Eugenie C
3h
i-485 Approved After Mandamus: My Full Timeline, Experience & Encouragement
Hi community. I recently had both of my pending applications approved. I had an asylum interview with USCIS and was approved 2 weeks later in Q1 of 2023.
My RTD ended up being approved entirely on its own — I received it on Nov 5 with a 1-year validity. I never did anything about expediting it.
For my green card, they got the application in early June-2024. The packet was complete, with a fee and medical papers. My case sat in “interview is ready to be scheduled” status since early April-2025 with absolutely no movement. My expedite request, Congresswoman inquiry, and Ombudsman inquiry were proven unsuccessful. Eventually I decided to file a writ of mandamus pro se (without an attorney). Honestly, it’s not as hard as lawyers try to make it seem, and many attorneys don’t specialize in mandamus anyway. Attorneys wanted at least $5K; I paid only the $405 filing fee + about $150 in postal costs (more on that adventure below).
I used this Reddit post (https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/zjYMKZ0oix, it’s called Step-by-Step Guide on How I Filed a Writ of Mandamus Without a Lawyer and How You Can Too) and ChatGPT for guidance. My defendants were Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, and Joseph Edlow, and I also served the U.S. Attorney General in my state and USCIS as an agency. I filed on Oct 21, and the defendants were served the same day.
USPS then proceeded to lose 4 out of 5 of my certified letters — they delivered only the one addressed to my state’s Attorney General 😂 I was so pissed! I had to go back to the court, get duplicate summons, and then ask my friend again to re-serve everyone, it was done on Nov 1. My anxiety was through the roof. 4 out of 5 were delivered, and on Nov 7 my green card was approved without an interview — before service of process was even completed. The final letter was delivered the day after the approval. I will still complete service and then dismiss the case as moot after I get the card in hand.
I’m now waiting for the physical green card. It was approved 6 days ago, and I already received the approval notice. Does anyone know how long it usually takes for the actual card to be printed and mailed? Do they send a separate “card was mailed” update?
A note of encouragement:
Never let your hope fade, and never be afraid to stand up for yourself. Fight for your own sunshine. US is a democratic country, and filing a mandamus is simply exercising the rights you already have, trying to get the service you paid $1440 for. Waiting for your green card to be approved for over 1,5 years is well beyond reasonable in any Universe. You won’t get in trouble for the lawsuit. If you have decent English, you absolutely can file on your own. And the money you save on legal fees? Do yourselves a favor and spend it on a trip abroad to celebrate getting “greened” and finally getting your wings back. ♥️✈️ Personally, I am going to Canada for Thanksgiving to celebrate my re-acquired freedom.
Good luck!
Asylum
Based on grant of asylum more than 1 year ago
Total Days: 522 days
Case
2024-06-03
2025-11-07
I-485
522 Days
I-131
466 Days
National Benefits Center: I-485
Nebraska Service Center: I-131
Timeline Map
2024-06-03
I-485
Submission to USCIS
2024-06-11
I-485
D+8
Biometrics, i.e. fingerprint and photo
2024-07-19
I-131
D+46
Submission to USCIS
2024-08-01
I-131
D+59
Biometrics, i.e. fingerprint and photo
2025-04-09
I-485
D+310
Interview
2025-10-28
I-131
D+512
Decision (Approval or Denial)
2025-11-07
I-485
D+522
Decision (Approval or Denial)
This timeline was created with the Lawfully App. Download the Lawfully App now.
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2h
can u help in filing our self?
Eugenie C2h
@ I am sorry, I don’t think I can.
I’m not an attorney, so I legally cannot prepare filings for anyone.
Mandamus is a time-consuming process, and I can’t commit to helping as a volunteer while working 60 hours per week.
On the other hand, I also can’t accept payment since that would be providing legal services without a license, and I might get sued for that.
I would recommend finding law schools in your area and researching if they have pro se legal clinics, they might be able to help. Also, trust me, the process is not rocket science, and you can do it on your own with ChatGPT, that Reddit post (it’s called Step-by-Step Guide on How I Filed a Writ of Mandamus Without a Lawyer and How You Can Too) and some perseverance and common sense. Good luck!
Oliver Farm2h
@Eugenie C congratulations 🎉 and thank you for sharing your experience
Aya Musa1h
@Eugenie C Congratulations 🎉 I bet the process for getting green card approved is not easy and stressful. When did you file the mandamus for the green card and what was the reason for filing it if you don’t mind me asking?
hilal ayd24m
congrats! we filed mandamus pro se too, but six weeks later court sent us a mail saying all courts have been paused because of government shutdown. Then a few days later Uscis updated our case as request to reschedule appointment has been received(although we never requested rescheduling). Now it has been one month after the update, we still haven’t heard anything from Uscis.
Oliver Farm21m
@hilal ayd when did you file your i485?
