My application has been pending for years. Can I make USCIS decide it?
Possibly. A federal lawsuit, often brought under the Mandamus Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, may be used to challenge an unreasonably delayed USCIS case and ask the court to require the agency to act. It does not ask the court to approve your application — it asks the court to require USCIS to make a decision. Whether a delay is legally unreasonable depends on the case type, length and reasons for the delay, the harm it is causing, and other case-specific factors.
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Administrative processing often means your visa application has been refused under Section 221(g) while the consulate completes additional review or waits for additional information. If the consulate requested documents, submit them promptly and follow the instructions provided. If no additional documents were requested, the case may simply require further government processing. For unusually long delays, an attorney can assess whether additional follow-up or, in some circumstances, federal litigation may be appropriate. The available options depend on the reason for the delay and the specific consular case.