If the applicant is not in removal proceedings, where is the application filed?

When the applicant is not in removal proceedings, the application is properly filed at a Service Center. Service Centers are designated facilities within USCIS that handle various types of applications and petitions for immigration benefits, including family-based and employment-based applications.

Filing at a Service Center ensures that the application is processed by officers who specialize in evaluating the requests made for immigration benefits. These centers are designed to provide a centralized location for processing, which streamlines the application process and is more efficient than other options.

The other choices represent alternatives that may not be applicable when the applicant is not in removal proceedings. For instance, the Department of State typically deals with visa applications from outside the U.S., while Immigration Courts are exclusively focused on removal proceedings and other legal matters regarding immigration status. Designated Immigration Offices may facilitate certain local services but are not the designated locations for the initial filing of applications when removal proceedings are not involved.