During the interview, the AO will ask you questions about your identity, information you had provided in your asylum application, any applicable bars to your eligibility for asylum, and any documents you had submitted in support of your application. Often times, copies of documents are enough, especially if you explain why you cannot get originals (assuming you are comfortable explaining this to people). Asylum is a protection grantable to foreign nationals already in the United States or arriving at the border who meet the international law definition of a "refugee.". The AO will most likely begin by asking you about your identity and background, and will review your original identity documents that you have brought with you. The idea is to make sure that you're believable, and to evaluate whether you merit a grant of asylum. No. The IJ will consider whether you are barred from a grant of asylum or withholding of removal. https://forums.immigration.com/threads/waiting-asylum-decision.296692/page-92. Actully I was interviewd by asylum office. Were the AOs questions focused on certain parts of the case? What Will Happen if an Asylum Officer Does Not Find a Credible Fear? Have an immigration attorney prepare you for the second interview, and also go to the interview with you. If you fail to appear for your Asylum Merits Interview, you must contact the asylum office in writing within 15 days to request that your case be rescheduled. For the regulations governing Asylum Merits Interviews, see 8 CFR 208.9. If any of the documents are not in English, make sure to bring their translations, and translation certificates. USCIS contract interpreters are carefully vetted and must meet high standards of competency. For more information about asylum, seeourAsylum Questions and Answerspage. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. An asylum officer will decide whether you are eligible for asylum. I had first interview and got NOID decision. Any person over the age of 18 who is not your attorney or a witness for your asylum claim can act as your interpreter. When you apply for asylum affirmatively by preparing and submitting Form I-589, within 21 days after you submit your asylum application to U.S. We are dedicating specially trained refugee officers to the centers. If you do not understand a question, whether because of language or other issues, it's better to ask for clarification than to attempt to answer. The addresses and locations for USCIS asylum offices are available using the AsylumOffice Locator. An asylum officer does not make a final decision whether you are subject to a mandatory bar to asylum or withholding of removal in the credible fear determination process. Can anyone please share their timeline from the Texas office for travel parole, That seems too long maybe you can call USCIS at 800-375-5283. A. Now after more than three & half years, we received a letter which is an appointment for an interview (for both my family and I) at the asylum office in less than two weeks, and it says to bring forms of identification and copies of evidence of relationship (which we provided on the first interview in '14). If you are in expedited removal proceedings and are found to have a credible fear of persecution or torture, you may seek asylum before an asylum officer with USCIS or an Immigration Judge (IJ) with the Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. I applied for Asylum in the a US last July and completed my interview September 2013 as well but then I emailed the asylum office requesting expedited processing of my case in order to get my remaining son out of Liberia due to this outbreak of ebola in my country. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. EOIR only notifies individuals who are selected and does not make non-selection phone calls. For more information on expedited removal and credible fear screenings, visit the Credible Fear Screenings and Questions and Answers: Credible Fear Screening pages. However, we encourage your witness to provide sworn written testimony or affidavits before your interview and not attend the interview. The fingerprints recorded during the expedited removal process for you and any dependents are sent to the FBI to conduct background and security checks and are enrolled in the DHS Office of Biometric Identity Managements Automated Biometric Identification System. To apply for employment authorization, you must file a Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. If you do not request review by the IJ, or the IJ agrees with the negative credible fear determination, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may remove you from the United States. Maybe the AOs supervisorwho must approved each decisionneeded additional testimony. This guidance tells you how to carry out effective asylum interviews to obtain relevant information to establish, as far as possible, whether the claimant meets the requirements for an asylum. (202) 328-1353 I wrote more about what evidence to submit, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), President Trumps Immigration Orders: Some Preliminary Thoughts, The Self-Fulling Prophecy of Demonizing Immigrants, What Asylum Seekers and Their Lawyers Need from President Biden: Predictability, Trump Campaigns Law Firm Represents Muslims, Mexicans, Criminal Aliens, The Benefits and Burdens of Court-Appointed Lawyers, Affirmative Asylum Backlog Grows at Unprecedented Rate, Adding a Dependent to an Existing Asylum Case. I have got citizenship interview notice which is due after 24 days and I have filled A-11 form to change my home and Mailing address which is just one mile away from previous address in same county.will it postpone my interview? What to Expect at Your Asylum Merits Interview? o Previous entries into and exists from the United States, including deportations; o Past visas and interviews at U.S. Consulates and Embassies; Good cause could include such reasons as an illness, a death in the family, or an inability to travel to the Asylum Office on the date of your interview. However, there are mandatory bars to asylum and withholding of removal. Guaido said on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, that he is not . They'll make a decision based on what you say. Torture is defined at 8 CFR sections 208.18(a) and 1208.18(a), which incorporate the definitions in Article 1 of CAT as implemented in U.S. law. Do NOT submit originals of your immigration or identity documents. I did a post on October 20, 2015 listing some reasons for headquarters review. For more information about Green Cards, seeourGreen Cards for Asyleespage. You will not receive a written decision on your case at the conclusion of the Asylum Merits Interview. Were included in the positive credible fear determination; or. Your interpreter will also be asked to take an oath. The proposed amendments to this section clarified that an asylum applicant's failure to appear for an asylum interview or biometric services appointment may lead to referral or dismissal of the asylum application, and may be treated as an applicant-caused delay affecting eligibility for employment authorization. Let us know how long after your first interview was second interview conducted, if the same officer or different officer conduct the interview & what were the reason in your opinion for conducting second interview, such as : more clarification, makes no sense, some issues in the application, change circumstances in home country etc. Your lawyer has to submit a request for it along with a fee. (In rare cases, you might even be asked to return for a second interview, for example, if the officer who interviewed you left, and another is taking over your case.). If you have no legal status in the U.S., your case will be referred to the Immigration Court, where you will have to present your case for asylum (and any other defenses you might have) in removal (deportation) proceedings. However, I guess you can explain that you did not have time yet to change it. The adverse credibility determination that doomed a Salvadoran immigrant's request for asylum and other relief was supported by substantial evidence, the Second Circuit ruled Tuesday, in an opinion that also determined she had failed to rehabilitate her credibility by providing "reliable corroboration.". Asylum Officer will first go through application form with you a. Unfortunately, there is usually no way to know in advance why the Asylum Office has scheduled a second interview. You are allowed to bring witnesses to the Asylum Office. Then asked for extension for rebuttal but the AO asked for follow up interview ( the days still running until 2nd interviw). Hello Jason, The case highlights the need for Thailand's government to end the indefinite detention of asylum seekers. The several months estimation is only valid for the recent cases. (But check in advance whether the office lets you bring in food.). It is Stopped.. but when i checked for the same in other topics in this blog.. i found for most of them it is Stopped.. Although family members are allowed to interpret for you, it is better to bring a professional. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS) to deny applications for asylum from people who are afraid of persecution in their home country. If an asylum officer finds you do not have a credible fear of persecution or torture, you can request review by an IJ. They must bring any identity, travel, or other supporting documents they have in their possession with them. If you need to reschedule your interview before the scheduled date of the interview, you must either: The asylum office will not honor a request to reschedule received by telephone. If it is more likely than not that you will be tortured in a country, but you are subject to a mandatory bar to withholding of removal, your removal will be deferred under 8 CFR sections 208.17(a) and 1208.17(a). Interviews usually occur within one day, but sometimes a second interview may be scheduled if there are lingering questions about . Is there any way in the U.S that I can prove that I graduated from college in my country without returning to my country? Maybe the AOs supervisorwho must approved each decisionneeded additional testimony. Everything you discuss with the AO will remain confidential, and will not be recorded (other than the officer's note-taking). Having your Attorney or Accredited Representative Participate in your Asylum Merits Interview from a Remote Location via Telephone. First, refugees may get stuck in transit because their asylum claims are rejected, or because . Exceptional circumstances is generally defined as circumstances (such as battery or extreme cruelty to the alien, or any child or parent of the alien, serious illness of the alien, or serious illness or death of the spouse, child, or parent of the alien, but not including less compelling circumstances) beyond the control of the alien. This list is not exhaustive. In terms of what to expect at a second interview, you might be asked only a few perfunctory questions. More 0 found this answer helpful | 1 lawyer agrees Helpful Unhelpful 0 comments All dependents on your case who are not granted asylum as a principal or derivative asylee by USCIS will be issued a Notice to Appear in immigration court as part of your case, regardless of the outcome of the independent basis determination. The AO's role is to test your credibility and your legal claim to asylum. If you are submitting the information or additional evidence directly to an asylum office: If the asylum officer, in their discretion, finds good cause, they may consider amendments or supplements submitted after the 7- or 10-day (depending on the method of submission) deadline or may grant you an extension of time to submit additional evidence, provided the extension would not result in a delay in the adjudication of your case by USCIS more than 60 days from the date of filing. In other cases, maybe the AO quit or retired without finishing the case, and the notes are inadequate to reach a decision. For that reason, it's a good idea to bring a friend with you, who can either take the children for a walk or wait with them. Q. If you have already been scheduled for an Asylum Merit Interview, but you would like to request an earlier interview date, asylum office directors may consider your request on a case-by-case basis. My clock 2 months ago stopped for 1 or 2 weeks couldnt