Rachel Huan Kao's Archived Articles

Immigration News
March 2005, page 2 (continued)
Back to page 1

Priority dates and processing times
Nebraska Service Center
Priority dates for some common petitions and applications filed through the Nebraska Service Center, as of September 22, 2004. Please note that some categories have moved very slowly for the last several months, advancing only days in that time, and others have regressed. Dates marked with an asterisk * reflect categories that have retrogressed since last month. Dates marked with two asterisks ** reflect categories that have experienced no change since last month. Many categories have not progressed for several months. Service Center Director Terry Way retired May 28, 2004. Deputy Director Greg Christian will step in as Acting Director until a permanent replacement is found.
Case type Date pending initial adjudication
I-129 Petition (H-1B) extension of stay in US June 1, 2004
I-129 Petition (H-1B) other May 31, 2004
I-129 Petition (Fiance/e) June 7, 2004
I-130 Petition for Immediate Relative October 3, 2003
I-130 Petition (other) April 13 – June 22, 2001**
I-131 Advance Parole July 8, 2004
I-131 Reentry Permit January 20, 2004
I-140 Immigrant Worker (skilled worker) December 11, 2003
I-140 Immigrant Worker (unskilled worker) November 28, 2003
I-140 Immigrant Worker (Sched. A nurses) February 9, 2004
I-485 Adjustment of Status (employment-based) February 1, 2002**
I-539 Change/Extend Nonimmigrant Status March - August 2004
I-751 Remove Conditions on Immigrant Status October 1, 2003
I-765 Employment Authorization (C9 adjustment) July 8, 2004
I-824 Action on Approved Applications, petitions April 10, 2004**

Chicago District Office
Priority dates for cases filed with the Chicago District Office, as of September 22, 2004.
One-stop applications (I-130/I-485 immediate relative) filed on October 20, 2002 or before are being processed currently. Applicants who have already submitted their Form I-693, Medical Examinations endorsed by a designated civil surgeon do not need to get another medical examination if the Form I-693 is pending beyond the one year validity. BCIS has instituted a policy of extending the validity of the medical examination until the adjustment of status can be adjudicated. This policy applies to individuals who do not have a Class A or B medical condition. N-400 naturalization applications filed May 4, 2004 and before are being processed currently. Some applications are being held up because of delays in the FBI fingerprint replies or IBIS security checks. Some cases scheduled for oathtaking in December 2002 remain to be cleared for rescheduling. Naturalization says they continue to work on the approximately 1200 cases that remain to be closed out for IBIS checks. Some cases have been rescheduled, and Naturalization asserts their officers check every week for cases that can be rescheduled. If your case is pending due to fingerprint or security checks, please contact myself or any other AILA attorney so that we can notify our liaison and have them follow up on your case.

National Visa Center
Priority dates for Family-based and Employment-based Immigration for nationals of the Philippines for October 2004. If anyone is eligible for these priority dates, please try to apply as soon as possible as priority dates are subject to regressing as well as advancement. Dates marked with an asterisk “*” have retrogressed from last month. Dates marked with two asterisks ** reflect categories that have experienced no change since last month. The 2004 fiscal year ends September 30 and many categories have exhausted their quotas for the year. There have been some small advances in the family-based immigration priority dates this month.
Family-based Immigration
Preference category Priority date
1 (unmarried sons, daughters of US citizens) August 15, 1990 or before
2A (spouses and children of permanent residents) May 1, 2000 or before
2B (unmarried sons, daughters of PR) July 1, 1995 or before**
3 (married sons, daughters of US citizens) April 1, 1990 or before
4 (brothers, sisters of adult US citizens) May 22, 1982 or before
Employment-based Immigration
All preference categories are current as of October 2004.

National Benefits Center (formerly Missouri Service Center)
Processing Dates for cases as of September 17, 2004.
I-130 for Immediate Relatives of USC November 1, 2001**
I-131 for advance parole June 19, 2004
I-765 for employment authorization February 5, 2004**

Department of Labor – Region V processing times
Processing times for Region V (includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska) as measured from the dates the cases are transferred from the individual state employment security agencies. Information was updated September 17, 2004.
Regular Permanent August 2002**
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) December 2003**
H-2A August 2004
H-2B July 2004**

Illinois Department of Employment Security processing times
Processing times for Illinois cases as measured from the dates of receipt. Upon completion, cases are transferred from the state level to the regional level. Information was updated September 17, 2004. An officer at the IDES indicated that receipts are no longer being issued for labor certification applications since the receipts take them so long to issue. However, as of early February attorneys have started to receive receipts for cases filed February 2004. Since February, no new receipts have been issued. On March 15, 2004 IDES Alien Certification Unit moved to 33 South State St., Chicago, IL, 60603, 8th floor. On March 1, 2004 Alien Certification boxed up all of their files in preparation for their move. They have stated that their files have been unpacked, but since no new receipts have been issued, it is unclear if cases have been misplaced.
Regular Permanent April 2001**
Reduction in Recruitment (RIR) January 2004
H-2B August 2004

NEW!! Visa Wait Times at Manila Consulate
By the following average wait times for example, it takes an average of 78 calendar days from the date of scheduling to the date of the interview for a visitors visa in Manila. Then it takes an average of 2 working dates for the visa to be adjudicated. This information was updated September 21, 2004
Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Appointment – Average wait times in calendar days
Visitors Visa 79 days
Student/Exchange Visitors Visa 1 day
All other Nonimmigrant Visas 79 days
Nonimmigrant Visa Processing – Average wait times in working days
Nonimmigrant Visa 3 days

If you have questions about the above material, comments, or would like to see other features, please contact my office at 847-768-9998 or by email at rhk@rachelkao.com Thanks!

Back to 2005 Archived Articles...