What is it exactly that they do at The USCIS

[missyouhoney 1]

As far as I understand, the USCIS checks the background for the petitioner, rite? Why does NOA2 takes up to 5 or more months? What are they trying to find?

Thanx.

[Inky 1,110]

Petitioner and the Beneficiary. Not just the petitioner.

[C_María 6]

Q: What is the USCIS trying to find for 5 months?

A: 15 minutes.

As far as I understand it your papers will mostly sit in a box and in the 5 months they will try to find 15 minutes to go over your papers and run a background check. Sounds quite ridiculous but from reading the posts here that seems to be the scenerio... (But keep the faith!)

[amykathleen2005 441]

They aren't spending 5 months staring at your petition, you are waiting in line for 5 months for them to get to your petition.

[meb5 1]

That five months can be wishful thinking for some also. As in the cases where RFE are asked for and you are informed after they recieve it you will get an answer within 65 days and after no answer you call requesting info and they tell you to wait another 45 days after giving you a referrence no. and after that 45 days is done you may get an answer about your case. Good luck.

[drbob 0]

How do I answer your question as to what exactly the USCIS does. Well in my case here I sit 7 months waiting. At six months my Senator made inquiry whats going on they said decision in 45 days. He responded back answer no good. They responded decision in 90 days unresolved issues but yet I never recieve RFE's. So you see my case is one of the bad ones you hear about. The only time our case was touched was at the initial inquiry by my Senator. None since. It really sucks that some petitions are done quickly while others sit. I feel my wife and I are being punished for getting my Senator involved. Hope your journey thru this process goes much better. I'm ready to give up! Going to China to be with my wife next monday!

Bob S.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

They get about 1,000,000 applications a year.

That's why there is such a backlog, but it has improved a lot over the past years. Since USCIS is self-funded, they could hire twice as many Immigration Officers and thus cut process times in half. However, that would also imply twice the application fees. Not sure everybody would be on board with this.

Maybe there should be an expedite option for a fee, just like it's done when ordering a passport?