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download-225x300Jason Dzubow is an immigration attorney who specializes in political asylum, immigration court, and appeals.  He is a partner at Dzubow & Pilcher, PLLC, and his full profile can be found here.

Contact Jason Dzubow about an Asylum or Immigration case:

JDzubow@DzubowLaw.com

(202) 328-1353

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,536 comments

  1. Hi Jason,

    I have applied for Asylum in August 2016 with my dependents husband, 3 kids. Since I didn’t have a lawyer who helped with the application, I understood that I will only fill out one I-589 which was on my name and list my dependents. However, today my husband received a letter from USCIS (re: EAD that we applied after 150 days) saying that they can not locate his I-589 application. Then I realized I was supposed to file separate application for him. So my question is if we now file new I-589 for him, would they unite his case with mine and regards our case as family? Thank you so much for your help in advance. Best regards, May

    Reply
    • You can add him to your case as a dependent, and then he will be part of your case and can get his work permit faster. Contact the local asylum office for info about how to add him to your case. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  2. Good day Jason
    I have a question about the mailing address and resident address of the application. When I submitted the two addresses were different. I already received my EAD card waiting for the interview. Do I need change the two address into one ? If I change will be affected? The efftect means it will take longer to take interview. Or will be affected to win my case if I do not change into one. Both of my mailing addresses and resident address are in San Francisco.

    Reply
    • You can keep a mailing address where you get mail and a physical address where you live. There is no problem with that. If you change either address, you will need to inform the asylum office so you can keep getting your mail and/or so they know where you live. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thanks for your reply

        Reply
  3. hi Jason,

    Thanks for your valuable blog,

    I have Q, I hired my attorney through online google search, his fees is very reasonable, he has good and bed review on net, how do I find out that he is authorized lawyer for an asylum case, can I give you his name and firm name here, so you have an idea about his work, because I don’t want to be lose my case and also anyone else,
    Thanks & Regards

    Reply
    • you can not just ask one lawyer to comment on another lawyer man….

      Reply
      • I think you can – lawyers love to criticize other lawyers. But they may not want to do it quite so publicly…

        Reply
    • I doubt I would know him. I did a posting on March 2, 2016 where I talk about what a lawyer should do for you. Maybe this will help you evaluate whether he is any good. Other than that, you might ask around in the community if anyone knows him, but it is difficult to tell sometimes whether a lawyer is any good. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  4. Dear Jason,
    I have applied for asylum and waiting for interview here in the USA. My wife and child are in Africa and I plan to file for them to come to the USA once I win asylum. But as you well know the process will take years and they are in a highly unstable and insecure African country right now. Therefore since they have a visa to a European country I want to send them there and they will apply for asylum in Europe. My question is:
    1. Will them seeking asylum in a European country affect my filing for them to join me here once I win asylum?
    2. Will it delay the process of bringing them here to the USA?
    3. Will it affect our reunification from the USA side in anyway?
    Thank you Jason.

    Reply
    • 1 – No. 2 – I do not think so, but sometimes it is easier to process a case from the home country. In this situation, even if it causes some delay, I doubt it will be much. The fastest case we did like this was processed in Turkey when the client was from Syria, so the fact that those family members were in a third country had no effect. 3 – I do not think so. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  5. Hi Jason,

    I applied for Asylum on Dec 2016, currently i am working in one store without getting EAD. I am taking payment by bank Check instead of Cash. It it good to take payment by Checks, will this effect my asylum case?

    Reply
    • Working without permission will generally not affect an asylum case. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  6. Hi Jason, i am looking for your advice based on your ling yesrs of experience dealing with Asylum cases.

    I enter in US on B1/B2 visa. Then i applied for L1A visa on Feb 2016. But it got denied. Then i filed for MTR this also got denied. By this time it was more then 1 year i entered in US. Later on, i filed for political Asylum on Dec 2016 in Los Angeles. I am very worried about my case and possibility of winning the cSe. Many people are telling me that there is no hope in my case to get Case Approved as i applied after one year of time interval! Some saying as i applied for L1A before and then applied for Asylum very late there is very very less possibility that my case will get approved! Could you let me know how much possibilty do i have winning the case in this situation. Is there anything i can do to make the case get approved?

