---
title: "Triage an adverse USCIS decision for a possible appeal or motion"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/triage-a-refusal-or-cancellation-decision-for-urgent-review/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A30-P20260916-1-US"
practice_area: "Immigration & Migration Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Triage an adverse USCIS decision for a possible appeal or motion

> Extract the decision date, how the notice says it was served, the form number of the denied benefit and any appeal or motion language printed on the notice. Do not choose the form and do not count the days.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/triage-a-refusal-or-cancellation-decision-for-urgent-review/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Immigration & Migration Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Extract the decision date, how the notice says it was served, the form number of the denied benefit and any appeal or motion language printed on the notice. Do not choose the form and do not count the days. |
| What the lawyer must review | The USCIS Form I-290B page says the form is used for an appeal to the Administrative Appeals Office, a motion to the office that issued the latest decision, or certain appeals of a denied Form I-17. In most cases an appeal or motion must be filed within 30 calendar days of service, or 33 calendar days if the decision was mailed. An appeal of a revocation of an immigrant-petition approval under 8 C.F.R. § 205.2 must be filed within 15 calendar days, or 18 if mailed. Generally only an applicant or petitioner may file. A beneficiary of a revoked Form I-140 may file if the revocation notice says so. Appeals of Form I-130 go to the Board of Immigration Appeals on Form EOIR-29, not on Form I-290B. Do not file Form I-290B directly with the Administrative Appeals Office. From 7 October 2026 the mailing location changed, with a grace period for forms postmarked on or before 9 November 2026 sent to a prior location. You decide whether a filing is available. The tool writes none of it. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Triage a refusal or cancellation decision for urgent review](https://ailawframework.com/practice/immigration-and-migration-law/triage-a-refusal-or-cancellation-decision-for-urgent-review.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: Extract the decision date, how the notice says it was served, the form number of the denied benefit and any appeal or motion language printed on the notice. Do not choose the form and do not count the days.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- The 30-day and 15-day periods are the ones printed on the I-290B page. They are not a deadline for an immigration-court case.
- A consular visa refusal is not reviewed on Form I-290B. The page points that question to the Department of State.

## Sources

- [USCIS, Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion](https://www.uscis.gov/i-290b) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [USCIS, Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers](https://www.uscis.gov/i-140) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*