A Demand for Transparency, Accountability, Fairness, and Reasonable Processing Timelines
The Issue
U.S. IMMIGRATION AND VISA PROCESSING DELAYS
To:
The U.S. Department of State
The Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The National Visa Center (NVC)
U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
The United States Congress
OUR REQUEST
We, the undersigned applicants, U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, sponsors, and family members affected by prolonged U.S. immigration and visa processing delays, respectfully request greater transparency, consistent communication, reasonable processing expectations, and accountability from the government agencies responsible for administering the United States immigration and visa system.
These concerns extend throughout the entire immigration process, beginning with initial petition filings and receipt notices, continuing through petition approvals, document processing, interview scheduling, consular interviews, administrative processing, and final visa issuance.
Applicants and families across the world are experiencing extended delays, unexplained processing periods, unavailable interview appointments, inconsistent procedures, and a lack of meaningful communication from the agencies responsible for their cases.
These delays affect families, spouses, children, students, workers, and individuals seeking lawful entry or immigration to the United States. Many have followed every required procedure, submitted extensive documentation, paid substantial fees, completed medical examinations, attended interviews, and complied with requests for additional information.
Yet many remain in prolonged uncertainty without meaningful explanations or reasonable expectations about when their cases will move forward.
We believe that a fair and functioning immigration system must provide not only appropriate screening and security procedures, but also transparency, communication, and accountability to the people who depend on it.
VISA CATEGORIES AFFECTED
These concerns are not limited to one particular visa category. They affect multiple immigrant and nonimmigrant visa classifications, including but not limited to:
Family-based fiancé(e) and immigrant visas
K-1 fiancé(e) visas.
K-2 dependent child visas.
CR-1 and IR-1 spousal immigrant visas.
CR-2 and IR-2 child immigrant visas.
Other family-sponsored immigrant visa categories, including F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4.
Employment-based immigration
Employment-based immigrant visa categories, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5.
Nonimmigrant visas
F-1 and F-2 student visas.
H-1B and H-4 employment-related visas.
Other temporary employment, educational, exchange, and visitor visa classifications experiencing prolonged processing or interview delays.
These categories involve different eligibility requirements and processing procedures. Our request is that the responsible agencies address unreasonable delays and communication failures wherever they occur.
PROBLEMS AFFECTING APPLICANTS AND FAMILIES
1. Prolonged USCIS Petition Processing and Receipt Delays
Applicants are experiencing lengthy waits for initial receipt notices (NOA1), petition processing, approvals (NOA2), and other required USCIS actions.
Applicants deserve greater transparency regarding processing backlogs, realistic expectations, and meaningful updates about the progress of their cases.
2. Prolonged National Visa Center Processing
Applicants whose petitions have been approved by USCIS are experiencing additional delays while cases are transferred, reviewed, documented, and processed by the National Visa Center.
Some applicants wait extended periods for case creation, document review, documentary qualification, and transfer to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate.
3. Extended Waits for Interview Scheduling
Applicants who have completed the required documentation and are awaiting consular interviews are experiencing lengthy and unpredictable delays.
Some applicants have been declared documentarily qualified but remain without an interview appointment for extended periods. Others are instructed to schedule interviews or are told appointments will become available, but cannot obtain an appointment.
Families need accurate information about interview backlogs, appointment availability, scheduling procedures, and realistic expectations.
4. Prolonged Administrative Processing
Applicants who have completed interviews and submitted all requested documentation are experiencing months of additional processing without clear explanations or reasonable updates.
While we recognize that security checks and additional reviews may be necessary, applicants should receive meaningful communication and reasonable expectations when their cases remain pending for extended periods.
5. Approved Cases With Passports Retained
Some applicants have been informed that their applications have been approved or have seen approval reflected in their case status. Nevertheless, their passports remain in embassy custody for extended periods, sometimes for months, and no visa is issued.
Families are left without a clear explanation of what remains outstanding, whether additional review is taking place, or when they can expect their passports and visas to be returned.
Applicants deserve clarification when an apparent approval is followed by prolonged uncertainty or a change in case status.
6. CR-1, CR-2, IR-1, and IR-2 Interview Scheduling Problems
Applicants in family-based immigrant visa categories are experiencing difficulties obtaining interview appointments.
