What we hear from the asylum office is that if you move, you keep your original filing date, and so generally, moving does not help. I think this is basically true. However, I do think that sometimes, after a case is moved, it triggers an interview. I would not count on this, but it does seem to happen once in a while. Rather than moving, you might try to stay put and expedite the case. I wrote about that on March 30, 2017. Take care, Jason

I think the administration cost would be marginal. They already have system to collect fees and for premium processing for other applications, so I do not think there will be much extra cost. Also, given the number of people who would likely apply for premium processing, I think it would pup significant money into the asylum system; money that could be used to help everyone. Take care, Jason

Don’t forget the cost to ADMINISTER THE FEE. Why do most public libraries forgive fines under a certain dollar amount? Because the cost of chasing you down and forcing you to pay, the administrative costs of tracking, of sending emails or notices and having those bounce back, etc. etc. etc. cost more than the fine itself. Something that is free may not be valued and it may not generate cash but it is REALLY EASY TO ADMINISTER. You don’t have to explain anything or choose payment methods or remind people or have them come in and then go back because they forgot to bring money or decide whether the fee applies to them or ANY OF THAT. And most people involved in processing government paperwork and payments make a reasonable salary. Their time and attention and brainpower are valuable. They are public servants and we (collectively) employ them. So unless it brings in enough money, DON’T WASTE EVERYONE’S TIME. It’s crazy when people who claim to hate inefficient government do things to make government services MORE inefficient. When they do it purely for theatrical and for ideological reasons, that is even worse. If you want theater, write a play. Pay for a television ad. Make a speech. Don’t create new laws and regulations. That is dumb and it COSTS US MONEY. So even the pure capitalist / libertarian / freeloaders out there should recognize that it’s stupid.

Thank you so much

1 – You can apply for a Refugee Travel Document using form I-131, available at http://www.uscis.gov. 2- I do not know whether Turkey will accept that as a travel document in lieu of your passport. Maybe you can check with the embassy. If not, you may need to renew your Iranian passport, if that is possible. However, that is not desirable as it might cause USCIS to be suspicious of your asylum status if the Iranian government issues a passport. Try to check whether the RTD will work, and if not, maybe talk to a lawyer before you renew the passport in order to evaluate the risk. Take care, Jason

I think this online system really does not give a whole lot of information. It is helpful to know whether an interview has been scheduled or a decision has been made and has been mailed, but otherwise, it doesn’t tell us much. Take care, Jason

Thanks Jason. As I am Asylee (granted asylum) now,
My origin country is Iran and due to my father’s health, I need to travel to Turkey to visit him and my family after many years.
My Iranian passport is expired. 1-What kind of Travel Documents I meed to apply?
2- do you know if Turkey would issue visa and let me to enter with no passport and only the TD?
What is your experience in this regard? If anything I need to do, I would appreciate you to let me know. Thanks.

It is particularly nice to get an asylum case approved during the government shutdown, which largely relates to the President’s effort to stop asylum seekers. Congratulations! Jason