Asylum Guide

To apply for Asylum in the U.S., you must be physically present in the U.S. or seeking entry into the U.S. at a port of entry.

To apply for asylum, you should file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, with USCIS within one year of your last arrival in the United States (unless an exception applies). Do not submit a fingerprint card or fingerprint fee with your application.

Once USCIS has received the completed application, you will receive two notices:

1. Acknowledgment of receipt of your application, and
2. Notice to visit your nearest application support center (ASC) for fingerprinting

You will receive an Application Support Centers (ASC) Appointment Notice which should be read and brought with you to your fingerprinting appointment at the ASC. You do not need to pay a fingerprinting fee as an asylum applicant.

If you are also requesting asylum status for your spouse and children and they are with you in the U.S., they will need to go with you to your ASC appointment.

You will be scheduled for an interview with an asylum officer either at one of the eight asylum offices or at a USCIS field office.

Your interview notice will tell you the date, location, and time of your asylum interview.

The length of the process is unpredictable at this time due to the number of asylum applications.

You may bring an attorney or accredited representative to the interview. You must also bring your spouse and any children seeking derivative asylum benefits to the interview.

If you need an interpreter, you must bring one. You may also bring witnesses to testify on your behalf.

Interview will generally last about an hour, but time may vary depending on the case.

For more information, see Preparing for Your Asylum Interview.

An Asylum officer will determine whether you:

(1) are eligible to apply for asylum,

(2) meet the definition of a refugee in section 101(a)(42)(A) of the INA, and

(3) are barred from being granted asylum under section 208(b)(2) of the INA.

A supervisory asylum officer reviews the asylum officer’s decision to ensure it is consistent with the law.

In most cases, you will return to the asylum office to pick up the decision two weeks after the asylum officer interviewed you

Longer processing times may be required if you: are currently in valid immigration status, were interviewed at a USCIS field office, have pending security checks, or have a case that is being reviewed by asylum division staff at USCIS headquarters.

It is normal for the decision to be mailed in these situations.

A defensive application for asylum occurs when you request asylum as a defense against removal from the U.S. In order to be defensive you must be in removal proceedings in immigration court.

If the individual was referred by USCIS, the asylum application already filed will carry over to the immigration judge. If the individual did not yet submit an asylum application he or she will submit it to the Immigration Judge.

Source: Obtaining Asylum in the United States

The Immigration Judge will hear the case in an adversarial (court-like) proceeding.

The Judge will hear arguments from both of the following parties:

1. The individual (and his or her attorney if represented)

2. The U.S. Government, which is represented by an attorney from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The Immigration court will also provide a qualified interpreter for the asylum hearing and all other court proceedings.

The Immigration Judge will decide if the individual is eligible for asylum. If found eligible, the Immigration Judge will order asylum to be granted. If found ineligible for asylum, the Immigration Judge will determine whether the individual is eligible for any other forms of relief from removal. If found ineligible for other forms of relief, the Immigration Judge will order the individual to be removed from the United States.

The Immigration Judge’s decision can be appealed by either party.

Source: Obtaining Asylum in the United States

There should be supporting evidence that accompanies the asylum application. You will need evidence to collaborate your story or to show why the evidence is unavailable.

Simply filing the application does not mean it will be granted, you increase your chances by presenting evidence if it can be obtained.

Be on time when showing up to court or to an interview.

• Make sure to file the supporting evidence the required amount of days before your appointment.
• Specify witnesses and experts within the applicable time
• File your asylum application and any motions in time with the Immigration Court
• Submitting your application within the one-year deadline.

It is important to be fully prepared before any immigration interviews. The questions can be about past applications filed with immigration or about previous arrests and admission to crimes. You will need to be prepared and handle any questions that may be asked concerning your past as well as your current situation. A lack of preparation could result in the application being denied or even being placed in deportation proceedings.

If you can afford or find an attorney it is highly recommended to do so. As these mistakes have shown it is very rule-oriented with many deadlines to follow. An attorney will help make sure these deadlines are followed, that you acquire evidence, are prepared for your interview, and that your interests will be protected.

Online: You may obtain a Form I-589 online at: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-589.pdf

Phone: Asylum seekers in detention centers and jails may call the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) collect at 202-296-5191or toll-free at 888-272-1913 on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2 to 5 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to request an application.

In Person: If you are scheduled to appear in immigration court, the immigration judge presiding over your case will provide you with an asylum application.

You can also obtain a form, in person, from a USCIS Field Office. Call USCIS Customer Service for information regarding the nearest office for the immigration service at 800-375-5283.

Answer all questions on the form I-589 as instructed. Your answers must be complete, accurate, and consistent. An incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent application may be denied.

If a question does not apply to you, write in “N/A” to indicate that the question is not applicable. Never leave any question blank unless instructed to do so.

It is important that you carefully read the “Instructions for I-589” before you begin to fill out your application, and as often as you need while you are filling out the form.

Instructions can be found online at: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-589instr.pdf

Here you will be asked to fill out personal Information regarding:

• Your basic information. (Name, A-Number, physical address, etc.)
• Spouse and any children
• Your background information
• If there is not enough space to list all of the necessary information, you may fill out as many supplemental forms as needed at the end of the application.
• NOTE: You must submit an additional copy of your I-589 Application for each family member you include in part A. In addition for your spouse, you must submit three copies of your marriage certificate; and for each child, you must submit three copies of their birth certificates.

Here you will fill out information about your application and WHY you are seeking asylum.

If you answer “Yes” to any question in this section, you must explain using an I-589 Supplement B or any additional sheets of paper as needed.

Although, some of the reasons why you are seeking asylum may be difficult to speak about, it is very important for your application, that you explain them on your completed Form I-589.

You may also submit a personal declaration as a part of this section. If you do, you should indicate “see personal declaration” in this section.

Here you will fill out additional information about your application.

Again, you must explain any “Yes” answers by providing an I-589 Supplement B or any additional sheets of paper with your complete I-589 application.

NOTE: If you are not submitting this application within the ONE YEAR time frame. You will indicate here and submit an I-589supplement. The Government may accept as an explanation certain changes in the conditions in your country, certain changes in your own circumstances, and certain other events that may have prevented you from applying earlier.

Failure to submit an I-589 within ONE YEAR of your arrival in the U.S. is grounds for denial of your application.

Here you must sign the application. Your signature is required and represents your confirmation of the truthfulness of your I-589 application.

If anyone assisted you in the preparation of your I-589, they must sign the application and fill out the information as instructed.