Many employment-based green card applicants are suddenly receiving USCIS notices relating to Form I-485J even though their adjustment of status cases were filed years ago. Some applicants filed their I-485 or I-485J in 2020, 2021, or 2022 and are now receiving a new Form I-797C notice in 2026.

If this happens to you, do not automatically assume that there is a problem with your green card case.

In one recent example, the I-485J had a received date of April 1, 2022, but USCIS issued a new notice on August 21, 2026. The notice was connected to USCIS online account access and referenced the already-filed I-485J.

The most important thing is to carefully distinguish between the original filing or received date and the date USCIS generated the new notice. A 2026 notice does not necessarily mean that USCIS believes a new I-485J was filed in 2026.

Applicants should also read the notice carefully before reacting. Determine whether it is simply an account access notice, a receipt-related notice, an RFE, an interview notice, or some other USCIS communication. These notices have very different legal consequences.

Do not file another I-485J, withdraw anything, or take unnecessary action simply because a new notice suddenly appears. First compare the receipt number, received date, applicant information, and underlying case with your prior records.

The bottom line is simple: if you filed an employment-based adjustment case several years ago and suddenly receive an I-485J-related USCIS notice today, do not panic. Review what the notice actually says. In many cases, USCIS may simply be generating a new notice or providing online account access for an older filing.

By : Rahul Reddy

Rahul Reddy is the founding partner of Reddy Neumann Brown PC. He founded our firm in 1997 and has over 28 years of experience practicing employment-based immigration. Rahul‘s vast knowledge of the complex immigration system makes him an invaluable resource and an expert in the field. His personal experience with the immigration system has made him empathetic to each of his clients’ cases and empowered him to help others achieve the American Dream.

Rahul‘s dedication to serving the immigrant community is evident, from his daily free conference calls to his weekly immigration Q&As on Facebook and YouTube Live. He is an active member of the immigrant community and one of the founders of ITServe Alliance. He has been a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association since 1995.