    Reply
    • It is true that a person should file within one year of arrival or meet an exception to that rule. You probably should talk to a lawyer about this, as it depends on the specific facts of your case, and I do not have enough info to advise you. But maybe you can argue that once the L visa was denied, you then decided to seek asylum. Or maybe there are some changed circumstances in your country that caused you to file. It is certainly possible to overcome the one-year filing rule, but you need to think about it and come up with a solution. If you ignore it, then it very likely will be a problem. A lawyer can help work through it and hopefully come up with a good solution. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  7. Hello jason. Thanks for the great work. My husband included us in his asylum and luck enough He won the case. He brought us to the United States though we separated within a year before I got my green card. He hit me and I called police. The case was taken to court but I have never stepped there as am not interested in the case. The problem I filled for my green and they sent him copies too but now it’s been over 6mnths since the year ended. How can I expedite my case. Thx

    Reply
    • I do not understand your question – you want to expedite your GC or you already have your GC? I think you cannot expedite the GC, but you can call USCIS to ask if it is going too slow. You can find their number at http://www.uscis.gov. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  8. Dear Jason,
    Thank you for the all out help in terms of our inquiries. My family is seeking asylum. I just got my renewed EAD, my daughters ead card is already in process when tracked. My question is, my husbands renewal application goes with mine with same expiration date but when i track it, theres no movement. Do you know what would be the probable cause of this as me and my daughter got approved with the renewal?
    Can you please advise on what to do.
    Please let me know as i am very worried thinking about it.
    Many thanks.

    Reply
    • I do not know why his case would be slower than yours. He can call USCIS to ask – the number can be found at http://www.uscis.gov. If that does not help, he can ask the USCIS Ombudsman for help – a link is at right. They assist with delayed cases. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  9. hi Jason,

    Thanks 4 your valuable blog services,

    today I got letter from USCIS (Nebraska) regarding my first EAD application against my 2nd service request dt. 02/17/17,
    its says that,
    ”USCIS records shows your case is in line to be reviewed by an officer, We ask that you allow additional time for this process to take place since we process these case in the order received. ”,

    what kind of review they doing, I don’t understand, already more then 4 moths passed, and customer service said that you wait more 30 days from the letter dated 03/08/2017, then file new service request

    kindly advise, if we put more service request it will negative effect on my asylum case,

    thanks & Best Regards

    Reply
    • I do not know, but it is receiving special treatment for some reason. If they take more than 30 days, you can do another service request. You can also contact the USCIS Ombudsman, a link is at right. That office helps with delayed cases. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  10. Hi Jason,
    I am an Asylee, I had my citizenship interview last year (2016) April and which was recommended for Approval. I was told to expect my Oath Ceremony letter in few weeks. Instead i got a letter that my name is pending background checks. It’s been Almost a year since my Citizenship interview and i still haven’t been called for Oath Ceremony. Could it be my travels to a third country the cause of the pending background checks. But i have never traveled back to my home Country.
    Please what can i do about this?

    I look forward to getting a response from you.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • I believe I responded to this already. If not, let me know. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  11. Hi jason the renew of work permit takes 180 to get new work permit or 120 days ? And also if i renew my work permit it is for one years the same or it is for 6 months ? If u can answer my question thanks for helping people god bless u jason

    Reply
    • I advise my clients to file to renew the work permit 120 days before the old permit expires. It take usually 2 to 4 months to get the new card, though when you get the receipt, the old work permit is automatically extended. The new card should be valid for 2 years. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  12. hi jason,
    I have a question can i apply for my green card after the 11 months of asylum granted
    and my family has also come to me in usa at family derivative asylum
    are they also eligible for green card at the same time of mine
    Thanks

    Reply
    • You can apply for the GC after one year with asylum. We used to mail the GC application after 11 months, but then one application got rejected. Since then, we wait the full year. You have to file the I-730 for your family within 2 years of being granted asylum. Once they get here, they have to wait one year before they apply for their GCs. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  13. Hi Jason,
    I have received a ticket for not securing a child in my car in Illinois which is a petty offense with a fine of 75 dollars, but it also requires appearance in court. Could that lead to deportation since I have a pending asylum case? Any advice would be helpful.
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • You cannot be deported if you have a pending asylum case. However, I have heard rumors of people being detained by ICE from courts. You should ask around to see whether this is a problem in your local court (in fact, I think it is pretty rare, but it never hurts to check). You should also keep a copy of your asylum receipt and (if you have it) your EAD with you to show that you have a pending asylum case. This will help protect you. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • I appreciate your quick response.

        Reply
  14. Hi Jason

    I have questions actually I just applied for Asylum in last month and I have already done with my biometric, now I want to to apply for Canadian immigration so can I apply for that by staying in USA and if I got the immigration can I travel to Canada from US ??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Your visa category?

