In April, I wrote about our efforts to lobby Congress for help with the affirmative asylum backlog. Those efforts have finally born some fruit. Last week, forty Democratic members of Congress wrote a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Ur Jaddou, the Director of USCIS.
In the letter, the Members of Congress express their concern about the affirmative asylum backlog, which currently stands at well over 400,000 cases. The letter notes that many people in the backlog have already suffered severe trauma in their home countries, and expresses particular concern for “those who have languished in the backlog for extended periods of time—some close to seven years.” Many of these applicants are separated from immediate family members and have not seen their spouses or children for years.
Unless it passes a new law, Congress does not have the authority to order DHS or USCIS to take particular actions. However, this new letter is significant in that–for the first time–Congress is “recommending” certain actions by the agency to address the backlog. I imagine such recommendations must be taken seriously, given that Congress does ultimately control funding for DHS and, to a lesser extent, USCIS (USCIS is largely funded by user fees). Hopefully, the agencies will take a look at these recommendations and make some changes to help those who have been waiting the longest. The main recommendations are as follows–
1. Designating a portion of asylum officers to work “back to front” to address the backlog and ensure the longest-pending cases are addressed. This would give those who were moved to the back of the line by the 2018 change to LIFO the opportunity to receive a more timely decision on their cases.
2. Creating a five-year “cutoff period” after which time a pending asylum application would be prioritized in the application queue. This would provide greater uniformity in wait times while reassuring applicants that they will not wait decades for an interview.
The letter refers to these recommendations as a “balanced approach,” since they do not call for the elimination of LIFO, the last-in, first-out system whereby new cases have priority over older cases. But cases that have been stuck in limbo for more than five years would receive priority treatment. This would at least give some hope to those who have been waiting the longest.
To be sure, these recommendations are not exactly what we had hoped for, but they are a positive development. If nothing else, the letter shows that someone is finally paying attention to affirmative asylum seekers. More than that, these recommendations would ease the burden for those most severely harmed by LIFO.
Personally, I think the better approach would be for the Asylum Division to return to FIFO–first in, first out. Under that system, which was in effect between 2015 and 2018, applicants are interviewed in the order that they were received–first come, first served. Aside from being more fair, the big advantage of FIFO is that it is more predictable–under FIFO, the Asylum Division published the “Affirmative Asylum Scheduling Bulletin,” which listed each Asylum Office and indicated which cases were being interviewed at that office. So for example, you could see that the Newark, New Jersey office was interviewing cases filed in November 2014. If you filed in December 2014, you knew to get ready for your interview.
Since the advent of LIFO, things have been chaotic–some new cases are randomly chosen for interviews; others are not. Many people are trying to expedite their cases, but there are no rules about expediting, and so that system is completely unpredictable. The result is that no one knows when to expect an interview and lawyers like me are unable to manage our case loads or effectively advise our clients. So my preference is that we return to FIFO and the Affirmative Asylum Scheduling Bulletin, along with a set of rules about which cases will be eligible for expedition.
Nevertheless, this new development ain’t bad. Congress is paying attention, and that is certain a positive sign. Also, the Asylum Division will hopefully recognize the need to help those applicants who have been waiting the longest (and hopefully implement an Affirmative Asylum Scheduling Bulletin or some other system to provide advance notice for those cases, so people waiting more than five years will have an idea about when to expect their interview).
There’s one more point worth noting about the letter. While it was signed by Members of Congress, it only happened because of the lobbying efforts of torture survivor organizations and a number of torture survivors/asylum seekers themselves. I attended a few of the Zoom calls with Congressional staff, and it was clear to me that the torture survivors made an impact. They talked about their persecution in the home country and how they’d come to the United States for protection. They reached safety, but then got stuck in the asylum process. The survivors explained how hard it was to live for years in uncertainty and stress. They talked about missing their family members, and how they were unable to explain the long delay to their children and spouses. In some cases, the psychological harm and the stress was worse than the persecution they suffered back home. These testimonials made a difference. It was obvious that the staffers were paying attention to the survivors and were moved by their stories. I’ve written before about the power of asylum seekers’ stories, and with this lobbying effort, I saw that power in action.
It is a great shame that asylum seekers need to become political activists just to get their cases interviewed. But to the extent that the Congressional letter and our lobbying efforts gain traction and improve the system, asylum seekers themselves should get much of the credit.
[…] the first time Congress has inquired about the backlog. In September 2021, forty Representatives wrote to USCIS about the same problem. Unfortunately, USCIS did nothing and since then, the number of cases in the […]
[…] I know about this new development? For the last couple years, I have been involved in an effort to lobby Congress on behalf of affirmative asylum seekers. We’ve been asking for several things, including […]
Thank you so much, atleast someone who noticed that and took step on it… i also applied in 2015, and still waiting for interview :”(
Hi Jason
Thank you for sharing this incredible news!
Watching all the news, that people coming from the southern border and seeking asylum, making me worry and frustrated that I will never get an interview in coming years. I’ve been waiting for an interview since 2016.
After reading this post, I’m visiting your site daily for updates about this letter.
Will we get a response from DHS and USCIS about those suggestions? if so, when should we expect to see it?
Thank you
Supposedly, they will give a response in 40 days (maybe this is a reference to Noah and the flood?). We shall see. Take care, Jason
Thank you so much, atleast someone who noticed that and took step on it… i also applied in 2015, and still waiting for interview :”(
I encountered a lot of resistance by pursuing my medical process and seeking asylum…now homeless
Am I doing something wrong ? Should I withdraw my asylum application and reverse my medical process and pretend to be conforming to the social norm ? In this way, I can avoid future persecution…
Yes
Thanks, do you know how I can withdraw my asylum application ?
https://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/how-do-i-withdraw-my-asylum-application-after-i-ve-3436154.html
Thanks very much…
I will take a look at it when I have some time. I am busy right now.
AR-11:
May I ask,
So I decide to become homeless starting next month. I have rented a mailbox.
Presumably I want to do an AR-11 change, right ?
So when I look online, it has a living address update, from old address to new address.
And there is a mailing address change, this field is easy.
But what should I fill in new address field ? I cannot submit if I leave it blank…but I don’t have a new address…should I fill in NA ? or what should I do ?
I am sorry for what happens to you now. I have never heard an asylum seeker becomes a homeless. More than half of my immigrant friends even have bought their own houses to live in. I am personally, as an asylum seeker, in the process of buying a house too.
I don’t consider wealthy people asylum seekers…
😊
@Asylum Seeker,
Some of them might have been wealthy before they came here, but I can assure you that they certainly started over, and I mean, OVER, from the scratch.
Asylum is not synonymous with poverty.
Here is why they could buy homes, but not necessarily wealthy. Most are highly educated academically, and financially.
