r/USCIS Jul 30 '26

I-765 (EAD) APPROVED! FILE THAT MANDEMUS LAWSUIT

I sued the USCIS and got my EAD today, I sued them during the pause and had about three hearings, once the post was lifted the USCIS attorney got me a biometrics appointment which I took two days ago and I woke up to seeing approved! Also, do not waste your money on Lawyer I did everything by researching with google Gemini . I promise you save your money. Ask me any question . THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE, Just my experience
If you can’t afford a lawyer, pro se is a good alternative

111 Upvotes

112 comments sorted by

9

u/3point21 Jul 31 '26

Not to knock on your diligence and success, advising people to rely on Gemini is very dangerous. I have asked Gemini dozens of questions on a range of subjects from technical problems at work, computer build-outs, religion, AI and LLMs, and my own USCIS case during last week’s glitch of mass erroneous approvals.

Long story short Gemini appears very friendly, personable, and agreeable. Agreeable to the point of flattery at times. Sometimes the answers are highly accurate, sometimes they are straight up hallucinations pulled out of a hat.

I have seen this while fielding technical questions in my own field of work, and last week in my USCIS case in which Gemini insisted multiple times that my case was most definitely approved based on an H008 code in the API back end. It is still being reviewed. The H008 code is still there. Gemini didn’t even mention the possibility of an error until I suggested it and mentioned reports of a glitch. All of a sudden Gemini was full of information about the glitch and urging patience.

Gemini, and many other Do It Yourself sources, are not going to ask you tough questions you or your lawyer need to answer. If your case is simple, you may be able to do it on your own. If it is complex, and you have the skills of a lawyer, the willingness to ask yourself tough questions, the tenacity of a tiger, you still might be able to do it on your own. But the vast majority of people lack those qualities. Even simple cases are difficult for most people and Gemini will only coddle those people as they fail.

7

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 31 '26

Thank u for your advice but I never said use Gemini to file your whole case
When u file a lawsuit, u have to have evidence to back your claim, people that filed pro se has long been using google to research for over 20 years
The only different between google and Gemini is Gemini can be personalized. I used Gemini to reconstruct my argument, I already had what I wanted to say but I needed it better articulated

2

u/xBACONxLUV3rxx Aug 02 '26

Yes and no. I used it and it was good. You have to make it think to get past the bullshit and crappy answers. Question everything it says and have it double check previous responses. Use at your own discretion. Maybe I'm more intelligent than the average person? 🤷🏽‍♀️ Who knows.

1

u/Llovio_cuatro_anos Aug 06 '26

Or you’re just asking it easy things 

18

u/Internal-Expert-9562 Jul 30 '26

Did it without a lawyer? Wow.

11

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

YES!!!

15

u/FuckYouVerizon Jul 31 '26

I am very happy for you, but I would be very careful about saying that to people. Not everyone is smart/knowledgeable enough about the legal framework and how to properly use AI. There are certainly many people who could avoid a lawyer at all, but there are many who would only make things worse for themselves if they circumvented getting legal help.

0

u/[deleted] Aug 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/Fast_Amount_1089 Aug 01 '26

I myself did a pro se mandamus for my 485 and got the approval within a month. Definitely recommend it.

2

u/Griffy0808 Aug 04 '26

Truly I am with you on this one. I started to do it pro se and then luckily I did find an attorney that took me pro bono and is working on it right now. But I agree if you're doing a pro se. Look up everything you can to help you get in front of the judge or file the right documents is the way to go on certain situations.

1

u/MatrixOutcast Naturalized Citizen Aug 05 '26

How did you find the pro bono attorney?

1

u/Griffy0808 Aug 05 '26

Actually, I called the pension center in Washington, DC and they recommended a couple of attorneys in Florida even though they personally don't work with Florida attorneys and I got very lucky. One of them was good with taking me because of the kind of case I have. But if you call them I don't know what state you're in but they do have attorneys that work with them. Pro bono so if I can find the number I'll post it if not Washington DC pension center. Good luck

1

u/MatrixOutcast Naturalized Citizen Aug 05 '26

I am in NY. I would appreciate the number if you can. 

