If your visa or green card is on the way and seems to be taking a long time, then you are not alone. Even when the U.S. now uses more advanced techniques to estimate wait times (such as the new system of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), applications aren’t done yet. If you’ve already attempted to call USCIS through their Contact Center, and are stuck, a second step is to call your congressperson.
Congressmen provide a service to their constituents (the citizens of their district or state), and some of that service extends to dealing with federal agencies such as USCIS. They can’t intervene in any immigration decisions or make your visa application go through, but they can alert you to any backlogs or problems that may be dragging your case along.
How to Find Your State Senator or Congressional Representative
First, you will need to identify your state senator or US House of Representatives representative. Every congressman has people who deal with immigration inquiries and can be of service to you. These employees have worked with federal departments such as USCIS (if you are applying for a visa or green card in the United States) or the Department of State (DOS) (if you are applying from abroad).
You can call one office and only one office if you require support so you don’t get confused or get stuck. Choose the one you want to talk to based on their background in immigration and what they believe in.
- Find your U.S. Senator: Log on to the US Senate website and look up your senator by state.
- Locate your Congressional Representative: Enter your zip code on the U.S. House of Representatives website to find your representative.
How to Contact Your Representative
After you have found your rep, you can email or call them. Email is usually best because you can track it and reply to it. But you can also call their office on the same number if you need any immediate assistance.
Your representatives usually have 2 numbers: your district office (where you are located) and their Washington, DC office. If you need to report something, you may want to call the district office as there are dedicated staff in the district office for constituent services like immigration.
Make sure to mention when you call that you’re a resident of your district and you need help processing your visa. Don’t forget to ask for the best person to call about your situation.
The Privacy Waiver: What You Need to Know About It
For privacy reasons, congressional offices can’t contact USCIS or any other federal agency without your consent. You’ll have to sign a privacy waiver to authorize them. It is your representative’s legal record that will help him or her get the status of your visa and request from USCIS or any other authorities.
Your average rep will have a privacy waiver form on their website. The form typically asks for:
- Name, Address, Date of Birth, ID number, A-number (if any) of your USCIS receipt number, and other pertinent information.
- Case Information: You should have the Visa type, where you applied, and the date of application.
- Description of the Problem: Describe the issue and what you have tried to do so far to solve it.
- Documents to Back Up Your Application: These may be USCIS receipts, any correspondence with USCIS, or other important documents associated with your application.
When you’ve signed the privacy waiver, your agent can make an inquiry to USCIS for you.
What Happens Next?
Once you’ve reached out to your representative, if you ask congressional questions via email, USCIS typically has 30 days to respond. Your agent can reach out to USCIS directly and usually, they’re there the same day.
But don’t forget that calling your representative doesn’t guarantee your case will get pushed through or done faster. But it’s a good way to spotlight yourself if there are any weird delays or problems with your application.
Are You Having Problems With Green Card Application?
If possible, you can get your congressperson to ask your case but this doesn’t necessarily expedite the process. If you are applying for a green card, Law and Visas can help you get your application all set and filed properly. We will take you through the forms, make sure you know what your rights are, and make sure your case gets completed.
Your agent is also a source of assistance if you’re running into trouble with your visa or green card process. But for long-term support, try services such as Law and Visas to help you with the immigration process.
