Many people dream of living in the United States, but getting a green card approval can be tough. This is the story of Masoom, who faced many challenges while waiting for his green card. His journey shows how waiting can affect lives. Let’s learn about Masoom's inspiring story and how he and his family finally found success after a long time.
The Impact of Visa Bulletin Changes and Retrogression
Masoom started his journey in 2021 when he sent in his Form I-485. Masoom’s journey to green card approval was filled with frustrating delays, largely due to visa bulletin changes and the unpredictability of retrogression. He filed his I-485 in 2021, hoping for smooth processing. However, things changed when USCIS started processing other applications submitted after his.
His priority date was much earlier. The visa bulletin’s retrogression added even more time to his wait. The visa bulletin retrograded, and he had to wait over a year. The changes in the visa bulletin left Masoom and his family in uncertainty. This made their future plans more complicated and increased the emotional stress of the delay.
Massoom explained:
“So when I filed this 485 and back in 2021, then USCIS went ahead and they picked the application which was submitted later than me. And also their priority date is later than mine, right? And mine was 2012. And they increased the visa bulletin all the way to December 2014.”
“I was not lucky enough to be picked up by USCIS to process my case. And then it did get a retrograde, and then after that, I have to wait like, you know, more than a year, I guess 12 months or 15. I don't recall an exact duration.”
The Burden of Waiting and Getting Nowhere
The green card approval process delays from retrogression were frustrating. When the visa bulletin finally moved forward, Masoom's case became current. However, he got stuck in another bureaucratic loop. Eager to speed things up, Masoom opened many service tickets with USCIS. He hoped for a response that would lead to action.
What made the situation worse was that Masoom’s green card approval case had officially fallen out of normal processing time. He was no longer just waiting—he was stuck. Masoom’s frustration grew as he navigated the USCIS system, receiving repetitive and unhelpful responses. Even though he tried hard to ask for help in many ways, his case was ignored. This left him and his family waiting for months.
Masoom shared:
“Then again, this has become a current and then I created so many tickets and did all the Senate inquiry. Every time I received the same generic response, then I was, and at that point in time, my case was also out of normal processing time. And then I was stuck. I don't know what to do, how to reach out and make a request saying my case is already out of processing time, please pick my case, right?”
Heartfelt Struggles
Masoom and his wife, Sadiya, have lived in the U.S. since 2014. They have two children, both kids were born in the United States and are U.S. citizens. The delay made Masoom and Sadiya very worried.
The long wait was tough on Masoom and Sadiya. Masoom is a Staff Platform Engineer, but he couldn’t apply for better jobs because he didn’t have his green card approval yet. Sadiya, who loves baking, wanted to open her own bakery.
The worry about not knowing when they would get their green card approval made everything even harder. Also, Masoom’s parents were getting older and sick back in India. They needed help, but Masoom couldn’t visit them because of his immigration status.
A Turning Point
Feeling hopeless, Masoom searched online for green card approval help and found our firm. This choice changed everything for him. He felt relieved to find a team that wanted to help him with the green card approval process.
Masoom explained:
“So that's where I was doing a Google and I came across, you know, a review and came across your firm. And then I thought, okay, let's approach it because again, the priority date will become a, you know, retrograde again, I have to wait for like, you know, 12 to 15 months. Maybe you might be aware of that for the people from India, right? They have a long, long wait.”
Finding Hope With the Right Guidance and Support
Feeling trapped by the green card approval process delays and uncertain of his next steps, Masoom finally found hope when he reached out to us for help. He specifically praised the law firm’s communication, noting how much he appreciated the regular updates. The continuous flow of information helped Masoom feel more at ease during such an overwhelming process.
Masoom expressed his gratitude:
“And then this, but I'm glad I reached out to you and I really appreciate you and Megan, all this stuff at the law firm was very nice. One of the good things I like about it, every single step and every week I was frequently getting updates. What's going on? What is the next step? What is happening? That was really amazing.”
Masoom’s positive experience led him to recommend our services to friends and family facing similar immigration challenges. For him, it wasn’t just about getting his green card approval—it was about having the guidance and support needed to navigate the process with confidence.
