My wife, who has been in the US on a visa since 2003 had to renew her status this year. She mailed everything in on July 7 and today her form 797 arrived in the mail, confirming her continued lawful status in the Estados Unidos. Why does it take them 8 days to receive the mail and turn around the letter? Why can't it be instant?

The bigger problem is that if you just come to America and comply with its fairly easy to comply with laws the government will just let you stay however long you want but if you have 9 DUIs and get arrested for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute they will deport you. It's just not fair.