So, you submitted your case with USCIS, you did all the right things, you filed all the
right forms, and you just wait, and wait. Right? How can you expedite this application
that is sitting there on somebody's desk, or maybe not? How can you make that move faster?
Well, in this video, we'll talk about how to expedite an application with USCIS, the
best way to do it, how to do it. So, if you want to know, see on the other side. In this
video, we'll talk about how can you actually expedite an application that you filed with
USCIS. As you know, we always do the right thing. We file the right forms. We put the
right evidence and we just file things. We file the application with the USCIS. And we
just wait, especially now with the COVID-19 crisis, USCIS furloughs coming up, things
are just so slow. And we just filed applications and we wait but what do we do if things change?
Right? What if somebody is in emergency decision right now? You need your work permit like
tomorrow because you're going to lose your job, you need your travel permit like yesterday
because you have to visit a sick family member. How do we expedite our applications with USCIS?
That's what we're going to talk about in this video. But before that, if you're here for
the first time, make sure you click that bell, subscribe to be notified when videos come
out from our channel. We do this every single week, multiple times a week because we know
that you needed information because we know we read your comments and respond to your
comments. We know the topics that you're looking for in this particular topic. This video is
almost every three questions. Somebody's asking, How can I expedite my case? How can I do it?
I'm going to talk to you about how to do this. My name is Jacob Sapochnik. I'm an immigration
attorney located here in San Diego, California. And I represent clients in all 50 states,
and we handle all immigration matters, a full-service law firm. And those videos here are done specifically
for you. You, yeah. You're watching here, this video is right here for you because you
asked that question, and I'm doing this video for you. So, let's talk about expediting.
So, essentially, anybody can file a request for expedited, right? So, you file the case
and you want it to be faster. I mean, I want it to be faster too, right? But the USCIS,
they have specific criteria where they're going to look and say, okay, know what, that
person meets that requirement. And we're going to expedite that particular person's case.
So, what are these criteria? Let's dive in. For example, in error by USCIS. Sometimes,
we get a form back, a receipt, and there's a wrong name on it, the wrong date of birth,
or receipt number. If they make an error, and we file the request because of the error
for them to make a decision in the case faster or fix that mistake faster. Because that was
their fault, most likely they'll do it. So, an error by USCIS is one reason for a very
efficient expedited request. Another reason for an expedited could be a humanitarian reason.
For example, you file the application, your green card application is filed, and now,
your parent or sister or another family member, is very, very sick in Hong Kong and you have
to leave like right away, you can file a request to expedite your travel permit because of
that humanitarian reason, and most likely they’ll issue that request. Another reason
is a severe loss to a personal company. [inaudible] file request for the case and you get an RFE,
and your particular petition is not subject to premium processing. Not every petition
is subject to premium processing. For example, there are some green card cases that you cannot
do a premium processing, like a National Interest Waiver. But in this case, it's a real case
example. Our client filed the National Interest Waiver application, and his company is going
to be acquired, and he must be a green card holder to be sitting on the board. This is
a great reason for an expedited. We put the case together, we said, “Listen, if this
case is not going to be approved in the next few months, this person is going to lose the
opportunity to get their company acquired, the whole deals will be messed up.” So,
there's a loss of the company, the loss of the individual, significant financial loss.
A great example of why USCIS will expedite this I-40, get us the approval so that person
can get his green card faster. So, this transaction can take place. Loss of the person or company,
a very good reason to expedite the case with USCIS. Compelling US government interests.
What is that? Well, imagine you have a legal case pending and you're working on a research
project that is going to find the vaccine to the Coronavirus. Now, you are at a very
critical stage of your research. And you need to be able to travel out of the country and
your work permit and your travel permit are nowhere to be found because they're taking
forever right now. We take this reason, and say, this person is working on this project,
he must travel right now to this conference to meet the scientists. And this is a national
interest of our country to be able to give that person the right to go meet those people
so they can expedite the ability to get the vaccine to the Coronavirus. Well, that's a
good reason. This case will be expedited. Now, there are some exceptions for cases that
cannot be expedited. And those are, if your case is subject to premium processing like
H1B or O1 or E, you just pay the money and you get your case approved in two weeks. That
case cannot be expedited because there is a premium processing option. Again, EAD applications
alone, the request for a work permit by itself, unless there's a compelling reason cannot
be expedited because a lot of people are waiting for the work permit. So, remember, as I mentioned
in previous examples, those were not just a request for ease, they had other compelling
reasons like humanitarian, and they were approved but just a request for an actual work permit
by itself will not be expedited. And that's an exception. So, how do we make this request?
The first thing you do is you call the USCIS customer support number. That number is, you
can put it on the screen, 1-800-375-2853. Once you get a hold of the officer, try to
speak to tier one, or tier two officer. Explain to them the reason based on the reason and
the factors we mentioned before. And also, make sure you get your case number from the
expedited because you want to be able to keep track of that as the case processes. Sometimes,
they'll send you an email, saying that you must submit more documents so they can understand
why you have to be expedited. When you get that email, make sure you attach all the documents
in an organized matter. And keep copies of everything you send to the USCIS. Typically,
it will take about a week to receive a decision if your case was going to be approved for
expedited or not. If you don't hear from them within a week or so, most likely your case
was denied, the request to expedite. You can also expedite by using congressional systems.
Every Congress members’ office have a USCIS liaison committee, liaison person, and you
should be able to contact that person to help you file an expedited request with USCIS.
Make sure that you don't do both things at the same time. Do yours first. If that doesn't
work, use congressional assistance to help you expedite your case. And the final option
is to file a request with the Ombudsman's office. The Ombudsman's office will help you
follow up on requests with USCIS that were done before. Remember, you have to try twice
with USCIS before you go to the office because they will also ask you to prove that you've
done other inquiries before you go to them. So, finally, these are the best options to
expedite your case with USCIS. I know a lot of you are anxious right now. And cases are
really being slow and delayed, do not abuse this option. It really has to be done for
a real reason. And a compelling reason with supporting evidence to make sure that USCIS
will actually act on it. And you're not going to waste your time. So, hopefully, that information
was helpful. I know a lot of you are anxious and waiting. And post in the comments, let
me know what you think. Once again, subscribe to our channel. And again, a lot of these
questions and a lot of these examples are posted in a private Facebook group. Make sure
you join the group. The link is in the description of this video. And I hope to see you there
as well. Thank you for watching, and I'll see you on the other side.