Some are instructed to schedule interviews or are given assurances that appointments will become available, but appointments are not actually being scheduled or made available.
These problems create unnecessary uncertainty for spouses, parents, and children who have already completed substantial portions of the immigration process.
7. Lack of Communication From Certain Embassies and Consulates
Applicants in some countries report receiving little or no communication from their respective U.S. embassies or consulates.
Meanwhile, applicants at other posts may receive more frequent updates or clearer instructions.
This inconsistency leaves families uncertain about their cases and creates serious concerns about unequal access to information and processing.
8. Inconsistent Procedures and Unexplained Differences Between Consular Posts
Applicants deserve clear and consistent procedures regardless of the country in which they apply.
We request clarification about why processing, appointment availability, communication, and case resolution appear to differ so significantly between embassies and consulates.
9. Delays Across Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
These concerns extend beyond fiancé(e) and spousal immigration.
Students, temporary workers, employment-based applicants, and other individuals seeking lawful entry to the United States also experience prolonged processing, interview backlogs, and insufficient communication.
We ask that these issues be examined across all affected visa categories rather than focusing exclusively on one group of applicants.
10. Financial and Emotional Hardship
Families and individuals have paid application fees, medical examination expenses, document preparation costs, travel expenses, and other required fees.
Many have made significant financial and personal sacrifices in preparation for immigration.
Extended separation affects marriages, children, parents, employment opportunities, education, financial stability, and emotional well-being.
For families separated internationally, every additional month of uncertainty represents lost time together that can never be recovered.
PUBLIC CHARGE POLICIES, HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS, AND FAMILY UNITY
We are also concerned about the impact of public charge policies, health-related immigration requirements, and the potential consequences of broad or unclear interpretations of these policies on individuals and families seeking to reunite in the United States.
Applicants and their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsors may have existing medical conditions, disabilities, chronic illnesses, ongoing healthcare needs, or other health-related circumstances.
We believe that having a medical condition or disability should not automatically become a barrier to family reunification or prevent an otherwise eligible individual from having the opportunity to build a life with their family in the United States.
We recognize that U.S. immigration law includes public charge provisions, medical examination requirements, and separate health-related grounds of inadmissibility. We also recognize the government's responsibility to protect public health, evaluate financial circumstances, and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
However, these policies must be applied fairly, individually, consistently, and in accordance with applicable law.
Our concerns include:
11. Fair and Individualized Public Charge Determinations
Public charge determinations should be based on the applicable legal standards and the totality of the relevant circumstances, rather than assumptions based solely on a person's medical history, disability, age, or financial situation.
Applicants deserve clear explanations of the factors considered and how applicable public charge standards affect their particular visa category.
12. Medical Conditions and Disabilities Should Not Automatically Define an Applicant's Future
Having a chronic medical condition, disability, or ongoing healthcare need does not automatically mean that an individual is unable to work, live independently, contribute to a household, or become a productive member of American society.
A medical diagnosis alone should not be treated as proof that an individual will become a public charge.
We ask that health-related circumstances be evaluated under the specific legal requirements applicable to each case, with consideration of individual capabilities, treatment, available support, and other relevant circumstances.
13. Health Conditions Affecting U.S. Citizen and Lawful Permanent Resident Sponsors
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may themselves have medical conditions, disabilities, or ongoing healthcare needs.
These individuals should receive clear and fair guidance when sponsoring eligible family members.
A sponsor's medical condition should not automatically disqualify that person from sponsoring a relative. Financial sponsorship requirements should be evaluated under the applicable law, including consideration of qualifying income, assets, household circumstances, and available joint sponsors where permitted.
U.S. citizens should not face unnecessary obstacles to family reunification simply because they have health challenges.
14. Family Support, Caregiving, and Access to Healthcare
Many applicants have family members in the United States who are prepared to provide housing, financial assistance, caregiving, emotional support, and help accessing appropriate healthcare.
Others have medical conditions that require ongoing treatment or support.
We ask that applicable immigration evaluations recognize the actual circumstances of these families, including available support systems, rather than relying on assumptions based solely on a medical diagnosis.
15. Clear Distinction Between Public Charge and Medical Inadmissibility
Public charge considerations and health-related grounds of inadmissibility are separate legal issues and should not be confused or applied interchangeably.