      Reply
      • It was b1 but my asylum case is pending in USCiS

        Reply
        • Which state did u applied . I m also seeking to apply.

          Reply
    • You would need to contact a Canadian immigration lawyer about this. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Kashif from which state did u applied ur case.i m also intend to apply for religious asylum. Can u guide me.

        Reply
  15. Hi
    Jason lots of blessing u are doing a great job.
    I wanted to ask once I apply for asylum during that period will my kids get an admission in school on visit visa category

    Reply
    • If you apply for asylum and your children are here and in public school, they can attend. If they are not in the US, they would need a visa to come here, the same as anyone else, only it will be more difficult for them since you filed for asylum. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thanku for replying. My children will be with me in US. Will the school ask for any documentation for admission? Or shall I show them the visa copy and they wil gv my kids admission. Any guarantee ? SSN ?

        Reply
        • Every child in the US is permitted to attend school by law. You will have to ask the school what they need, but the children can go to school here. Take care, Jason

          Reply
          • Thanku Jason.

  16. Hi Jason,
    I sent the evidence request (photos, basically) one week back to the Potomac Service Center related to my EAD renewal. I’m wondering how to make sure they received it as the on the phone, the Uscis agent said they can’t confirm whether they received it or not.
    Your help will be appreciated!

    Reply
    • We usually send such documents by certified mail. Absent that, I think you will just have to wait and see whether USCIS processes the case, since it seems they cannot confirm the receipt of documents by phone. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thanks a lot Jason!

        Reply
  17. hi Jason,

    I have quick Q, I had applied my EAD card on 11/01/2016 (California), and its more then 4 month passed, till now no update, I put two time request, but no result, kindly guide

    2nd question, my Indian passport expiry in September -2017, can my asylum case expedite on my passport expiry soon, kindly advise,

    Thanks & Regards

    Reply
    • 1 – You should contact USCIS to ask. Their phone number can be found at http://www.uscis.gov. If that does not help, contact the USCIS Ombudsman, a link is at right. 2 – I do not think that is a good reason to expedite a case. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  18. Hi Jason,
    How are you? I have a couple of questions about asylum and persecution?
    1. Is it necessary for there to be past persecution or is fear of future persecution good enough basis for asylum?
    2. After one is granted asylum he can file for his family to come to the USA. My family is in Africa now but since the process here takes too long, I want to send them to Europe where they can seek asylum there. So my question is will them moving to Europe and seeking asylum there make z process longer for me to bring them here??? I mean is it easier and shorter for me to bring them from Africa or Europe?

    Reply
    • 1 – You must have a well-founded fear of future persecution to win asylum. If there was past persecution, the government presumes that you face future persecution unless there has been a fundamental change in country conditions. In other words, if you already suffered past persecution, you should automatically win your case unless the country has improved. 2 – I do not think it will affect the time frame if your family is in Europe or Africa. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  19. Hi Jason
    Thanks for your blog and helping people.
    I have 2 questions.
    1) I have filed asylum for based on domestic violence at my home country but my two year old daughter is still there with one of my friend.so is there any way I can call her here. My friend and my daughter both having USA visitor visa. What they can face at USA airport at immigration counter? can they both safely to be enter in country? Or Do I have to give some letter or permission from my side? Or do I have to take permission from asylum office before they travel here? Is it possible?
    2) I was professional doctor in my home country. So can I make further study here after getting work permit?

    Thanks
    Dee

    Reply
    • 1 – I do not know what documents you child needs to travel with an adult who is not her parent, but if they have those documents, they should both be able to come here. The problems comes when they try to enter the US and the border agent sees that you have filed for asylum (maybe they will not see this, but I think they will). They potentially could detain the child and your friend, or try to force them to leave the US. Your friend could then say that the child is seeking asylum based on your case, but I am not sure how they would react or how it might affect you. Of course, it is also possible that they will pas through the airport without a problem. Unfortunately, I do not think it is predictable. 2 – Once you get the work permit, you can study or work in the US. You can file for the work permit 150 days after your asylum application was submitted. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  20. Dear Jason,

    Can you please tell me if you had any positive case of expediting on the basis of family seperation. If yes what papers do we need to present other than medical statements.

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • My kid has developed some psychological disorders.

