Writ of Mandamus lawsuits can be filed against USCIS to force USCIS to act on a petition.  We have been successful in filing Mandamus cases for citizenship and permanent residency applications.  Often, Mandamus cases are filed if a case is outside “processing time.”  However, some Mandamus cases can be filed against USCIS if the case is still within processing time or at U.S. Embassies when no action (or decision) has been taken after the applicant has received an Embassy interview for his or her Permanent Residency Visa.