We request clear public guidance explaining how these different legal standards apply to immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, including any applicable exemptions, waivers, and other forms of relief.
16. Fair Consideration of Families and U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents should receive clear and consistent information when seeking to reunite with eligible foreign spouses, children, parents, and other qualifying relatives.
We recognize that family sponsorship does not guarantee visa issuance and that applicants must meet applicable eligibility requirements.
However, the existence of a medical condition or financial challenge should not automatically be treated as a reason to deny families fair consideration under the law.
Our position is straightforward: A person's health condition should not automatically determine whether they deserve the opportunity to live with their family. A disability should not automatically define someone's financial future. And a U.S. citizen's own health challenges should not automatically prevent them from pursuing lawful family reunification.
We ask for fairness, individualized consideration, clear guidance, and compassion while maintaining the legitimate requirements of U.S. immigration law.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
We respectfully request that the responsible agencies:
Provide a public explanation of the causes of prolonged immigration and visa processing delays.
Publish meaningful updates about processing backlogs and realistic timelines for each major stage, including USCIS receipt notices, petition approvals, NVC processing, documentary qualification, interview scheduling, administrative processing, and final visa issuance.
Provide greater transparency regarding USCIS and NVC backlogs and the number of applicants awaiting action.
Publish embassy-specific interview wait information and meaningful appointment availability updates across immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories.
Establish reasonable expectations and clearer timelines for interview scheduling, administrative processing, and final visa issuance.
Review cases that have remained in administrative processing for unusually long periods, particularly cases where interviews have already been completed and passports are being retained.
Provide clear explanations when applicants have been told that a case is approved but a visa has not been issued.
Address interview scheduling failures affecting CR-1, CR-2, IR-1, and IR-2 applicants, including situations where applicants have been told appointments will be scheduled but no appointment follows.
Improve communication so applicants receive meaningful responses rather than repeated generic explanations.
Establish better communication and escalation procedures for applicants whose cases exceed published processing expectations.
Ensure consistent procedures and fair access to information across U.S. embassies and consulates.
Improve coordination between USCIS, the National Visa Center, and the Department of State to prevent unnecessary administrative delays and processing bottlenecks.
Provide Congress with information about the scope, causes, and duration of these delays and the steps being taken to resolve them.
Provide clear public guidance regarding the application of public charge policies to affected immigrant visa categories and other applicable immigration processes.
Explain how medical conditions, disabilities, ongoing healthcare needs, financial circumstances, and available family support are evaluated under applicable immigration laws.
Ensure that public charge determinations are individualized and based on applicable legal standards rather than automatic assumptions about an applicant's health, disability, or medical history.
Provide transparency regarding the relationship between medical examinations, health-related grounds of inadmissibility, public charge considerations, and available waivers or other relief.
Ensure that U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident sponsors receive clear guidance when their own medical or financial circumstances may affect the sponsorship process.
Recognize the importance of family support, caregiving, and reunification when evaluating applicants with ongoing medical or healthcare needs, consistent with applicable law.
Ensure that changes in immigration policies and interpretations are communicated clearly and applied consistently, with appropriate consideration of pending applicants and families already participating in the immigration process.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT
We recognize that the United States has a responsibility to conduct appropriate security checks, verify documentation, protect public health, and maintain the integrity of its immigration system.
We are not asking applicants to bypass required procedures, receive preferential treatment, or have legitimate security checks eliminated.
We are not asking for automatic approvals, guaranteed visa issuance, or exemptions from lawful eligibility requirements.
We are not asking the government to disregard legitimate public charge or medical inadmissibility standards.
We are asking for transparency, reasonable processing expectations, consistent communication, fair application of the law, and accountability when applicants have completed the required steps but remain in prolonged uncertainty.
Security, public health, and financial responsibility are important. However, these objectives should be pursued alongside fair procedures, individualized consideration, and respect for family unity.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Behind every application number is a real person, a real family, and a future waiting to begin.
There are spouses waiting to begin their lives together, children waiting to join their parents, fiancés waiting to marry, students waiting to pursue their education, workers waiting to begin employment, and parents waiting to reunite with their families.
