I-485 time frame? appointment mandatory?? (TX center, Boston local office)

[Thib]

Hi everyone.

The TX center received my I-140 package (EB2 NIW) on Jan. 20th, and I was stocked to finally receive the approval last Friday (almost 11 months delay). For info, I am a French citizen.
I am now waiting to see what's going to happen with my I-485 which was received alongside the I-131 and other documents on March 25th. I did receive the EAD card and travel authorization in June.

The website says my fingerprints were received (I did the biometrics appointment in August), and that the TX field office is "working on my case" for the I-485. It seems like a long time, so I wonder if someone might be in the same boat as I am in terms of time frame? What do you think is going on? Is it still "normal"? Would you raise a request to them?
On a slightly different note, I wonder if the I-485 appointment is "mandatory" or if there's a chance I might not have to go through it? (not sure if me being single might help avoiding it?)

If someone went through the same or a very similar process in TX and/or Boston, I would appreciate any info on processing times etc. Not sure if my case is still "under normal delay".

Thanks a lot!!

[Thib]

Hi all,
A quick update: dating Nov. 30th, it seems TX was processing I-485 applications from April 26th. They received my application March 26th. My I-140 was approved on Dec. 15th or so.
I sent them a request for additional information on my I-485 since it is out of regular schedule.
Anybody else in the same situation at the TX office?
Should I get worried? Any idea when I might hear back or even if I'll have an appointment a all since my I-140 was filed under EB-2 NIW???

Would appreciate if someone can help and or share their experience/thoughts regarding the TX office...
Thanks a lot!!

[maurab291]

Hi,

My case may be slightly different since I am the petitioner for my husband's I-485 case (marriage to US Citizen). He is a Turkish citizen. Our local office is also Boston and from what I can tell they are extremely slow. We submitted our paperwork on August 10, 2015 and haven't received an interview date yet. So far it's been over 5 months. Since you submitted your paperwork 5 months before us that seems like it is taking a really long time. I'm not sure if that's out of normal processing time, but if I were you, I would inquire about your case.

[Thib]

Thanks a lot for your feedback maurab291!!
I must admit there is something I'm not too sure about actually: I do live in Boston, but sent my I-485 papers to TX, following my lawyer's guidelines. When I look online, they say "Our Texas Service Center location is working on your case."
So I'm not sure if TX is still handling my case, or they transferred it to the Boston field office.

What do you guys think?
Thanks!!

[Thib]

Hey guys, is anyone in the same situation as I am? Filing date passed, I-140 was approved end of December, and still no news from the center? (papers sent to TX, located in Boston, so not sure if Boston would be handling things)
They received my papers March ~20th, and both TX and Boston seem to be handling petitions from April ~25th on date of Nov 30th. Meaning I'm not sure why they did not process my application yet.

Thanks in advance!!

[Thib]

I just received a response to my inquiry for more information on my I-485 status, which was received March 25 in TX (on Nov 30 they were processing applications from April 25 according to USCIS website, meaning now they are like 3 months behind!!):

"We have received your service request and researched the status of your case. We have had to perform additional review and this has caused a delay in processing time. Your case is currently in line for processing and adjudication. Cases are processed in the order in which they were received. If you do not receive a decision or notice of further action within 6 months, please contact customer service."

SIX MONTHS, really!!!???

Anyone had this experience?
But mostly, is there anything I can do? I heard about Info Pass and contacting my local Congressman office. Do you think I should do one or the other? Could it either expedite the process or the opposite and be detrimental?
Please help!! Being on an I-140 NIW (approved in December), I will have to stay employed 6 months after the green card is received, which may be a problem... as I'm nearing the end of my current contract.
Thanks!!

[maurab291]

Oh god! Wow, that's too bad...the backlog in Boston is really ridiculous.

[maurab291]

Update on my husband's case- we finally have his adjustment of status interview scheduled for March 8. Hang in there, everyone!

[Thib]

Thanks for the update, maurab291!
One question for you: did you physically mail your application to TX or Boston directly? I'm very confused as I did send to TX, but I'm located in Boston as you are. I wonder which center is actually processing my application? One, the other, or even both?? Do you know by any chance?
Thanks!

[maurab291]

Oh, interesting. We had to mail ours to Chicago, actually, and then it was forwarded to the National Benefits Center, which I believe is in Missouri. From there, I think the Boston office processed it as well.