What is a NOIR - and what should you do if you receive one?
A NOIR - Notice of Intent to Revoke - is a written notice from USCIS stating that it intends to take back a petition it already approved. It is not a final decision: you have a chance to respond with evidence first. The window is short, often about 30 days from the date on the notice, and the date printed on your notice controls. If you receive one, gather the notice and your file and speak with a licensed immigration attorney right away.
What is a Notice of Intent to Revoke?
A NOIR is USCIS’s formal warning that it plans to undo a prior approval - for example, an approved I-130 family petition or an I-140 employment petition that supports a green card. The notice must state the specific grounds USCIS is relying on, and it must give the petitioner an opportunity to submit evidence and argument in opposition before the agency makes a final decision. The governing regulation for revocation on notice is 8 C.F.R. § 205.2.
The key thing to understand: a NOIR is a proposal, not a final ruling. Nothing has been revoked yet at the moment you receive it. What happens next depends heavily on whether - and how - you respond.
Why are former Alexandra Lozano / Luz Legal clients receiving NOIRs?
According to press reports, at least one former client of Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law has received a NOIR on an already-approved green card, and some immigration attorneys believe USCIS may be reviewing filings tied to the firm more broadly. The firm closed in June 2026 after its founder gave up her law license, and the Washington State Bar Association and a federal civil lawsuit have alleged, among other things, that applications were filed without attorney review.
If you receive a NOIR, the reason it was issued matters less in the first 48 hours than the clock attached to it. Read the next section carefully.
These allegations come from the Washington State Bar Association and from plaintiffs in pending federal civil litigation. Allegations are not findings; no court has ruled, and the defendants are presumed to deny them. If your case was handled by that firm, see our guide for former Alexandra Lozano / Luz Legal clients.
How long do I have to respond to a NOIR?
The deadline is printed on the notice, and it is short. In practice it is commonly around 30 days from the date of the notice, but you should never rely on a remembered number - read the date on your specific notice and treat that date as controlling. Count the days from when the notice is dated, build in time for mail and for gathering documents, and aim to file your response well before the deadline rather than on the last day.
A missed response window is one of the most damaging things that can happen to an immigration case. If you do not respond in time, USCIS can revoke the approval based only on the grounds in its notice - without ever hearing your side.
RFE vs. NOID vs. NOIR: what’s the difference?
These three USCIS notices are easy to confuse, but they sit at different stages of a case. The difference tells you how urgent your situation is and what is actually at stake.
| Notice | Stage of the case | What USCIS is saying |
|---|---|---|
| RFE | Still pending | Request for Evidence - "we need more before we can decide." |
| NOID | Still pending | Notice of Intent to Deny - "we are leaning toward denying; show us why we shouldn’t." |
| NOIR | Already approved | Notice of Intent to Revoke - "we approved this, and now we intend to take it back." |
What should you do if you receive a NOIR?
- 1.Find the deadline first. Locate the date on the notice and the response window. Write down the date your response must be filed.
- 2.Read the stated grounds. The notice must say why USCIS intends to revoke. Those specific grounds are exactly what your response has to address.
- 3.Gather your file. Pull together your full immigration file, the original petition, the approval notice, and any evidence relevant to the grounds raised.
- 4.Update your address. If USCIS does not have your current address (Form AR-11), you can miss notices entirely. Make sure your address is current, and if you are in immigration court, update the court too (Form EOIR-33).
- 5.Speak with a licensed immigration attorney promptly. A NOIR response is a substantive legal document - evidence plus argument answering the specific grounds - and the deadline is firm.
What not to do
- Don’t ignore it. A NOIR does not go away, and silence allows revocation.
- Don’t assume it’s a mistake. Even if you believe the notice is wrong, you still have to respond in writing, with evidence, by the deadline.
- Don’t pay anyone who guarantees a result. No one can promise how USCIS will decide. Be cautious of anyone who says otherwise.
- Don’t wait for the last day. Responses take time to prepare and assemble. Start early.
What happens after you respond?
After you submit your rebuttal, USCIS reviews it and decides whether to revoke the approval or reaffirm it. Because a NOIR is not a final decision, a well-supported response that directly answers the stated grounds is your opportunity to be heard. Outcomes depend on the specific facts, the grounds raised, and the strength of the evidence - and no result is guaranteed. If an approval is ultimately revoked, there may be further options depending on the case; an attorney can explain what applies to your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Does a NOIR mean my green card is already gone?
No. A NOIR is a notice of intent. The approval is still in place when you receive it, and you have the chance to respond before USCIS makes a final decision.
I think the NOIR was sent in error. Do I still have to respond?
Yes. Even if you believe the notice is mistaken, you must respond in writing, with supporting evidence, before the deadline. Explaining and documenting why the grounds are wrong is exactly what the response is for.
Can a NOIR be answered successfully?
A NOIR can be answered with evidence and legal argument addressing the specific grounds USCIS raised. Whether the approval is preserved depends on the facts and the evidence; no outcome is guaranteed.
What if my old attorney’s firm closed and I can’t reach them?
You can request your file, and a new attorney can enter an appearance using Form G-28 and request records as needed. If you were a client of a firm that closed, start with our guide for former Alexandra Lozano / Luz Legal clients.
Received a NOIR? Don’t wait on the deadline.
A licensed attorney can review your notice and your file and explain your options in plain language - in Spanish or English. Immigration is federal practice, so we can help wherever you are.
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William J. Vásquez
Founding attorney of Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC. Licensed in North Carolina and admitted to federal practice (immigration is federal practice). U.S. Air Force veteran. Appointed to the North Carolina Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs (2023). Legal counsel to the Mexican and Guatemalan Consulates in Raleigh. More than 15 years serving immigrant families.