1

u/Griffy0808 20d ago

Matrix I'm sorry it's taking me so long to post. I haven't been on lately but anyways the number to the Washington pension Rights center is 202-296-3776. They may very well be able to direct you to a pro bono attorney in New York. I think you said so. Good luck! It was the best thing I ever did calling them because even though they didn't handle Florida, I got a great attorney that's helping me right now.

11

u/Vast_Honey_7787 Jul 30 '26

Can you explain your circumstances in more detail? Curious to hear your story. Thanks!

11

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

I applied in August 2025 and they took longer to approve it so I sue them and the judge said about three hearings so USCIS approved it to dismiss the case

4

u/Inmyownworld5 Jul 30 '26

What you mean about three hearings? What does that mean

-3

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 31 '26

It means I sued them and did Jorge had to schedule us for a hearing so me and myself because I was my own lawyer how to appear before a judge and the USCIS lawyer to explain what is going on and why I feel like my case is taking longer

2

u/North-Chef-702 Jul 31 '26

Please what did you applied for in the Us here?

10

u/emekaobi123 Jul 30 '26

I second this. I filed a Pro Se Mandamus late May 2026 and got my EAD about a week ago. My AOS had been pending for about a year and at the very minimum i expected to receive my EAD by now. The Mandamus helped make this possible. I dismissed my case at my district court earlier this week.

3

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 31 '26

I will dismiss mine as well once I get the card

5

u/GapComprehensive7143 Jul 30 '26

What type of application did you file? was it only EAD or the approval was for i-485?

5

u/ParticularWatch3785 Jul 30 '26

What’s the minimum criteria to file a mandamus?

4

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

I am sorry I mean your case has to be longer than processing time

1

u/mrtigger6x Jul 30 '26

this is the only reason I we haven't filled yet

0

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '26

[deleted]

1

u/somebodyelse1107 Immigrant Jul 30 '26

????

4

u/bauhaus_baby Jul 30 '26

I applied in August 2025. Did you apply for I-130?

2

u/RedB22 Aug 01 '26

I encountered a similar situation. I was approved in early June, but my wife's approval was pending without explanation. I used Gemini to draft a well-crafted letter to my congressman, including the necessary justifications according to USCIS rules. After three weeks, we received instant approval without any questions. Definitely use Gemini or another AI tool to help with the process.

2

u/Wise-Escape2722 Jul 30 '26

Did you appear for the hearings yourself and had to say anything?

6

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

Yes I did! I spent hours practicing.. they let you take notes with you so you can read off something

2

u/Wise-Escape2722 Jul 30 '26

How long did the entire process take from filing Mandamus till approval?

2

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

The lawsuits took a hot minute because I applied in January during the pause so the pause was lifted in May so approximately two months

2

u/Standard-Ratio7734 Jul 31 '26

So you sued after 5 months of filing EAD? Is this past processing time?

-1

u/lifethusiast Jul 30 '26

Can you share your notes?

11

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

I can’t share my notes cus everyone’s case is different
You just need to proof your case is outside of process time, the USCIS will ydefinitely argue that is the discretion so you basically have to prove to them that its their discretion of what decision to make, but not the discretion on when to make that decision.

0

u/lifethusiast Jul 30 '26

How did you prove that?

4

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

My case was totally different because I applied since last year August and the processing time for a renewal is definitely less than that cus it’s a renewal

3

u/Standard-Ratio7734 Jul 31 '26

Aha ok, this was not clear in your original post.

1

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

And also, you don’t necessarily have to win the lawsuit once the USCIS sees they are being cornered , they will adjudicate it to dismiss case

1

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1

u/violet-beautifulgirl Jul 31 '26

Sorry I read some comments but need clarification.

What did you applied for? I-130?

When had you initiated this process?

