Recent developments in how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, have drawn attention from the U.S. immigration community.

According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)’s practice analysis, Practice Pointer: Form I-130 Processing Changes and Processing Times, USCIS appears to be routing an increasing number of standalone I-130 petitions to local Field Offices for further review, where an in-person interview may be requested.

This development is important for families with pending petitions for spouses, children, parents, or siblings seeking to immigrate to the United States.

What should petitioners understand? AILA’s analysis describes trends reported by immigration practitioners and changes reflected in publicly available USCIS workload data. It does not mean USCIS has officially announced that every I-130 petition must undergo an interview. Each case remains subject to USCIS review and its specific requirements.

1. Where Is This Update Coming From?

The information is discussed in AILA’s practice analysis and is supported by publicly available USCIS data concerning I-130 workloads during Fiscal Year 2026.

Some notable figures include:

• In the second quarter of FY2026 (January–March 2026), approximately 2,059,164 pending I-130 petitions were reported at USCIS Service Centers.
• By the third quarter of FY2026 (April–June 2026), that figure had decreased to approximately 140,610.
• During the same period, the number of pending petitions at Field Offices increased significantly.
• The Houston Field Office reported 13,157 pending I-130 petitions in the second quarter, compared with 91,830 in the third quarter.

These figures indicate a substantial shift in the distribution of pending I-130 cases among USCIS offices. AILA identifies this shift as a possible indication of changes in USCIS processing practices.

2. Who May Be Required to Attend an I-130 Interview?

Based on cases reported to AILA, routing a petition to a Field Office may result in an in-person interview request.

Depending on the case, USCIS may require the following individuals to attend:

The Petitioner

The U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who filed the petition may be asked to appear in person to answer questions and verify the claimed family relationship.

The Beneficiary Residing in the United States

If the beneficiary is physically present in the United States, USCIS may require the beneficiary to attend the interview together with the petitioner.

The Beneficiary Residing Outside the United States

For cases undergoing consular processing, AILA has reported instances in which USCIS interviewed only the petitioner in the United States. However, interview arrangements may vary depending on the case and USCIS instructions.

Important: The USCIS Interview Notice should be treated as the controlling document for determining who must attend, as well as the interview date, location, and required documentation. Do not automatically assume that a beneficiary living abroad will always be exempt from attending.

3. How Could This Affect Your I-130 Petition?

The reported trend may affect families in several ways.

1. An Additional Interview Step May Be Required

A petition that may previously have been reviewed through submitted documents alone could now be routed to a Field Office for further review and a possible interview.

2. Petitioners May Need to Prepare for In-Person Questions

Petitioners may be asked to explain the family relationship, marital history, relationship timeline, information provided in the petition, and supporting documents.

3. Relationship and Family Evidence May Need to Be Updated

If a petition was filed a long time ago, the evidence originally submitted may not fully reflect the family’s current circumstances. Updated documents may be useful when preparing for an interview.

4. Information Must Be Consistent Across Documents

Differences among Form I-130, Form I-130A, civil records, addresses, marital history, and prior immigration filings may need to be reviewed and properly explained.

5. Certain Cases May Require an Immigration Risk Assessment Before the Interview

For beneficiaries residing in the United States, it may be important to review their entry history, immigration status, periods of authorized stay, possible status violations, prior removal proceedings, or other immigration concerns before attending an interview.

4. How Can Truong Law Firm, PLLC Help You Prepare?

At Truong Law Firm, PLLC, we focus not only on preparing petitions for filing but also on helping clients prepare for potential next steps in the USCIS process.

If USCIS requests an interview for your I-130 petition, we may assist with the following, depending on the circumstances of your case:

1. Review of Your Previously Filed I-130 Petition

• Review copies of the filed Forms I-130 and I-130A.
• Compare personal information, marital history, addresses, and important dates.
• Identify potential inconsistencies or matters that may require clarification.

2. Preparation of Family or Marital Relationship Evidence

Depending on the petition category, we can help identify relevant supporting documents, such as:

• Birth certificates and documents establishing parent-child relationships.
• Marriage certificates and evidence of the couple’s shared life.
• Family photographs, visits, and travel records.
• Joint financial or household documents, when available.
• Updated evidence reflecting developments since the petition was filed.

3. Development of a Relationship Timeline and Interview Preparation

We can help organize important events, review previously submitted information, and prepare potential questions tailored to the specific petition category.

4. Guidance Before the Interview

• Review the USCIS Interview Notice.
• Identify who is required to attend.
• Prepare a checklist of documents and supporting evidence.
• Help clients understand how to provide clear, truthful, and consistent answers.

5. Review of Potential Immigration Concerns

For cases involving complicated entry, immigration status, or prior immigration violations, we can help identify issues requiring further review and coordinate attorney evaluation before the interview.

Preparation should be tailored to the actual facts of each case. There is no single document package or set of answers that is appropriate for every petitioner and beneficiary.

FAQ

Q1. Does every I-130 petition now require an interview?

No. AILA has reported a trend toward increased routing of I-130 petitions to Field Offices and the possibility of more interviews. However, USCIS has not announced a rule requiring every I-130 petition to undergo an interview.

Q2. I filed my I-130 petition a long time ago. Could USCIS still request an interview?

Yes, it is possible. However, the filing date alone does not determine whether an interview will be required. USCIS makes case-specific decisions during adjudication.

Q3. If the beneficiary lives in Vietnam, must they travel to the United States for the I-130 interview?

Not necessarily. AILA has reported some cases in which USCIS interviewed the petitioner in the United States without requiring the overseas beneficiary to attend. However, the specific Interview Notice and USCIS instructions must be followed.

Q4. What if the beneficiary is already in the United States?

USCIS may require both the petitioner and beneficiary to attend. If the beneficiary has potential immigration status concerns, those issues should be reviewed before the interview.

Q5. I already submitted all required documents. Do I need to prepare anything else?

It is advisable to review the previously submitted petition and consider whether relevant evidence should be updated to reflect the current circumstances. Documents submitted years ago may not fully reflect the family’s current situation.

Q6. Can Truong Law Firm assist if another service provider filed my I-130 petition?

You may contact our firm to discuss the status of your case. After reviewing the available documents and scope of work, we can determine what type of assistance may be appropriate.

What Should You Do Now?

If you have a pending I-130 petition, do not focus only on waiting for an approval notice. This is a good time to review your petition and organize relevant supporting documents in case USCIS requests an interview.

If you have already received an Interview Notice, begin preparing as soon as possible rather than waiting until shortly before the scheduled interview.

Truong Law Firm, PLLC can assist with reviewing your I-130 petition, identifying potential concerns, and preparing you for a USCIS interview based on the specific circumstances of your case.

Contact Truong Law Firm, PLLC to discuss your I-130 petition and interview preparation.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on AILA’s practice analysis and the USCIS data discussed in that analysis. It is not an official USCIS announcement requiring interviews for all I-130 petitions and does not replace legal advice for an individual case. USCIS requirements and decisions may vary depending on the circumstances of each petition.