They do not feel entitled, are grateful to live in this land of freedom, and decided to show gratitude by working hard instead of being liabilities to the USA.
That is why immigrants can afford homes to live at, while adding to the economy through hard work, mortgage interest, rents, property taxes, etc.
They are doctors, lawyers, teachers/lecturers in STEM, business owners, nurses,etc.
Would you rather asylees go on food stamps and housing vouchers to meet your expectation to qualify as true asylees?
I hope this helps.
All the best.
To live in*
I mean…
When I google, I type “asylum seeker”, this is what shows
https://www.google.com/search?q=asylum+seeker&sxsrf=AOaemvIXRx0dWG063PgPlS6fiiXBGtpLMA:1632283138218&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi-3oDF2JHzAhXUPn0KHbnEDcwQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1364&bih=734&dpr=2
buying house…all that…I am not sure…
when I type in “home owner”, it’s like this.
https://www.google.com/search?q=home+owner&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiqgKzG2JHzAhWmGjQIHUMWCUsQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=home+owner&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQ6CggjEO8DEOoCECc6BwgjEO8DECc6BAgAEEM6CAgAEIAEELEDOggIABCxAxCDAVD6_QJY3ZkDYPybA2gEcAB4AIABmwGIAb0MkgEEMS4xMpgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nsAEKwAEB&sclient=img&ei=BapKYeppprXQ8Q_DrKTYBA&bih=734&biw=1364
They don’t look at all alike…
Blame the media.
“Asylum Seeker”, please STOP. Just take a break- perhaps that will perk you up a little bit. I used to think that you might be going through a rough spell, one brought on by the seemingly egregious and unfair asylum system/procedure/practice here in the U.S., which would understandably explain your uncheerful, morose, and sometimes mean, thoughts, but it appears I may have been wrong. Quite frankly, from your comments, it seems like you are probably deranged or something…
I mean I do have some dysphoric conditions that are used to be classified as diseases but no longer…
So…it’s not surprising that I might show some behavior that may be perceived by the populace as deranged…
When I received my EAD, as an asylum seeker, I had only $500 in my pocket.
How did you end up surviving ?
500 is probably not enough for a month rent I guess ?
I have a little more than that…but … I don’t think the rent is affordable…
I got some personal loans from my immigrant fellows, who have had the same of my experience below, at the beginning. I worked hard then, paid back all my loans and here what I am today!
I don’t have countable affluent friends unfortunately…Most of the same people with my trait struggle financially themselves. But people without my trait, which accounts for 95% of the population generally detest people like me…So…the path is extremely narrow, if it ever exists…
Your situation looks very rare! I am really sorry!
It is rare, most people with my trait didn’t make it. I am afraid that I soon will become a data point and statistics.
Why all that happened to you, if I may ask? Do you think this would never happen to you if you were not an asylum seeker?
If I choose to pretend, then probably will not happen to me..
You mean, pretending to be an asylum seeker or a homeless? (Sorry if I am not understanding what do you mean).
I guess my situation is just too hard to be understood by people without my trait…which is not surprising.
This is unfortunate! I am sorry again.
man same here,year 2016 900 $ from my parent’s savings 670$ rent a couch in living room, 5 people, in two-bedroom apt start working at moving company 3 days after right now I in a process of home buying, don’t blame nobody but yourself
My only wish for you – so-called Asylum Seeker- is that you find yourself in a situation that we asylum seekers have been experiencing. Maybe not an exact way – the legal one we see but somehow you feel you are not welcomed for no reason. You become rejected just for your sexual preference, you are to be forced to leave your place just for your color of skin, you are to be silenced just because you think differently, your wealth, work, all of your achievements are to be taken from you just because you have a different name than others. And you know what when you try to express yourself to other victims some of them act like you are lying, disgrading what you say, and make fun of you and your condition. And do not be alone with this your partner, your children suffer with you and you see all of them suffering because of you… This is my prayer….
Then you remember these stupid posts you submit pretending you are an asylum seeker then feel sorry but find no way to express you are sorry for this.
I am actually not sure what you are talking about…
I seem to understand now…but this is not a very good prayer you have…Should I counter-prayer you also suffer this for saying this to me ?
Sorry for hearing that, life is not fair, try to see a dorms or shelter to sleep , God bless
Thanks .
Not sure about dorms or shelters tho. Due to my situation, I don’t want to be seen by other people.
I hope you don’t feel like that. You are a human being finally and you deserve to be respected.
You need to give them the address where you physically live, so if that is a friend’s house or a shelter, you can use that address. I think you can also use the PO Box. Take care, Jason
Thanks Jason for weighing in 🙂
I guess I will just use the PO box then, since every night I am probably at a different location…
Jason,
Do you still believe this liar? Do not you have a tracking system to detect trolls like him. His only reason to post is to provocate followers and humiliate asylum seekers in any way he can think of with his little brain. Please do not take such questions seriously.
I think most of these posts are best ignored. I did have to delete your last comment, as I think the link was a bit naughty…
Well please delete those provocative posts and links too. He has no integrity or honesty at all> I used to follow and participate more here but I am tired of reading that 3grade level immature conversation that comes from this unemployed lazy potato. It should be ignored but not everyone knows what is going on with that person. Let me tell you this is damaging your mission, here
I agree that it is a problem, and I am deciding how to approach it. Take care, Jason
@FIRSTRESPONDER
I mean…you are also saying something that is very offensive and derogatory, right ?
Double standard is not good.
If you take a closer look, usually I post my follow ups because other people talk back to me, in good way or not so good way, and then I will be forced to respond, and usually people will respond again, and then I will have to respond again, it just continues…if you want to end the conversation, you should not entertain my thread.
And usually, if you take a closer look, I don’t criticize individuals.
Earlier, I posted that I want to find out some of the ways that how undocumented aliens be able to find jobs…and I don’t seem to engender a satisfactory answer. Based on my evaluation, I have concluded that, the reason I didn’t get satisfactory answer, is probably nobody really knows, I have asked this several times and in different ways. And it really seems to touch the gray area. So what will I do next ? I am going to investigate myself, how the undocumented aliens are able to find jobs without authorization and…likely are not proving authorization. Because this is the problem I am facing, when I encounter a problem, I ask for solution, and if I cannot be provided a satisfactory solution, I investigate myself. This is my flowchart.
My question asking, and it’s response (or non-response) is the guidance for my decision making.
Now can you understand why I am doing what I am doing ?
Jason, thank you for sharing these news.
I hope a miracle happen that USCIS consider to look into affirmative backlogged cases, which are stuck in the system for 5+ years. It is extremely frustrating that we are living in limbo and nobody cares for us. I don’t know if you have come across this inquiry that Congressman Geral E. Connolly made back in July 2021 and USCIS responded:
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/foia/Asylum_Cases_Pending-Representative_Connolly.pdf
I am an Afghan asylum seeker, do you think USCIS may expediate my interview considering the recent collapse of government there?