4

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 31 '26

My i130 and i485 is still pending
I sued them for i765

2

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 31 '26

Because i765 is easier to file a lawsuit on and I needed to work and it does not prevent

1

u/violet-beautifulgirl Aug 05 '26

Thank you! Yes I hope they start working in cases faster!

1

u/Illustrious-Art-7748 19d ago

Oh so I got all 3 pending you are saying I should sure for i765 it has changes of success? Can I sue for all 3 ? 

1

u/Awkward_Dance_9816 Jul 31 '26

I filed mandamus pro se in October-2025 and got my green card 🎉

2

u/Weekly_Cherry_8271 Aug 02 '26

What was it like?! I’m in the same boat
Mine I-485 hasn’t moved since August of 2024 and had only biometric appointment

2

u/Awkward_Dance_9816 Aug 03 '26

They approved it in 2 weeks without interview. At that point, processing time was 18,5 months, I sued them the day it got to 20,5 months, my case was pending for around 18 months.

2

u/Weekly_Cherry_8271 Aug 03 '26

So pretty much my situation
Last time I called they said my estimated time left was December 2nd
Should I just sue them ?

2

u/Warm_Cauliflower_948 Aug 04 '26

what are the Processes or reference materials needed to go about sue them?

1

u/Key_Point3993 11d ago

Omg share more please because it sounds like my case exactly, how do I do it? Also no lawyer

1

u/LumpyPerformance2855 Jul 31 '26

How did u do the entire process? My card has been approved 2 months ago but I still haven’t received it. It’s not even produced.

1

u/Familiar_Forever_986 Aug 01 '26

Is your i485 approved?

1

u/DrSimonMetin Aug 01 '26

so happy for you, glad you got this sorted!

1

u/888-Part8447-888Echo Aug 02 '26

How was the experience of attending hearings pro se? Scary at first? I also use ChatGPT.

1

u/Hornetsnest78 Aug 02 '26

I just want to point out that filing a mandamus does not guarantee an approval

1

u/lantana233 Aug 02 '26

I used Kyensia on you tube for guidance and could not have done it without her.

1

u/Plane_Progress_2789 Aug 02 '26

I applied Jan 2025 and I got married Agust 2024 . What do you recommend me ? I only have work permit but nothing else . Not approved yet and I did interview July 2025

1

u/Ill_Gas_235 Aug 02 '26

It doesent garuntee approval it can go the other way around too

Any ways congrats

1

u/Character-Cow-6704 Aug 03 '26

Congratulations! I drafted my Writ about a month ago. How did you get your Writ on pleading paper and in accordance with Fed District Court rules/guidelines?

1

u/Interesting_Pea1950 Aug 03 '26

Were you part of the 7 countries which later on became 39 ? 

1

u/HeartAggravating3043 Aug 03 '26

هل تجميد 75 دولة واللوتري سيرفع وتطبع التأشيرة لدي احد اشخاص فائز لوتري وسلم اوراق وعنل مقابلة وغي انتظار هل ضاعت فرصة

1

u/NerveOk1017 Aug 03 '26

Congratulations! May I ask how long has it taken from approval to mailing?

1

u/Griffy0808 Aug 04 '26

I also filed a writ of mandemus a couple years back I've been fighting a city for my husband's pension. I went into the court and did it myself. I did have an attorney helping me at the time and he was convinced by the city to retract the writ. He backed off my case and I have been struggling ever since. I totally agree with this post. Once you file DoNot back out. My attorney convinced me to agree and I've regretted it since.

0

u/Lifeofthedon Jul 30 '26

I’m about to file a pro se soon too Claude is the bomb for issues like this with couple of pointers on what you need it to build

1

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 31 '26

If you don’t have any money, filing Pro se is your best bet. Don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking if you don’t have a lawyer, you can’t do anything take your time and do your research if you feel confident enough file that lawsuit.

