When your asylum case was ready for decision before the USCIS freeze and then stalled, it can feel like your life has been put on hold with no end in sight. While the freeze affects adjudications and may cause what seems like indefinite delay, there is a clear set of steps you can take to push for movement. These steps range from simple case inquiries to filing a federal lawsuit called a Writ of Mandamus. The best approach is usually to start with the least aggressive options and move toward stronger legal action only if nothing changes.
First step: contact USCIS directly
Your first move should be to ask USCIS directly why your case has not been decided.
You can:
- Call the USCIS Contact Center
- Use online tools on the USCIS website
- Send a written inquiry, if you have an address from past notices
When you reach out, have your receipt number, A-number, and interview date ready. Explain that your asylum case was already ready for decision before the freeze and ask for a clear update.
Start with USCIS inquiries (call, online tools, and written inquiries) and collect your receipt number, A-number, and interview date; document every contact to build a clear trail before escalating.
This step matters because judges and other officials usually want to see that you tried to solve the problem directly with the agency before seeking outside help.
Next: get help from your congressional representative or senator
If repeated contact with USCIS doesn’t move your case, the next step is to ask for help from your U.S. congressional representative or senator.
What congressional offices can do:
- Request a detailed status update from USCIS
- Ask whether your case can be decided despite the freeze
- Request faster action when the delay is extreme
You will sign a privacy release form so they can speak to USCIS about your file. This service is free. While a congressional office can’t force USCIS to approve your case, their involvement often leads the agency to review a file that has been sitting untouched. VisaVerge.com reports that congressional inquiries can sometimes push long-pending cases toward a decision when routine calls and emails have failed.
Expedite requests and case inquiries
If your case is outside normal processing times, you may ask USCIS to move it faster through a formal expedite request or service inquiry.
Common grounds for an expedite include:
- Urgent humanitarian reasons, such as danger to your safety or health
- Other strong reasons showing serious harm from continued delay
You’ll usually need to explain in writing:
- How long you’ve been waiting
- That your case was ready for decision before the freeze
- The harm you face if the delay continues
Attach supporting proof (for example, medical records or reports of danger to family members abroad). USCIS has broad discretion in deciding these requests, but submitting one is important to show later that you did everything possible on the agency side before going to court.
Involving the USCIS Ombudsman
If direct contact and an expedite request don’t solve the problem, you can ask the USCIS Ombudsman Office for help. The Ombudsman is independent of USCIS, though part of the federal government.
The Ombudsman can:
- Ask USCIS for a clear explanation of the delay
- Help fix cases that are stuck or mishandled
- Improve communication between you and the agency
You generally submit a written request explaining your situation and prior attempts to fix the delay. While the Ombudsman cannot order USCIS to approve your asylum, their involvement can sometimes break a logjam, especially in cases that were interview-complete and ready for decision before the freeze.
When to consider a Writ of Mandamus
If your asylum case has been delayed for a very long time and none of the above steps work, you may consider filing a Writ of Mandamus in federal court. This is a lawsuit asking a judge to order USCIS to take action and issue a decision.
Key points from the source material:
- A delay is often considered unreasonable if it has gone beyond two years
- A Writ of Mandamus is a drastic remedy and usually a last resort
- The aim is not to force an approval, but to force any decision
Some federal courts have allowed these lawsuits even when USCIS blames general backlogs or freezes. Judges have reasoned that extremely long waits deny applicants the basic right to have their cases decided at all. If a judge agrees, the court can order USCIS to issue a decision within a set time frame.
Important: A Writ of Mandamus seeks a court order compelling a decision — it does not guarantee a favorable outcome on the asylum claim itself.
Defensive asylum (immigration court) cases
If your asylum case is not with USCIS but instead in immigration court (a defensive asylum case), your options differ.
According to the source:
- You can request continuances (delays) from the immigration judge
- You can explain how USCIS freezes or related issues affect your situation
However, the immigration judge has full control over whether to grant more time or move the case forward. The court is not bound by USCIS’s internal policies, and the judge may decide your case should proceed on its own timeline.
Why legal representation matters
At every stage, legal representation can make a major difference. The source material stresses that an experienced immigration attorney is important to:
- Review your full history and documents
- Decide the best sequence of steps (USCIS inquiry, congressional help, Ombudsman, lawsuit)
- Prepare a strong expedite request or Ombudsman submission
- File and argue a Writ of Mandamus in federal court if needed
Mandamus cases are technical and move in a different system than regular immigration filings. Courts have strict rules and deadlines. A lawyer can explain the risks, likely timelines, and possible government responses before you commit to a lawsuit.
Building a strong record before going to court
If you might need a Writ of Mandamus later, it helps to build a clear record now. Steps that support your future case include:
- Keep copies of every email, letter, or online inquiry to USCIS
- Save records of phone calls, including dates and any reference numbers
- Keep copies of all replies from USCIS, Congress, or the Ombudsman
- Collect proof of harm from the delay, such as job loss, family separation, or health issues
When a judge looks at your lawsuit, this history shows that you tried all reasonable ways to fix the problem before turning to the court.
Living with the freeze while pushing for action
The current USCIS freeze on certain adjudications, including cases that were already interview-complete, has left many asylum seekers in limbo. Some refugees admitted between 2021 and 2025 also face re-interviews and related delays that slow down their ability to adjust status after an asylum grant.
While you can’t control agency-wide freezes, you can control how actively you press your own case through:
- USCIS inquiries
- Congressional help
- Ombudsman review
- Filing a Writ of Mandamus, when truly necessary
These steps preserve your rights and create the record needed if a court action becomes required.
When an asylum case ready for decision stalled because of a USCIS freeze, begin with direct inquiries to USCIS, then seek congressional assistance. File an expedite request for urgent humanitarian harm and involve the USCIS Ombudsman if necessary. If delays exceed roughly two years and administrative routes fail, an immigration attorney may recommend a Writ of Mandamus in federal court to compel a decision. Maintain detailed records of all contacts and harms to support any legal action.
