As has been predicted by this NYC Family Immigration lawyer, the USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security have announced that starting August 15, 2011, all I-130 immigrant visas will have the option of filing at the Immigration agency’s Chicago Lockbox.
Previously, most family-based immigrant petitioners living overseas were required to file the I-130 immigrant visa at the USCIS office located at the closest U.S. Consulate. With this announcement, starting August 15th, petitioners will have the option of filing with the USCIS in the United States. The purpose behind the move is to reduce the costs to USCIS and to allow for better tracking of family-based immigrant petitions. Many practitioners are worried that the change will slow down the process for many families. The USCIS is already taking about five months to process most I-130 cases filed at the Chicago Lockbox.
This NYC family-based immigration attorney predicts that within a few years, the option of filing the I-130 at a local consulate will disappear completely.