+ What is a Mandamus?

Mandamus is a legal term and Latin word meaning “we order.” A mandamus lawsuit or writ of mandamus is a legal action that asks a court to compel a government agency to perform a specific duty.

In the context of an asylum application, a mandamus lawsuit can be filed with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to force USCIS to schedule an asylum interview or make a decision on a pending asylum application.