Are you nervous because your USCIS case was transferred to another office?

Are you nervous because your USCIS case was transferred to another office?

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Has it happened to you? Was your case transferred to another office? Don’t worry! The USCIS service center sometimes transfers cases to other offices for different reasons. Continue reading to find out more!

Many people get nervous because the USCIS California service center transfers cases unexpectedly, but the truth is that it is not a cause for concern.

You should know that case transfers at USCIS contributed to an unprecedented reduction in the number of immigration cases in 2023, serving 10 million applications since they usually move cases to the offices that are less busy, where they are more ahead with work or any other reason.

Key Takeaways

• Case transfers by USCIS are not a cause for concern and do not negatively affect the applicant’s processing.
• When case transfers are done, they help distribute the workload between different USCIS offices, helping to process applications more efficiently.
• The case receipt number remains the same regardless of which office it is transferred to, and the applicant will be notified of any transfer.

What does it mean that my case transferred to another office and a new office has jurisdiction?

The “transferred case” tag only indicates that the office where you were following up on your case has been reassigned and that, therefore, you must continue with your process in the new office assigned to you.

When you learn that a new office has jurisdiction, it means that no other USCIS office can work on your case because, in the United States, jurisdiction refers to which State and type of office you must continue with your process. For example, if your case has been transferred to California, you would not be able to continue processing in any other state because USCIS transfers the case to a new jurisdiction.

Why is my case transferred to another office, and what should I do if there is a change of address at USCIS?

One of the problems during 2023 for USCIS was the number of applications it processed; in fact, “A Day in the Life of USCIS” presents data on how they process more than 3,500 applications per day. On some occasions, they often have problems that lead to delays, which, as a consequence, means distributing work to achieve better performance.

This is how the record year for USCIS in 2023 was possible. Thanks to the distribution of work, they have managed to process more than 10 million applications. Hence, case transfers are important on some occasions since they allow the naturalization of pending procedures to be expedited.

Thanks to these managed figures and the tireless work of USCIS throughout 2023, almost 1 million people managed to receive US citizenship. Therefore, there is nothing wrong if you receive a notification of transfer of your naturalization case from the United States Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

How will my case be affected in the event of a transfer?

The reason why USCIS transfers a case should not worry you since you will be notified eventually, but it is possible that the processing time may change since it depends on each office, so it is important that you immediately find out where your USCIS service center is.

Remember that the receipt number given to you is unique, and if your case started in Nebraska, for example, but was transferred to California, it will remain the same; that is, it would be: “LIN + 13 characters”.

Please note that the receipt numbers you may have are:

• California: WAC + 13 characters.
• Nebraska: LIN + 13 characters.
• Texas: SRC + 13 characters.
• Vermont: EAC + 13 characters.
• If your case was processed by NBC: MSC or NBC + 13 characters.
• If your case was processed online: IOE + 13 characters.

As you can see, contrary to what some tend to think, the receipt number does not change, but furthermore, the change of jurisdiction does not include a new receipt number whose status you can check at USCIS. You can also call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283.

Track my USCIS case? Please note that you will be asked for your receipt number, so don’t lose it!

On the other hand, if you are processing your naturalization process with the USCIS headquarters online, you can find out if they have received it so that you can be informed of the step that would come next, although to do so, you must know how to send an application to USCIS.

What if I want to request priority processing?

If your request qualifies for priority processing and you wish to do so after the transfer has been made, you must:

• File your Form I-907 at the Service Center where your petition or application is currently being processed, and
• Send a copy of Form I-797, Notice of Receipt of Your Pending Petition or Application.

If you don’t do both, USCIS may reject your Form I-907.

If you need help with your immigration petition, we advise you to contact an immigration lawyer in San Diego, California, today. An immigration attorney’s expertise will allow you to know exactly what to do in every step of the immigration process, ensure you do not make any mistakes, and that you choose the best path for your situation. Contact Kannan Law today!

Summary

USCIS transfers cases to different offices to improve efficiency in processing applications. This does not imply either an improvement or a deterioration in the status of the case. In 2023, this practice allowed USCIS to handle more than 10 million applications, resulting in a record of nearly one million new US citizens. Transfers help reduce the workload in busier offices, guaranteeing a more agile process. Despite the office change, the case receipt number remains the same, and applicants will be appropriately notified of the transfer and the corresponding new jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does naturalization take in the United States?

Obtaining naturalization in the United States can take, at best, a minimum of 6 months, but the regular average ranges between 18 and 24 months on average.

How many people have obtained the US citizenship?

Out of the 31.6 million immigrants who are either naturalized or likely eligible for naturalization, 24.2 million—equivalent to 76.6 percent—have already obtained US citizenship [1].

What should I do if my case is transferred to another office?

First of all, you must stay calm and follow the instructions that will arrive with the transfer message of your case, either by email or postal mail.

Why does USCIS transfer cases between offices?

To speed up the work and respond to as many pending procedures as possible, there are other possible reasons such as workload, need for an interview, among others.

What states have the highest naturalization rates?

The states with the highest naturalization rates are Florida (82.7%), West Virginia (82.1%), Vermont (81.8%), and New Jersey (81.7%) [2].

How many naturalizations have taken place in the past years?

Naturalizations in fiscal years 2022 and 2023 accounted for nearly a quarter (24%) of all naturalizations over the past decade [3].