      Reply
      • If you have evidence of the disorders, you can submit that to the asylum office and ask to expedite. We have also requested that cases be expedited where the family members were in danger, either in the home country or in a third country. We have had success with this, but it is not always predictable how the asylum office will respond. Good luck, Jason

        Reply
  21. Hi Jason,
    Thank you so much for answering to all our question 🙂 I am one of those who have a question also 🙂 I applied for green card lottery last year, but before applying, i was asyum pending. My question is, in case of winning green card, what should i do? Go back to my country and get the interview there or can I do everything in the united states? Some people say if you win green card, you have to cancel your asylum and go back home for green card interview, others say you can stay in the US and get the interview here 🙂 Help me please 🙂

    Reply
    • Hi, am not Jason, but my take is risking your case for an interview you are not sure you will win is not worthy it. Remember u will need a viza to come back which will be the hardest to get for u. Any way good luck.

      Reply
    • If you win, you will need to hire a good lawyer to help you. Depending on different factors, you may have to leave the US, and this may or may not work. Also, returning to your country is potentially a problem since you have claimed you fear harm there. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • The thing is that in if you win green card in my country, you have to travel all the way to another country for interview, and as i know you after interview, if you pass, you get the green card in that country, which means I am not gonna go back to my country where i claimed i fear harm there 🙂

        Reply
        • That is much better, as it is not a great idea to go to your home country once you’ve claimed asylum. Take care, Jason

          Reply
  22. Hello Jason, good morning.Please, can you connect me with guys who had previously applied for an Advanced Parole to travel out of the US to a third country or can someone share with me his experience with applying for an Advanced Parole document to leave the US? How successful was it and if he had problems or issues returning back to the US after travelling to a third country. How safe is it to apply for an Advanced parole?

    Thanks Jason

    Reply
    • It depends on the person; we have had a number of clients leave on AP and return to the US without a problem. I think if you are concerned, you should talk to a lawyer, not to a person who did it and only knows about his own case. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  23. Hey Jason. I just want to share a very goof experience with Newark asylum office. As I inquired you several days ago, I and my wife both had problems with asylum receipts and we needed a receipt for EAD application urgently. I explained our situation to them by email and after one week, they replied my email saying that our asylum receipts will be mailed to my current address as soon as possible. In order not to delay my EAD application, they also attached a confirmation of our asylum application in the email, also explained that the attached document is normally enough for EAD application. Maybe not every office is the same, but I am really surprised by their considerate and kind assistance this time. If you have clients belong to Newark asylum office, I feel that many problems can be dealt with email. this time it took one week for them reply because they needed to check the information from the system. Last time I asked them about short-notice list and expedite procedure, they replied within hours.

    Reply
    • Hi Allen
      Can you please share the email address on which we can contact USCIS?

      Reply
      • each office has different email address. you can check from the asylum office locator in the right corner of this page.

        Reply
        • Got it. Thanks Allen! There are 2 email addresses. One is for general inquiries and the other is regarding credible fear determination. Which one should I use?

          Reply
    • Some offices are better than others, and some workers in each officer are better than others. But it is good news, so thank you for sharing, Jason

      Reply
    • Can u tell me please, what did they say about short-list.

      Reply
      • they say I should provide some good reason for applying to put me in short-notice list. You need to write an explanation and attach any supporting document. not every office is the same. for example, Arlington office doesn’t require any reason for short-notice list. you can just ask them to put your name.

        Reply
  24. Hi Jason
    I requested to expedite based on health issues and supported that with report from a doctor because I’m diagnosed with some masses and needed to be removed and have an other report for a previous surgery describes my difficult situation and I spoke with the supervisor himself explaining my situation and my need to have my husband beside me I don’t want to be alone in this, and yet its denied saying that there is massive backlog (my lawyer very optimistic said still expect them to expedite). So there is nothing like humanitarian reasons to approve the expedite its just depend on the mode of the officer.
    If you dont mind I have an enquiry regarding the advance parole.
    1-Do you thin if I apply for advance parole based on health conditions requesting it from inside and receive it in my same address in USA because in the form they ask if I’m inside or outside and leave the country before receiving a reply and let my friends send it to me is it a good idea, because I applied before and approved for me last November and left for one month because they give limited time for the advance parole. 2-Do you think they are not going to approve it for me because I’m asking for it for the second time, when i saw my doctor in the third country he advised to return in six month to follow up my case and the situation. One more thing to mention I’m from one of the six countries
    Thank you Jason for always been there taking care of our enquirers god bless you

    Reply
    • Hello Bass, please I am interested in your post. Please help me.
      1-How did you obtain your Advance Parole?
      2-How long did you stay out of the US after your Advance Parole was granted?
      3-Is it very risky to leave the US on Advance Parole?
      4-Did you have problems with the Immigration officers at the airport when you were returning back to the US on Advanced?

