At RISE we are accredited by DHS: learn about the services we can offer you within the scope of USCIS
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
At RISE Immigration Services, we have a representative accredited by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This means that the United States government has formally authorized us to help and represent people like you before USCIS. We are not lawyers, but we have a special permit to act within the immigration system legally, ethically, and with the necessary knowledge.
What does this mean for you? It means you have someone by your side who knows the forms, deadlines, requirements, and intricacies of the system. Someone who can speak to USCIS on your behalf, review your case, respond to the letters they send you, and accompany you to your interviews. All within what the law allows, without crossing the lines that only lawyers can cross. And most importantly: we speak your language and understand your story.
Below, we explain in detail all the services we can offer you as DHS-accredited representatives.
Family petitions: the first step to reunite your family
If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and you want to petition for a family member to come live in the United States, family petitions are the way. We help you at every stage.
Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative): This is the main form to establish the family relationship. We prepare and file it for you, along with proof of the relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates, photos, etc.). For U.S. citizens petitioning for their spouse, the average processing time in May 2026 was 19 months. This process can vary by category; for example, K-1 fiancé visa applicants currently wait around 11 months for Form I-129F.
Adjustment of status (Form I-485): If your family member is already inside the United States and entered with a valid visa (for example, as a tourist or student), we can apply for their permanent residence without them having to leave the country. Processing times for the I-485 in 2026 vary: for employment-based cases they range from 9 to 35 months, and for family-based from 8 to 18 months; the overall range is 9 to 42.5 months.
Consular processing: If your family member is outside the United States, once USCIS approves the I-130, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC) and then to the embassy or consulate in their country for the interview. NVC times usually take several additional months after the I-130 approval.
Removal of conditions on residence (Form I-751): The green card obtained through marriage is conditional for two years. To convert it into a ten-year permanent residence, we must file the I-751 within the 90 days before the conditional card expires. As of April 2026, USCIS is taking between 28.5 and 32 months to process 80% of these petitions. The good news is that once filed, your status is automatically extended for 48 months while you wait for the decision.
Petitions for fiancé(e)s (K-1 Visa): If you are a U.S. citizen and want to bring your fiancé(e) to marry in the U.S., the K-1 visa is the path. First, we file Form I-129F with USCIS. As of June 2026, the average processing time for the I-129F is 11.5 months. Once approved, your fiancé(e) completes the process at the consulate in their country and, after arriving in the U.S., they have 90 days to marry. Then we can apply for adjustment of status so they can obtain their green card.
Citizenship and naturalization: the dream of becoming a U.S. citizen
Becoming a U.S. citizen gives you fundamental rights such as voting, protection from deportation, and the ability to petition for more family members. We accompany you through the entire process.
Citizenship application (Form N-400): You can file this form up to 90 calendar days before meeting the continuous residence requirements (5 years of residence, or 3 years if you obtained your green card through marriage to a citizen). As of May 2026, USCIS is taking between 6 and 10.5 months to process 80% of naturalization applications. However, times vary by the office handling your case: from 5.5 months in some areas to 13 months in others.
Preparation for interviews and the naturalization test: Since October 2025, the civics test changed. The question bank now has 128 questions instead of the previous 100. To pass, you must correctly answer at least 12 out of the 20 questions the officer asks you, which is a 60% success rate. Your ability to read, write, and speak basic English is also evaluated.
Work permits
[P - 18px]Having a legal work permit is essential to support yourself and your family while you wait for your green card or asylum case.
Initial applications and renewals of work permits (Form I-765): As of May 2026, I-765 processing times vary by category. For applicants with pending adjustment of status (category C09), current times are approximately 8 to 14 months in most service centers. In general, I-765 processing times in 2026 range from 1 month to 19.5 months, depending on the category.
A critical change you need to know: as of October 30, 2025, USCIS eliminated the automatic 540-day extension for work permit renewals filed after that date. This means that if your permit expires and you did not renew it far enough in advance, you will be left without legal work authorization while you wait for the renewal. That is why we recommend filing your renewal at least 180 days before your expiration date.
Travel documents
If you have a pending case with USCIS, leaving the United States without the proper documents can cause you to abandon your application.
Travel permits - Form I-131: As of May 2026, processing times for Advance Parole are approximately 22 months, while reentry permits take about 16 months. Without this permit, if you leave the country while your adjustment of status is pending, your residency application will be considered automatically abandoned.
Humanitarian programs
Some people have gone through terrible situations: domestic abuse, violent crimes, human trafficking. For them, there are humanitarian programs designed to offer protection and a path to residency.
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) - Form I-360: If you have suffered abuse by a family member who is a citizen or resident, you can self-petition for residency without your abuser knowing. VAWA processing times in 2026 average between 3 and 4 years (36-48 months). Fortunately, the law protects your identity and there is no filing fee for the I-360.
U visa for victims of certain crimes: If you have been a victim of a serious crime in the U.S. and cooperated with authorities, you can apply for a U visa. There is a legal cap of only 10,000 U visas per fiscal year, which has created a massive backlog. USCIS issues a bona fide determination that grants temporary work authorization in approximately 19.5 months, but final approval can take up to 9 years.
T visa for victims of human trafficking: If you were brought to the U.S. through force, fraud, or coercion, you can apply for a T visa. This program protects victims and allows them to obtain legal status and eventually residency. The time for a substantial decision is usually 2.5 to 3 years.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): For minors (under 21 years old) who have been abused or abandoned by their parents. First, a state court order is needed. Then we file the SIJS petition with USCIS so that the minor can apply for permanent residency.
