I made a note to myself to be sure to come back here to Visa Journey to share with you all my experience with my filing of the writ of mandamus, whether the results would be good or bad, as I am hoping many of you, who were stuck like me, get the resolve you deserve. I noticed no one has documented enough about it so I'm happy to be the first.
My Writ of Mandamus that my lawyer filed forced the Jordanian Embassy to make a decision on our case since being stuck in AP since September 2019. It was a SUCCESS. My fianc picked up his Visa this morning. Before I get into the process, how long it took, who I hired, etc, I will breakdown my timeline first below.
I'm asking the senior and regular active members here to try to refrain from continuously sharing FALSE information about WoM. In the past several weeks I have read numerous comments from many of the senior members on other WoM posts DISCOURAGING people to move forward yet admitting to not knowing much about it or how it works. First of all you are not lawyers. Try not discourage on a subject you don't know much about. That's what petitioners and beneficiaries should seek legal consultations for. No two WOM's are alike. Only a lawyer can tell you if you are a good candidate and hopefully, you will consult with a lawyer like mine who insisted he see the petition and hear our case before agreeing.
So here is my timeline and what happened with my WOM:
- Visa Category, K-1
- Fiance's consulate Interview was 9/8/2019 (I-129F petition filed 3/23/2018)
- Agent at window advised we need to wait for a call that would "come in shortly" and returned passport
- Numerous emails sent to the Embassy inquiring what they needed with no response
- October 31, 2019 received an email from embassy asking for proof of relationship....we sent the same exact package they returned to us 10 minutes before his interview. Only thing we added were a few more photos
- No updates or word from them until January 2020 where I saw several updates on CEAC, no communication.
- February 2020 pandemic hit, no word. AP changed to REFUSED
- Researched writ of mandamus just in case we didn't hear anything soon and in fear pandemic will drag our case
- April 2020 located the best lawyer for me with long successful track record and paid for a 30 minutes consultation. After hearing my story and seeing my case, he accepted my case.
- May 15th I started my case.
- May 22nd my case was sent to the 8 agencies my lawyer was suing. They have 60 days to respond.
- Those 8 agencies are: USCIS, DEPT OF STATE, DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, US CONSULATE AMMAN JORDAN, SECRETARY OF THE DEPT OF DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, THE DIRECTOR OF USCIS, SECRETARY OF STATE, CHARGE' D'affaires of the US CONSULATE AMMAN JORDAN.
- June 29, my fiance receives a call from the US Embassy Amman asking him to update his Medical and send it in with his passport. We wait.
- July 18, Passport is sent back to my fiance with a list of 10 questions (similar to DS-5535) and to email responses back and wait for a call. Paper states it can take 2-6 weeks.
- July 18 also, US Attorney emails my lawyer and asks for a 60 day extension since its close to deadline. Judge also grants it.
- July 23, I email the responses to the 10 questions to Embassy.
- August 26, Embassy calls my fiance back to resend his passport again
- September 2, my lawyer receives an email from the US Attorney advising him that the Visa has been issued and CEAC status changes an hour later to "ISSUED"
- September 3, my fiance tracks the tracking number and sees Visa is already at Aramex and goes picks it up.
It took a total of about 3 1/2 months from the time they were served to finish. Definitely worth it. I have read some members giving incorrect information that the WoM could cost around $15,000 and read other outrageous numbers. It does not. I checked numerous lawyers before hiring mine and have received quotes anywhere from $4000 to $8000. Definitely have not heard more. I paid for my consultation which was then applied towards my WoM. My lawyer charged me on the lower end than most. I hired Jim Hacking of The Hacking Law Firm. I would only recommend him.
Please feel free to message me if you have any questions. Wishing you all love and happiness!