      Please, help me. I want to apply for Advanced Parole to leave the US for a third country but I am afraid that even if I am granted an Advanced Parole, I may have problems returning back to the US.
      Thanks

      Reply
    • We have had luck expediting for health reasons, but not always. I suppose you can try to put together a stronger application and try again. It sounds to me like you have a good basis to apply for AP again – you can give USCIS evidence of the follow-up treatment you need. I do not understand the first part of your AP question. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thank you Jason for your patience answering my inquires. what I meant by my first question is if I file for the AP and leave the states before the reply from the USCIS and waiting for it in the other country I’m going to and if its approved my friends will send it to me but there is a question in the AP form asking if I’m applying from inside or outside and because I’m inside already do I have to choose inside, but I might leave if its delayed and took to much time to get a reply may be up to 6 month and also because they dont give enough time to be out of the states.
        Thank you for your advice and I’ll try again for AP. My lawyer said some times even if they deny the expedite some times they might call for early interview.
        Thank you again and I appreciate all your efforts and help.

        Reply
        • I would be nervous about leaving the US without the AP in your hand, especially these days. If you want to do that, maybe talk to your lawyer about how you are going to do it, as there would be a risk of not being able to return. Take care, Jason

          Reply
          • Thank you Jason. your advises are very valuable and I feel more comfortable to yours than my lawyer’s. She is a good person very helpful and professional and I have nothing against her but she has so much concerns and always worried to let her clients to leave the country specially these days as you said and not to mention I’m from one of the six countries but I have no other option
            Appreciations

        • Hello Budy, I hope you benefit from my experience.

          1- my AP took 5 months to be approved because after 2 months they sent me requesting for more evidence like an appointment date with the doctor abroad and more detailed report and it took me time to get it and send it to them because my doctor was in vacation .
          2- In the form they ask you how long you plan to stay outside and I said 2 months. In the AP they give last day to use the document to get in US so it was the 2 months I asked for (from the issuance date to the expiry date of the document), but I received the document 10 days after the approval so I stayed only 40 day outside and I came back before the last day to enter in case any delay in the flight. So they give according to your case and situation
          3&4- I live in New York and I returned though JFK airport and I’ve not faced any difficulties with the immigration officer in the airport. he was sooo nice and helpful and guided me to an inside office I guess dealing with such cases, I waited siting in the line and in minutes they called me handed me back my AP stamped with the entry stamp wishing me luck, the whole process took less than half an hour, I don’t think it was risky at all. the officers know what they are doing.
          That was 5 month ago, I was so worried to leave even with the AP just like you, but it went safe and I advice you to try if you have strong reason and supported with evidence.
          I hope I answered all your question and worries and my answers are helpful
          I wish you all the best and good luck

          Reply
  25. Hi Jason

    Thanks for your valuable blog service,

    I have q, if person under asylum pending case , and he have affair with girl and get baby , he had to pay child support if he get ead card ??

    Kindly advise ??

    Thanks

    Reply
    • I would think that if you are working, you would have to pay child support, but you would need to talk to a family lawyer about that. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  26. Hi Jason
    After 108 days of receipt of my EAD renewal application, I finally got a notice requesting my photos. I had forgot to send it initially. How much time do u think it will take now to get the EAD approved?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Hopefully not long – we have seen that take a month or so, but I have only seen one or two examples of it. The case is already moving slowly, so hopefully, you will get the EAD soon. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thank you so much Jason!

        Reply
        • hey Ali, which office did you send your application?

          Reply
          • It was sent to Nebraska by USCIS and from there transferred to Potomac Service Center

    • Potomac service center has been a little faster than other offices in terms of EAD processing. Yours is a little long. Maybe your case is kept in Nebreska office for some time before being transferred to Potomac. If it was transferred immediately on arrival, it would normally take less than 2 months in Potomac. Hopefully you will get your EAD soon.

      Reply
  27. Hello Jason,

    I have applied for political asylum in the April 2014. I am living at Albany, NY. Today, I realized that my case is under sub-Office of Buffalo and my interview appointment will be around next year while the if I was under main office at New Jersey, my interview appointment was in the January or February 2017. Now, I have some questions
    1) Can I change my interview office? I mean Can I transfer my case to New Jersey?
    2) If I transfer my case, this transferring won’t negative effect on my interview appointment?

