USCIS Bot Error Causes Alarm for EB-2 Applicants
An applicant seeking a US employment-based green card under the EB-2 category received conflicting updates about their case after their Priority Date became current in the latest visa bulletin.
A message from a USCIS virtual assistant indicated that the visa number had regressed, despite the bulletin confirming that the date is now eligible. The applicant holds a Priority Date of 14 April 2024. The most recent federal visa bulletin shows that this date is now current for the EB-2 category, making the case eligible to proceed. However, the automated response created uncertainty about whether the application might face additional delays.
In February 2026, the EB-2 category listed 1 April 2024 as the applicable Priority Date. At that time, the applicant’s later date of 14 April meant the case was marked as unavailable in internal records. Although the March 2026 bulletin now confirms eligibility, system updates can take time to reflect the change.
Immigration attorneys say such inconsistencies occur regularly. Applications may be transferred between the National Benefits Center and local field offices for interviews. If visa numbers are temporarily unavailable when an officer reviews a case, the file may be returned to another office. This movement can trigger automated messages that do not reflect the latest bulletin.
These technical delays are usually temporary, but they can cause concern for applicants who fear that their cases may be postponed until the next fiscal year.
Experts advise applicants to rely primarily on official USCIS correspondence and the main case status portal. These sources remain the authoritative channels for confirming case progress.
