Receiving a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can feel overwhelming. The language is often formal, the implications are profound, and the deadline is tight. But a NOID is not a denial. It is an opportunity to respond, clarify, and strengthen your case.
Knowing how to handle a NOID strategically and quickly can make all the difference in the outcome of your immigration journey. Our Chicago immigration attorney, Shobhana Kasturi, can help. Here’s how.
What Is a NOID and Why Did You Receive One?
A NOID is issued when USCIS intends to deny your immigration petition or application, but gives you one final chance to address their concerns. This could be due to missing documents, inconsistent statements, or doubts about the validity of your case, such as concerns about a good-faith marriage, employment eligibility, or insufficient evidence of hardship.
The notice will explain the reasons for the potential denial and provide a short window (often just 30 days) to submit additional evidence or explanation.
Step One: Read the NOID Carefully and Stay Calm
Before reacting, take a breath and read the entire notice thoroughly. Identify precisely what USCIS is questioning. Are they asking for more documentation? Are they accusing you of fraud or misrepresentation? Is it a misunderstanding that can be cleared up with context?
Panic can lead to rushed decisions or incomplete responses. Stay calm and treat the NOID as a roadmap; it tells you what to address and gives you a timeline for doing so.
Step Two: Contact an Immigration Attorney Immediately
Time is limited, and responding to a NOID requires more than simply mailing in a few documents.
Our Chicago immigration attorney will:
- Analyze the legal and factual basis for the NOID.
- Help you prepare a well-organized, evidence-backed response.
- Draft persuasive arguments explaining any discrepancies or gaps.
- Ensure that your response directly addresses each point raised by USCIS.
At this stage, professional guidance can significantly impact your case’s outcome. A detailed legal submission is often the key to approval.
Step Three: Collect and Organize Strong Supporting Evidence
Your response should not only correct or clarify the issue but also reinforce the strength of your overall case.
Depending on the type of petition or application, this might include:
- Affidavits from credible individuals.
- Additional financial documents or pay stubs.
- Medical or psychological evaluations.
- Photographs, correspondence, or proof of relationship timelines.
- Employer letters or updated job descriptions.
Make sure everything is labeled, easy to follow, and directly tied to the issue USCIS raised.
Step Four: File Before the Deadline, Not On the Deadline
USCIS must receive your response by the stated deadline. Late submissions are typically rejected, and your case could be denied without further review. Our legal team will work with you to quickly build a complete response package, ideally submitting it several days before the due date to account for mailing time and processing.
Contact Our Dedicated Immigration Attorney in Illinois Today
Receiving a NOID does not mean your immigration journey is over; it simply means that USCIS needs more clarity or reassurance before making a final decision. With the proper legal support and timely, strategic action, you may still receive the approval you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
At Kasturi Law, our immigration attorney helps individuals and families throughout Illinois, including those in Arlington Heights, Aurora, Champaign, Chicago, Naperville, Schaumburg, and nearby cities. Whether you’d like to meet in person, speak by phone, or connect via Zoom, we offer flexible scheduling, including the ability to book your consultation online, with options for 30-minute or 60-minute consultations.
Let us help you respond to your NOID with strength and strategy.