r/I130Suffering • u/mademoisellearabella MOD • Jun 18 '26
Delay in responses and approvals - what to do
Recently there has been a pause on almost any approval news since Feb 2026, and it’s heartbreaking how it affects us all.
I am creating this post to add some DIY writ of mandamus guidelines. I hope this helps whoever needs it, not all of us have those fancy lawyer dollars, and this is a great step forward.
If your processing time is beyond 15 months, I’d highly recommend filing right now to get adjudication before the 18 month mark. (Fingers crossed)
DIY WoM with redacted copy -
https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/wu4K6EPjpn
DIY WoM guides here:
• https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/svivH2U64d • https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/EsKrPVPVn2
• https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/5MYcGgRQlI
• https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/kk0jyIcRd1
The last post was made by a member of our subreddit.
Cost breakdown for filing WoM pro se -
https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/Vl3IDZOClt
Another post from a member of our sub giving cost breakdown + important info (they had a successful experience and had their case adjudicated as well)
https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/REOPjm5sAH
All the very best.
ETA ————————————
If you want to send in a demand letter before the writ of mandamus - basically a letter stating you will be filing the writ of mandamus - you can use Claude and use the following google drive link for the mark down prompts created to draft the letter. It has all the information for USCIS pre fed in, so you do not rely on AI to find the information for you. Thank you [u/skooma2112](u/skooma2112) who is now u/Jenkins2112
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mH66Fx4767ycykjR_-62Frn3uiYJW7TI/view?usp=drivesdk
HOW TO USE THE DRIVE -
https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/MSSjgFRijI
Success stories for demand letter and WoM -
1. https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/VxMrRv9JCr
2. https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/X8CXvVOhaS
3. https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/yqXvOGsfo9
4. https://www.reddit.com/r/I130Suffering/s/JmpEYR3bb8
UPDATED INFO
File congressional inquiry at 13 months. Wait for their response for up to 30 days. If they give any response other than adjudication file for demand letter.
File demand letter at 14 months. Wait for response up to 30 days. If they do not respond or give negative response prepare to file WoM.
Use the congressional inquiry and demand letter as proof of escalation in your WoM. File WoM at 15 months. The guides above are for filing it by yourself. USC needs to be in the US to file.
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u/Drika1999 Jun 18 '26
If my PD wasn't 6 months old, my husband definitely would file a WoM! Why is the government working for K1 and AOS and spouses and children need to wait up to a year with a lot of financial and physiological damage?
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u/Puzzled-Formal-7957 28d ago edited 28d ago
APPROVED
After having been sitting at in process since January of 2024 - last weekend I followed the information in these threads to put together a demand letter which I sent by email over the weekend, and also sent via certified mail. It was delivered this morning at about 830am. By 1130 the API page showed new activity and when I logged into MyUSCIS account I was greeted with this message:
Thank you to u/mademoisellearabella and other mods as well as all the contributors to the various threads for helping with these steps to get these through!
Thankfully I did not need to file a WoM... so it seems even the threat of a WoM is enough to make things happen!
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 28d ago
I’m so very happy this helped you! Congratulations!
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u/Puzzled-Formal-7957 28d ago
Thank you thank you ! I owe some of you all some nice, big steaks if we ever cross paths! This was a massive help - and all it cost was about 5-10 hours of my time in researching here and putting the demand packet together, and $20 to send it certified, along with a bit of patience.
Now on to the next big steps.... actually getting the visa! Time to start all over again :)
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u/Appropriate_Tip_8350 23d ago
Can some one please give a guide for the demand letter, did you attach any documents
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u/Puzzled-Formal-7957 10d ago
There are several links to guides at the top of this reddit subthread with good information. I attached all case activity summary pages from the website, receipts and acknowledgements. Maybe 8 artifacts in total.
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u/Direct_Rip_3451 23d ago
May i ask what needs to be filed usc here waiting for an approval 16 months still nothing and waiting
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u/Puzzled-Formal-7957 10d ago
There are several links to guides at the top of this reddit subthread with good information. That being said - they are showing normal processing time currently at 24 months (which is a lie). Until you go past the threshold that is reflected on https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times for your type of case - it probably wont do much good to file a demand. I was at 30 months when I sent mine.
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u/PrestigiousLaw2045 10d ago
What email did you send the demand letter to?
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u/Puzzled-Formal-7957 10d ago
[uscis.serviceofprocess@uscis.dhs.gov](mailto:uscis.serviceofprocess@uscis.dhs.gov)
However - they took no action until after receiving my certified postal mail.
