Something is going on at the consulate in Ciudad Juarez but nobody knows exactly what.
Prior to late July, when a client filed a hardship waiver application, the consulate made a decision in 2-3 weeks about whether the application was "clearly approvable." If "clearly approvable," the consulate immediately issued the immigrant visa and the client returned to the U.S. after a separation of about 10 weeks.
In late July, without any warning or public explanation, the consulate suddenly started taking 6-8 weeks to make the decision on whether the application is "clearly approvable."
Clients and attorneys alike get very frustrated when these changes happen. Clients are upset (naturally) about the increased time apart from their spouse. They also often think the attorney must have known and not told them in advance. Not so. I often learn about changes to consulate procedure through my clients. I like to prepare my clients for what will happen, so these unannounced changes leave me looking a little foolish in the eyes of my clients as well as creating tension in the attorney/client relationship.
Will the processing times revert to 2-3 weeks? Nobody knows for certain. I suspect not. More likely, the processing time will remain at 8 weeks or get longer. Not ideal, but as I tell all my clients: enter into this process with the expectation that you will be apart for 15 months, then if you are apart for less than 15 months, e.g. for 3 months, you will be ecstatic.