Why Has the Asylum Office Skipped My Case?

If you are an asylum seeker who filed an affirmative asylum case between about January 2013 and October 2013, you probably have not yet been interviewed, and your case has–seemingly–disappeared into a black hole. Meanwhile, other asylum seekers who filed after you are being interviewed and receiving decisions. So what gives?

The storage room for backlogged asylum cases.
The storage room for backlogged asylum cases.

As best as I can tell, in early 2013, the asylum offices nationwide essentially stopped hearing cases. The reason is because there was an influx of asylum seekers at the US/Mexico border. People who arrive without a visa at the border, and who request asylum, are detained. They then have a “credible fear interview” to determine whether they might qualify for asylum. If they pass the interview, they are generally released and told to return later to present their asylum case to an Immigration Judge.

Because of the large increase in the number of people arriving at the US/Mexico border (and being detained), the Department of Homeland Security shifted Asylum Officers from across the country to the border. DHS prioritized the border cases because those people were detained. Of course, detaining so many people is very expensive; it is also not so nice for the people who are detained. Assuming that no additional resources were available, I suppose it is difficult to argue with DHS’s decision to give priority to the border cases.

To deal with the increased demand, DHS also began hiring new Asylum Officers. The word on the street was that they planned to hire 90 to 100 new officers nationwide (which is quite significant) and that they would be trained and ready before the new year. Sure enough, we started to receive interview notices for our clients sometime in October (most of our clients interview at the Arlington, Virginia Asylum Office). Since October, our clients generally wait from one to three months from the time we submit the application to the date of the interview. That’s the good news.

But since they started hearing cases again, the Asylum Offices have been scheduling people on a last-in, first-out basis. In other words, cases filed after October 2013 are being heard, while cases filed between January 2013 and October 2013 are stuck in the “backlog.” There are two issues I want to discuss about the backlogged cases: (1) Whether there is anything that can be done if your case is backlogged; and (2) Why isn’t DHS doing the cases in the order received?

First, there are a few things you can try if your case is backlogged. For one thing, if 150 days have passed since you filed your asylum application, you can file for a work permit.

If you want to expedite your case, there is a procedure (at least in Arlington) to request an expedited interview. However, there are a number of problems with this procedure. The most serious problem is that it does not seem to work. When you request an expedited interview, your name is placed on a list. If another asylum applicant cancels her interview, you (theoretically) will be given her time slot. The problem is that not many people cancel their interviews, and many people are on the expedited list. Also, if you happen to get an expedited interview, you will have very little notice, and so there may be insufficient time to prepare.

Another possibility to expedite a case is to contact the USCIS Ombudsman. This is the government office that tries to assist immigrants and asylum seekers with their cases, and I have used it successfully a few times (though not for asylum cases). While I have a very high opinion of this office, its ability to expedite cases seems quite limited. One example of where it might be effective is if you have requested an expedited date due to a serious health problem (of you or a family member). After you have made the expedite request with the Asylum Office, and if that office does not expedite the case, the Ombudsman might be able to assist. In short, while the Ombudsman might be helpful for certain situations, it will probably not be able to assist in most cases.

I suppose you could also try contacting a Congressperson, holding a sit-in or going on a hunger strike. I doubt any of these methods will be effective, but it you have luck, please let me know.

The second issue I want to discuss is the logic behind DHS’s decision to hear new cases before backlogged cases. I have the impression (from talking to several people on the inside) that there was a heated debate within the government about how to deal with this issue. It seems there are several reasons why DHS decided to hear new cases before backlogged cases.

The main reason for hearing new cases first seems to be that DHS fears an influx of fraudulent cases. The logic goes like this: If cases are heard in order, delays will ripple through the system, and the average processing time for a case will dramatically increase. Cases will take much longer, but applicants will continue to receive their employment document six months after filing. This will create an incentive for aliens to submit fraudulent applications, which will further clog the system. By hearing new cases first, processing times are faster (except for the people left behind), and the incentive to file a fraudulent case and obtain a work permit is reduced.

Tied to this fear of more fraudulent cases is a fear of Congress. The House recently held hearings on asylum, and there is a general (and probably accurate) belief that the ultimate aim of these hearings is to restrict asylum. DHS believes that increased delays (and thus increased incentives for fraud) in the asylum system will make it easier for the Congress to pass more restrictive laws related to asylum. In other words, DHS does not want to play into the hands of the restrictionists by increasing processing times for asylum cases.

Finally, there is a general belief at DHS that delays are not all that damaging to applicants stuck in the backlog because such people at least have their work permits. If you forget about the stress and uncertainty, it is true that single applicants without children can work and live in the U.S. while their cases are pending. But for people who are waiting to be reunited with family members–especially when those family members are in dangerous or precarious situations–the delays can be deadly.

So that is the basic situation, at least as far as I can tell. Next time, I will discuss some possible solutions to the problem.

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314 comments

  1. Hi sir,I filled for asylum since June 26th 2014.2wks later I received a letter for biometrics and another that I would b cald for interview soon.up till date I have not heard from them.lot of thought going through my mind if they they delivered my interview mail to a wrong address or misplaced it somwhere….do you think I can apply for work permit?cause I had my child here and have being taking care of her without working its frustrating. I don’t know if can apply for work permit.I need a reply from you asap please…thanks

    Reply
    • You have to wait 150 days after you file before you can apply for a work permit. If you received a receipt and a biometric (fingerprint) appointment, the case has been received. In that case, it is probably now in the backlog. You can always contact the asylum office to be sure. If you have not received a receipt or biometric appointment, the application probably was not received – you should contact the asylum office to be sure.