    Reply
    • 1 – As far as I know, the only way to change offices is to move to a new location. Maybe you can contact the NJ office and ask whether it is possible to interview in Newark. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. 2 – It should have no effect. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  28. Hello Jason, I wish to sincerely thank you for all your time and patience in always responding back in a timely manner to all our questions, you are a good person indeed and God will bless you abundantly.

    sir, I have this issue that has also been bordering my mind for some time. Here is the scenario:

    I came into the US purposely to seek for political asylum but with a J1 Visa. According to the J visa, there is a 2 years residency clause which means that after my program ends in the US I was supposed to go back to my country as an exchange visitor. But this program was sponsored by a private non-profit NGO not the government.But I decided to apply for asylum which is still pending. Now, I wish to get married to a US citizen to get a green card through marriage while my asylum is pending. This is my question:
    1-Are there any chances to be granted a green card by marriage while my asylum is pending even though there is a 2 year residency requirement on my visa?
    2-I wish to proceed with my marriage, what should I do?

    Please, I need help from you to clarify me in details.

    Budy

    Reply
    • The asylum case does not help you with the 2-year residency requirement if you marry a US citizen. You will still need a J-1 waiver. However, you can pursue the asylum instead of the marriage case, and if you win asylum, the 2-year residency requirement goes away. You can also do both, though sometimes, USCIS gives people are hard time if they have two cases going simultaneously. They may want you to close out the asylum case and just do the marriage case. Probably the best course is to file for asylum and for the J-1 waiver. If waiver succeeds, you can then get your GC based on marriage. If the waiver is denied, you can continue the asylum case. You may want to talk to a lawyer about this to make sure you are eligible for the waiver and for asylum, and that this is the best plan for you. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • I think he also needs an approval letter from the sponsor in his home country for the waiver. That is the important thing to earn a waiver because they guys who sponsored you may not agree to give you waiver approval if you don’t have a very good reason, which is usually Academic or a job offer which might do some kind of benefit to your home country.

        Reply
        • I do not know, but I think it is a good idea to have a lawyer help with the waiver process, as it is not easy. Take care, Jason

          Reply
  29. Hi Jason,
    I am just arriving to the US and I am going to file my asylum case soon. Its been a week since I arrived. Would you please advise which place is easier for new asylum seeker in USA at this time.

    Please note that am not from those banned countries.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • I did a post on February 25, 2016 that may be helpful. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  30. Hello sir how u today I wanted to know recently my wife annulled our marriage n it was granted I wasn’t in the country so I wanted to know if I apply for the ten years will it be granted and I wanted to go t canada will they deny me a re entry in USA my green card expires next year in June 2018 please help me

    Reply
  31. Hello sir I wanted to ask you my wife annulled my marriage will this affect o my status in USA and if I travelled out of USA when my green card is still valid will they refuse me to get back to usa please help me

    Reply
    • Sorry, I can only answer questions related to asylum. Depending on the situation, this could have an effect, and so you should talk to a lawyer about it. Take care, Jason

      Reply
    • I just read it on cnn website.

      Reply
      • Hi Ali

        Need some guidance can u share ur email ID

        Reply
        • You can post your question here. I’ll try to answer it.

          Reply
          • About step by step process for religious asylum

          • Thanku for your reply.

  32. Hi

    I would like to find ou why after 3 Months of my political asylum inter I still do not have an answer letter ? How long would it take fo me to get my respond?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • You can contact the asylum office to ask. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. However, many cases are delayed after the interview. Often, this is due to the security background check. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  33. Dear Jason,

    I really need your advice. It’s already two years that my husband is in the USA and he hasn’t seen our daughter for two years. My girl has many psychological problems with his father’s absence. Now we are trying to expedite our interview due to family seperation. What papers do we need to send them? Do they expedite cases due to family separation? Can we also put it on short list with the same reason?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Not all offices have short lists, so you have to ask the Asylum Office. As for expediting, this sounds like a good reason to do so. Get evidence – medical report, letters from people (like teachers, family members, friends) who know about the child’s problems. You should contact the asylum office for the procedure to expedite, as each office is a bit different. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  34. hi Jason,

    Thanks 4 your valuable blog services,

    Quick question, if any one political asylum case denied and they send (deport) back to home country, example India, they have problem while they land in home country, police will arrest? any idea, what will happen with person??,

    kindly guide as per your vast work experience,

    Thanks

    Reply
    • I really do not know what happens to people who get deported; there is not much news about that. But I do not think the US government does anything to try to get the person arrested when they get deported. Maybe if you are fearful of arrest, you can try to get a plane ticket to a different country. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Hi Jason

        Thanks for your reply , I guess when person can depoted, he no have choice to buy ticket or to choose country he want to go, it should under immigration control, they will decide what to do, am right ??

