What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Transferred” Mean for My DACA Application?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case status “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” means that USCIS moved your case to a different service center or field office. The new office will continue processing your case from there. USCIS may choose to transfer your DACA case for several reasons, including staffing shortages or processing delays. Cases may also be transferred if you, the applicant, move and are now in a new jurisdiction. If USCIS transfers your case, it will notify you via your online account and mail you a transfer notice. You don’t need to do anything, but take note that any future additional documentation for your case and any questions you have about your case will need to be directed to the new office.
Written by Amy Lane Carst.
Written February 2, 2023
My USCIS Case Status Says “Case Transferred.” What Does That Mean for My DACA Application?
At any point after you’ve submitted an application for DACA renewal and received a receipt number, you may see a “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” status update. This status update will include the information for the office to which your case has been transferred.
From this point forward, your case will be processed from the new location. A case transfer will not change your receipt number, nor will it delay your application’s processing time.
Although you don’t technically need to do anything when you see a “Case Transferred” status update, it is in your best interest to keep an eye out for additional documentation requests and questions, all of which must now be directed to the new office.
In addition to seeing the “Case Transferred” status update on your online USCIS account, you will receive an official transfer notice by mail. Physical notices received by mail often include additional details that are not available online.
Why Did USCIS Transfer My DACA Application?
USCIS can transfer DACA applications and applications for other immigration benefits at its discretion. In nearly every situation, a case transfer is nothing to be worried about! Some of the most common reasons for transferred DACA applications include:
Staffing shortages
Backlogs at specific offices
Applicant moving to another jurisdiction
Applicant sending the application to the wrong service center
Although backlogs and staffing shortages are two of the most common reasons for DACA case transfers, backlogged service centers do not always transfer cases to speed up the process. If your case is transferred to a new service center with shorter processing times, consider yourself lucky.
Your case may also be transferred if you move and your new address is in a different jurisdiction. According to USCIS, noncitizens must inform the agency of address changes.
Generally speaking, the only applicant error that results in a transferred case is sending your application to the wrong service center. In this situation, there is no guarantee that USCIS will transfer your case to the appropriate office. They may simply issue a rejection. As such, it is in your best interest to double check the filing address to avoid the possibility of a case rejection.
Can I Request a Case Transfer From USCIS?
Although it stands to reason that having your case transferred to a service center with shorter processing times will work in your favor, you are not allowed or able to request a case transfer. If your case falls outside of normal processing times, you can submit a request for more information.
What Should I Do if My DACA Renewal Case Gets Transferred to a New Office?
If your DACA application has been transferred to a new service center, do not panic! In almost every case, this transfer is simply an administrative action and no cause for concern. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do at this point but wait patiently for the next status update or any requests for additional information. It’s a good idea to check your USCIS account regularly for notices and follow any instructions provided.
Where in the DACA Application Process Might I See “Case Transferred” as My Status?
At any point after you have submitted your DACA application and gotten a receipt notice, you may see a status update of “Case Transferred.” In most cases, a transfer is simply administrative in nature and is no cause for concern. You will likely see the status update on your USCIS account first, but you should check your mailbox for an official notice with additional details.
A case status of “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” means that your case has been moved to a new service center or field office. This new office is now responsible for the processing of your case.
How Can I Track USCIS Case Status Changes?
When applying for any immigration benefit, including DACA renewals, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on case status changes. This is because your next status update may require you to take action, such as provide additional documentation or answer a question. USCIS usually sets a strict timeline within which to provide this information, so a timely response is critical.
Although the transfer status itself does not require action, it may soon be followed by an actionable request or status update. As such, it is important to check your USCIS online account regularly for status changes. You should also check your mailbox, as status updates are typically accompanied by physical notices that may provide more detailed information than the online update alone.