Interesting – Thank you. The response to the letter is a lot of BS and unsubstantiated claims. I don’t have time to go through it thoroughly, but the idea that LIFO helped reduce the backlog is not based on believable evidence. The backlog went down after 2018 because the Trump Administration was not allowing people to come to the US, and so they could not apply for asylum – thus reducing the backlog. Also, the letter fails to discuss the incredible inefficiency of asylum office interviews – I had one last week that took 5 hours (for an Afghan with lots of proof that he worked with US soldiers and for the Afghan government). That said, they are now expediting all Afghan cases, and so you can expect to get an interview relatively soon. They are starting with people who have a spouse or child overseas, but plan to get to all Afghan cases (or so they say). This does not necessarily mean they are expediting decisions, but they are expediting interviews. If you want, you can ask to expedite your case – I wrote about that on March 30, 2017. Take care, Jason
Jason, expediting Afghan cases, and not necessarily issuing a decision after an interview, is just another example of the glaring ineptitude and unfair practices at USCIS. It’s also obvious that USCIS and DHS only take reactive approaches rather than being proactive. Why interview them and then have them wait for another 4 or 5 years before issuing a decision on their cases? Aside from the obvious, what’s the difference between an asylum applicant who was interviewed but never issued a decision, and one who has an I-589 pending an interview? Furthermore, why would anyone think it’s a great idea to have Afghan cases- especially the affirmative cases (the applicants who flew to the U.S. and affirmatively submitted their I-589 to USCIS), and regardless of what’s happening in Afghanistan- take precedence over other asylum cases?
I think the main reason is that they want to say that they are doing something. I suspect this is a total sham and that decisions will not be issued quickly. Not to mention it is forcing me to do lots of Afghan cases in a short period of time, thus depriving many people of due process of law (as it is impossible to prepare the best possible case with little time). Take care, Jason
Jason, agreed.
Hi fellow seekers,
I want to get some advice in dealing with some of the issues I encountered while trying to find jobs.
So when I am trying to find jobs, the first barrier for me is my immigration status and employment authorization issue.
To the following questions, my answer is straight forward:
1) Are you legally authorized to work in the U.S., I say yes
2) Do you now or in the future need sponsorship, I say no
Okay, these two questions’ answer for me are actually the same for U.S. citizens…so…presumably, I should be treated as a U.S. citizen in the best case, right ?
Now…what if they ask you additional questions ? Examples, like:
What nationality are you ?
What’s your legal status ?
What’s your employment authorization based on ?
How long do you have in remaining for you employment authorization ?
Obviously, the correct answers to all these questions are “none of your business”. I didn’t say this, but I expect that I won’t get the job if I say none of your business even if it is none of their business. But I also didn’t get call backs if I say the truth or being evasive…
So I want to ask, when you are present with the like of additional questions I just listed, what should I answer to them ? I really don’t want to share any detail with them besides I am authorized to work and I don’t need sponsorship. Why do employers keep asking.
So I am wondering for the employed seekers, how did you get past this immigration status/employment authorization screening ?
The second part of question is post-offer:
So, suppose I am luckily hired, presumably by an e-verify employer, since this is in the majority.
So in day one, I will have to fill the I-9 form. I will have to give my EAD to prove my work authorization. Since it is e-verify, the employer will make copies of my ID. But this is very risky, right ?
As long as the employer sees the C8 code, and after google, they will just be able to figure out you are an asylum seeker. The EAD card also has your A-number and country of origin. What if in the future, you and your employer have dispute, and then this employer, having your A-number and country of origin, pass your information to ICE or USCIS (to make inquiries) or pass your information to foreign government to hurt you. Isn’t all this pretty concerning ?
No
Good for you.
So for people who ARE concerned, what should they do ?
I think you are overthinking it.
The employer needs to confirm your legal presence and ability to work, so they don’t get in trouble. That’s their right.
Your EAD provides that information. When I search for work I tell them I have an EAD type c08, if they are not familiar I explain it’s for a pending asylum applicant. I don’t go into other details, and no one asks.
I don’t think employers can make inquiries regarding your case. They only can confirm that your EAD is valid, which means you are able to legally work in the US. Even when they do a background check, they do not inquire anywhere regarding your case. Their only concern can be that you need to renew your card every 2 years, and potentially it can be expired or not be renewed. But that is their right to be concerned and not offer you a position on that basis.
But I highly doubt it’s in their interest or even in their attention to pass on your information to a foreign government to hurt you. They have many other employees to pay attention to every single case, LOL
I mean…it used to be that everyone in this country can work…now, someone has to choose between privacy and legality.
So, I think you are right.
But, there are 11 million undocumented aliens in this country right ? How do they get by ? I mean there must exist a way for these people to work and earn money and feed themselves and family ? Otherwise, I will be witnessing many starvation…but it’s not the case…
So there must be a way or ways. What is the way ? the way that people work but don’t have work authorization and obviously not proving work authorization ? I know it exists.
Can I follow up NAYA.
So…won’t any prospective employers get worried about your pending asylum status ?
Like, some may outright dislike the fact your are an asylum seeker and think you don’t deserve the job. Some might sympathize, but like you said, they worry you won’t be able to continue one day, so disinclined to hire you…how many of your encounters fall into these two categories ?
No
you dont have to worry about that. good luck with your job search
Thanks, but it has happened before…so…still in need of a solution…
Hi Jason
I would like to know if your ID has expired for the state you live in, can you travel for 5 days to another state and come back.
I would have applied for renewal of ID by then already but will not have anything physical in hand at all.
so please help me understand.
I am applying for renewal of EAD in September.
ID expires in December. Travelling in December on 28th for 4 days to NY.
Will airlines accept renewal of EAD at the airport.
I am travelling with two kids and so do not need any trouble on this. Thanks for always being there.
@kayra
You can travel with your EAD if it’s valid i did that 4 months ago
For purposes of air travel, you need a valid photo ID. Your state ID should work if valid. If not, the EAD should work. A valid passport should also work, but it makes me nervous to use only the passport unless you also have proof that you have permission to be in the US. If you are not sure, you should call the airline or check the website to see what ID is acceptable. Take care, Jason
Any asylees here who applied for adjustment of status and are stuck at the “National Benefits Center” , please share your story . This is a new thing that makes no sense , they say you now get processed at local field office , others say waiting for Texas or Nebraska . The truth is many are backlogged now. And this is another failure of the agency that instead of making things faster , it’s causing more chaos . Applied In January and no movement AT ALL , while other types of forms are getting approved daily . This is wrong
Wait… Let me see if I am understanding what you are saying. You applied in January 2021 and you are frustrated? Already? Not that I don’t agree with you that USCIS is a BIG mess, and asylum-based GCs should be processed in under a year, but did you know that there are asylees who are waiting for a decision on their I-485 application for over 3 years? I am genuinely surprised that you are surprised that you haven’t received a decision/update yet.
