What type of petitions does USCIS always have jurisdiction over?

USCIS has established jurisdiction over specific types of petitions and applications in various immigration contexts. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, is a fundamental petition used by U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to establish the relationship to a relative who is seeking to immigrate to the United States. This form is critical in the family-based immigration process, which falls squarely within USCIS's mission to adjudicate family reunification cases.

The jurisdiction over Form I-130 is consistent as it pertains directly to family relationship verification and the initiation of the immigration process for family members abroad. As such, USCIS maintains a standardized process to ensure that these petitions are reviewed and decided upon according to the law.

In contrast, while other forms do pertain to immigration benefits or status adjustments, they may not have the same level of jurisdictional consistency. For instance, Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) pertains to individuals already present in the U.S. and seeking to adjust their status, while Form I-589 is related to asylum claims, and Form I-765 is for work authorization applications. Each of these forms has varying circumstances and procedural nuances that may shift jurisdiction based on different factors. Therefore, Form I-130