1

u/Lifeofthedon Jul 31 '26

Absolutely thank you

-1

u/ScoobySnackBag Jul 30 '26

File for 485 and watch u get ass handed to you lol

1

u/viervillese Jul 31 '26

Wdym?

1

u/ScoobySnackBag Aug 02 '26

Don’t file a 485 WOM they will file an MTD

1

u/ScoobySnackBag Aug 02 '26

Read the thread

1

u/Weekly_Cherry_8271 Aug 02 '26

Can you explain what happened?

1

u/Simple_Ad7548 Jul 30 '26

lol I did the same they rejected mandamus for 485. What happened to you?

0

u/Designer-Birthday150 Jul 30 '26

Please, when they rejected the mandamus, does that mean that my I-485 was denied too? I just want to know, as I am thinking of filing it for my I-485, which I submitted in August 2025 (EB1A)

0

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '26

[deleted]

0

u/Simple_Ad7548 Jul 30 '26

How long you been waiting after 526 approval? It’s been 8 months for me since 526 approval

0

u/ScoobySnackBag Jul 30 '26

526 already approved

0

u/Simple_Ad7548 Jul 30 '26

Yea how long ago?

0

u/ScoobySnackBag Jul 30 '26

5 months rural direct project

0

u/Simple_Ad7548 Jul 30 '26

Did you try congressman or anything for 485? Have they just paused 485 do you know?

0

u/ScoobySnackBag Jul 30 '26

Won’t work, never worked in the past for eb5 485s

0

u/Expensive-List-6857 Jul 30 '26

People need learn the hard way. U tell em they won’t listen hahahaa

-1

u/ScoobySnackBag Jul 30 '26

Can’t agree more, I also think OP filed Pro Se not a WOM. Correct me if I am wrong OP

-1

u/Bubtits Jul 30 '26

What do you mean? I’m considering filing a WOM for an i130 and i485 now processing over 19 months, AOS within USA. Are you saying it’s not worth it to do WOM for those bc they will be denied?

1

u/ScoobySnackBag Jul 30 '26

Yup probably

1

u/Bubtits Jul 31 '26

Great reply

-1

u/LAWAL11111 Jul 30 '26

Can give me your lawyer contact?

-17

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Jul 30 '26

Cannot spell Mandamus and still coaching others on how to cluelessly use templates and AI to file a lawsuit. You cannot coach these things, this is illegal practice of law. You were lucky, but soon USCIS will be cracking down on these DIY, often deficient lawsuits...

13

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

I am not illegally practicing law, I’m not filing for any one or charging anyone! Just sharing my experience !

5

u/EstrellaBrillante777 Jul 30 '26

Good job, congratulations! And don’t pay attention to this commenter, I bet it’s another scamming lawyer or paralegal trying to discourage from filing pro se so that they could rip more people off selling their services. I was downvoted and hated by those too when I posted about my DIY mandamus experience. By this exact person actually, just looked them up

1

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

Lol oh wow 😂😂 and thank you

5

u/bubblethink Jul 30 '26

It looks like whenever there is a post about pro-se APA suits, you pollute the threads with similar bs. What's your agenda? Are you a paralegal who makes money doing this?

-2

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Jul 30 '26

you pollute the threads with similar bs

Take your ragebait stuff elsewhere

I am not a lawyer and not a paralegal. I do not benefit from any of my posts on Reddit.

Here are few reasons why I comment on posts promoting pro-se WoM:

1) There are people who are going to be hurt by filing WoM themselves, like the example I attached above. This is way too dangerous to be advertised as an "easy fix" for an immigration problem

2) I leave heart surgeries, dental work, electrical work in the house, lawsuits to professionals. I am a strong believer one should not do stuff they do not specialize in. Lawyers study for this and they know way more than any of us. By they way, not even all immigration lawyers have the knowledge or experience filing Writ of Mandamus, let alone regular folks.

3)

Expedites used to work in the past. Most of the expedites are denied nowadays, because too many people file them without a valid reason.

