A woman has been waiting for her green card for more than 20 years. Her daughter shared the story online, calling it a deeply painful and confusing journey. Despite marrying a US citizen, her case has been pending since 2006.
Two decades of waiting
The now-adult daughter says the delay feels endless. She believes the case was mishandled at some stage. Her mother hasn’t seen her parents in over two decades and is desperate to meet them again before it’s too late.
Experts call the delay irregular
Immigration experts confirm that a 20-year wait for a marriage-based green card is highly unusual. They advised the daughter to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to uncover what went wrong in the process.
How a FOIA request helps
A FOIA request provides full access to past USCIS decisions and timelines. It can reveal if any mistakes or misfilings occurred. This may be the only way to trace the problem and understand the reason behind the long delay.
Hope through Advance Parole
Experts also suggested applying for Advance Parole, a special travel document that allows temporary travel abroad during a pending green card process. This would help the mother visit her parents urgently while her case continues.
A painful reflection of the system
This 20-year wait highlights the harsh reality of US immigration. Even with legal marriage and proper filings, delays can stretch across generations turning a family’s hope into a long, uncertain struggle.