Hi Laposhka
We are all stuck there. All my solidarity with you. I do not think that USCIS will send the I-485 based on asylum to Nebraska, Texas nor to local offices. There was a whole document explaining this that I shared. USCIS might keep them there and then adjudicate them but after a while, green cards based on asylum take up to 3 years which is really sad. The reason is that USCIS needs some time to get your file from the Asylum office, and sometimes, take a look at your asylum case, this is due to a Trump-era decision to apply more scrutiny to AOS based on asylum and the Biden administration did nothing to remove that rule. Best of luck
NOMAD,
Sorry but I don’t think this is correct. The reason for the extensive delays is not that USCIS need files from the asylum office. They sometimes scapegoat and come up with ridiculous explanations. It has been proven time and time again that some Centers (ex:Nebraska) process cases way faster than others (Texas) for the same identical cases. In fact, Nebraska usually process cases in 7 to 10 months unless they send RFE. The delays are mostly related to bureaucracy, red tapes at certain offices. The pandemic might have caused delays but the possibility of remote work just scratches that option off. The Biden administration is certainly not as involved as we need to when it comes to reducing processing times. The agency is dealing with serious financial woes and I have the feeling that instead of admitting they cannot fast track cases stuck at some centers, at least until the end of the fiscal year, they rely on communication.
@cordy
I tried to tell that to that dumb called nomad but he doesn’t use his mind! This person thinks the NBC is the center issue the GC not Nebraska or Texas loooool plus uscis don’t usually look at your asylum file unless there is difference between what you say in i-485 and the i-589 application so apparently this nomad has no idea what he is talking about! Just spreading bs and rumors
What a pathetic way of thinking . I am not surprised . I am aware and I am disgusted . Any type of application that takes over 6 months for anyone is a disgrace and beyond inhumane. Anything taking over 1 year is worthy of a lawsuit. In the worlds richest country , it is stupid to think there are no resources. It is done on purpose. What is sad is that this agency has made applicants used to waiting like dogs for a piece of dignity , when they are being fed by literally the applicants themselves. I will continue to advocate for decency and respect with our representatives, and for timely processing. None of this is normal , and the way most just accept it , is not.
It’s all about back ground check, there is ppl took it in 4 months, and ppl specially Muslim, they stay on back ground check for 3 years , single females will take it quick, while while single men, and a family with kids will take up to 3 years , even a single mom will wait
Applied March/2021 and sent to National Benefit Centre, assigned to Montgomery Field Office (AL). I’ve been told by USCIS that I have to go by the field office’s processing time (even though Montgomery office (AL) doesn’t have a processing time for asylum based adjustment). I’ve also been told by USCIS that I should use the processing time from the office that did my asylum case. USCIS is a joke. I was under the assumption that I would’ve been process faster at the NBC but I guess not.
Hi jason,
My EAD based on pending asylum gets expired in July 2021. I have heard that EAD renewals are taking so long these days (8 months) and I know that I cannot apply for a renewal less than 6 months before the expiration date of my current card? so what should I do to not get into a problem? Should I stop working if my current EAD expires and I have not received the new one yet?
@Ravi, your EAD is expiring in July 2021? It’s now September 2021…
Ravi, I am not Jason. Kindly wait for Jason’s response.
Personally, I think your question is unclear. Has your EAD already expired? If not, when will it expire?
If your EAD expired in July 2021, like you’ve said, then hopefully you would have already submitted the renewal EAD application and received the receipt. The receipt extends your employment authorization for another 6 months. You must present the receipt to your employer. You therefore need not stop working, nor do you necessarily need the actual card, if you received a renewal receipt. However, once you’ve received the actual EAD card, you must present it to your employer.
One caveat to this: The new EAD application must be filed before the old EAD expires. Otherwise, the person does not get the automatic 180-day extension. Take care, Jason
Sorry, I meant July 2022, July 2021 was a typo. I was wondering if I apply exactly six months before the expiration of my card and do not receive it by the expiration date then I need to do..
You get an automatic 180-day extension, so you can work for 6 months after the card expires. That should be enough time to get the new EAD. Take care, Jason
Working without permission has no effect on the asylum case, and so that is not the issue. It could potentially affect other types of cases. If you want to be very cautious, you can stop working if there is a gap in employment eligibility. Maybe you can reach an agreement with the employer on this to keep your job until the new EAD arrives. Or maybe you can do an unpaid internship while you are not eligible to work and your employer can give you a bonus when you return, or come up with some other creative solution. Hopefully, you just get the card and so you will not need to worry about this. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
Thanks so much for helping me with the following questions about I-485:
1- If USCIS rejected my I-485 for incorrect completion, will they still charge me the application fee after sending the form back to me?
2- What does the form mean by “Province”? Would that be the “state” or the “city” I am living in?
3- One of the questions asks if I have ever violated the terms or conditions of my nonimmigration status. I came to US with F1 visa then applied for asylum while I was still on my nonimmigrant status. I have also once applied for reinstatement since I had forgotten to update my I-20 with my school. Should my answer be “Yes” or “No” for the question?
4- As I have entered the US on F1 visa, is that correct if I put “D/S” for the expiration of my I-94, referring to “Duration of Stay”?
1 – If the forms are returned to you, normally, they return the fee as well. I suppose it is not impossible that you would lose the money, but that is usually only if they accept the filing and later reject the case (after giving you a warning letter, such as a Request for Evidence). 2 – We do not have provinces in the US, so you can put N/A, but other countries do, and so if they are asking about another country, you can fill it in appropriately. 3 – I think you can answer whichever you think is best, circle the question, write “see cover letter,” and provide an explanation in the cover letter. Also, maybe include some evidence about the reinstatement if you have such evidence. 4 – For an F-1, it is normally D/S. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks for your response. What about my current I-94 I have received as an asylee? Can I use it as my current I-94 to fill I-485? It doesn’t have any expiration date! So I am confusing which of them I should exactly use; the one I received when I entered the US as a student or the one (the card) I have received as an asylee. Thank you!
I would give them both. For the I-485, I think they want the I-94 that you used to last enter the US. So if that was the student I-94 give that. You might make a note next to the question on the form to “see cover letter” and in the cover letter, explain that there are two I-94 forms – one you used to enter and one you got when you received asylum. Then, you can attach copies of both I-94 forms to the application. Take care, Jason
He,, Do you have any article about FIRM RESETTLEMENT ???
