Understanding I-485 “Reject After Ingest” and How to Navigate It

Key Takeaways

“Reject After Ingest” occurs when USCIS processes Form I-485 but later rejects it, often due to an outdated priority date.
Applicants must review USCIS’s rejection notice, ensure their priority date was current when filing, and may need to refile Form I-485.
Missing USCIS deadlines for refiling could jeopardize benefits like EAD/AP or lead to falling out of immigration status.

The “Reject After Ingest” status for Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) is an uncommon but impactful challenge that some applicants may face during the green card process. This status arises when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) initially accepts the application for processing but later determines that the application should not have been accepted. As a result, the application is rejected after its initial intake, or “ingestion.”

This issue is most often linked to filing errors, particularly when the applicant’s priority date is not current. The priority date is a key point in the timeline for green card applicants, especially for family-sponsored or employment-based categories that are subject to annual caps. Essentially, the priority date signifies when an applicant is eligible to apply for adjustment of status based on visa availability. If the date is not current as per the Visa Bulletin at the time of filing, the application may later face rejection.

Understanding I-485 “Reject After Ingest” and How to Navigate It

Real-Life Example of “Reject After Ingest” Status

An actual case reported on October 21, 2024, highlights the challenges posed by this status. In this case, the applicant filed their Form I-485 and had progressed significantly in their journey—receiving approval for both an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP), and even completing their adjustment of status interview in May 2024. Despite these advancements, the applicant received a “Reject After Ingest” notice because their priority date was not current when they filed the application.

This situation can be deeply frustrating for applicants. Many invest considerable time, money, and effort only to encounter setbacks late in the process. USCIS, in such cases, typically returns the filing fees and requests applicants to submit a new Form I-485. This can delay the green card process further.

Steps to Address “Reject After Ingest” Status

If you receive this status, there are specific steps you can take to move forward effectively:

Review the Rejection Notice: The rejection notice from USCIS will explain why the application was rejected after ingest. Knowing the specific reason is critical to addressing the problem.
Verify Whether Your Priority Date Was Current: The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the Department of State, tells you whether your priority date was current when you filed. If your priority date wasn’t current at filing, this might explain the rejection. If you find a mistake in USCIS’s assessment, you’ll need to submit evidence supporting your claim.
Prepare a New I-485 Application: If the rejection was valid, you will need to file a corrected I-485. This requires careful attention to detail to avoid repeating past mistakes. Make sure to provide accurate and updated information, particularly concerning your eligibility.
Include an Explanation Letter: When refiling, you should include a letter explaining your situation. Applicants who have already received EAD/AP approvals or completed an interview should highlight these details in their letter. This provides USCIS with context and ensures all relevant facts are documented.
Seek Legal Counsel: Given the complexity of these cases, consulting with an immigration attorney is strongly advisable. An attorney can guide you on refiling, gathering evidence, or appealing erroneous decisions.

What Sets “Reject After Ingest” Apart from Other USCIS Decisions

The “Reject After Ingest” status is distinct from both a typical rejection and a denial. A standard rejection occurs when USCIS identifies errors or deficiencies during the initial intake—such as missing signatures or incorrect fees—and refuses to process the application. In a denial, the application is reviewed fully, and USCIS makes an official determination that the applicant does not meet eligibility criteria. In contrast, the “Reject After Ingest” status is an administrative action where USCIS initially processes the file before later deciding it shouldn’t have been accepted.

Policy Changes and Filing Errors

Past policy developments underscore the importance of staying updated on USCIS procedures. For instance, in early 2023, USCIS mistakenly rejected Form I-485 filings that used the then-current edition date of 7/15/22. Applicants filed their forms based on the acceptable version but still faced rejection due to USCIS errors. While such cases involve USCIS’s missteps, they highlight the importance of vigilance. Applicants should always consult official USCIS resources to confirm they are using the correct form version, meeting deadlines, and including required fees.

Broader Impacts of a “Reject After Ingest” Status

This status can have serious consequences for applicants. If their I-485 application is rejected, any associated benefits—like EAD, which allows a person to work in the U.S., or AP, which permits overseas travel—may also be affected. Moreover, if their underlying nonimmigrant status has expired, applicants may suddenly find themselves at risk of being out of status. Acting swiftly to address the issue becomes all the more crucial in these situations.

It’s important to note that USCIS often provides a deadline for refiling after a rejection. Missing this deadline could have adverse consequences, including losing eligibility for adjustment of status or having to restart the entire process.

What to Do When You Believe a Rejection Was Wrong

In situations where the “Reject After Ingest” notice seems to be a mistake, you have the option of filing a motion to reopen your case. This involves requesting USCIS to take another look at its decision and ensure it is right. However, USCIS will only grant such requests if you provide new and relevant evidence—proof that wasn’t available or considered when the initial decision was made. For instance, this might include confirmation that your priority date was actually current when you applied, contrary to USCIS’s assessment.

Misunderstandings About “Reject After Ingest”

It’s worth addressing what this status does not signify. Firstly, it is not the same as an “abandonment” of an I-485 application. Abandonment typically happens when an applicant misses a biometrics appointment, fails to respond to USCIS’s requests for additional evidence, or does not appear for an interview. Secondly, this status does not reflect deliberate wrongdoing or false representation by the applicant; it is an administrative or procedural decision based on established filing rules.

For employment-based green card applicants, checking that the I-140 petition remains valid is essential when dealing with a rejection. If the I-140 is invalid or revoked, it could create additional barriers to refiling.

Conclusion

The “Reject After Ingest” status presents challenges but is not an end to your green card journey. Resolving this issue requires attentiveness, action, and often legal guidance. By reviewing USCIS’s grounds for rejection, verifying the accuracy of your submission, checking your priority date against the Visa Bulletin, and refiling promptly, you can keep the process moving forward. In more complex cases, especially those involving previously approved benefits like EAD/AP or completed interviews, an attorney’s expertise becomes particularly valuable.

VisaVerge.com highlights that immigration is often a complex and evolving process. To stay informed, applicants should routinely consult official resources such as the USCIS website for updates on filing instructions, form versions, and eligibility requirements. With careful preparation and timely action, the hurdles posed by a “Reject After Ingest” can be overcome, allowing you to continue pursuing your green card aspirations.

Learn Today

Reject After Ingest → Administrative status where a previously accepted application is later rejected due to filing errors or processing inconsistencies.
Priority Date → A key date determining when a green card applicant is eligible to apply based on visa availability.
Visa Bulletin → A monthly publication by the U.S. Department of State showing current priority dates for green card applications.
Adjustment of Status → Process allowing individuals already in the U.S. to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) → A card issued by USCIS allowing a non-citizen to work legally in the United States.

This Article in a Nutshell

“Reject After Ingest” is a rare, frustrating twist in the green card process. USCIS initially processes Form I-485 but later rejects it, often due to filing errors like an outdated priority date. Applicants must refocus fast: review USCIS’s notice, verify dates via the Visa Bulletin, and refile carefully. Legal guidance helps!
— By VisaVerge.com