3 Ways to Expedite Your Asylum Case With USCIS – Only 1 Really Works (2025)

Are you stuck with a pending asylum status and frustrated by the long wait for a decision? If so, you're not alone. Thousands of asylum seekers across the United States find themselves trapped in legal limbo, struggling with the emotional and financial toll of prolonged USCIS delays. Some asylum applicants have waited as long as 5, 7, or even over 10 years without a resolution. 

The unfortunate truth is that long-pending cases are often not prioritized by the government. In situations like these, your best move is to take action—and there are a few ways you can take control of your case without relying on expensive legal representation. Here’s what you need to know.

There are over 2 million asylum claims pending in U.S. immigration courts and 1.1 million asylum applications pending under USCIS. How can you make your case stand out in 2025?

Why Are Asylum Cases Delayed?

Here's a fact: tomorrow, the huge backlog of delayed asylum applications at USCIS will still be there—and, most likely, it will be even bigger. Each day, more applications are added to an already overwhelmed system, making it increasingly difficult for cases to be processed in a timely manner. 

The reality is that handling asylum claims efficiently has become an almost impossible task for the government due to a combination of factors, such as limited resources, legal complexities, and ever-changing immigration policies. 

Limited Resources

With fewer than 700 immigration judges nationwide, the asylum case processing system moves at a painfully slow pace.  USCIS prioritizes newly filed cases while older applications remain stuck in the system. Now in 2025, this strategy has beared consequences—new arrivals have less time to find legal representation and prepare a strong case, while those who applied before 2018 continue to be pushed further into the backlog, facing even longer delays with no clear resolution in sight.

Complex Legal Standards

Asylum seekers must meet stringent legal requirements, such as demonstrating a well-founded fear of persecution through credible fear interviews and proving eligibility under evolving definitions like Particular Social Group (PSG), which frequently change due to policy shifts and court rulings. 

These complexities are further compounded by extensive security and background checks, which can take months and administrative challenges such as paperwork errors or missing documents. Even minor mistakes can trigger Requests for Evidence (RFEs), adding further delays to an already overwhelmed system.

Changes in Immigration Policy

Shifting immigration policies contribute to even longer delays. One major setback was the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in January 2025, which halted the resettlement of refugees and left thousands in limbo. 

Additionally, the constant instability surrounding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from certain countries has only worsened the situation. Many individuals who once had legal protection now face the risk of deportation, as policy changes and renewals remain unpredictable. 

Given the current political climate, securing your legal status is more crucial than ever. Immigration policies for admissions and processing are changing rapidly, with new restrictions affecting many applicants. These recent policy shifts directly affect most asylum seekers and certain visa applicants. 

How Can I Get My Asylum Case Processed Faster?

There are several proactive steps you can take to navigate the asylum process more effectively and, very often, expedite your case. This is especially true if your application has been pending for years with USCIS, which clearly means they will not prioritize it. Remember, the law is on your side and it is your right to use these tools to request—or even demand—a fair processing time for your asylum application. 

Many people suggest the first two options as ways to expedite your asylum case, but in reality, they offer little to no chance of success.

1. Request USCIS to Expedite Your Case

Overview: Easy to do, very low success rate. 

If your asylum application has been pending for an extended period, you are free to request expedited processing from USCIS if you are able to demonstrate an urgent need for consideration, such as:

• Severe financial hardship
• Urgent humanitarian concerns (e.g., family danger, medical issues)
• A clear USCIS error
• Government interest in your case

The only way to do this is to contact the USCIS Contact Center by phone or submit a written request to the asylum office handling your case. However, it is important to be realistic: USCIS is not obligated to respond or acknowledge this type of request. You're basically sending them a friendly note that says "please expedite my case" — and it makes it very easy for them to ignore you.

2. Ask a Congressional Representative for Help

Overview: Harder to do, low success rate. 

In rare cases, asylum applicants have successfully petitioned their U.S. Senator or House Representative to intervene with USCIS in an effort to expedite their case. Each congressperson has their own procedures for handling immigration inquiries, so you would need to contact their office directly to understand the specific steps required. Typically, this involves submitting a formal request and going through many bureaucratic processes, along with providing official documents that explain the urgency of your situation.

Achieving this is very difficult for a few reasons: 

• Congressional offices do not have the authority to force USCIS to take action. They can only ask USCIS to review the case. And USCIS is within their right to simply acknowledge their inquiry and do nothing about it. 
• Very strict criteria for accepting requests. Waiting a long time, even for many years, is not considered a valid reason for expedited processing. Meeting USCIS's requirements for expedited processing is very difficult. 
• It is very easy for USCIS to provide a non-response. Even if USCIS does respond, it is almost always a standard template stating your case is "pending review" and they will do "everything in their power" to process it faster. 
• The political power in your area has to support asylum seekers. Unfortunately, political support for asylum seekers across the U.S. is very divided. If the political power in your area does not support the cause, it is very unlikely they will intercede in your favor. 

The problem with these two options is that USCIS has no lawful obligation to respond, so they can just ignore your petition. The next option, however, is completely different. 

3. File a Mandamus Lawsuit (Highest Success Rate)

Overview: Very easy to do, very high success rate. 

A writ of mandamus is a type of lawsuit filed in federal court that literally lawfully forces USCIS to act on your pending case. While this method does not guarantee approval, it does have something that the rest of the options above don't: it guarantees a response from USCIS and compels them to make a decision. 

When to File a Mandamus Lawsuit ✔️

You should consider filing if you are in one or more of these situations:
✔ Your asylum case has been pending for over 5 years.
✔ You have a pending asylum work permit renewal and need a decision.
✔ Your asylum interview was completed but you have no decision.
✔ Your case delay is causing serious hardship.

When a Mandamus Lawsuit Might Not Work ❌

• If your case is in immigration court..
• If your application is incomplete (errors or missing documents).
• If you’ve been waiting for less than three years (mandamus is typically for extreme delays).

Filing a Mandamus requires careful preparation, strong legal arguments, and often the assistance of an experienced service. 

At Pro Se Pro, we provide an easy-to-use, affordable tool that guides you through filing a mandamus lawsuit yourself—without paying expensive attorney fees. 

Check out our I-589 Asylum Mandamus service and find out how you can get started today. Many applicants have seen life-changing results.

What Happens After Filing a Mandamus Lawsuit?

There are three possible outcomes:

• USCIS Issues a Decision – They process your case and provide an answer within 180 days.
• USCIS Expedites Your Case – Even without a court ruling, they may act faster.
• Case Dismissal – If the court deems the delay justified, they may deny your lawsuit.

If your case is dismissed, don’t worry—many dismissals can be challenged and overturned.

Fearing retaliation from the government? No need! The government is legally prohibited from retaliating against you for filing a lawsuit. What's more, retaliation is simply not a good strategy for them and it ever happens. In fact, USCIS often processes cases faster to avoid the cost litigation.

Take Control of Your Case

Waiting indefinitely for a decision shouldn't be your only option. Pro Se Pro provides a fast, affordable alternative to traditional methods like immigration attorneys, whose services quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. With Pro Se Pro, you can:

✅ File a mandamus lawsuit yourself—without a lawyer.
✅ Get step-by-step guidance and templates.
✅ Push USCIS to act on your case.

We have guided thousands of asylum seekers in their legal action to move their cases forward—you can be the next. Don’t let delays control your future. 

Take 2 minutes to fill out our quiz and discover what options you have for your case!