Thanks
I have one on July 31, 2019 – it is partly about new developments in the Trump Administration, but I think it covers the basics of firm resettlement. Take care, Jason
Here we goooo ♥️ yeah no Greencards to illegals or asylum applicants or essentials or anyone else !! That’s fair that’s fair god bless america ♥️
https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/19/democrats-immigration-reform-spending-bill-512898
Thank Gods !
My nightmare scenario hasn’t happened. I always said status quo is the best.
But those people, no matter they are documented or undocumented, will not leave the country. This, unfortunately, has been a bigger nightmare for so many people.
@bassam
Don’t worry when trump comes back or any republican president will deport all of these illegals slowly slowly so it’s gonna happen! Sooner or later they will be forced to leave Its matter of time as supreme court also ruled DACA is illegal and also TPS program will be ended by 2023 so they will be deported just give it 2-3 years
I would make that part of my American dream.
Zico , and why Trump didn’t deport any while he was president!!! Am sure ur an arab immigrant, u don’t like fair life to ppl,
What’s already here I am fine. But … it’s important to stop future ones coming here because as an asylum seeker, I am running away from danger. I don’t want danger to follow my footstep.
Unfortunately, it looks like this is not working so far. We will have to see how things proceed. Take care, Jason
@Ziko, aka zico.
I may be asking the obvious, but let me still ask just so I am not assuming.
Why are you Celebrating because people will be deported?
How would that improve your quality of life?
Tina,
Allow me to respond for him/her. He/she is just a loser who has nothing else to celebrate. What a depressing life one must have to sheer mass deportation.
Btw, I hope you’re doing well.
Hmmm
Tina, I am beginning to believe that this blog is taken over by xenophobic, racist trolls parading as allies to asylum seekers and other immigrants. If that’s not the case, then, unfortunately, some asylum seekers’ minds have ostensibly been poisoned by the “far-right”, or right-wing extremist, talking points about immigrants. It could also be psychology: getting rid of or deporting these “illegals” may mean less attention, or a reduction of negative perceptions held by some Americans about asylum seekers, for these “concerned” “asylum seekers” (the ones who have expressed their disgust for other asylum seekers). For, it is bewildering- at least to me- to hear bona fide asylum seekers, or any immigrant, describing asylum seekers, DACA recipients, or TPS holders as “illegals” and wishing for them to be deported.
Hmm…I believe real asylum seekers should be granted asylum.
But unfortunately, there are too many bad people in the world, and many of them are applying for asylum so that they can come to the U.S. and continue to harm people.
Based on my evaluation of asylum seekers, not a lot of them have good moral characters and many hold discriminatory view that they bring from their third world country of origin…
I used to be very pro-immigrant, but I have been increasingly noticing that a lot of immigrants bring their discriminatory view they inherited to the U.S.
I come to the U.S. for a safe heaven, not a duplication of where I am running from.
Listen Mister @Asylum Seeker, do you often have delusion of grandeur where you think you somehow decide who is “good” and “bad” and who gets to stay in the US?! Please spare us of your diatribe. Stop repeating the same thing over and over and… Most of us here know what you stand for. You’re not outsmarting anybody. Get a life in the process.
Hmmm…I mean what I said is my authentic opinion…something wrong with it ?
YES, that’s what we been trying to tell you. Something is very wrong with your train of thoughts.
Either you are really what you pretend to be (Asylee) and are a very judgmental person who believes in shutting the door after you got in; or you are a typical redneck and your place really isn’t is on this page. Either way, your trolling is becoming annoying. There are plenty of place where you can find people with identical ideologies. Why picking up fights and misinform/antagonize people here??!
Again, get a life.
So it’s okay for immigrants to hold discriminatory view, but I cannot criticize them ?
@Asylum Seeker,
As far as I can tell, nobody here as ever expressed discriminatory views but YOU. You are the one calling others “third worlders”, “illegal aliens”, and other derogatory terms. You were caught multiples times belittling others cultures and people based on the region of birth. What are you trying to prove?
Many posters here have tried to argue with you based on actual facts; but to me, your a lost case.
I’m done entertaining this conversation.
I didn’t criticize anybody here specifically. So it’s okay for immigrants to hold discriminatory view but I cannot criticize them ? Because once I criticize them, I am discriminating them ?
Maybe the immigrants should learn how to respect different views of opinions. I in fact know a lot of immigrants that discriminate others because of some characteristics.
National origin or immigrant status or race are just a few of the characteristics.
Double standard is not preferred…
Racism and discrimination are prohibited by law for ANYONE living in the United States. That’s why I love this country, respect it, and do my best to contribute to it! That’s why I strongly believe that I should sacrifice for years of waiting to be the citizen of this great country!
There are also discrimination based on other grounds…
It is a concern for me as well, and it seems I will have to start deleting more comments, which is annoying, but ultimately, I think it is needed. I do not mind people who oppose immigrants, but too much of this is wasting time and energy while contributing nothing. Take care, Jason
@tina and @cordy
Yeah I’m happy no one will get GC for free for being illegal I stayed F***in 6 years in this country to get my asylum approval and been through a lot and stayed of my family and was hurt in my COP so after all of that now you wanna give these illegals or TPS or essential workers GC !!!!! Is that fair? No way! Even asylum seekers needs to be interviewed then if you’re granted welcome to america like me but if not then pack and leave cause it’s gonna happen anyway and also anyone illegal must work hard to obtain a way for legal path to the GC but not freeeeee GC that’s unfair that’s unfair 😡
Zico,
I came to this country more than a decade ago. Waited in line to get interviewed, followed every applicable laws while watching the asylum process getting harder and harder. I have not even passed all the hurdles yet. Been separated from my family for as long as i can remember. I, also face persecution in my country of birth. I do not see other asylum seekers as competitors but people fleeing for various reasons. Wether those reasons are worthy of Asylum or not is not up to me to decide. But what I believe in is the generosity of this nation of immigrants. Your anger is misdirected. The immigration system is complex and broken in so many ways.
My senses tell me we won’t agree on this.
Bye!
I am well Cordy, I hope you are too.
It is unbelievable and shameful that an immigrant who sought asylum and fortunately succeeded would refer to other immigrants as illegals, plus the heartless audacity to celebrate their deportations.
How does anyone even think that DACA recipients do not deserve to have legal status.
Majority of Americans support DACA.
@Jamie, I agree with you. Some people are here to troll, cause offense, and it seems to be working.
Zico, you could have ended up in court, denied and had to make a choice of either being another “illegal”, or going back to your COP.
It appears you are not considering yourself fortunate. You think you had a right to asylum approval. Oh well, but please take a moment and think.
