Valid Reasons to Expedite? (merged)

[arowana 0]

Got in touch with my congressman and was hoping to expedite on three reasons. Was wondering if the forum can help if all or any of the reasons would allow expedition?

• We filed in Feb 1, 2022. Therefore, it's been over a year. I understand that the USCIS hasn't processed our submissions yet based on the data but when we filed, they said it would be processed in 11 months
• We have welcomed our daughter in December 2022. I'm currently overseas with my little family now but would obviously like to raise her in the US asap
• I was on paternity leave with my company but that expired two weeks ago and I decided to leave my position (For various reasons). Fortunately we have family to stay with and some savings to get through. Would like for everything to process quicker so I can get back and start working again (I'm planning on returning earlier to get a job to prove that I can support my family financially)

Curious if any of these reasons would push the issue to expedite my case. I hate the idea of jumping ahead of others in the queue but with current timelines, I feel like it might take another year before my fiancé has her VISA in-hand. 

 

Or does anyone have any experience in your respective congressman just asking the USCIS where the application is in the queue and that magically speeds it up?

 

Thank you everyone and would love any input.

[Mike E 11,732]

18 minutes ago, arowana said:

Curious if any of these reasons would push the issue to expedite my case

No I don’t see it. 

[Boiler 44,855]

https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/how-to-make-an-expedite-request#

 

I would focus on meeting one of the requirements in the link above

 

 

[Daphne . 1,796]

2 of the 3 reasons you mentioned were choices and USCIS will most likely not see why they would have to grant an expedite for that. 

Many, many people are asking for expedites, and as a result of that, USCIS is very strict when it comes to approving expedites. 
 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,350]

I don't see any qualifying reason from what you have posted.

 

I do hope you have submitted for a CRBA for your daughter.

 

[milimelo 4,412]

Is there a reason you're pushing through with K-1 instead of CR-1? You're together, should've gotten married. 

[SalishSea 17,464]

4 hours ago, arowana said:

Got in touch with my congressman and was hoping to expedite on three reasons. Was wondering if the forum can help if all or any of the reasons would allow expedition?

• We filed in Feb 1, 2022. Therefore, it's been over a year. I understand that the USCIS hasn't processed our submissions yet based on the data but when we filed, they said it would be processed in 11 months
• We have welcomed our daughter in December 2022. I'm currently overseas with my little family now but would obviously like to raise her in the US asap
• I was on paternity leave with my company but that expired two weeks ago and I decided to leave my position (For various reasons). Fortunately we have family to stay with and some savings to get through. Would like for everything to process quicker so I can get back and start working again (I'm planning on returning earlier to get a job to prove that I can support my family financially)

Curious if any of these reasons would push the issue to expedite my case. I hate the idea of jumping ahead of others in the queue but with current timelines, I feel like it might take another year before my fiancé has her VISA in-hand. 

 

Or does anyone have any experience in your respective congressman just asking the USCIS where the application is in the queue and that magically speeds it up?

 

Thank you everyone and would love any input.

Quitting your job was risky.  Do you have a joint sponsor lined up?

 

I don’t see an expedite happening.   People have been denied for much more urgent reasons.

[Mike E 11,732]

8 hours ago, milimelo said:

Is there a reason you're pushing through with K-1 instead of CR-1? You're together, should've gotten married. 

Indeed. As the child is out wedlock, if the child was born a U.S. citizen, being born out of wedlock makes the path to claiming U.S. citizenship more difficult. 

[arowana 0]

Is there any merit to pursuing the CR-1 now? We are maybe 3-4 months away from I-129F approval. I guess I should do more research on the CR-1.

[arowana 0]

My fiancé and I are in the never-ending line to get our K-1/I-129F approved. I think estimates have the approval arriving June 2023. Then of course, more waiting for visa in-hand.

 

Does anyone have experience in changing to the CR-1 process? 

 

Our urgency is speed over cost at this point.

 

My fiancé and I welcomed our daughter in December 2022 (Currently applying for CRBA). We also had a ceremony (not for legal purposes) with our friends that are abroad that could be classified as a wedding. We have photos and could apply for a legal marriage certificate as well.

 

Or maybe applying for a CR-1 while a K-1 can cause mass confusion.

 

Thank you in advance.

[powerpuff 6,453]

1 minute ago, arowana said:

 

Our urgency is speed over cost at this point.

If that’s the priority then I wouldn’t start over. You can’t “transition”,  you will have to apply from scratch. 
 

2 minutes ago, arowana said:

We also had a ceremony (not for legal purposes) with our friends that are abroad that could be classified as a wedding

This is problematic. Did you submit those photos with the I-129f petition? 

[PaulaCJohnny 712]

If you get a wedding k-1 is no longer for you

You do not just switch to another visa like that. You will need to get some proofs of marriage, joint account and other things and apply for the CR1.

 

Speed and immigration are things that do not like each other. 2 years is aprox what’s waiting for you.

 

Sorry to be realistic but all those process take time and before you accept it will be easier. I saw you other post about expedite and unfortunately you are not the only wanting things ASAP.

 

Immigration is not a right. You and your child (once process is finalized) enter the US in any moment. Your wife can try apply for a visitor visa but will be hard to get it and I don’t think she will be away from the baby.

 

I wish you patient for this long journey.

 

Good luck 

Edited February 23, 2023 by PaulaCJohnny

[Ryan H 3,810]

3 hours ago, arowana said:

Does anyone have experience in changing to the CR-1 process? 

 

I'm afraid it's this simple, as previously stated, there's no changing.  You withdraw the I-129F and start over at square 1 with an I-130.  Any fees you previously paid and the waiting you've done up to this point will have all been for naught.

[BLC 112]

If you do that, you will likely be waiting another 1.5-2 years for your spouse to enter the US. As others have stated, you would be withdrawing your k1 and filing a completely new petition for cr1. Definitely a terrible idea if your only concern is speed. 

[Daphne . 1,796]

10 hours ago, arowana said:

Is there any merit to pursuing the CR-1 now? We are maybe 3-4 months away from I-129F approval. I guess I should do more research on the CR-1.

At this point, I wouldn't abandon the K1 since you are so far along already. If you were to get married now and file for the CR1, you'd be starting from scratch again. I am a big fan of the CR1 and would always advise people to go that route, but in your case I would sit out the K1 at this point