of names.

How Do You Know If You Are On the CARRP List?

You may be on the CARRP list if you applied for a green card but have waited considerably longer than the few months it usually takes for a decision. Other triggers that may indicate you are on this list include if an FBI agent contacts you or if your USCIS interview is canceled with no explanation.

The USCIS will not notify green card holders about any suspicions or delays and will not discuss or allow any response to its actions. Because transparency is limited and sometimes non-existent, it is best to contact a knowledgeable immigration lawyer about an unreasonable delay in applying for a green card in Tuscaloosa.

Delays in Printing Green Cards

In recent years, USCIS has confirmed long delays in printing green cards that will continue for the foreseeable future. The USCIS allowed a contract with a government provider printing green cards to lapse due to budget cuts negotiated with Congress. The USCIS intended to print the cards internally, which has caused unreasonable delays for lawful immigrants, including those applying for work permits associated with a limited number of employer-sponsored visas. These immigrants can only work with Employment Authorization Documents.

Fortunately, green card holders looking to renew their status are better positioned than those seeking work visas for the first time. USCIS must provide evidence of status to green card holders. An applicant can request an I-551 stamp for their passports with their local USCIS office, but specific requirements may be complicated without a Tuscaloosa attorney familiar with handling unreasonable delays for green cards.

Call a Tuscaloosa Attorney When You Face Unreasonable Delays for Green Cards

You may face some reasonable delays when applying for or renewing your green card. Some delays are to be expected or occur because of minor errors such as an overburdened system, forgetting to submit requested documents, and delays with sponsors. However, some delays are unreasonable and should be investigated by a reputable attorney.

Extremely long delays can signal you are listed on the Controlled Application Review and Resolution Program list of questionable immigrants subject to enhanced scrutiny because of where you were born. Other delays stem from printing problems the USCIS is responsible for. No matter the reason, if you face unreasonable delay for green cards in Tuscaloosa, a seasoned attorney from Solano Law Firm could advocate for you. Call now to learn more.