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Greetings All, Just wanted to start a Mena DS-5535 Forum, as it seems tons of people here go through this process and have no platform to vent. I am not sure how deep this rabbit hole will go but I hope this will become a venue everyone can talk and vent and retain information lost with those throughout this process. As of right now, here is my timeline everybody: I hope you all gain something from this: 08MAY2023 - Interview Date - Ready 09MAY2023 - Refused 221(G) - Documents not Submitted. 10MAY2023 - Refused 221(G) - Documents Submitted 11MAY2023 - Refused 221(G) - No Action on our Behalf 22MAY2023 - Refused 221(G) - No Action on our Behalf 24MAY2023 - Refused 221(G) - No Action on our Behalf 26MAY2023 - Refused 221(G) - No Action on our Behalf 06JUNE2023 - Refused 221(G) - No Action on our Behalf 20JUNE2023 - WRIT OF MANDAMUS FILED - PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief against RENA BITTER, ANTONY J. BLINKEN, JAYNE HOWELL 21JUNE2023 - WRIT OF MANDAMUS CASE ASSIGEND - SUMMONS (5) Issued Electronically as to RENA BITTER, ANTONY J. BLINKEN, JAYNE HOWELL, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General(zrtw) 23JUNE2023 - Refused 221(G) - No Action on our Behalf 28JUNE2023 - STANDARD ORDER for civil cases signed by our Judge 24JULY2023 (Part 1) - RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint - Returned Executed as to Federal Defendant Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General - Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 8/21/2023 26JULY2023 (Part 2) - RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint - Returned Executed as to Federal Defendant Summons Returned Executed as to U.S. Attorney General - Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 8/21/2023 28JULY2023 - Refused 221(G) - TODAY. We had started the process to file a Writ of Mandamus after 40 days and spent $4000.00. We used Morrison-URENA. There is a Telegram Group called 'mandamus_ap' on Telegram if you give it a search that has a list of verified lawyers to give you some additional guidance that I highly recommend. Although I cannot provide the link here, you can type what I put in bold and the group will pop up. As for now. Lets see where this goes everyone. My fiance and I have 10 days left until the Gov't has to respond so wish us luck!

Hey y'all has anyone had any luck contacting the Ankara embassy after being in administrative processing for 6 months? My husband was refused a visa six months ago due to a previous deportation issue but we've been trying to contact the embassy for sometime with just radio silence... We contacted our congressman to ask for an update and even then they gave his office the wrong information and what not but not much noise otherwise. Has anyone been able to actually get their IR1 visa after more than 6 months?

a few days ago I had an interview in the us embassy,, and all documents were completed,, and the CO asked many questions,, then he thought and finally he said I mark you AP administrative processing. he gave me my passport back and my birthday certificate he said what you said is correct I said yeah then he said ok put the right hand 4 fingers then suddenly he said can you show me your chat history i showed I brought there like 500 pages he asked how often you both talk I said daily my question is, HOW long does it take to administrative processing US EMBASSY ABU DHABI? Has someone had an experience like that before?

Hello, I am immigrating on IR1 visa and my interview is next month. I was an international student in the US and left to my home country after university. Prior to leaving I had 2 speeding tickets that I forgot to pay. After few years I came across them and called the courts to find out that I had 2 arrest warrants for not paying. I immediately stood before judges via Zoom, Judges dismissed both cases after paying the fines. Thus, both the arrest warrants dismissed. My immigration attorney answered the following question with ’NO’ since I didn’t get arrested.. Again, I was NEVER ARRESTED, but was issued an arrest warrant after leaving the US. Cases and warrants were dismissed after paying the fines. Should I have answered ‘Yes’? Is this going to trigger an administrative processing? I can’t change DS-260, Should I disclose it in advance prior to the interview or only if I was asked about it? Many thanks.

We have been in AP since last December. Received this message on the CEAC website today although haven't received any emails. Has this happened to anyone else? "Please be advised that you are requested to Re-Undertake Medical evaluations."

Those who have filed a Writ of Mandamus during administrative processing, how long after the summons was issued did it take to see movement on your case?

Hello everyone, loved hearing everyone's voice on this...can anyone also help us out. Bit confusion on our side: My family is scheduled for F4 interview in upcoming few weeks in Mumbai. My son is in Canada recently got his permanent resident (PR). Since, it's been a while the case was updated. My son had been removed due to a CSPA rule. However, after talking to the consulate they are letting him come in for an interview. Will have to fill out DS-260 and upload all civil docs on CEAC. Does anyone know if my son should get his biometrics and medical done in Canada or he is only allowed to get it from India? Thanks.

I applied for an F-1 visa with group handling through my university (we send a couple hundred students every semester, the uni is well-known by the Embassy). I was placed in AP (date of interview May 19th), and they asked me to fill a DS 5535 form (questionnaire on travel history, document history, emails, phones, social media, family members and employment history). I sent it back on the evening of the 19th. They also told me to keep my passport and wait for an email from the Embassy that tells me to deliver it to them once they're done processing me. My status tracker showed "Rejected" and the text that mentions you were either rejected or put in AP. The status was also updated on May 27th, but still shows the same text. It's been 41 days, the Embassy replied to zero emails and the consular office can't be contacted by phone. I'm rather worried, anyone has some similar experiences or can give some advice?

Hello, We are looking into filing a Writ of Mandamus suit against the embassy in Cairo, Egypt. I have consulted with an attorney who quoted about $6000.00. If anyone knows if that's average or has any recommendations of another attorney please let me know. Thank you!

Hi everyone! First time poster here. Had my interview yesterday in Montreal and was put into administrative processing with no reason given. The consular officer even admitted he did not know why it was happening. I'm still awaiting the follow-up email from the consulate... I suspect it will the DS-5535 questions because we used to live abroad but have lived in Canada for 8+ years. We are planning to cross the land border and drive from Toronto to Maine (my US citizen spouse has a family cottage there). I have a second passport (UK citizenship) and we are hoping I can cross using that passport as Montreal still have my Canadian passport. We've called the CBP and the actual border office (Buffalo, NY) and have received positive yet not totally clear messages. Has anyone else attempted this in the past? Thanks in advance!

Went to K1 Visa interview mid June and Officer asked for a Police Certificate from the country I was born. Got a White page G221 asking only for the Police certificate that was missing. Sent it to the Embassy July 20 and status changed yesterday July 26 from "Refused" to "Administrative Processing". Any idea how long will it take in a case like this in Paris/France? Thank you for info on this.

Hi, I've been interviewed for an O1 visa in March. The VO put my case under administrative processing 221g. Passport returned and no additional documents required. The CEAC status was "refused". 50 days later the status was changed from refused to administrative processing. Now, 10 business days are gone without any further reaction. What does this mean? Is there any hope? Or is this the typical processing time for O1? Any one has/had this experience?

Hi. Wondering if anyone knows why my wife's status was updated to administrative processing after sending in the additional information requested by the embassy along with her passport? Are they just checking what we sent in or is it serious? We had to send in a new sponser info. We did on April 18th we checked the status today and it says administrative processing any ideas