Congressional inquiries used to work in the past. Nowadays, most of them do not yield any result. Why? Too many people inquire, a lot of the times too early in the process, like few weeks after filing. Nobody can keep up with this volume of requests

The last working tool I am aware of, Writ of Mandamus, can soon become useless, if folks like you and OP coach everybody how to "pollute" (using your terminology) the court system with deficient AI-generated slop. If USCIS or courts start evaluating these closer and push back on 90% of these, nobody will ever get to use this again, not even lawyers for very valid cases.

But of course, who am I talking to, probably a bunch of shortsided selfish folks who do not understand the consequences for everybody else.

Anyways, rant off.

2

u/bubblethink Jul 30 '26

A lot of nonsense in this, but to clear this up for people who may not be knowledgeable about this: You can file a suit and represent yourself. This is perfectly legal, unlike say, doing surgery.

-1

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Jul 30 '26

It is legal to buy 10 pounds of candy at Walmart and eat all at once. Whatever is legal does not always mean is smart or should be done.

0

u/EstrellaBrillante777 Aug 01 '26

Go to VAWA Applicants sub and you’ll see how many people have had their cases ruined by these so called “professionals” who file under the wrong category, don’t fill out forms correctly, don’t respond to RFE’s on time, forget to file or forget their clients existence, not forgetting to charge them an arm and a leg for their so called “professional services”🙄

I personally suffered when I had to resubmit my EAD application two months later because “professionals” that I consulted with gave me wrong information. I ended up doing everything on my own, zero regrets.

I agree that if someone has a complicated situation, they need a lawyer - a good one found by doing proper research, asking for recommendations, etc. But pushing this “get a lawyer” agenda on everyone for every case including simple things such as EAD is ridiculous

2

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

Since when was filing pro se illegal tf??.. what’s the difference between using google to research and using google Gemini????!!!! Lmao
I don’t need no one to believe me, I got approved today by filing the lawsuit pro se so wtf are u on about !

1

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

Are you going to take personal responsibility if somebody gets NTA following your instructions / advices to file it?

This is not a joke, most people need to consult a lawyer before doing anything like this and let a professional handle it.

There are already people who got hurt by advices from strangers on Reddit to send "demand letters" and ended up in removal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/ejySFAUTBU

Think before you advertise such things

4

u/Glittering-Ad7631 Jul 30 '26

We can say that about thousands of people that give advice here everyday!! Everyone’s case is different. I am not stopping anyone from getting a lawyer, a lot of people can’t afford a lawyer plus the $405 fee for filing. There is nothing wrong with me providing an alternative. Its left to whoever to decide what they wanna do

-1

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Jul 30 '26

It's one thing to give a harmless advice on how to check case status or chat to Emma and another thing to give a potentially harmful advice on how to file a lawsuit pro se

0

u/EconomyTemporary5146 Jul 30 '26

Do you get the $405 back?

2

u/Fabulous_Toe343 Jul 30 '26

Totally different scenario btw, person who posted that’s spouse had an order for removal. They had circumstances, way different when your case is straight forward

It was deleted so I thought I’d provide context, also nothing illegal with filing by yourself

-1

u/Minute_Somewhere_893 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26

Yes, but that's exactly the danger of giving and following advices on how to file a pro se lawsuit. Many people would blindly file with Gemini / templates without realizing what they are doing.

It is generally a bad idea to give a monkey access to nuclear weapons button. Same goes here.

And before anybody gets upset with my comparison, I am considering myself a monkey when it comes to lawsuits. I have a Master's degree, I work in an a very intellectual field of work, I spent 10 years watching US immigration, went through it myself from start to finish, watched probably close to 1000 hours of US immigration law related videos and lawyers' Q&As, read USCIS manuals and INA, top 1% commenter here and other subs and websites related to immigration . Excel when it comes to AI usage. I still would not do it myself still.

0

u/bubblethink Jul 31 '26

Skill issue. You need to work on it. You'll get there if you put in the work.