@tina
I only support DACA but GC for tps or essential workers is just a bs!! Plus they can give them greencards later not now as i know if this bill passed these people would apply for the GC in MAY 2022 and that’s when i will apply for my GC based on asylum so they will make the USCIS more busier than it is already now! I wanna get my GC first on my hand on time then they give them documents or deport them later I don’t care I just don’t wanna the USCIS to be full crowded with 8 million GC applicants when I’m applying for mine
Hello,
I have applied for a GC based on an approved asylum. The paperwork was received and routed to the National Benefit Center more than 9 months ago. The USCIS Processing Times website, they do not include the National Benefit Center in the drop list. So I cannot check the time estimate.
However, they added this note:
***********
Note:
If the “USCIS Office” is the National Benefits Center (NBC) and you have filed an employment-based or family-based Form I-485, Form N-400, or Form N-600, you should check processing times for your local field office.
************
My questions:
1- Does that mean I need to choose the closest immigration benefit center to my residence in order to check the estimate of the processing time?
2- Jason, do you have any customer or is there anybody on this platform who got a GC through MSC (National Benefit Center)? If yes, can you share a time line, please?
@mea
National service center doesn’t issue gc based on asylum your case has to move fo either texas or Nebraska service center which looks you’re there yet and your case got stuck in the backlog yet
@MEA
You are not stuck brother, NBC is the office that got most of GC based on asylum petitions since September 2020. I have a pro analysis account on lawfully and they have approved one green card based on asylum case recently based on the data they have. hang on there. Hopefully wel’ll make it soon ( I’m at the same center pending for 8 months now)
@nomad
Stop with your bs and spreading rumors the only 2 service centers produce gc for asylees are texas and Nebraska so national service center hold your application until they either transfer it to texas or Nebraska or local uscis office if you need an interview so stop lies and go educate yourself and yeah when his file is still in National service center and not notified that his case is moved to texas or Nebraska then yeah he is stuck!!! Go educate yourself
1 – I think you can check the Service Centers or the Field Offices for the I-485, so there should be a drop down menu with Field Offices. Check the one closest to you that is also in the same state, as that is usually how it works (though these wait times are not always super accurate). 2 – I do not know the time line there. Maybe someone else here does. Take care, Jason
May I ask a question,
so if I understand correctly, you can apply for renewal of EAD 180 days prior to your current expiration date, and then with a receipt, you can get an extension of 180 days… so it’s 360 days theoretically for a person to get the renewal…
It … should be…enough time…right ? Why I am seeing some complain about the long wait time ? Like it should cause an issue … right ? Even if it really did take 360 days…I’d be surprised an EAD renewal could take 361 days or longer…
Am I missing something ? I am about to apply for renewal soon, so just want to clarify that I captured everything.
Like it shouldn’t cause an issue…right ?
Not everyone know that you can apply 180 days early. Also, sometimes, USCIS is very slow, so even if you apply as soon as possible, you may still face issues. Take care, Jason
Thanks Jason for weighing in 🙂
I hate uncertainties and unknowns…
Hello there , I’m waiting for my first interview from September 2015 and I really don’t know what to do and how long I need to wait more then 6 years! Apparently new cases will be continuing to build up month by month which creates ENDLESS WAITING PERIOD! I developed anxiety, panic attacks at night, inability to sleep properly, work and function because of my pending case situation lately. Inability to set aside my worries about possibility to come back to my country where I am totally unprotected by its local laws became a serious health issue. it is not our fault that the immigration system is so bad, and we should not suffer because of it. Please someone help
I am sorry ARTUR. I feel for you.
I don’t know how I can help but I will pray for you.
I once said in this blog, real asylum seekers are probably the saddest people on earth…persecuted in their home country and stranded in asylum backlog.
It seems that there are no good choice…for real asylum seekers still waiting, it’s either going back to your country of origin and face danger, or continue to wait. If you have a good reason you can try to expedite. but the odds is not good in getting a faster interview.
Studies show that only about %4 of asylum seekers go back to their country of persecution through voluntarily departure. The rest of of them remain in the US and live their life, no matter how do they live there.
Arthur,
See a therapist or someone like that, express how bad it affects your life and you are going bad ask them to write a letter regarding your mental well-being ( but do not ask the letter at the first meeting ), they should mention this waiting time and uncertainties are bad for you and it is not just for the letter it it for your health. Use that letter to request expedite in your case
If you are from Afghanistan, they are now expediting those cases (at least the interviews, if not the decisions). Otherwise, you can try to expedite the case – I wrote about that on March 30, 2017. Unfortunately, because Afghan cases are being expedited, it will likely be very difficult for non-Afghans to have their cases expedited, but certainly you can try. Take care, Jason
I am so sorry Artur for your ordeal. I have been in your shoe. Waited for almost 8 years with multiple interviews before having my case approved. Life was a disaster at that time where I was almost going to lose my wife & kids because of my horrible psychology at that time. Life have changed since I received approval. I was following up with my local congressman office. The office team amazingly helped me. Although what they can do is limited, but over the years they definitely helped to push the asylum office to conduct multiple interviews to come finally to a decision; all along with the priceless advice through the Asylumist articles.
My advice is to never give up. The interview will come sooner or later. Prepare and educate yourself and examine your case to make sure it doesn’t subject to an asylum bar before it is too late. Don’t just trust your lawyer, if you have one. You need to know the details on your case as lawyers don’t have time to deeply dig. Otherwise you will see what never ending really means at that time. Follow up with your congressman office. Try to see them face to face. Explain your situation to the case manager at the congressman office and how bad this is affecting you. I am positive this will help. In addition, explore other options to seek immigration routes to other countries like Canada. Empower yourself otherwise you will be the only loser. The US immigration system is overwhelmed enough to never care about singular cases like yours. You have to figure out so don’t give up man.
I feel you and will pray for you.
As a long-time Asylum Officer with USCIS (and before then INS) I can definitely understand the enormous frustration of waiting for either your interview or decision. There are mechanisms to expedite your asylum case and for those interested I would be happy to discuss the various options available. You can contact me at 305-528-6474 or allen.schwartz@visaconsults.com. You can also refer to my posting on this blog last week (September 8, 2021) for more information about my consultation services. Best of luck!
Hi. I am doing preparation to move from Texas to California. Incidently today i received Deniel of my Asylum case. I will move California next week and also change my uscis address. I wish to my case to california immigration court. For this what i have to do?
Hi sharoon
good luck on your move
May I ask why you are moving from Texas to California ?
You have to file a change of address form with the court and DHS (the prosecutor) – form EOIR-33. You may also need to file a motion to change venue from TX to CA. It is far better to have a lawyer help with this and with the case. Also, if you do not yet have a work permit and you move the case, that could cause you to not be able to ever get a work permit (unless the case is resolved and you win), so talk to a lawyer to see your best options. Take care, Jason
Greeting Mr. Jason ,
Thank you again for sharing this good news. However, the Congress should see the over all problem of asylum seeker and give comprehensive solution. The delay of the cases process is not only in asylum interview but also at all level like: court , EAD application ,Permanent residence application , Family reunion application (USCIS approval delay , delay at NVC , at consular and embassy) and delay for citizenship application etc. In my suggestion the system needs over all quick fix or change in order to address the suffering of asylum seeker in this highly developed country ; if these mess were in other country , it would have been a big issue ! Do not you think so ? I would like to hear from you about this .
