5/12/2009

The USCIS has been aggressively working on reduction of I-140 and I-485 processing times to achieve its target goal of four-month processing times by the end of September 2009. 

It appears that in order to achieve the goal, the involved cases have even been transferred around to different field offices. Thanks to this move, those whose priority dates were available have been receiving either approvals or RFEs or local interview notices for the pending I-485 cases. 

This has been a good news for those whose priority dates were current and who had to endure the pains of long-wait. Obviously, this has resulted in massive taking out of FY 2009 EB visa numbers exhausting the pool of the EB visas. As is true in every immigration event, development of immigration news brings with it those who are winners and those who are losers, some smiles and some tears. 

As is predicted by the State Department, the picture of visa numbers for the rest of fiscal year 2009 may remain grim as the USCIS efforts to achieve the target goal of I-485 processing times before October 1, 2009 are likely to continue. EB immigrants should prepare themselves to keep their legal status intact and alive during the long wait.