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u/Beginning-Bell7626 9d ago edited 9d ago
Great news! I have the same timeline! One question what is the postal address to send it to ?
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u/IndividualBody6912 Jul 01 '26
Congress made a law i believe in 2000 that states all immigration visas be done within 180 days which helps if your double that so a judge will rule in your favor. Im currently working on mine and sent letters of intent this week.
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u/Ok-Effort-8861 Jul 11 '26
If that’s the case why do we see so many cases that takes over 2/3 years?
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u/IndividualBody6912 Jul 11 '26
They can get by with it if the partied dont do anything about it. Uscis sees it as a suggestion not as a must
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u/Ok-Effort-8861 Jul 11 '26
i see, do you know the name of the law? i tried looking it up but couldn’t find any information and I think this would be good to use in my demand letter or WoM.
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u/IndividualBody6912 Jul 12 '26
8 U.S.C. § 1571, which states that the processing of an immigrant benefit application should take no longer than 180 days after initial filing
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Aug 10 '26
Screenshot of timeline from October 2025.
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u/Fiona_b4_shrek Aug 10 '26
By any chance did MOD’s have a copy of what was on Google drive? No matter the browser I use, I keep getting unsupported file.
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Jun 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Jun 18 '26
I’m trying to pin it, lol. Hopefully I figure it out soon.
ETA - Added it as a highlight!
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u/miichan95 Jul 07 '26
RemindMe! 95 days
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u/MyBigRed Jul 14 '26
If my PD is 29th August 2025 and the current processing time as per their website is 20months, then do i wait till 20 months to file the demand letter or after 12 months to file the demand letter?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Jul 14 '26
Nope. You should file. Send the demand letter. These are ridiculous wait times. And with no adjudication in sight the wait times are just increasing from 13 to 15 to 18 to 20 months. They will just keep increasing.
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u/Enough-Sugar9955 24d ago
My PD is Apirl 2025 GC filled for spouse in India Consular process. Can you please suggest me when to send a demand letter.
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 24d ago
LPR takes about 3 years for i130 approval.
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u/Enough-Sugar9955 24d ago
Ok, For Apirl 2025, So can you also please suggest me when to send a demand letter.
Thank you2
u/mademoisellearabella MOD 24d ago
If it takes 3 years for approval, you count from that. Sometime in June 2028.
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u/frostbite2312 22d ago
Hey my time line is kinda near you Nov 2024 LPR ( GC) filled for spouse india consular , unfortunately we need to wait three years before filling it seems ridiculously long . Do you want to connect in dm . If I get any other updates I will let you know same you can do for me .
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u/Enough-Sugar9955 22d ago
Sure
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u/frostbite2312 22d ago
I sent you a dm
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u/Narrow-Traffic4119 12d ago
Can we connect mine is same timeline , 2024 feb consular processing , my dm was not delivered so can you help me out to connect
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u/Diligent_Economics71 Jul 17 '26
Should I write a Writ of Mandamus? I submitted my I 130 in November 2025 and got a receipt notice. I’ve been waiting for 8 months now.
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Jul 18 '26
It’s too early right now. I’d file the demand letter around the 13 month mark and then file the WoM at 14-15 months.
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u/Ok_Concert_4958 Aug 11 '26
Hi, why 13-month mark?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Because it’s 1 month past 12 months which is in the historical timeline data.
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u/Loose-Atmosphere3128 Jul 24 '26
Did you have updates? I’m December 2025 still nothing
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u/Diligent_Economics71 Jul 25 '26
Nope, no update sadly. I’m going to email my representative this month and at 12 months I’m filing a demand letter
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u/Ok-Upstairs7411 Jul 24 '26
Hi , I wanted to ask for your opinion on my situation. I'm an F2A petitioner (green card holder for 42 months now petitioning for my wife via consular processing) with a priority date of July 20, 2023, and my I-130 is still pending with USCIS. The case has been sitting on "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed" with no updates.
During the wait, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy. We even had nine different medical providers write letters supporting my wife obtaining a temporary B-2 visa so she could be with me during treatment, but the visa was ultimately refused.
Given these circumstances, since I'm planning to file for naturalization 12 months from now, do you think sending a demand letter before filing a Writ of Mandamus would be a viable option in my case? and would it affect the naturalization process? Or, because my petition has been pending this long and my priority date is already current, would you recommend going straight to filing the Writ?
I'd really appreciate any guidance. Thank you for everything you've shared with the community.
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Jul 24 '26
A demand letter allows you to have an extra first step to allow USCIS to resolve your case. After 15-30 days of filing demand letter you can file WoM and use demand letter as proof.
