Parents divorced, green card hidden, need help restoring permanent residence status

[Oneironaut]

USCIS is good at processing forms, not much else, certainly not giving any kind of advice. This forum has many examples of bad advice given by well-meaning USCIS agents.

Competent lawyers are useful, but most immigration lawyers are a waste of money. Unless an attorney spends all days on a particular specialty subject (in this case returning resident visas) they do not have anything helpful to add. You are better off studying the manual that governs consular officers on this topic http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87545.pdf

As for the preference system, the rules are the rules. Given the huge backlog, doesn't it make sense to put spouses and children at the head of the line? You could have saved yourself a lot of grief if you filed the paperwork just a few days earlier.

I see your point. Well no use crying over spilled milk. Best I can do is wait, and make better contingency plans. You've been a really great help, you have my sincere thanks! Wish me luck I guess