Any recent Potomac Service Center approvals?

[TiffAndMike 104]

Hello everyone! My pending I-130 for my immigrant husband has officially hit the 15th month mark as of a couple of days ago. 

 

I have seen others with the same PD as myself get their approvals on here in the past couple of days but their cases were at different service centers. 

 

I am trying to get a better picture as to where Potomac is currently at on their I-130 processing.  The last time I heard anything was back on August 28th, 2024 and they were currently processing May 14, 2023 I-130's. 

[mam521 2,344]

Current average wait time is 16.5 months.  You're still within the average processing time.  Sorry it feels like forever - but unfortunately, it is what it is.  In the meantime, have you guys been looking at what will be next when your approval comes?  Things like gathering the documentation for the I-864, him gathering things like his address history from the time he was 16?  Working on putting these bits together when you're this close to the I-130 approval will make the next steps easier and quicker for you.  Additionally, he should look at the vaccine requirements and make sure everything is in order so his medical will also go smoothly. 

[TiffAndMike 104]

17 hours ago, mam521 said:

Current average wait time is 16.5 months.  You're still within the average processing time.  Sorry it feels like forever - but unfortunately, it is what it is.  In the meantime, have you guys been looking at what will be next when your approval comes?  Things like gathering the documentation for the I-864, him gathering things like his address history from the time he was 16?  Working on putting these bits together when you're this close to the I-130 approval will make the next steps easier and quicker for you.  Additionally, he should look at the vaccine requirements and make sure everything is in order so his medical will also go smoothly. 

I know that the current overall processing time is 16.5 months but each service center is not processing petitions at the same pace as others.  I haven't been seeing any I-130s being approved out of Potomac while I am seeing petitions submitted the exact same date as mine or later being approved at other service centers.

 

Potomac is part of Washington DC so it's making me wonder if Potomac is actually working on their case loads since a lot of federal employees there are throwing a fit about having to return back to the office instead of being allowed to work from home anymore. This has me concerned that my I-130 is going to be part of the 20% that isn't completed in 16.5 months. 

 

We have been on top of all immigration matters from the day we filed. All vaccines have been completed except for the seasonal flu and covid, neither of which will probably be required at the time we are DQ'd.  Our attorney has both our address history's, copies if my divorce certificates, copies of his passport, etc. We will blaze through the NVC stage of it all.  Lol I'm kinda OCD about stuff like that. 

[mam521 2,344]

Petitions will be approved in their own time.  You really cannot apply any logic for how quickly a case is processed, nor can you compare to another case.  I know you don't want to hear it, but the sooner you accept that immigration is an ultra marathon so you must settle in for the long haul, the easier the rest will be.  16.5 months is an average processing time for 80% of the cases.  Additionally, cases can get shuffled from one service center to another if there is an excessive workload so if Potomac wasn't moving, the case would potentially get shuffled elsewhere.  

 

USCIS has been hit by DOGE layoffs despite being essentially fee funded, so I'm guessing the shuffle of the workload is going to add time to case processing.  

 

Check back with your attorney if you haven't heard anything for 90 days outside of that 16.5 months.  It would appear many attorneys have a tendency to work at their own pace, irrespective of how much you pay them.  

[frange24 0]

At some point, K-3 could be a good solution to reduce i-30 deadlines for new filers since K-3 deadline is shorter than I-30.

[OldUser 8,400]

On 3/12/2025 at 9:21 AM, frange24 said:

At some point, K-3 could be a good solution to reduce i-30 deadlines for new filers since K-3 deadline is shorter than I-30.

It's an urban myth. K-3 has no proven impact on I-130.