We totally understand how you feel—we’re in the same boat. We’ve been waiting 16 months, and it’s painful to see others who filed the same day, (even earlier), already get approved. What makes it even harder is knowing there’s a backlog at our embassy, with interview wait times over a year. So even if USCIS finally approves us, we’re still looking at more than a year before we can even try to reunite in the U.S.
After reviewing various recommendations online, I wanted to share a few strategies that have reportedly helped others in similar situations:
Contact a Tier 2 USCIS officer – This can sometimes provide more detailed information or trigger movement on your case.
Upload unsolicited evidence –
Refile or submit Form I-129F (K-3 visa) –
Reach out to your Senator and House Representative – Especially if you submitted a K-3 inquiry (this typically helps with the K-3, not the I-130 as they will say it's under normal timeframe).
Write to the White House – Yes, really. Surprisingly, some people have received responses or seen progress after doing this.
Send a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Another way to raise awareness of your case at a higher level.
File a CIS Ombudsman case assistance request – Helpful when your case is outside normal processing times and USCIS isn’t responding.
As a last resort: File a writ of mandamus – This is a federal lawsuit to compel USCIS to make a decision when they’ve unreasonably delayed action.
We wish you the best of luck and hope you receive an update from USCIS very soon.
Warm regards,
Reynaldo and Renzo