        Thx

        Reply
        • If a person is ordered deported, they can appeal. If the appeal is done, they can usually buy a plane ticket and leave (or some people remain here illegally) to any country the person wants to go to. In some cases, the government will detain people who have a deport order, but usually it takes some time to find and detain the person. Take care, Jason

          Reply
  35. Hie Jason ,

    Thank you for all the work you do . I got granted asylum 4 months ago and applied for refuge traveling document and I am originally from Kenya . I want to travel to U.K. Will I have problems coming back when I do not have permanent residency , I have refugee traveling document only .

    Thank you

    REPLY

    Reply
    • You should be fine. The RTD allows you to travel and re-enter the US as long as it is not expired. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  36. hi sir i have asylum case pending with the judge and also im getting marry with green card holder soon and how long it does take to get my green card ?and also does the uscic give me the work permit ? i have work permit still and it will expire after 4 mounts . how long i before i should apply for renew of y work permit to get a new work prmit ? it is same rule before 90 days i should apply or it changed ? thanks sir

    Reply
    • I recommend to my clients that they apply for the new work permit 120 days before the old permit expires. It is unpredictable how long it will take to get the GC. Your spouse will need to file the I-130 petition, and usually once that is approved, you close the court case and get your GC with USCIS. In some cases, the judge will give you the GC. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  37. Hi Jason,

    Looks like immigration officers are now speeding cases, look the calendar last month for Newark,NJ. It jumps from January 2014 to Feb-May 2017! This is what we really want. Give people interview as soon as possible, those who win get their cases regularized and those who fail find another alternative way instead of putting case in backlog. Do you have any news about the speeding?

    Reply
    • unfortunately, this is not a common situation for all the offices. most of the asylum offices still remain slow and we hope newark asylum office continue this trend.

      Reply
    • Where did you get that info?? It says they are stilll interviewing people who applied in 2014. Check very well before you give false information.

      Reply
      • Excuse for typo! Sorry 2014 as Jason understood. Thanks.

        Reply
    • I looked at the NJ office and it shows that they are interviewing people who filed in Feb to May 2014 (not 2017), so there is some progress there. Hopefully, it is a good sign. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  38. Hello Jason

    Hope all is good. I have applied for asylum back in Dec of 2013 (Chicago). The schedule bulletin shows that they have reached applicants who applied in Feb of 2014! Am I being skipped? What should I do in this situation ?

    Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • In that case, you should email or go to the asylum office to ask what is happening. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  39. Hi Jason
    I have asked this question before also. It has been 106 days since I filed for renewal of my EAD, based on C08, but still I haven’t heard back about the decision or approval. My application was transferred to Potamac Service Center in Arlington VA. Last year, the renewal took only 53 days. I’m stressed out!

    Reply
    • It is a bit long, but I do not think you should be too stressed. Call USCIS and ask about the case – you can find their number on the website http://www.uscis.gov. Also, the receipt extends your old EAD by 180 days, so you still have some time. And since they transferred your case, it sounds like things are still moving forward. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thanks a lot Jason for your kind reply!

        Reply
        • I have called USCIS multiple times but they couldn’t say anything specific. They just said that things are fine and just wait. I also visited a their field office but couldn’t get a solid reason.

          Reply
          • Maybe try the USCIS Ombudsman – a link is at right. Good luck, Jason

    • Hi Ali

      Can I ask u some questions. Need some guidance.

      Reply
  40. Hi Jason I submitted my asylum application during June of 2016
    in San Francisco and still waiting for the interview. I am worried about Trump’s new policies. Heard some news about he already stopped the asylum to get green card. Is that true ?
    Waiting for your reply
    Thanks

    Reply
    • That is not true. We have had people get green cards, asylum, and citizenship since Trump has been president. For people in the US, the situation is lately unchanged. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  41. Hi I did my asylum interview and was referred to seeing a judge, but so far I have not received a letter, I would like to know how long I have to wait to have my letter before I can see the judge, thank you

    Reply
    • It is unpredictable and depends on the court and the judge – usually a few months. You can call this number, 1-800-898-7180, and enter your Alien number. The computer will tell you when and if you have a court date. I recommend you call every week or so to check. Also, as long as they have your correct address, they will send a notice by mail. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  42. hello Jason, My asylum case is pending but I wish to get married to a permanent resident since I divorced with my ex-wife.

