Ruder M. Calderon-Ramirez v. James W. McCament, 877 F.3d 272 (7th Cir. 2017). · Go Syfert
Ruder M. Calderon-Ramirez v. James W. McCament, 877 F.3d 272 (7th Cir. 2017). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“while both parties agree that uscis has a duty to process ramirez's application, the act and corresponding regulation fail to enumerate a timeframe that uscis is required to process u-visa petitions for the waiting list. thus, we must determine whether ramirez's wait has been unr…”
314 citation events (314 in the last 25 years) across 23 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Susana Abigail Melara Alvarado v. Director, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (okwd, 2026-02-13)
Treatment trajectory · 2018 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2018 2022 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Susana Abigail Melara Alvarado v. Director, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
W.D. Okla. · 2026 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
while both parties agree that uscis has a duty to process ramirez's application, the act and corresponding regulation fail to enumerate a timeframe that uscis is required to process u-visa petitions for the waiting list. thus, we must determine whether ramirez's wait has been unr…
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Pham v. Jaddou
S.D. Cal. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
we must determine whether 9 has a right to skip ahead of other petitioners who filed an application before , 10 but who are also waiting for adjudication for the u-visa waiting list.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Segovia v. Garland (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
N.D. Ga. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
oth parties agree that uscis has a duty to process" the plaintiff's u-visa petition
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Romero Ramires v. Wolf (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
D.N.M. · 2020 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
due to the circumstances uscis faces and the agency's recent changes to alleviate the backlog, we do not find ramirez's wait to be unreasonable at this time.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Luis Rodriguez Cantu v. Warden
N.D. Ind. · 2026 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 274 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Harsh Patel v. Markwayne Mullin and Joseph B. Edlow
E.D. Wis. · 2026 · confidence medium
That statute created “a new nonimmigrant visa classification that permits immigrants who are victims of serious crimes and who assist law enforcement to apply for and receive a nonimmigrant visa called a U-visa.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 274 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Nacima Taklit, Mounir Benlalam v. Pamela Bondi in her official capacity as Attorney General of the United States, Kristi Noem in her official capacity as Secretary of Homeland Security, Kika Scott in her official capacity as Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director of USCIS
S.D. Ind. · 2026 · confidence medium
"Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available." See Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (citing Iddir v. Immigr.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jose Manuel Solis Alvarez v. Warden et al.
N.D. Ind. · 2026 · confidence medium
The parties agree that in 2024 his wife filed a petition to add him to her U-1 visa, which remains pending before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).1 In January 2026, Mr. Solis Alvarez was taken into custody by ICE agents in Indiana pursuant to an administrative warrant, and was subsequently transferred to Miami 1 The U-visa program, enacted in October 2000, “created a new nonimmigrant visa classification that permits immigrants who are victims of serious crimes and who assist law enforcement to apply for and receive a nonimmigrant visa called a U-visa.” Calder…
examined Cited as authority (rule) Lumina Materials, LLC, Aleksei Fedorov, Tatiana Fedorova v. Marco Rubio in his official capacity as US Secretary of State, Robert Jachim in his official capacity as Acting Director of Screening, Analysis and Coordination (3×) also: Cited "see"
S.D. Ind. · 2026 · confidence medium
"Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available." Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Joel De La Torre Molina v. Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ind. · 2026 · confidence medium
However, those who are waiting to be placed on the waiting list are not granted this benefit.” Calderon-Ramirez, 877 F.3d at 274 (citation omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Saad Alhiti, Zainab Abduljabbar v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, Thomas Barrack, Ambassador of the U.S. at the U.S. Embassy Akara, Turkey
N.D. Ill. · 2026 · confidence medium
A court will grant a writ of mandamus where a petitioner shows: “(1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hemant Bhaidas et al. v. Kristi Noem et al. (2×)
N.D. Ind. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir, 301 F.3d at 499 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Thompson v. Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employee Division of International Brotherhood of Teamsters
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
In addition, “[t]o survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 ) (quotations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Welfare Fund v. McClain, in his official capacity as Insurance Commissioner of Arkansas
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
Dep’t of Transp., 55 F.4th 529 , 533 (7th Cir. 2022) (courts without subject matter jurisdiction cannot dismiss cases with prejudice and therefore Eleventh Amendment immunity dismissal is without prejudice). accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon- Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Huckleby v. Stewart
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
Huckleby did not respond to the motion; rather, he filed a “response” stating that he did not receive notice via mail and asks the case to be “reheard.” (R. 12.) “To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon- Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)) (quotations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Escamilla v. Halloran
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
“To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bangert v. U.S. Embassy In Ethiopia, Consular Section
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
May 20, 2024); Ebrahimi, 732 F. Supp. 3d at 909.12 See also Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (extrapolating from Iddir to find that applicants for the U-visa, a visa authorized by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, rather than the INA, had a right to adjudication of their applications in a reasonable period of time).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Arif v. Blinken (3×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
For a court to grant a writ, the petitioner must demonstrate: “(1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wang v. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Patel v. Noem
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
However, the Seventh Circuit in Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 276 (7th Cir. 2017) affirmed dismissal of an APA unreasonable delay claim, concluding that a U-Visa applicant’s wait for adjudication by USCIS was not unreasonable.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Aceves Lobatos v. Noem
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
“Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (cleaned up).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Garjani, Mehraveh v. Flores, Pete R.
W.D. Wis. · 2025 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Salem v. Mayorkas