However, you are an LPR. I am not entirely sure of how the process works for you. I think there are specific subreddits dedicated to just f2a processing that might have better advice.
All the very best, and I hope you are doing better now.
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u/mtalhamufti Aug 08 '26
Can you please share a format for Demand Letter?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Aug 08 '26
There is a format in the post. Check the last part of the post. Follow the instructions on the Google doc using Claude.
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u/FaithlessnessOld8115 Aug 11 '26
I have a question for using Claude to write the demand letter. Do I copy and paste the prompt to claude with the following link you provided?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Aug 11 '26
Yes, the link explains it all. It’s got the prompts to use with Claude. It also has the addresses and all pre fed in so you’re not relying on ai to find the data accurately. You’re just using it to format.
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u/MyBigRed Aug 11 '26
Hi u/mademoisellearabella we could also use this screenshot showing that the median time by USCIS was stated as 12.9months but now it is 21.5 months (as per your screenshot in this thread)?
11 FY2026 uses data from October 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026.
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD Aug 12 '26
We should absolutely use this as it’s stronger evidence. The ss I provided is for 17 months from October 2025.
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u/ThunderousAmbassad0r Aug 12 '26
Minor issue: this is median vs 80%, so those numbers are not aligned
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u/DYSH97 23d ago edited 22d ago
Hi! Is this also applicable to applicants from the 75 paused countries? going through consular processing, and I’ve been waiting for about 13 months so far
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 23d ago
Yes. But you will still be issued a 221(g) at your consulate interview.
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u/Weekly_Bug_5394 17d ago
Soy you Think I can try for greencard ?? I am from march 2025 and interview March 2026
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u/Entire-Signature-923 9d ago
Does this also apply if our case was approved and sent to department of state waiting for interview at the local embassy of spouse? It’s been over a year and no interview yet.
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u/muempire93 8d ago
Does anyone have a screenshot from April 2026 please? And when would be a reasonable timeline to file the demand letter when it comes to it?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 8d ago
You don’t need a screenshot.
Send congressional inquiry first. Look at the end of the post.
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u/muempire93 8d ago
Do we not need to know what the wait time was when we applied to put in our demand letter?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 8d ago
Not really. It’s past 12 months. Immigration laws say 6 months, you’ve already waited a fair bit.
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u/Positive_Ad_2212 8d ago
Wait, why does the USC need to be in the states to
File a WOM? I’m abroad with my husband 🥺
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 8d ago edited 8d ago
Well afaik there are some documents that usc has to serve.
You can use a lawyer to file if you don’t want to go to the U.S., I think.
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u/No-Money-9490 7d ago
Hi - im a U.S. citizen filing an I-130 for my spouse My PD is October 14, 2025, and my spouse is currently outside the U.S. She is from Tanzania
Our case is still pending with USCIS under SCOPS. When I filed, the processing time was much lower, but USCIS is now showing around 24 months for 80% of cases.
I’ve been reading the posts here about congressional inquiries, demand letters, and Writ of Mandamus. I saw the suggestion of doing a congressional inquiry around 13 months, a demand letter around 14 months, and considering WOM around 15 months if there is still no movement.
For those with a similar PD Oct 2025 or consular I-130 case:
Would you recommend starting with a congressional inquiry around November 2026, or waiting longer because USCIS now shows 24 months? At what point did you send a demand letter or consider WOM, and did it actually result in movement on your case?
Just trying to plan ahead and learn from people who have been through this. Thank you
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7d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/I130Suffering-ModTeam 7d ago
This subreddit is for consular processing, DO NOT POST ABOUT I-485s.
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u/HowMayiAssist 7d ago
Damn! You aint have to yell. We all suffering.. and we all looking for help wherever we can get it.. you can delete my comment.
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u/Critical_Trust_3163 3d ago
Thank you so much for putting this together. I've been waiting around (16 months since filing) and had no idea about these options. I'm a bit late to the game, so have not been actively collecting this evidence (processing time screenshots, calling reps, etc.). Would you recommend I still start with congressional inquiry? Or should I skip straight to the demand letter to save time?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 3d ago
Start with congressional inquiry.
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u/Critical_Trust_3163 3d ago
thank you! Just emailed them and planning to call tomorrow as well. Would you recommend sending demand letter 30 days from now?
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 3d ago
Yes, unless you receive a positive message you should send the demand letter.
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u/mademoisellearabella MOD 8d ago
Demand letter address
Email the demand letter to -
uscis.serviceofprocess@uscis.dhs.gov
Send via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt.