We’re continuing to see surprisingly fast processing times for family-based adjustment of status applications—at least from the Baltimore Field Office.
On May 8, 2025, we shared that I-130/I-485 packages filed in March 2025 for the parents of a U.S. citizen had already been scheduled for an interview. At the time, this seemed like a rare acceleration. But the pattern has since continued.
As of late June 2025, we’ve confirmed multiple family-based I-485 applications filed in March 2025—including those based on marriage, K-1 fiancé(e) visas, and petitions for parents of U.S. citizens—have received interview notices for July. These cases were all processed through the Baltimore Field Office.
This pace is unusually fast and appears to benefit only the most recent filings. Older family-based cases, including many from 2024 or earlier, remain pending with no update.
FIFO or LIFO?
Traditionally, USCIS follows a FIFO (“first in, first out”) approach to ensure fairness in case adjudication. But the recent pattern suggests that Baltimore may be operating more like LIFO (“last in, first out”)—pulling newly filed cases from the top of the pile, potentially because they’re simpler to manage or less likely to have background complications.
It’s unclear whether this approach reflects a broader USCIS shift, a Baltimore-specific strategy, or simply temporary triaging due to internal case backlogs.
What This Means for Applicants
If you’re planning to file a family-based adjustment of status application, the Baltimore Field Office appears to be processing recent cases with remarkable speed. However, applicants with older filings may still experience longer wait times despite USCIS’s stated FIFO principles.
We’ll continue monitoring these developments and sharing updates.