Appeals

There are different types of immigration appeals. It depends on what decision you are filing an appeal against. The appeal process in a very complicated process and usually requires an experienced attorney with appellant experience.

Should a petition or application be denied or revoked by the USCIS, in most cases you may appeal that decision to a higher authority. The Administrative Appeals Office ("AAO") has jurisdiction over 40 petitions and applications. If you receive a denial notice, it will advise you of your right to appeal, the correct appellate jurisdiction (AAO or BIA), and provide you with the appropriate appeal form and time limit.

There are strict deadlines that must be met to properly file an appeal. The appeal must be filed with the correct fee at the office that made the original decision. You may file a brief (explanation) in support of the appeal. After review, the appellate authority may agree with you and change the original decision, disagree with you and affirm the original decision, or send the matter back to the original office for further action.

In addition to the right to appeal (in which you ask a higher authority to review a denial), you may file a motion to reopen or a motion to reconsider with the office that made the unfavorable decision. By filing these motions, you may ask the office to reexamine or reconsider its decision. A motion to reopen must state the new facts that are to be provided in the reopened proceeding and must be accompanied by affidavits or other documentary evidence. A motion to reconsider must establish that the decision was based on an incorrect application of law or USCIS policy, and further establish that the decision was incorrect based on the evidence in the file at the time the decision was made. Any motion to reopen or reconsider must be filed with the correct fee within 30 days of the decision.

Should your appeal be denied by an immigration judge you have 30 days to file an appeal with the board of immigration appeals. Also an unfavorable decision from the board of immigration appeals must be appealed to the Federal Court of Appeals with jurisdiction over your case within 30 days.

With our firm, you will be represented and guided through the appeal process by an experienced appellate attorney who specializes in immigration law. Our firm will also keep you informed of any developments in your cases.