¿Qué puedo hacer si mi caso de inmigración tarda una eternidad en procesarse?

Angelica Rice • July 14, 2023

Click here to read this article in English

    La COVID-19 ha impactado muchas áreas de nuestras vidas y, lamentablemente, esto también incluye el trabajo realizado por USCIS. Anteriormente, los tiempos de procesamiento eran algo razonables, pero últimamente algunos casos tardan un año o más en procesarse cuando el tiempo de procesamiento original era mucho más corto. Peor aún, algunos casos parecen haber desaparecido por completo del radar de la agencia y USCIS no está tomando ninguna medida al respecto. ¿Qué puede hacer para tratar de avanzar en su caso?


Llame al centro de contacto de USCIS y realice una consulta sobre el estado de su caso.

El número de contacto de USCIS es 1 (800) 375 5283.


    Si su caso está fuera de los tiempos de procesamiento normalmente publicados (lo que significa que ha estado pendiente durante más tiempo que el tiempo de procesamiento publicado para su tipo de solicitud), puede llamar al número de teléfono indicado, hablar con un oficial y hacer una consulta sobre lo que está sucediendo y la razón de por qué se está demorando el procesamiento de su caso.


  • Presentar una Solicitud de Defensor del Pueblo


    Si la consulta a USCIS no funciona, puede realizar una Solicitud de Ombudsman. La Oficina del Defensor del Pueblo de los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración (CIS Ombudsman) ayuda a las personas y a los empleadores a resolver las dificultades que están experimentando con los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS). Las solicitudes del Defensor del Pueblo generalmente reciben una respuesta dentro de unas pocas semanas o meses después de haber sido enviadas.


https://www.dhs.gov/topic/cis-ombudsman/forms/7001#no-back


  • Póngase en contacto con un representante del Congreso

    Si enviar una Solicitud de Ombudsman no funciona, puede comunicarse con su representante local en el Congreso de su distrito y solicitar asistencia con su caso de inmigración.


    El primer paso para acceder a la asistencia del Congreso es encontrar el nombre y la información de contacto del representante del Congreso en este sitio web: www.house.gov. En la sección superior derecha de la pantalla, debe haber un mensaje que diga "Ingrese su código postal". Una vez que ingrese su código postal, debe aparecer el nombre y la información de contacto de su representante.


    La información de contacto de la asistencia del Congreso suele ser una dirección de correo electrónico y un número de teléfono, aunque generalmente se prefiere el correo electrónico. Una vez que se haya contactado con el representante del Congreso y le explique la situación, el congresista le informará sobre cualquier formulario o documento que deba presentar. Si se presentare una solicitud de agilización a través de la oficina del Congreso, la oficina del Congreso requerirá los documentos que demuestren las razones para el procesamiento acelerado.


    Uno de los formularios generales que se requiere para todas las consultas con el representante del Congreso es la renuncia a la privacidad. Una oficina del Congreso no puede comunicarse con USCIS con respecto a una solicitud de inmigrante sin el permiso del solicitante. Esta renuncia les otorga el permiso para acceder a la aplicación y la información que tiene USCIS. En consecuencia, se debe completar una exención de privacidad que requiere: información sobre el caso, el número de caso de USCIS, información de identificación general, un resumen de la situación, los esfuerzos realizados para resolver el problema y cualquier otro documento clave. Esta exención permitiría al congresista proporcionar actualizaciones sobre la solicitud en cuestión.


    A partir de ese momento, el congresista debería poder guiar al solicitante en la dirección correcta para cualquier actualización o documentos adicionales que se requieran. USCIS generalmente resuelve los casos dentro de los 30 días posteriores a la solicitud enviada por la oficina del Congreso, ya sea por correo electrónico o correspondencia escrita.

  • Un último recurso: Presentar un Auto de Acción de Mandamus


    En inmigración, un mandamus es generalmente una demanda civil contra los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos (USCIS) en un Tribunal Federal.

Esta demanda le pide a la corte que obligue a la agencia de inmigración a tomar una decisión sobre la solicitud o petición del demandante inmigrante.
Además de USCIS, la orden judicial también le permite presentar una demanda contra otras agencias estadounidenses, como:


- La Oficina Federal de Investigaciones (FBI);

- El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional (DHS), y

- Consulados o embajadas de los Estados Unidos.


    La medida cautelar se puede utilizar en los casos en que ha habido una demora irrazonable o una suspensión ilegal de la acción.

    Este tipo de acción debe requerir como último recurso, después de que se hayan explorado a fondo otros medios.


    Para decidir si una de estas opciones es adecuada para usted, comuníquese con nuestra oficina y consulte a uno de nuestros profesionales de inmigración altamente experimentados.


Este blog no busca constituir una asesoría legal y nada de lo que aquí lea debe interpretarse como el establecimiento de una relación abogado-cliente. Programe una consulta con un abogado de inmigración antes de actuar basado en cualquier información contenida en el presente.

