I agree it needs to be bought into the 21st century - but it won’t add any burden to the tax payer. The fees for adjustment of status (or indeed applying for a visa abroad) take into account the “working hours” needed for a case. The fees will go up to take this into consideration when it happens.

It will totally add months or years to the process, and although they should NOT be reopening the underlying petition, I would hate to see an inexperienced officer reopening an employment based case.

Having been through the employment GC process (I was lucky...Rest Of world on EB3) the wait was mercifully short - a little shy of 18 months. However - I would have happily submitted to an interview.

My hazy recollection of the process is that it tended to be optional, some people got interviewed others didn’t (I didn’t), dependent on what category and various other factors (*cough*probably skin color*cough*). This sounds like they are making it mandatory for more categories.