There are also U.S. citizens who have fulfilled their responsibilities, submitted the required sponsorship documentation, and are waiting for the opportunity to bring their families home.
Some families are separated because of prolonged petition processing. Others are waiting for interview appointments. Some have completed their interviews, submitted every requested document, and even received indications of approval, yet remain separated without a clear explanation.
Some families are also facing uncertainty about how medical conditions, disabilities, financial circumstances, and public charge policies may affect their future together.
These are not simply administrative inconveniences.
They mean missed birthdays, missed holidays, lost opportunities, children growing up apart from parents, spouses unable to share everyday life, and families losing precious time that cannot be recovered.
People have followed the rules, paid the required fees, completed medical examinations, attended interviews, and complied with requests for additional information.
They deserve to know that their applications are being processed, that their concerns are being heard, and that the agencies responsible for their cases are working toward a resolution.
Family reunification should not mean years of uncertainty, silence, and unanswered questions.
The United States can maintain strong immigration standards while also ensuring transparency, fairness, efficiency, and compassion.
OUR CALL FOR ACTION
We respectfully ask the U.S. Department of State, USCIS, the National Visa Center, U.S. embassies and consulates, and the United States Congress to recognize the scope of these problems and take meaningful action.
This petition represents people from different countries, different backgrounds, different financial circumstances, and different visa categories who share one common concern:
A lack of transparency, communication, reasonable processing expectations, and accountability throughout the U.S. immigration and visa processing system.
We ask our elected representatives to examine these concerns, request information from the responsible agencies, and advocate for meaningful improvements.
We ask immigration agencies to communicate clearly, process applications as efficiently as reasonably possible, and provide applicants with meaningful information when delays occur.
We ask that public charge and health-related immigration policies be administered fairly and consistently, without automatically treating medical conditions or disabilities as barriers to family unity.
We ask for transparency.
We ask for communication.
We ask for accountability.
We ask for fairness.
Most importantly, we ask that the people and families waiting around the world not be forgotten.
Please support this petition, share your experiences, and help bring attention to the individuals and families affected by prolonged U.S. immigration and visa processing delays.
Together, our voices can make a difference.
743
The Issue
U.S. IMMIGRATION AND VISA PROCESSING DELAYS
To:
The U.S. Department of State
The Bureau of Consular Affairs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
The National Visa Center (NVC)
U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
The United States Congress
OUR REQUEST
We, the undersigned applicants, U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, sponsors, and family members affected by prolonged U.S. immigration and visa processing delays, respectfully request greater transparency, consistent communication, reasonable processing expectations, and accountability from the government agencies responsible for administering the United States immigration and visa system.
These concerns extend throughout the entire immigration process, beginning with initial petition filings and receipt notices, continuing through petition approvals, document processing, interview scheduling, consular interviews, administrative processing, and final visa issuance.
Applicants and families across the world are experiencing extended delays, unexplained processing periods, unavailable interview appointments, inconsistent procedures, and a lack of meaningful communication from the agencies responsible for their cases.
These delays affect families, spouses, children, students, workers, and individuals seeking lawful entry or immigration to the United States. Many have followed every required procedure, submitted extensive documentation, paid substantial fees, completed medical examinations, attended interviews, and complied with requests for additional information.
Yet many remain in prolonged uncertainty without meaningful explanations or reasonable expectations about when their cases will move forward.
We believe that a fair and functioning immigration system must provide not only appropriate screening and security procedures, but also transparency, communication, and accountability to the people who depend on it.
VISA CATEGORIES AFFECTED
These concerns are not limited to one particular visa category. They affect multiple immigrant and nonimmigrant visa classifications, including but not limited to:
Family-based fiancé(e) and immigrant visas
K-1 fiancé(e) visas.
K-2 dependent child visas.
CR-1 and IR-1 spousal immigrant visas.
CR-2 and IR-2 child immigrant visas.
Other family-sponsored immigrant visa categories, including F1, F2A, F2B, F3, and F4.
Employment-based immigration
Employment-based immigrant visa categories, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5.
Nonimmigrant visas
F-1 and F-2 student visas.
H-1B and H-4 employment-related visas.
Other temporary employment, educational, exchange, and visitor visa classifications experiencing prolonged processing or interview delays.
