Mandamus Attorney for the Western District of Texas
Ahmad Yakzan is admitted to W.D. Tex., files mandamus lawsuits in the San Antonio, El Paso, Austin, and other divisions to force USCIS to adjudicate delayed immigration applications.
Federal Mandamus Lawsuits in the Western District of Texas
The Western District of Texas covers a vast territory from the Texas Hill Country to the U.S.-Mexico border. This district handles significant immigration caseloads given its proximity to the border and the large immigrant populations in San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso. Attorney Ahmad Yakzan is directly admitted to practice in the Western District of Texas and files mandamus lawsuits to compel USCIS to adjudicate unreasonably delayed immigration applications.
When USCIS fails to act on your immigration application within a reasonable time, a federal mandamus lawsuit filed in the W.D. Tex. puts a federal judge in charge of your case. USCIS must respond to the court and either adjudicate your application or explain to the judge why it has not done so. Most cases resolve within a few months of filing.
USCIS Field Offices in the Western District of Texas
If your application is being processed by any of these USCIS offices and has been unreasonably delayed, a mandamus lawsuit in the Western District of Texas may compel USCIS to act.
San Antonio Field Office
San Antonio, TXMajor USCIS office serving the San Antonio metropolitan area and surrounding counties.
El Paso Field Office
El Paso, TXHigh-volume border district office processing immigration applications for the El Paso area.
San Antonio Asylum Office
San Antonio, TXUSCIS asylum office handling affirmative asylum applications for the region.
When USCIS Will Not Act, We Take Them to Federal Court
You filed your immigration application months or even years ago. You followed the rules. You paid the fees. And USCIS still has not made a decision. Every time you check, the status says “case is being actively reviewed” — but nothing ever changes. Meanwhile your life is on hold.
A mandamus lawsuit is a federal court action that compels a government agency to perform a duty it is legally required to perform. Under the Mandamus Act (28 U.S.C. § 1361) and the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 555(b)), the federal court can order USCIS to adjudicate your pending application within a set timeframe.
At American Dream Law Office, attorney Ahmad Yakzan has extensive experience filing mandamus lawsuits against USCIS in the Western District of Texas and other federal courts. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, the Western District of Texas, and the District of Columbia — covering major USCIS jurisdictions across the country.
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Is This Happening to You?
If any of these situations sound familiar, a federal mandamus lawsuit may be the right way to force USCIS to finally decide your case.
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Your Case Has Been Pending for Months or Years
You filed your green card, naturalization, or work permit application and the processing time has long passed. Every time you check the status online it says the same thing. You have called USCIS, submitted service requests, contacted your congressperson, and nothing has worked. A mandamus lawsuit puts your case in front of a federal judge who can order USCIS to make a decision.
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Stuck in “Background Check” or “Administrative Processing”
USCIS told you your case is undergoing additional background checks or security vetting — but that was months ago and nothing has changed. These delays often have no legal deadline, and USCIS has no incentive to resolve them unless forced to. A mandamus action compels the agency to complete the review or explain to a judge why it cannot.
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Your Work Permit Expired While Waiting
Your EAD renewal has been pending so long that your current work permit expired. You cannot work, you cannot drive in some states, and your employer is threatening to let you go. Every week of delay costs you real money and opportunities. A mandamus lawsuit can force USCIS to adjudicate the renewal and get you back to work.
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Your Family Is Separated Because of USCIS Delays
You filed an I-130 family petition or an I-485 adjustment of status for your spouse, parent, or child. The case should have been decided months ago, but USCIS has not scheduled an interview or made a decision. Your family is separated, plans are on hold, and every day feels like an eternity. A mandamus lawsuit tells the court that the government has had more than enough time to act.
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You Were Told to “Just Wait” — But Nothing Happens
Your current attorney or USCIS customer service told you there is nothing to do but wait. That may have been true at some point, but after months or years of inaction, the delay becomes unreasonable under federal law. A mandamus lawsuit is the legal tool designed for exactly this situation — when the government refuses to do its job, the federal court steps in.
What Is a Mandamus Lawsuit?
A writ of mandamus is a court order that compels a government agency to perform a duty it is legally obligated to perform. In immigration law, it forces USCIS to adjudicate applications that have been unreasonably delayed.
Unreasonable Delays
When USCIS has held your application well beyond posted processing times with no explanation, a mandamus lawsuit asks a federal judge to compel the agency to act within a reasonable timeframe.
Legal Authority
Mandamus lawsuits are filed under the Mandamus Act (28 U.S.C. § 1361) and the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 555(b)), which require agencies to conclude matters presented to them within a reasonable time.
Federal Court Oversight
Unlike congressional inquiries or ombudsman complaints, a mandamus action puts a federal judge in charge. USCIS must respond to the court and justify its delay — or adjudicate your case.
How the Mandamus Process Works
We handle everything from evaluating your delay to filing the federal lawsuit to negotiating the resolution. Here is what to expect.
Delay Analysis
We review your application timeline, receipt notices, and any communication with USCIS. We determine whether the delay is legally unreasonable and identify the strongest grounds for your lawsuit.