Masoom complimented the support he received from the firm:
“You know, you are not in the complete dark, you are getting an update and you're well informed. That is the best part of, I guess, the law firm. I've recommended so many, my friend, even in the future, you know, definitely I'll refer a lot of my friend, family to reach out to you. That's the best thing I came across.”
A Renewed Sense of Hope for the Future
Finally, after much waiting and worry, Masoom got the news he had long hoped for: his green card was approved! After receiving the I-485 approval notice, Masoom learned that his new card is being produced. He must’ve been very excited because he could finally plan a trip to India to see his parents. Something he hadn’t been able to do this for years.
Masoom’s relief and excitement was evident:
“It's really good. I can't explain my, you know, happiness. And it just made me stress-free. And then I can now plan my travel to see my parents, to see my parents in India. And that is, you know, one of the blockers because of this. And yeah, I'm really excited, looking forward to it. You see, I wear this whole summer shirt.”
Understanding the EAD Process
During Masoom's journey, he also had to navigate the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) process. Many applicants often ask, "How long does EAD approval take?" The timeline for receiving an EAD can vary, but generally, it takes several months. For Masoom, the wait felt long, but knowing he had support made it bearable. He often wondered, “How long does it take to get an EAD?”
Those facing similar challenges frequently ask, “How long for EAD approval?” Typically, after submitting the necessary documentation, many applicants receive their EAD within 3 to 6 months. The timeline varies based on individual cases and USCIS processing times.
When Do Applications Get Transferred to the National Benefits Center (NBC)
Applications are typically transferred to the National Benefits Center (NBC) by USCIS when they require further processing before final adjudication. This transfer often happens for various reasons, such as:
- Sending applications like Form I-485 to the NBC: Form I-485 is used to apply for permanent residence or to adjust your status. The NBC focuses on processing family-based and other adjustment-of-status cases.
- Workload Balancing: If a local USCIS office or service center is overwhelmed with applications, some cases may be transferred to the NBC to balance workloads.
- Biometrics and Interviews: The NBC may manage some parts of the case. This includes setting up biometrics appointments and scheduling interviews at local offices.
- Document Review: The NBC may look at more documents or evidence. They will decide if the case should go to a local USCIS office for final approval.
For green card approval applicants, a transfer to the NBC generally does not indicate a problem, but it may affect processing times. Notifications are usually sent when a case is transferred.
Your Important Green Card Approval Questions Answered
Masoom's journey raised important questions about the green card approval process: What does it mean when your I-485 is approved? In simple terms, it signifies that the USCIS has reviewed the application and found it to meet the necessary requirements. When someone receives their I-485 approval notice, it typically means that they are on their way to getting their green card.
After the approval notice, applicants often wonder how long it takes to receive the green card after approval notice is issued. For green card applicants, the process was relatively swift. An applicant will receive the notification that their I-485 card was produced, and soon after, the green card will be mailed to them.
As may green card approval applicants look forward to the next steps, they also often wonder, “Now that my I-485 is approved, what’s next?” After the approval, applicants will get more information about their green card.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Masoom and His Family
We are deeply grateful to Masoom and his family for sharing their heartfelt green card approval journey with us. His words serve as a reminder of why we are committed to supporting families through the complexities of immigration. It’s stories like theirs that inspire us to continue making a difference for those pursuing their dreams of stability and a better future.
Masoom beautifully expressed:
"And I’d really like to say thank you. And also would like to say, keep doing what you're doing and help people like us to have their dream come true."
We wish Masoom, Sadiya, and their wonderful children all the best as they embark on this exciting new chapter, and we are honored to have played a part in their success. Thank you again, Masoom, for trusting us and for spreading the word to others who may be facing similar challenges.
Let’s Team Up to Make Your American Dream a Reality!
At our firm, we want to help clients like you to navigate the green card approval process. We understand how waiting can feel overwhelming and uncertain. If you or someone you know is facing similar challenges, please reach out. A Los Angeles green card lawyer is on standby to help you turn your dreams into reality and support you every step of the way on your journey toward green card approval.
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