These categories involve different eligibility requirements and processing procedures. Our request is that the responsible agencies address unreasonable delays and communication failures wherever they occur.
PROBLEMS AFFECTING APPLICANTS AND FAMILIES
1. Prolonged USCIS Petition Processing and Receipt Delays
Applicants are experiencing lengthy waits for initial receipt notices (NOA1), petition processing, approvals (NOA2), and other required USCIS actions.
Applicants deserve greater transparency regarding processing backlogs, realistic expectations, and meaningful updates about the progress of their cases.
2. Prolonged National Visa Center Processing
Applicants whose petitions have been approved by USCIS are experiencing additional delays while cases are transferred, reviewed, documented, and processed by the National Visa Center.
Some applicants wait extended periods for case creation, document review, documentary qualification, and transfer to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate.
3. Extended Waits for Interview Scheduling
Applicants who have completed the required documentation and are awaiting consular interviews are experiencing lengthy and unpredictable delays.
Some applicants have been declared documentarily qualified but remain without an interview appointment for extended periods. Others are instructed to schedule interviews or are told appointments will become available, but cannot obtain an appointment.
Families need accurate information about interview backlogs, appointment availability, scheduling procedures, and realistic expectations.
4. Prolonged Administrative Processing
Applicants who have completed interviews and submitted all requested documentation are experiencing months of additional processing without clear explanations or reasonable updates.
While we recognize that security checks and additional reviews may be necessary, applicants should receive meaningful communication and reasonable expectations when their cases remain pending for extended periods.
5. Approved Cases With Passports Retained
Some applicants have been informed that their applications have been approved or have seen approval reflected in their case status. Nevertheless, their passports remain in embassy custody for extended periods, sometimes for months, and no visa is issued.
Families are left without a clear explanation of what remains outstanding, whether additional review is taking place, or when they can expect their passports and visas to be returned.
Applicants deserve clarification when an apparent approval is followed by prolonged uncertainty or a change in case status.
6. CR-1, CR-2, IR-1, and IR-2 Interview Scheduling Problems
Applicants in family-based immigrant visa categories are experiencing difficulties obtaining interview appointments.
Some are instructed to schedule interviews or are given assurances that appointments will become available, but appointments are not actually being scheduled or made available.
These problems create unnecessary uncertainty for spouses, parents, and children who have already completed substantial portions of the immigration process.
7. Lack of Communication From Certain Embassies and Consulates
Applicants in some countries report receiving little or no communication from their respective U.S. embassies or consulates.
Meanwhile, applicants at other posts may receive more frequent updates or clearer instructions.
This inconsistency leaves families uncertain about their cases and creates serious concerns about unequal access to information and processing.
8. Inconsistent Procedures and Unexplained Differences Between Consular Posts
Applicants deserve clear and consistent procedures regardless of the country in which they apply.
We request clarification about why processing, appointment availability, communication, and case resolution appear to differ so significantly between embassies and consulates.
9. Delays Across Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
These concerns extend beyond fiancé(e) and spousal immigration.
Students, temporary workers, employment-based applicants, and other individuals seeking lawful entry to the United States also experience prolonged processing, interview backlogs, and insufficient communication.
We ask that these issues be examined across all affected visa categories rather than focusing exclusively on one group of applicants.
10. Financial and Emotional Hardship
Families and individuals have paid application fees, medical examination expenses, document preparation costs, travel expenses, and other required fees.
Many have made significant financial and personal sacrifices in preparation for immigration.
Extended separation affects marriages, children, parents, employment opportunities, education, financial stability, and emotional well-being.
For families separated internationally, every additional month of uncertainty represents lost time together that can never be recovered.
PUBLIC CHARGE POLICIES, HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS, AND FAMILY UNITY
We are also concerned about the impact of public charge policies, health-related immigration requirements, and the potential consequences of broad or unclear interpretations of these policies on individuals and families seeking to reunite in the United States.
Applicants and their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident sponsors may have existing medical conditions, disabilities, chronic illnesses, ongoing healthcare needs, or other health-related circumstances.
We believe that having a medical condition or disability should not automatically become a barrier to family reunification or prevent an otherwise eligible individual from having the opportunity to build a life with their family in the United States.