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Finch v. Village of Sauk Village
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
“To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon- Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)) (quotations omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Alqrinawi v. Cioppa
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
Id. (citing 5 U.S.C. § 706 (1) and Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Patel v. Sanders
N.D. Ill. · 2025 · confidence medium
Mar. 12, 2025) (quoting Calderon- Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jama v. Wahid
E.D. Wis. · 2025 · confidence medium
For the court to grant the writ, a plaintiff must demonstrate: “(1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rivera v. Township High School District 214
N.D. Ill. · 2024 · confidence medium
(R. 21.) LEGAL STANDARD “To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)) (internal quotations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rivera v. Township High School District 214
N.D. Ill. · 2024 · confidence medium
(R. 21.) LEGAL STANDARD “To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCarment, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)) (internal quotations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Vang v. Franceschi
E.D. Wis. · 2024 · confidence medium
For the court to grant the writ, a plaintiff must demonstrate: “(1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dyvonyak v. Mayorkas (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ill. · 2024 · confidence medium
For the court to grant the writ, Plaintiff must demonstrate: “(1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) [that] no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gonzalez v. State (2×) also: Cited "see"
Md. · 2024 · confidence medium
No. 106-386, Div. A, 114 Stat. 1464 (2000), codified at inter alia, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(15)(U).” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 274 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gonzalez v. State (2×) also: Cited "see"
Md. · 2024 · confidence medium
No. 106-386, Div. A, 114 Stat. 1464 (2000), codified at inter alia, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(15)(U).” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 274 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gonzalez v. State (2×) also: Cited "see"
Md. · 2024 · confidence medium
No. 106-386, Div. A, 114 Stat. 1464 (2000), codified at inter alia, 8 U.S.C. § 1101 (a)(15)(U).” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 274 (7th Cir. 2017).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Zadeh v. Blinken (3×) also: Cited "see", Cited "see, e.g."
N.D. Ill. · 2024 · confidence medium
“Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ebrahimi v. Blinken (2×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ill. · 2024 · confidence medium
For the court to grant the writ, plaintiffs-petitioners must demonstrate: “(1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) [that] no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Russell, Matthew v. Blinken, Antony (3×)
W.D. Wis. · 2024 · confidence medium
Under either statute, the question is whether the agency has “unreasonably delayed” in taking the requested action. 5 U.S.C. § 706 (1) (Administrative Procedure Act authorizes courts to “compel agency action . . . unreasonably delayed”); Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (there is a duty under Mandamus Act to “adjudicate [visa] applications in a reasonable period of time”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Gilani v. Bitter
C.D. Ill. · 2024 · confidence medium
In Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, it was uncontested that the relevant U-Visa statute required the U.S. State Department to process applications within a “reasonable period of time.” 877 F. 3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Akhter v. Blinken
S.D. Ohio · 2024 · confidence medium
For example, with respect to the fourth factor, Defendants argue that granting Plaintiffs’ request would require the Embassy to catapult Plaintiff Hashmi’s pending petition to the front of the line, skipping “ahead of other petitioners who filed an application before [him], but who are also waiting for adjudication.” Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Khan v. Bitter
N.D. Ill. · 2023 · confidence medium
In Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, the parties did not dispute that the applicable U-Visa statute mandated the U.S. State Department adjudicate the applications within a “reasonable period of time.” 877 F. 3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bodo v. Cioppa
N.D. Ill. · 2023 · confidence medium
“Mandamus relief will be granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Calderon- Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Iddir v. INS, 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002)).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Vargas Orozco v. Blinken (3×) also: Cited "see"
N.D. Ill. · 2023 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 276 (7th Cir. 2017); see Camarena v. Cuccinelli, No. 19 C 5643, 2020 WL 550597 , at *2 (N.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wilcox v. Memorial Hospital
N.D. Ind. · 2023 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bailey, III v. Jezierski
N.D. Ind. · 2023 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Aspen American Insurance Company v. Blackbaud, Inc.
N.D. Ind. · 2023 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Juan A. G.-P.
Conn. · 2023 · confidence medium
The [U visa] provides legal status to petitioners and qualifying family members to apply for work authorization and [to] remain in the United States.’’ (Citations omitted.) Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 274 (7th Cir. 2017). ‘‘The U visa program [which is administered by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS)] is intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to detect, investigate, and prosecute [certain crimes] . . . against [undocumented immigrants], while offering…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Royer v. Elkhart City of (2×)
N.D. Ind. · 2022 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lacy v. Maywood Police Department
N.D. Ill. · 2022 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017). hospital psychiatric ward, “as he had been counseled by his treating psychiatrist to admit himself in the event he feels totally overwhelmed.” [Id. at ¶ 27.] He was transferred to Westlake Hospital, where he stayed for several days. [Id. at ¶¶ 28–29.] On June 13, 2019, Lacy was released from Westlake Hospital. [14 (Compl.) at ¶ 29.] Upon his return to the Maywood Police Department headquarters, Lacy began having problems with his vision.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Aspen American Insurance Company v. Blackbaud, Inc.
N.D. Ind. · 2022 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Lederman v. The Hershey Company
N.D. Ill. · 2022 · confidence medium
Calderon-Ramirez v. McCament, 877 F.3d 272, 275 (7th Cir. 2017).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Ruder M. CALDERON-RAMIREZ, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
James W. MCCAMENT, Acting Director, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Elaine C. Duke, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Defendants-Appellees
16-4220.
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Dec 5, 2017.
877 F.3d 272
Justin R. Burton, Lauren E.- McClure, Attorneys, Kriezelman Burton & Associates, Chicago, IL, for Plaintiff-Appellant., Lauren Crowell Bingham, Attorney, Department of Justice, Civil Division, Washington, ¡DC, Craig A,' Oswald, Attorney, Office of the United States Attorney, Chicago, IL, for Defe'ndants-Appellees.
Bauer, Hamilton, Darrow, District-.
Cited by 150 opinions  |  Published  |  civil
BAUER, Circuit Judge.