I have mixed feeling about the delay.
Could it be possible that the delay serve as a natural defense to discourage more people, some of them are bad people, from coming here ?
If I were the President, I will do what Reagan did. Legalizing everyone currently in the United States…but…tighten or close the border…it should only be done once, not any more.
The asylum program should be closed, there is refugee route, if you want to seek asylum, apply in the U.S. embassy.
All other immigration program should also be closed, except family-based ones. The country has enough people, need no more.
I am glad you can’t become a president since you are Asylum Seeker lol.. otherwise your thoughts are on a different level.
I feel the immigration has become an industry, a pipeline…not a healthy development…
I don’t think so, at least not from the perspective of immigrants and the US government.
I feel that immigrants should participate in a decade long
American Appreciation and Acculturation (AAA) program before they are brought to the United States.
I have witnessed a lot of problems that arose from people who are not fully naturalized…cultural conflict, religion, opinion. These are some of the serious issues we need to address.
So for example, in America, it’s only okay to have two people legally married, but in a lot of countries, a man can have multiple wives. On the flip side, in America, any two non-sibling adults can get married, but in a lot of countries, marriage is defined between a man an a woman…This is something we need to talk about. You can’t just bring in all these people without addressing the difference they have with American culture. No one talks about that, I feel it should be talked about. an open discussion is needed to address these issues. Otherwise, people will just have more misunderstanding and confusions.
So if they impose their opinions, it could hurt the mainstream culture and people. So it is very important to renounce all traditions, opinions, religious part that is incompatible with American tradition. and then come to the U.S.
@ricky
Are you new here? This asylum seeker is a redneck from Indiana and acting like he is an asylum applicant but he is just a white redneck living in the farms so don’t comment on his posts or even care about him ! Unless you’re uneducated redneck like him
Hi,
No, im not new here. but didn’t know about him. Thank you for letting me know.
May God bless you!!
I don’t believe the asylum program, or any other immigration program, will ever be closed in the US. It could happen one day before the end of the world? lol
I mean, a lot of people regard President Reagan as one of the greatest Presidents out there…So there must be something right about him…
right ?
I think asylum program can be halted. refugee program can stay open, as well as family-based immigration.
It’s just not right for people to adjust their status within the country. If people want to immigrate to the U.S., they should apply overseas and visa officers should make the adjudication. and then if it’s approved, okay, come in.
It all just seems logical to me. Like I don’t like some of the recent trend, in fact, a lot of them, making the claims like “our immigration system is broken…blah blah blah”. I mean, I can assure you that, no matter what system comes out, it will be backlogged as today’s…the real causes that creates such backlog is … the people in there…the system is alright, it’s there for a reason…
In fact, I just don’t know why a lot of people feel entitled to criticize the system. Like, they are designed by the US congress, by people who are elected, and probably highly qualified to make the rules. I mean, a lot of people seem to think they are a bunch of fools. This lack of respect for our laws and lawmakers is appalling. I mean if you become a house representative, U.S. senator or cabinet member or president, fine, feel free to criticize. But if you are just commoner, a private citizen, it’s a good idea not to feel so entitled. If you are unhappy with the law, fine, run for office, defeat the incumbents, and then make the law.
I just don’t like to see people who feel very entitled. I am a very humble person and I am contented as long as I am afforded protection. But I feel that such entitlement is frequently seen in a lot of people, make me concerned.
Our lobbying effort focused on the backlog of asylum cases, but there are lots of other problems too. I wrote about a number of them in a series of posts I did last fall and winter, and more recently on August 11, 2021. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for all you do for us. I have two questions, 1) Do you know if there is any restrictions for people with pending asylum status here in US to enter Canada as a student or permanent resident?
2) Any experience/comment on an asylum pending person leaving US and go thru consulate processing with I140 approve? does the bar apply in this situation? Is there any chance?
@EB2/ASYLUM
Good question.
I tried it in 2018. I found a school in Canada, applied, was admitted and just before beginning the Visa application, I decided to consult an immigration attorney in Toronto. They told me that with a pending asylum case in the US, the Canadian government won’t issue me a visa.
I never followed up. Maybe they were right, maybe they were wrong. I would love to hear a opinion
Beyond Frustration,
Thank you for you info. Based on what they have in their visa application. There shouldn’t be any problems since they just need a proof of legal residency in US, which we have (EAD). However, issuing a visa is something else and just not providing all the required documents.
EB2/ASYLUM
I totally agree with you on that. Go ahead and give it a try. The worst that can happen is a No from them.
I wish you all the best.
1 – I do not know, but I expect that anyone who filed for asylum here will likely have a more difficult time getting a Canadian visa. 2 – I wrote about this on September 6, 2018. I think it is pretty rare that people so this, but in theory at least, it is possible. Take care, Jason
Thank you Jason for your response. One more question here, Is it possible to apply for AOS (I485) and also process the same I140 approved by sending to NVC and go thru consular processing outside US?
You would have to talk to a lawyer who does employment-based cases, but I do not see why you cannot try both paths and see what works. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for everything that you do. I have a quick question on my petition.
My case was sent to court because my asylum case got denied by the USCIS officer in 2019. My master hear was rescheduled to 2023 due to covid. During that time I got married and my husband filed I-130 to Uscis, it has been almost a year we haven’t heard anything on the interview. My question is, can I inquire about my case if it crosses the priority date if I still don’t get the interview? My lawyer said that since I am in removal proceedings, my case takes longer and priority date does not apply to me. Is that true? I was hoping to inquire because if I don’t get my interview before my master calendar hearing, it will again get pushed to to another 2-3 years. Could you please assist on what would be the best step yo take here? Will there be a problem if I inquire and not notify my lawyer? I am so worried I might not have the best lawyer, but I already have paid so much and still owe her more than 5k.
I do not think the I-130 processing time is different in cases where the beneficiary (i.e., you) is in court. I do not see why it should matter, since the I-130 is related to whether the marriage is true and does not confer any benefit (if approved, it allows you to apply for a benefit, but by itself, it only indicates that the government believes your marriage is true). So I think you or the lawyer can inquire with USCIS. It is best to inform the lawyer if you make the inquiry, as it is a bad idea to do some action where the lawyer is not aware of what you are doing. As long as your marriage is true, my guess is that the I-130 will be approved and then you can file to terminate the court case and get your GC with USCIS (assuming you are eligible). Also, if you are not happy with your lawyer, you can always find a new lawyer. The old lawyer can only charge for work she has done, so depending what she did, you may be entitled to a refund of unearned money. I wrote more about this on April 10, 2019. Take care, Jason
Thank you for the information Jason. I will check that article out. Also another question, I did not re-register my TPS in 2018 because I was waiting for my asylum interview decision. Is that reason good enough to file for late registration?