    Can my new wife who is a permanent resident petition for me to obtain a green card while my asylum case is still pending?
    Are there any barriers obtaining a green card through marriage while my asylum is pending?

    Please, advice me on how to proceed because we are planning to get married soonest.

    Thanks
    Budy

    Reply
    • She can petition for you, but until she becomes a US citizen, you would probably have to leave the US to collect your own green card. This may or may not be possible, depending on your circumstances, so you should talk to a lawyer about it. If you entered the US illegally somehow, you may not be able to get the GC even if she is a US citizen – in that case, talk to a lawyer. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  43. Hi,
    I wanna Ask that my asylum application is pending since June, 2015 and still i didn’t receive interview call, i applied in Arlington VA – how i expiated my case or how i approach to them ?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Virginia is interviewing people who filed in January 2014. You can ask to expedite. Contact the asylum office for the procedure. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  44. I hope you will be able to assist me. I am a green card holder through asylum, through my husband. My husband is from Kyrgyzstan and i am from Kazakhstan and i would like to go back to my home country for a month or two since i haven’t been presecuted and my grandfather is sick and wanted to know if i will have any issues entering the USA on my way back, due to new executive order everything became so complicated that i’m not even sure if i will be able to come back with no problem.

    Reply
    • If you are not going to the country of persecution, it should be safe for you to go and return. If you plan to go for more than 6 months, you will need a re-entry permit (form I-131, available at http://www.uscis.gov). The new EOs do not affect people with green cards or people from Kazakhstan. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  45. I am a Indian doctor, done my intern ship in Germany with shot term visa for 3 months. my intern-ship is to be extended for next 3 months. what can i do? is it possible to extend my visa? if so ,what can i do, or
    if I back to India,how many days to get fresh visa, is there any restriction for applying fresh visa:

    Reply
    • I am in the US. You would need to ask a lawyer in Germany. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  46. Hi Jason,
    First, I’d like to start by thanking you for this blog. It has been very helpful to me and I believe to others as well.
    I have a question if you don’t mind. One has a pending asylum case, waiting for their interview. Now, Can they get married to Non-US citizens and provide them with even a temporary residency ? (from the same country of origin or another).
    Thanks in advance,

    Reply
    • If a person with a pending asylum case married a non-citizen (from any country), they can add the spouse to their own asylum case. If they win, the spouse gets asylum too. If they lose, and the spouse is out of status, both people will go to immigration court. While the case is pending, both people should be eligible to get a work permit. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  47. Thank You so much Jason for your previous reply.
    I have a few more questions.
    1. If there is a amnesty policy or any other program launched by govt for the undocumented immigrants, and if my parents have applied for asylum, will they be eligible for the policy at that time?
    2. And if their asylum fails and they get deportation, but meanwhile by other process can they apply for green card like through siblings or any other similar process.
    3. They are looking for a good lawyer in the Houston, Texas area. Could you please help out if you know any good lawyers or any link for lawyers in Texas.

    Thank You once again.

    Reply
    • 1 – I do not know; it depends on the rules of the amnesty. 2 – They can apply for a GC in other ways while their asylum case is pending, or afterward, but in most cases, they would need to leave the US to collect the GC, and the may or may not be possible – they would need to talk to a lawyer about the specifics of the case. 3 – I do not know any lawyers there. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  48. Hi Jason,
    The new EO may have no effect on the asylees or the asylum seeker from the 6 countries, but i guess it may affect their families who are still back there at home, its going to be difficult for them to join and also the travel document and the advance parole if we want to see them because we might not get in if they leave the states to anywhere else.
    Thank you Jason for everything, and for making us feel welomed here and always been there for us answering our questions and calming our worries. We are also in danger and we came here seeking protection and never have in mind to hurt the poeple and the country which exended their hands to us. I am leaving hopeful to fine some other place accept me and not scared of me ( i know there is no such place) We are also in danger and we came here seeking protection from the same people you fear.
    Thank you again and god bless America

    Reply
    • The new EO may affect family members following to join people granted asylum, but even that is not clear to me. It does not seem to affect people with Advance Parole or a Refugee Travel Document, or people already granted asylum. Hopefully, after they have their 90-day period of banning people from getting new visas, they will resume processing cases as before. But we will have to wait and see. Take care, Jason

      Reply

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