Ruder Calderon-Ramirez, a native and citizen of Guatemala, filed a petition for U Nonimmigrant Status on February 5, 2015. Due to,a significant backlog, Ramirez is waiting to be evaluated for the waiting list. On August 15, 2016, he filed a petition for writ of mandamus in the Northern District of Illinois requesting that the district court compel Leon Rodriguez, Director of Homeland Security, and Jeh Johnson, Secretary of Homeland Security, (collectively, “Defendants”), to adjudicate his U-visa petition. Ramirez argues the wait to be placed on the waiting list is unreasonable. The district court granted the Defendants’ motion to dismiss. Ramirez now appeals. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

In October 2000, Congress created the U-visa through the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000' (“the Act”), Pub. L. No. 106-386, Div. A, 114 Stat. 1464 (2000), codified at inter alia, 8 U.S.C. § U01(a)(15)(U). The Act created a new nonimmigrant visa classification that permits immigrants who are victims of serious crimes and who assist law enforcement to apply for and receive a nonimmigrant visa called a U-visa. Id. The U-visa provides legal status to petitioners and qualifying family members to apply for work authorization and remain in thé United States. Id. In order to qualify, the Department of Homeland Security must determine that: (1) the petitioner “suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity (2) the petitioner “possesses information concerning [the] criminal' activity”; (3) the petitioner has been, is, or is likely to be helpful to government officials regarding the Criminal activity; and, (4) the criminal activity at issue occurred in or violated the laws of the United States. 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(i)(I-IV).

Congress enacted a statutory cap of 10,-000 U-visas each fiscal year. 8 U.S.C. § 1184(p)(2)(A). Because of this cap, a waiting list exists for petitioners seeking adjudication. 8 C.F.R. § 214.14(d)(2). This results in two separate waiting periods and two adjudications for each petitioner—one for placement on the waiting list and one to receive a U-visa. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will grant eligible petitioners and qualifying family members on the waiting list deferred action and work authorization while they wait for final adjudication. Id. However, those who are waiting to be placed on the waiting list are not granted this benefit.

Ramirez, a native and citizen of Guatemala, entered the United States in April 2002 and has remained here since. On August 16, 2014, he was stabbed in his back and leg during a felonious assault.

