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Case Stories
⏳ I-485 Marriage-Based Denied and Reopened - Mexico PD 2023-05
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⏳ **Case Status: Pending**
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A Mexican national filed an I-485 in May 2023 through marriage to a lawful permanent resident. The case was initially denied under INA 245 eligibility grounds, then reopened after a motion/appeal. After multiple interviews, an RFE, and over 3 years of processing, the case remains pending awaiting a final decision.
Applicant from Mexico filed I-485 in May 2023 based on marriage to a lawful permanent resident (LPR). Case was denied in August 2023 citing INA Section 245 adjustment of status ineligibility. Following a motion/appeal, USCIS reopened the case. The applicant attended a first interview in late 2024 where the officer indicated things looked favorable but processing would continue due to the petitioner's LPR status at the time. A second interview was canceled and rescheduled, but USCIS sent the applicant home stating it had been scheduled in error. An RFE was issued in March 2026, responded to in April 2026. Notably, the petitioner has since naturalized and become a U.S. citizen, which upgrades the petition from family-based 2A to immediate relative, removing visa number backlog concerns. Congressional inquiry has been initiated. Case remains pending as of May 2026.
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**[📎 View Original Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/comments/1ts8m8z/i485_pending_for_over_3_years_anyone_else_in_the/)**
*Source: Reddit I-485 EB*
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*This post was automatically curated from online sources to share real case experiences with the community.*
Cases initially denied under INA 245 and later reopened via motion tend to follow non-standard processing tracks, often involving manual officer review rather than automated queues. The petitioner's naturalization is a significant development — it converts the basis to an immediate relative category, eliminating any visa bulletin wait, but USCIS must formally acknowledge the upgrade. Post-RFE response timelines at field offices currently range from 3 to 12+ months depending on office workload. Cases with prior denials and reopenings frequently take longer than standard processing. If no decision follows within 6 months of RFE response, a mandamus lawsuit is a recognized legal tool to compel adjudication — courts have jurisdiction over unreasonably delayed agency action under the APA.