Online Inquries for Pending I-129 TN Petitions

With the recent extensive delays affecting TN I-129 petitions, employers may make use of a new USCIS tool that allows petitioners to submit an online inquiry after the petition has been pending for more than 210 days. However, it appears that USCIS is limiting this tool to petitions requesting an extension of status or a change in employer, and not for initial TN petitions (Canadians only) or petitions requesting a change of status. Previously, such inquiries could only be made when the petition was pending outside of normal processing times. Now it seems USCIS is placing a definitive period as to when petitioners may inquire upon the status of these types of petitions.