Why some cases may be faster than others

[Steve&Beate 4]

I am not an expert by any means, but it does make sense that some cases may take longer due to the background checks which are needed to be performed. If your loved one is from a country that traditionally has been a safe-harbor for terrorists, doesn't it make sense that the background check can take longer? Or if your spouse is from a country that is has been found to have many fraudulent marriage with USC's in the past, perhaps some more scrutiny is needed. Thoughts/ideas are greatly appreciated.

[Norwood 6]

I'm afraid there's probably no real evidence to back up your idea. There are no doubt individual cases where red flags are raised, and the process will take longer. But I'd bet that most differences in process times are not based on any reason. I watched people get approved who had filed 3-4 months after I did, which was very frustrating.

[pddp 240]

Yes, what you said makes "sense", if we freely attribute guilt by association, embrace ethnic profiling, equal terrorism with Islam and embrace the assumption of guilt until innocence is proven.

[Lynkali 163]

I can't speak to what happens to IR-1/CR-1 cases at USCIS, but it's definitely not the case for K-1 filers. Country of origin doesn't matter one bit to the processing time, nor does anything really matter, it seems to be completely random when they pull cases from August and February on the same day for approval. Insanely frustrating and so glad I'm done with that stage ... for now! I'm sure it'll be a headache come AOS and ROC time too, though.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Maybe it's also the size of the file that influences the adjudicator to choose one over the other. Think about if you had quota numbers to push through. You find some small files with basic forms, 5 pictures, and some passport stamps and boarding passes showing they met. Then there's the one that is 3 inches thick with 250 pictures, 100 pages of call logs, 50 emails, etc. Would you be tempted to push that monster file aside In favor of ones you could run through quickly and approve?

[BRgirlUS 38]

Does anybody have a explanation for this? It is soooo frustrating to see they don't even follow the order of the applications!

[TransplantUSA 167]

From what I have read and when I have spoken to USCIS officials, it can be the background check that takes a while as they are having to get data from multiple agencies not just in the US but also the beneficiaries home country and collaborate it all together and then look through the file. My K1 case was delayed a long time for my background check and neither me or my then fiancee had any criminal records, name changes or family issues. It could also be that the name is similar to someone on a watch list, so that will go through extra scrutiny. 

 

I also read that sometimes when a case officer goes on holiday, their work pile is not touched, so it waits for them to get back. Sometimes, like a previous poster has said, they just push files back, maybe if they aren't set on a decision. 

 

Unfortunately, there is nothing to do but wait. It is the worst part, I know. I hope things move along soon!