Have you ever faced unexpected requests during the immigrant visa process that seemed to delay everything? Administrative processing and DNA testing can throw a wrench in the process, but with the right legal guidance, the outcome can still be a success.
One of our recent clients from Ghana faced a lengthy journey to get her immigrant visa. Her mother, initially a Lawful Permanent Resident, filed an I-130 petition for her under the F2B category in 2013.
When her mother became a U.S. citizen in August 2019, the petition shifted to the F1 category, bringing her one step closer to receiving an immigrant visa.
This was the third case we worked on for this family. We had previously helped her mother secure green cards for her other daughter and her husband. The beneficiary was documentarily qualified by the NVC in February 2020, but that was just the start of the journey.
In September 2021, the family reached out to us to submit an expedite request due to the client’s medical hardships, which included heart and vision issues.
The expedite was approved, but there was still no interview date available due to COVID.
In May 2023, we updated the necessary documents and submitted follow-up letters to the U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana, requesting an interview date.
Finally, in January 2025, an interview was scheduled. Our client prepared for the interview, but we knew there might be issues because her birth certificate was late-registered. This situation could raise questions about the parent-child relationship.
We advised our client about the likelihood of a DNA testing request and helped her gather photos and evidence of her relationship with her mother.
As expected, the embassy issued a 221(g) administrative processing notice, requiring DNA testing. We guided her through the process, and when the DNA results came back, they confirmed the biological relationship.
After completing the necessary steps, her immigrant visa was officially issued on April 11, 2025, bringing her one step closer to reunification with her family in the United States!
Despite the administrative delays and documentation scrutiny, this client’s perseverance and our proactive strategy led to her successful approval.
Call us today at (914) 898-9488 or click here to book a consultation with one of our skilled immigration lawyers.
P.S. Every case is unique. Past successes do not guarantee similar future results. Consult a licensed immigration lawyer to discuss your specific situation.