I was thinking about trying re-registrating my TPS and once it gets approved, apply to terminate the court case so that I can file I485 directly with USCIS. Do you think that would be possible?
I do not do a lot with TPS, so I am not sure – I would talk to a lawyer who knows more about TPS. If you can find an alternative to asylum, or a “plan B” in case asylum does not work, that is a great idea and it is worth looking into. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I was granted aaylum in 2018, and, I applied for adjustment of status (Green Card) in 2019. My application has been pending. My sister is a US citizen, and she filed an I-130 petition for our parents. A few weeks ago, we were notified by the USCIS, that the application had been approved, and sent to our home country for consular processing. My parents entered the US on a tourist visa for a short trip, and intended to return to our country to complete the consular processing, and eventual issuance of their immigrant visas. However, while they were in the US (on tourist visas), one of our parents became acutely ill and had to be taken to the hospital, they remain in the hospital, and will likely require significant rehabilitation post discharge due to the nature of their illness. My question is this; is it possible for the consular processing and adjustment of status to be completed here in the US, in view of the circumstances? Or must they return to our home country (we dont know when that could happen due to their acute illness).
Thank you so much for all that you have been doing for immigrants!
Favored.
It should not be a problem to adjust status in the US. You can basically forget about the consular processing and have your parents file the I-485 forms, along with the other forms required to adjust status and get the GC in the US. Talk to a lawyer if you need guidance, but they should be eligible. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Do you think if the immigration in the budget reconciliation passes the congress with the text that already has passed by house judiciary committee, people in the pending asylum backlog without any other status would be able to do AOS if they have already worked as an essential worker ?
Thans
Joining to the question!
I have not reviewed the language and I do not know. If we get closer to a point where this may actually become a lawyer, I will take a look and try to post something here. Take care, Jason
Hello jason
I applied for my first RTD 2 months ago and it’s still at the stage of biometric fees were received hmm i have a medical condition and i take pills every day for it and I really need to have vacation overseas as soon as possible after being stuck inside the US for 5 years to finally get my interview then approval so do you think i can expedite it with the medical documents i have from the hospital here and my doctor letter !!
Unfortunately my attorney is always against the expediting and she always tells me the government doesn’t like to be rushed so if I expedite by myself will they let her know? (She is the one filed for my I-130) so the USCIS sent her a receipt and I don’t wanna her to know that i wanna expedite so that she doesn’t get mad at me! What’s the best situation for me now?
I think it is a bad idea to do something without informing the lawyer. Maybe you need to find a new lawyer who is more willing to try to expedite. It is not easy to get them to expedite cases, and it is time consuming, so most lawyers (including me) do not have time to try that. Some lawyers may have time though. Or maybe you need to tell the lawyer to withdraw from the case and you can try to expedite yourself. Either way, you should not go behind her back, as it can create problems for the case. I wrote more about expediting with USCIS in January 2020. Take care, Jason
Thanks jason but I can’t find another attorney or tell her to withdraw as i own her my life!!! I had bad experience and had many issues with my ex attorney and he withdrew from my case 1 month before my interview then went to my current attorney she was a real human and tried to make me feel calm to the most and thanks god i was granted asylum so I can’t tell her bye now as i will be grateful forever to her for taking my case one month before my interview but the only bad thing about her that she hates the expedition process and always tell me government doesn’t like to be rushed so you think i can expedite by myself by calling the USCIS and i will let my attorney knows first for sure but can i do it by myself? I don’t wanna her to expedite for me as I know all the attorneys are always busy but can i do it by myself or uscis wont accept it as she is the one applied for me ?
Maybe just let her know that you plan to try to expedite yourself. I think it probably will not be a big deal for her, as there is nothing she needs to do. But I do think that expediting without telling her could lead to trouble and could damage your relationship with her. Take care, Jason
May I ask…
why only Democratic lawmakers signed or cosigned ?
These recommendations are really good and helpful for asylum seekers, no matter who has signed it.
I guess what I am worried about is that…
you see all the development and progress…but if such support is so partisan…it doesn’t spell well for the long run…
One day, republicans will take power…and I am kind of worried they will rescind all the progress…
I would not be worry and I am personally, like any other asylum seeker, remain patient and positive. Thousands of asylum seekers granted asylum at the time of president Trump, and it is really appreciated!
That’s okay 🙂
Apparently, the way it works on the Hill is that some letters like this are done by one party or the other, and sometimes it is bipartisan. Take care, Jason
thanks Jason for weighing in :).
I guess I am always worried and vigilant…
Dear Jason
You are truly a blessing to us.
I pray today for all those officers that work in the offices! May God bless the hands and give the minds of these officers wisdom! Bless them Lord to do the job.
While many of us are waiting on interviews, and cases to be approved, we have hope that you Lord will help us. Many of us have lost jobs, cause of our EAD expired, 180 day extension ended….we continue hoping and praying that salvation will come.
We are here for a better life, out of true fear we came here. Leaving behind those we love, some lives that was lost. Today we ask you Lord for your help. We are all in this together.
Lord I pray that you Bless Jason as he is a blessing unto us. Lead him and guide him. Amen
You are truly an angel Jason.
Thank you!
AMIN!!!
Thank you – I think all asylum seekers are in need of prayers. And their lawyers can use some as well. Take care, Jason
Thanks Jason.
Although I don’t support any change and favor the status quo of LIFO. You concern for asylum seekers is at the level I rarely, if ever see among people.
Thanks to you Jason and everyone involved in this great effort.
Hopefully, change will come soon.
The backlog is a nightmare.
I stopped believing in the best. First, the immigration service itself is aware of the problem of backlog. If for all these years they have not done anything on their own so that people do not wait for years for an interview, then they do not want to change anything. It seems to me that the US Immigration Service is headed by people who hate refugees. Secondly, as you yourself noticed, the immigration service is funded mainly by refugees, and not by Congress. The appeal of Congress is not binding … Maybe it makes sense to change the leadership of the immigration service? I’ve been waiting for an interview call for the seventh year.
Hi Alex, I can relate. I am waiting for 5 years now and don’t have the belief that they will prioritize our cases. From reading through this blog and comments section it seems to me that even people who have applied in recent years and fall under LIFO are in the backlog already. And currently if you not from Afghanistan, your case most likely goes into the backlog. I don’t have the solution for the problem, but hiring more immigration officers would definitely help. The problem with that approach is that new hires might not receive proper training and end up declining a lot of cases where experienced officer would’ve have approved such kind of case.