Humanitarian protection (Affirmative Asylum)
If you fear returning to your country because of persecution due to your race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, you can apply for asylum in the United States.
Affirmative asylum applications (Form I-589): Affirmative asylum is filed directly with USCIS, not in court. The deadline to file is within one year of your last arrival in the U.S. (unless you qualify for an exception). Waiting times for an asylum interview vary greatly; some sources indicate it can take 1 to 3 years for a final decision. There is no filing fee for asylum.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
TPS is a temporary benefit for people from countries that have suffered natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions.
Initial TPS applications and renewals: We help you file your TPS application (Form I-821) and your associated work permit (I-765). Filing renewals on time is essential to avoid losing your status.
Permanent Residence
Whether you are adjusting your status from within the U.S. or you already have your green card and need help maintaining it, we offer these services.
Green card renewal or replacement (Form I-90): If your green card is about to expire, or if it was lost, stolen, or has errors, we can request a replacement. As of May 2026, processing times for the I-90 are approximately 10.5 months.
Responses to Requests for Evidence (RFE): If USCIS needs more information, RFEs have a strict deadline (usually 30 to 60 days). We help you understand what the agency is asking for, gather the evidence, and draft a clear and convincing response.
Preparation for residency interviews: For most adjustment of status cases, especially those based on marriage, USCIS conducts an interview. We prepare you with mock interviews and accompany you on the day of the interview.
Immigration waivers
If you are considered inadmissible due to unlawful presence, fraud, criminal history, or other reasons, you can request a waiver.
Provisional waiver I-601A: This waiver is for people who are in the U.S. without legal status but have a family member who can petition for residency. It is filed before leaving for the consular interview. As of April 2026, the average processing time is approximately 26 months.
Waiver I-601: This is a standard waiver for those outside the U.S. or in certain special circumstances. Its processing can take 20 to 30 months or more.
Extensions and changes of immigration status
If you are already inside the U.S. with a temporary visa and need more time or want to change to another status, we can help.
Extensions of stay and changes of status (Form I-539): If you entered with a tourist visa and want to extend your stay, or you wish to change status (for example, from tourist to student), we help you prepare and file the application. It is important to do this before the authorized date on your I-94 expires.
Representation before USCIS
As DHS-accredited representatives, we can officially act on your behalf before USCIS.
Form G-28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance): This form authorizes us to represent you. Once filed, USCIS officially recognizes us as your representatives and sends us all notifications about your case.
Direct communication with USCIS: We can make status inquiries, call by phone, and receive information about your case, saving you hours of waiting.
Assistance at USCIS interviews: We can physically accompany you to your interview, take notes, and help you feel more at ease.
Responses to RFEs and NOIDs: We help you respond to requests for evidence or notices of intent to deny, with strict deadlines of 30 to 60 days.
What we CANNOT do
As DHS-accredited representatives, we have very clear limits:
We cannot represent you before the Immigration Court.
We cannot file appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
We cannot litigate in federal courts.
We cannot file habeas corpus petitions.
We cannot represent you at bond hearings before immigration judges.
In summary: for everything that happens within USCIS, we can help you. For what happens in court, before a judge, or in federal courts, you need an attorney.
Clear information, not legal advice
We want to be very clear: we are DHS-accredited representatives, we are not lawyers. We cannot give you strategic legal advice or determine the best path for your particular situation. What we can do is explain how each process works, what the requirements are, the deadlines, and what documents you need. With that information, you can make informed decisions.
At RISE Immigration Services, our mission is to keep you informed through free resources like this blog and to offer you authorized and ethical services within the scope of USCIS. We are a community of Latinos helping Latinos, with honesty, transparency, and always within what the law allows.
References
Chodorow Law Offices. Updated USCIS Processing Times for I-130s and I-129Fs. May 27, 2026.
Manifest Law. I-130 Processing Time in May 2026: What to Know. May 4, 2026.
Manifest Law. Green Card Processing Times in June 2026: What to Expect. June 3, 2026.
Manifest Law. I-485 Processing Times in May 2026 - How Long It Takes. May 4, 2026.
Manifest Law. N-400 Processing Times in May 2026. May 4, 2026.
Manifest Law. I-765 Processing Times in May 2026. March 2, 2026.
Manifest Law. I-751 Processing Times: Latest April 2026 Data from USCIS. April 1, 2026.
Manifest Law. I-601A: Everything You Need to Know - 2026. April 17, 2026.
Manifest Law. Form I-131 Processing Times: May 2026. May 4, 2026.
Manifest Law. Green Card Renewal Current Processing Times: May 2026. May 4, 2026.
Manifest Law. K-1 Visa Processing Times: June 2026 Guide. June 3, 2026.
Manifest Law. U Visa Processing Time in June 2026: What to Expect. June 3, 2026.
Shepelsky Law. Realistic Immigration Case Processing Times in 2026. January 15, 2026.
Manifest Law. I-601 Waivers: Everything You Need to Know. April 9, 2026.
USCIS. VAWA Policy Manual Updates. December 2025.
USCIS. Automatic EAD Extension Rules Update. October 30, 2025.
SCHEDULE AN INFORMATIONAL CONSULTATION
At RISE Immigration Services, we are DHS-accredited representatives and we are here to help you with information, community guidance, and authorized services. We are a community of Latinos helping Latinos, but we are not lawyers. For specific legal advice about your case, always consult with a licensed immigration attorney.
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