remember and my clock was running suddenly one day they counted all days that were not counted but maybe you have a different situation, I applied in Jan 2021, had my interview in march 2021, according to that my EAD clock days should be 104 days but from yesterday it's saying 500 days, and the clock still running, it's making me confused and concerned because I wanted to apply for EAD so I can work, how are you checking the ead clock?, there is no time showing in the case states no more. It is important to take second interviews seriously. I inquired after 90 days , got response under review. The asylum officer generally conducts the interview and makes a decsion.The meetings generally are to hand over the decision. Your ability to obtain asylum depends on that. (844) 935-2374. In the second extension of the temporary final rule, published at 85 FR 59655, DHS also amended 8 CFR 208.9(h)(1) . My RTD expired and I need to renew it. Since my first interview the USCIS case status shows decision was mailed after 2nd interview ( last friday) the clock stopped counting ( starting interview day) but EAD Clock is currently running. I wrote more about what evidence to submit here and about how to organize and submit that evidence here. I read all the related questions and it shows what i told you is right. The first is strengthened safeguards in asylum decision-making. Do any of you have similar experience ? If the application is denied by the IJ, the Board of Immigration Appeals, or a Federal court, the employment authorization terminates when the employment authorization document expires, unless the applicant has filed an appropriate request for administrative or judicial review. Refugee Admissions Program and provide for the swift processing . Thai authorities should immediately investigate the death of an ethnic Uyghur asylum seeker who had spent nine years in immigration detention, Human Rights Watch said today (27 April). Take care, Jason. The obvious answer is to prepare for the worst. When you file the, Your case may be referred back to and accepted by USCIS for an Asylum Merits Interview; or. If you do not contact the asylum office or you do not establish exceptional circumstances related to your failure to appear, you will be removed from the Asylum Merits Interview process and placed in removal proceedings in immigration court. Some of these cases include more than one person, and so the total number of people waiting in the system is probably close to 800,000. The asylum officer will first ask questions identifying the applicant and then will ask questions regarding why the applicant fears returning to the individual's country of origin to determine asylum eligibility. If you are bringing children along, make sure to bring toys and snacks for them. They also asked me to come back if i did not receive the decision in 60 days. This page was not helpful because the content: Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, Frequently Asked Questions About the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), DACA Litigation Information and Frequently Asked Questions, Filing Tips for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DED Covered Country Certain Hong Kong Residents, Frequently Asked Questions About Uniting for Ukraine, Information for Afghan Nationals on Requests to USCIS for Humanitarian Parole, Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Humanitarian and Significant Public Benefit Parole for Afghans, Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program, Cuban Medical Professional Parole (CMPP) Program, Refugee Adjudications: Policy and Procedures, Refugee Processing and Security Screening, Affirmative Asylum Frequently Asked Questions, Establishing Good Cause or Exceptional Circumstances for Rescheduling Affirmative Asylum Interviews, FACT SHEET: Implementation of the Credible Fear and Asylum Processing Interim Final Rule, Preparing for Your Affirmative Asylum Interview, Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes, Victims of Criminal Activity: U Nonimmigrant Status, Victims of Human Trafficking: T Nonimmigrant Status, Resources for Victims of Human Trafficking and Other Crimes, Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C), Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, Questions and Answers: Credible Fear Screening, USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests, EOIR Recognition and Accreditation Program, EOIRs list of pro bono (free) legal service providers by state, Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, Arlington Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 205.99 KB), Boston Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 202.69 KB), Chicago Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 221.72 KB), Houston Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 218.94 KB), Los Angeles Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 242.8 KB), Miami Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 221.12 KB), New Orleans Asylum Sub-Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 222.01 KB), New York Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 220.71 KB), Newark Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 223.29 KB), Newark Asylum Office/Manhattan BranchAttorney Opt-In Template (PDF, 223.78 KB), San Francisco Asylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 221.77 KB), TampaAsylum Office Attorney Opt-in Template (PDF, 210.56 KB), Fact Sheet on Asylum Confidentiality (PDF, 350.1 KB), Section 208(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status, USCIS Welcomes Refugees and Asylees (PDF, 1.78 MB), Notice of Proposed Settlement and Hearing In Class Action Involving Detained Noncitizens Who Are Awaiting a Reasonable Fear Determination, Minor Children Applying for Asylum By Themselves, Immigration through the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) Section 203, "How Do I" Guides for Refugees and Asylees, Basic Eligibility for Section 204(l) Relief for Surviving Relatives, Asylum Division Quarterly Stakeholder Meeting, Retain your application for asylum and schedule you for a second interview, known as an Asylum Merits Interview, to determine whether you are eligible for asylum.