We recognize that U.S. immigration law includes public charge provisions, medical examination requirements, and separate health-related grounds of inadmissibility. We also recognize the government's responsibility to protect public health, evaluate financial circumstances, and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.
However, these policies must be applied fairly, individually, consistently, and in accordance with applicable law.
Our concerns include:
11. Fair and Individualized Public Charge Determinations
Public charge determinations should be based on the applicable legal standards and the totality of the relevant circumstances, rather than assumptions based solely on a person's medical history, disability, age, or financial situation.
Applicants deserve clear explanations of the factors considered and how applicable public charge standards affect their particular visa category.
12. Medical Conditions and Disabilities Should Not Automatically Define an Applicant's Future
Having a chronic medical condition, disability, or ongoing healthcare need does not automatically mean that an individual is unable to work, live independently, contribute to a household, or become a productive member of American society.
A medical diagnosis alone should not be treated as proof that an individual will become a public charge.
We ask that health-related circumstances be evaluated under the specific legal requirements applicable to each case, with consideration of individual capabilities, treatment, available support, and other relevant circumstances.
13. Health Conditions Affecting U.S. Citizen and Lawful Permanent Resident Sponsors
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents may themselves have medical conditions, disabilities, or ongoing healthcare needs.
These individuals should receive clear and fair guidance when sponsoring eligible family members.
A sponsor's medical condition should not automatically disqualify that person from sponsoring a relative. Financial sponsorship requirements should be evaluated under the applicable law, including consideration of qualifying income, assets, household circumstances, and available joint sponsors where permitted.
U.S. citizens should not face unnecessary obstacles to family reunification simply because they have health challenges.
14. Family Support, Caregiving, and Access to Healthcare
Many applicants have family members in the United States who are prepared to provide housing, financial assistance, caregiving, emotional support, and help accessing appropriate healthcare.
Others have medical conditions that require ongoing treatment or support.
We ask that applicable immigration evaluations recognize the actual circumstances of these families, including available support systems, rather than relying on assumptions based solely on a medical diagnosis.
15. Clear Distinction Between Public Charge and Medical Inadmissibility
Public charge considerations and health-related grounds of inadmissibility are separate legal issues and should not be confused or applied interchangeably.
We request clear public guidance explaining how these different legal standards apply to immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, including any applicable exemptions, waivers, and other forms of relief.
16. Fair Consideration of Families and U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents should receive clear and consistent information when seeking to reunite with eligible foreign spouses, children, parents, and other qualifying relatives.
We recognize that family sponsorship does not guarantee visa issuance and that applicants must meet applicable eligibility requirements.
However, the existence of a medical condition or financial challenge should not automatically be treated as a reason to deny families fair consideration under the law.
Our position is straightforward: A person's health condition should not automatically determine whether they deserve the opportunity to live with their family. A disability should not automatically define someone's financial future. And a U.S. citizen's own health challenges should not automatically prevent them from pursuing lawful family reunification.
We ask for fairness, individualized consideration, clear guidance, and compassion while maintaining the legitimate requirements of U.S. immigration law.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
We respectfully request that the responsible agencies:
Provide a public explanation of the causes of prolonged immigration and visa processing delays.
Publish meaningful updates about processing backlogs and realistic timelines for each major stage, including USCIS receipt notices, petition approvals, NVC processing, documentary qualification, interview scheduling, administrative processing, and final visa issuance.
Provide greater transparency regarding USCIS and NVC backlogs and the number of applicants awaiting action.
Publish embassy-specific interview wait information and meaningful appointment availability updates across immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories.
Establish reasonable expectations and clearer timelines for interview scheduling, administrative processing, and final visa issuance.
Review cases that have remained in administrative processing for unusually long periods, particularly cases where interviews have already been completed and passports are being retained.
Provide clear explanations when applicants have been told that a case is approved but a visa has not been issued.
Address interview scheduling failures affecting CR-1, CR-2, IR-1, and IR-2 applicants, including situations where applicants have been told appointments will be scheduled but no appointment follows.
Improve communication so applicants receive meaningful responses rather than repeated generic explanations.
Establish better communication and escalation procedures for applicants whose cases exceed published processing expectations.
Ensure consistent procedures and fair access to information across U.S. embassies and consulates.