On February 5, 2015, USCIS received Ramirez’s Form 1-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, Form 1-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant, and to waive his entry without inspection into the country. Since then, Ramirez has been waiting for his petition to be evaluated so he can be placed on the waiting list.

On August 15, 2016, two years after the attack and a year and a half after filing his petition, Ramirez requested the district court to issue an order compelling the Defendants to adjudicate his U-visa petition through mandamus relief or, in the alternative, under the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”). In response, the Defendants filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. After a hearing, the district court granted the Defendants’ motion to dismiss both claims. Ramirez now appeals.

II. DISCUSSION

We review a district court’s grant of a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim de novo, Volling v. Kurtz Paramedic Servs., Inc., 840 F.3d 378, 382 (7th Cir. 2016). “To survive a motion to dismiss, a complaint must contain sufficient factual matter, accepted’ as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’ ” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009) (quoting Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007)). “We accept as true all of the well-pleaded facts in the complaint and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the plaintiff[-appellant].” Kubiak v. City of Chicago, 810 F.3d 476, 480-81 (7th Cir. 2016).

A. Mandamus Relief

District courts have the authority to issue a writ of mandamus to compel an agency to perform a duty owed to a plaintiff. 28 U.S.C. § 1361. “Mandamus relief will be- granted if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the three enumerated conditions are present: (1) a clear right to the relief sought; (2) that the defendant has a duty to do the act in question; and (3) no other adequate remedy is available.” Iddir v. I.N.S., 301 F.3d 492, 499 (7th Cir. 2002).

To determine what right is owed to the plaintiff, we look to the statute enacted by Congress. Id. Looking at the Act, there is no dispute that Ramirez has a right to adjudication for both the waiting list and a U-visa, Rather, Ramirez argues that the delay ]ie has endured to be placed on the U-visa waiting list is unreasonable, and thus, he has a right to immediate adjudication.

In Iddir, we found that the former Immigration and Naturalization Services had a “duty to adjudicate the appellants’ applications in a reasonable period of time.” Id, at 500. While Iddir dealt with the Diversity Visa Lottery Program rather than the U-visa we face, we find this same standard applicable here. Furthermore,. 8 C.F.R. 214.14(d)(2) states, “[pjriority on the waiting list will be determined by the date the petition was filed with the oldest petitions receiving the highest priority.” Thus, due to the significant backlog of U-visa applications,- we must determine whether Ramirez has a right'to skip ahead of other petitioners who filed an application before Ramirez, but who are- also .waiting for adjudication for the U-visa waiting list.

Ramirez fails to set forth any facts that differentiate himself from other petitioners waiting ahead of him for adjudication. The appellees did concede at oral argument that there are instances when the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement can and will expedite a petition. However, Ramirez fails to present a situation appropriate to warrant such an action. With nothing in the record to suggest his wait time has been any more unreasonable than other petitioners waiting in the same line, we have no reason to grant mandamus relief.

B. Administrative Procedure Act Relief

Ramirez also seeks relief under the APA, arguing that USCIS has a nondiscre-tionary duty to process his application and that he has experienced an unreasonable delay. The APA specifically states that, “within a reasonable time, each agency shall proceed to conclude a matter presented to it.” 5 U.S.C. § 555(b). Additionally, the APA provides, “[t]he reviewing court shall compel agency action unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed.” 5 U.S.C. § 706(1).

While both parties agree that USCIS has a duty to process Ramirez’s application, the Act and corresponding regulation fail to enumerate a timeframe that USCIS is required to process U-visa petitions for the waiting list. Thus, we must determine whether Ramirez’s wait has. been unreasonable.

USCIS is dealing with an exponentially increasing number of U-Visa applications. Since 2009, the U-Visa backlog has increased from 21,138 to 177,340 pending applications. ** Prior to August 2016, US-CIS had one service center processing applications. In August 2016, USCIS began distributing U-visa petitions to a second service center in response to the increasing backlog. USCIS argues that this change will take time to be felt by petitioners. Due to the circumstances USCIS faces and the agency’s recent changes to alleviate the backlog, we do not find Ramirez’s wait to be unreasonable at this time. Thus, relief under the APA must also be denied.

III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the district court’s grant of the defendants’ motion to dismiss is AFFIRMED.

**

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Servs., Number of Form 1-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status, by Fiscal Year, Quarter, and Case Status 2009-2017, https://www.uscis.gov/sites/ default/files/USCIS/Resources/Reports% 20and% 20Studies/Immigration% 20Forms% 20Data/Victims/I918u_visastatis-tics_fy2017_qtr3.pdf (last visited Nov. 29, 2017).