Angelica Rice

How Professional Athletes Can Immigrate to the United States: Visa Options for Champions and Competitors

By Shirin Navabi • June 12, 2025
The United States has long been a destination for the world’s most talented athletes—not only to compete at the highest level, but to access world-class training, coaching opportunities, and long-term career prospects. Whether on the field, in the ring, or across the chessboard, athletes from across the globe are finding immigration pathways that allow them to pursue their athletic and professional goals in the U.S. U.S. immigration law offers several visa and green card options designed specifically for individuals with extraordinary athletic talent. These include the P-1A visa for internationally recognized athletes, the O-1A visa for individuals of extraordinary ability, and the EB-1A immigrant petition, which can lead to permanent residency and ultimately, U.S. citizenship. The P-1A visa is commonly used by professional athletes coming to the U.S. to compete in a specific event or season. This applies not only to individual athletes but also to members of teams or clubs recognized internationally. It is widely used by soccer players, basketball players, MMA fighters, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors, and even elite chess players. Athletes must demonstrate a high level of international recognition and a record of performance in their sport. The O-1A visa is a strong option for coaches who demonstrate extraordinary ability, typically evidenced by championship titles, sustained winning records, or recognition as integral to their team’s success. To qualify, a coach must establish that their expertise places them among the small percentage of top professionals in their field. For athletes seeking permanent status in the U.S., the EB-1A immigrant petition —often referred to as the “extraordinary ability green card”—provides a direct path to lawful permanent residency. It requires clear documentation that the individual is among the very best in their sport and has achieved sustained national or international success. Unlike other green card categories, the EB-1A does not require employer sponsorship and can be self-petitioned. This has become a common path for MMA world champions, BJJ black belt medalists, Olympic athletes, and chess grandmasters—many of whom now represent the U.S. at the highest levels of international competition. It’s important to note that U.S. immigration law defines “athlete” broadly. Whether you are a professional football player in Europe, a sprinter from the Caribbean, a judoka, a gymnast, or a grandmaster in chess, your achievements may qualify under these categories if they are properly documented and presented. The key is a consistent record of excellence and recognition in your sport on a national or international scale. Our office specializes in these types of immigration matters. Whether you are an individual athlete looking to relocate or an organization seeking to bring international talent to your roster, we offer tailored legal strategies to support your goals. If you are exploring options to compete, train, or build your future in the U.S., we’re here to help you take the next step.

Understanding the Laken Riley Act: A Turning Point in U.S. Immigration Enforcement

By Denice Flores • June 5, 2025
In January 2025, the U.S. Congress passed the Laken Riley Act , marking a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy. The Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain certain non-U.S. nationals who have been arrested for theft-related offenses such as burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. Under this Act, the Department of Homeland Security must detain an individual who: (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted of, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The Act also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. It authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a: Decision to release a non-U.S. national from custody; Failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; Failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; Violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or Failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States. The Act's stringent detention requirements may lead to increased fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities. Individuals who are merely accused of certain crimes could face mandatory detention. The Act may also affect legal immigration processes. Increased detention and deportation efforts could strain resources, potentially leading to delays in processing visas and asylum applications. Given the evolving legal landscape: Stay Informed and/or Seek Legal Counsel - Consult with your immigration attorney to understand how new laws and policies may affect your situation and if you or someone you know is facing immigration-related legal issues. Know Your Rights - Familiarize yourself with your legal rights, especially concerning interactions with law enforcement and immigration authorities. Community Engagement - Participate in community organizations that provide support and resources for immigrants, fostering a network of assistance and advocacy. If you have any questions or would like to consult with an experienced immigration attorney, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

ICE Issues OPT Warnings to F-1 Students for Unreported Employment

By Kris Quadros-Ragar • May 29, 2025
In a renewed wave of enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has started sending formal alerts to certain F-1 students participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), flagging that their records reflect over 90 days without any reported employment. These students have been advised to update their employment status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) within 15 days. Failure to take timely corrective action may lead to the termination of the student's SEVIS record, effectively marking them as out of status, and may ultimately trigger removal proceedings. The notices are intended as a warning that students who do not comply with OPT reporting obligations are at risk of serious immigration consequences. Understanding OPT and Its Unemployment Limits Optional Practical Training (commonly referred to as “OPT”) is a work authorization benefit that allows eligible F-1 international students to gain hands-on experience in their field of study. Students may apply for pre-completion OPT (while still in school) or post-completion OPT (after graduation), typically for up to 12 months. Those with degrees in qualifying STEM fields may apply for an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving them a total of 36 months of work authorization in the U.S. To maintain valid F-1 status while on OPT, students must remain actively employed in a position related to their field of study. The amount of time a student may remain in the United States while on OPT without being properly employed is capped at: 90 days during the standard 12-month post-completion OPT, and 150 days for those on the STEM OPT extension, which includes any days of unemployment accrued during the initial OPT period. These unemployment limits are cumulative and enforced strictly through SEVIS monitoring. What Should F-1 Students Do? If you are an F-1 student on OPT or STEM OPT and receive a warning or are unsure about your compliance status, act quickly: Contact your Designated School Official (DSO) immediately to review and, if necessary, update your SEVIS record. Ensure all employment is properly documented and reported through your school’s international office. Do not ignore warning notices, as failure to respond may lead to SEVIS termination and potentially the initiation of removal proceedings. It is also advisable to consult with a qualified immigration attorney to explore available options and understand how enforcement actions may affect your status or future immigration plans. If you received a notice or have questions about your F-1 status, our attorneys are here to help you take the right steps to protect your future in the United States. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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