Complaint Filed
Attorney Yakzan drafts and files the mandamus complaint in the Western District of Texas, naming USCIS and the relevant officials as defendants. The government is formally served and placed on notice.
Government Response
The Department of Justice must respond to the lawsuit. In many cases, USCIS begins processing the application shortly after being served — often adjudicating the case before the response deadline.
Resolution
Most mandamus cases resolve with USCIS finally adjudicating the application. If they do not, the court can order USCIS to act within a specific timeframe. Either way, the years of waiting come to an end.
Types of Cases We File Mandamus Lawsuits For
Virtually any immigration application that has been unreasonably delayed can be the subject of a mandamus lawsuit. Common case types include:
Family Petitions (I-130)
Spousal petitions, parent-child petitions, and sibling petitions that have been pending far beyond normal processing times.
Green Cards (I-485)
Adjustment of status applications stuck in processing, interview scheduling delays, or post-interview adjudication delays.
Naturalization (N-400)
Citizenship applications that have been pending well beyond the 120-day statutory adjudication period after the interview.
Work Permits (I-765)
EAD applications and renewals stuck in processing while your ability to work and support your family hangs in the balance.
Asylum Applications
Affirmative asylum applications that have been pending for years without an interview or decision from the asylum office.
FOIA & Other Requests
Freedom of Information Act requests, I-290B appeals, waivers, and other applications where the government has unreasonably failed to act.
Why Choose Attorney Ahmad Yakzan
Federal Court Access
Admitted to practice in multiple U.S. District Courts including W.D. Tex., N.D. Fla., M.D. Fla., S.D. Fla., and D.D.C.
Immigration + Federal Litigation
Deep experience at the intersection of immigration law and federal civil practice. Understands both the substantive law and the procedural requirements of mandamus actions.
Results-Driven Approach
Ahmad does not file and forget. He actively litigates each case and negotiates with government counsel to achieve the fastest possible resolution for every client.
Multilingual
Fluent in English, Arabic, and French — able to communicate directly with clients and families without interpreters.
Your Rights When USCIS Delays Your Case
Federal law protects your right to a timely decision on your immigration application. Here is what you should know.
Right to a Timely Adjudication
The Administrative Procedure Act requires federal agencies to conclude matters presented to them within a reasonable time. USCIS does not get unlimited time to decide your case.
Right to Sue in Federal Court
When USCIS unreasonably delays your case, you have the right to file a mandamus lawsuit in federal court asking a judge to compel the agency to act. This is a legally protected remedy.
Right to Government Accountability
Once a mandamus lawsuit is filed, USCIS must explain to a federal judge why it has not acted. The agency cannot simply ignore your case when a court is overseeing it.
No Retaliation for Filing Suit
Filing a mandamus lawsuit does not negatively affect your underlying immigration application. It is a lawful exercise of your rights, and USCIS is prohibited from retaliating against applicants for pursuing legal remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most mandamus cases resolve within a few months of filing. In many cases, USCIS adjudicates the pending application shortly after being served with the lawsuit — often within weeks. The government typically does not want to explain years of delay to a federal judge. Some cases take longer if the government contests the lawsuit, but even in those situations, having a federal court overseeing the case dramatically accelerates the process.
Yes. USCIS claiming a case is “processing” or “under review” does not mean the delay is reasonable. If your case has been pending well beyond the normal processing times posted on the USCIS website, that is strong evidence that the delay is unreasonable. Courts look at the totality of the circumstances, including how long you have been waiting, whether there is any legitimate reason for the delay, and the impact on your life.
No. Filing a mandamus lawsuit does not negatively affect your underlying immigration application. It is a lawful exercise of your right to compel government action under federal law. In practice, USCIS often prioritizes cases once a federal lawsuit is filed because the agency must assign an attorney to respond and justify the delay. Many clients find that the mere act of filing the lawsuit results in a quick adjudication.
Mandamus lawsuits can address delays in virtually any type of immigration application, including green card applications (I-485), naturalization applications (N-400), work permits (I-765/EAD), family petitions (I-130), asylum applications, FOIA requests, visa petitions, immigrant investor petitions (I-526/EB-5), waivers, and more. If USCIS or another government agency has a legal duty to adjudicate your application and has unreasonably failed to do so, a mandamus lawsuit may be appropriate.
Attorney fees vary based on the complexity of the case and the jurisdiction where the lawsuit must be filed. The federal court filing fee is $405. We discuss all fees transparently during the initial consultation so you understand the full cost before making a decision. Many clients find the investment well worth it compared to the continued cost of waiting — lost wages from expired work permits, missed business opportunities, and the emotional toll of indefinite uncertainty.
Mandamus lawsuits are typically filed in the federal district where the applicant resides, where the USCIS office with jurisdiction over the application is located, or in the District of Columbia (where USCIS headquarters is located). Attorney Yakzan is admitted in multiple federal courts across the country, and for jurisdictions where he is not yet admitted, he can seek pro hac vice admission to appear on your behalf.
Schedule a Consultation
Take the first step toward getting your case decided. Contact American Dream Law Office to discuss your mandamus case with attorney Ahmad Yakzan.
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10936 N 56th St, Suite 201
Temple Terrace, FL 33617