Improve coordination between USCIS, the National Visa Center, and the Department of State to prevent unnecessary administrative delays and processing bottlenecks.
Provide Congress with information about the scope, causes, and duration of these delays and the steps being taken to resolve them.
Provide clear public guidance regarding the application of public charge policies to affected immigrant visa categories and other applicable immigration processes.
Explain how medical conditions, disabilities, ongoing healthcare needs, financial circumstances, and available family support are evaluated under applicable immigration laws.
Ensure that public charge determinations are individualized and based on applicable legal standards rather than automatic assumptions about an applicant's health, disability, or medical history.
Provide transparency regarding the relationship between medical examinations, health-related grounds of inadmissibility, public charge considerations, and available waivers or other relief.
Ensure that U.S. citizen and lawful permanent resident sponsors receive clear guidance when their own medical or financial circumstances may affect the sponsorship process.
Recognize the importance of family support, caregiving, and reunification when evaluating applicants with ongoing medical or healthcare needs, consistent with applicable law.
Ensure that changes in immigration policies and interpretations are communicated clearly and applied consistently, with appropriate consideration of pending applicants and families already participating in the immigration process.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT
We recognize that the United States has a responsibility to conduct appropriate security checks, verify documentation, protect public health, and maintain the integrity of its immigration system.
We are not asking applicants to bypass required procedures, receive preferential treatment, or have legitimate security checks eliminated.
We are not asking for automatic approvals, guaranteed visa issuance, or exemptions from lawful eligibility requirements.
We are not asking the government to disregard legitimate public charge or medical inadmissibility standards.
We are asking for transparency, reasonable processing expectations, consistent communication, fair application of the law, and accountability when applicants have completed the required steps but remain in prolonged uncertainty.
Security, public health, and financial responsibility are important. However, these objectives should be pursued alongside fair procedures, individualized consideration, and respect for family unity.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Behind every application number is a real person, a real family, and a future waiting to begin.
There are spouses waiting to begin their lives together, children waiting to join their parents, fiancés waiting to marry, students waiting to pursue their education, workers waiting to begin employment, and parents waiting to reunite with their families.
There are also U.S. citizens who have fulfilled their responsibilities, submitted the required sponsorship documentation, and are waiting for the opportunity to bring their families home.
Some families are separated because of prolonged petition processing. Others are waiting for interview appointments. Some have completed their interviews, submitted every requested document, and even received indications of approval, yet remain separated without a clear explanation.
Some families are also facing uncertainty about how medical conditions, disabilities, financial circumstances, and public charge policies may affect their future together.
These are not simply administrative inconveniences.
They mean missed birthdays, missed holidays, lost opportunities, children growing up apart from parents, spouses unable to share everyday life, and families losing precious time that cannot be recovered.
People have followed the rules, paid the required fees, completed medical examinations, attended interviews, and complied with requests for additional information.
They deserve to know that their applications are being processed, that their concerns are being heard, and that the agencies responsible for their cases are working toward a resolution.
Family reunification should not mean years of uncertainty, silence, and unanswered questions.
The United States can maintain strong immigration standards while also ensuring transparency, fairness, efficiency, and compassion.
OUR CALL FOR ACTION
We respectfully ask the U.S. Department of State, USCIS, the National Visa Center, U.S. embassies and consulates, and the United States Congress to recognize the scope of these problems and take meaningful action.
This petition represents people from different countries, different backgrounds, different financial circumstances, and different visa categories who share one common concern:
A lack of transparency, communication, reasonable processing expectations, and accountability throughout the U.S. immigration and visa processing system.
We ask our elected representatives to examine these concerns, request information from the responsible agencies, and advocate for meaningful improvements.
We ask immigration agencies to communicate clearly, process applications as efficiently as reasonably possible, and provide applicants with meaningful information when delays occur.
We ask that public charge and health-related immigration policies be administered fairly and consistently, without automatically treating medical conditions or disabilities as barriers to family unity.
We ask for transparency.
We ask for communication.
We ask for accountability.
We ask for fairness.
Most importantly, we ask that the people and families waiting around the world not be forgotten.
Please support this petition, share your experiences, and help bring attention to the individuals and families affected by prolonged U.S. immigration and visa processing delays.
Together, our voices can make a difference.
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Petition created on November 2, 2026