It is very frustrating when the USCIS fails to do its job efficiently. Unfortunately, this government agency frequently fails to have all necessary files in the hands of the adjudicating officer at the time of an interview/examination, and then takes a very long time to get the so-called "A File" matched with the temporary (or "T File") and timely reviewed.
If you are represented by an attorney who is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, that attorney may find it useful to follow-up through the USCIS-AILA Liaison Committee. Sometimes (but infrequently) an applicant can ask his/her U.S. Senator's or Congress Representative's office to assist, but note that this could result in multiple government requests for the same file, which could add to the delay.
Finally, there may be recourse through a lawsuit that seeks to have a Federal Court judge order the USCIS to complete the adjudication; known as a "mandamus action," this type of litigation can become cumbersome because the USCIS defends against the lawsuit by challenging the court's jurisdiction (or legal authority) to compel the Executive Branch to perform its job by a particular time. Believe it or not, although the law requires an adjudication within 120 days following the examination, the USCIS has taken the position that the "examination" is not the interview/examination that took place for you in May, 2008, but instead somehow is the examination of the entire case (here, including the missing A-File). Mandamus actions are most persuasive when there are compelling reasons to need an adjudication without additional delay, and these reasons are beyond the mere desire for finality that everyone seeks. Compelling reasons might include, for example, a need to petition for a spouse, the ageing-out of a child for certain benefits, etc.
[As contemplated by policy, this response is intended as general information and not specific legal advice, and this response does not create an attorney-client relationship.]
David
David N. Soloway
Frazier, Soloway & Poorak, P.C.
1800 Century Place, Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
404/320-7000 ext 5,
[email protected]