A green card holder who recently became a US citizen now faces an unusual problem. They had filed an I-130 for their spouse as an LPR, and the case should move to the IR-1 category after naturalisation.
Expected upgrade from F2A to IR-1
Their spouse was earlier set for approval under F2A. With citizenship, the petition should switch to IR-1, which removes wait times and grants immediate visa availability.
Online status still unchanged
Even after naturalisation, the online case still shows no upgrade. The couple now wants to confirm whether USCIS has processed the change internally.
Experts warn online systems lag
Experts note that online portals often fail to reflect upgrades. They suggest collecting proof of naturalisation through an attorney and contacting USCIS directly.
Need to speak with Tier 2 agent
The couple must speak to a Tier 2 officer and confirm the category change. If USCIS has not updated it, they must submit proof to complete the upgrade.
FOIA as a difficult last step
Slow responses push many applicants to take extreme measures. A FOIA request becomes the only path when USCIS communication breaks down.
Urgency for confirmation
USCIS delays are now common. The couple must confirm the IR-1 upgrade soon, and FOIA may become their final option if contact fails.