      Reply
  2. This is so confusing, and frustrating.

    hello jason. I filled in my application Aug and NO decision up to date. Now my lawyer said i have to wait 6months before i can put in for my EAD. What happen to the 150days. Because i figure out the 6month is a way more than 150days.

    Reply
    • Unless there was some delay caused by you, you should be able to file after 150 days. You can always ask the asylum office directly how many days have passed. Also, you can just file the I-765 for the work permit. It is free, and in the worst case, they will just deny it because not enough time has passed.

      Reply
  3. Hi.
    I submit my I-589 in September 9, and and I have still not received
    The first letter (acknwoledged) this time of delay
    Is posible?? Please help me with this information . I submit
    In San Francisco
    Thanks

    Reply
    • That seems like too long. I would go/call/email the asylum office to see whether they have your case.

      Reply
  4. Hi Jason,
    I applied for asylum on the 4th of February 2013, and I haven’t still gotten interview notice(It’s has been over a year and half). Now I am in F1-status. I have two questions:
    1. Would they send me interview notice quickly if I stop going to school(leave status)? I am thinking to stop my studies today because of too much stress.
    2. Does it make it faster if I move to a city where there is one of the main asylum offices? I applied through field office.
    I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you,sir!

    Reply
    • Sadly, I know of no easy way to get out of the backlog. If you have a health problem or you have dependent family members who are waiting for your case overseas, you might be able to expedite. But giving up your F-1 status won’t help. Moving to another office will most likely make things slower, but I am not sure about that. You might want to call the office where you plan to move to, and ask how they treat transferred cases.

      Reply
  5. October 23, 2014 at 10:46 pm
    Thnx for your response sir.
    I’m really worried about that because if it’s a mistake on their part they must not stop my EAD clock.. but they have mentioned in letter that it’s been stopped. Can you please tell me when can I expect the next interview?. My interview was supposed to be held in san Francisco asylum office.
    Is it possible that they send generic mails stating that ? One more thing , besides me and my attorney who else can request that cancelation because we didn’t share our details with anyone.
    Waiting for your kind reply sir.

    Reply
    • I have no idea when you would be interviewed. You really need to call/email/visit the asylum office to ask them.

      Reply
      • Ok sir. Thanks a lot for your suggestion. God bless you

        Reply
  6. Dear sir
    Is there any statistics or anything at all about people filling asylum application after being denied the 1st time? This is my case; got denied on July 2013,then refilled the next year on March 2014. I did not receive anything not even a receipt acknowledging that they got my application.

    Reply
    • You should be careful about this. The procedure is different if you are filing the application the second time. At least at my asylum office, you file directly with the asylum office (and not with the service center, where first-time cases are filed). In the vast majority of cases filed a second time, the case will be denied (it was already denied once). People file a second time so the case can be referred to an immigration judge and they can get a new (and hopefully better) decision. You should check with the local asylum office to see whether the case is currently pending.

      Reply
  7. Hi Jason
    Greetings!
    My asylum interview was supposed to be held on 23rd oct, but received a letter from asylum office stating that on my request the interview has been canceled. But I didnt send any request not even my attorney. The letter also states that my 150 days EAD has been stopped due to cancelation of interview. Could you plz tell why did it happen ? Can it be an error on part of asylum office?
    Plzz help me

    Reply
    • That sounds like a mistake. I would go to the asylum office and ask them what happened. If they say that there was a request, you should ask who made the request. It seems to me that something is very wrong, and they do sometimes make mistakes.

      Reply
      • Thnx for your response sir.
        I’m really worried about that because if it’s a mistake on their part they must not stop my EAD clock.. but they have mentioned in letter that it’s been stopped. Can you please tell me when can I expect the next interview?. My interview was supposed to be held in san Francisco asylum office.
        Is it possible that they send generic mails stating that ? One more thing , besides me and my attorney who else can request that cancelation because we didn’t share our details with anyone.
        Waiting for your kind reply sir.

        Reply
  8. […] receive an interview. Others are interviewed for asylum and never receive a decision. I’ve discussed the first problem–called the backlog–several times, but today I want to discuss the […]

    Reply
  9. Hi Jason,

    I was interviewed and have been waiting for the decision for one year. do you know something about Writ of Mandamus? do you think it works?
    I have been interviewed twice because I have a sensitive job.

    Reply
    • It seems like a Mandamus would be appropriate, but I have not done one, and I have a feeling they are not effective, but I really don’t know. It would be worth looking into.

      Reply
      • this is a follow up for my status.

        after one and a half year long long waiting, i wrote a letter to the officer request for a expedite processing. after one week, i received a RFE,asked for employment information and other relative proof. althought still no decision, but at least they are finally processingmy case.

        thank you jason.

        Reply
        • They asked for additional information about your asylum case? That is a little unusual, but hopefully it means there is some progress. Good luck, Jason

          Reply
          • yes, after 18months pending for decision, they send a RFE to ask for that. thank you Jason, you have been so kind to all us. god bless you and all

          • Hi Jason,
            I got the letter from uscis soon after i responded the RFE, the letter said the case is under qulity review. but no more message from them after two month. do you have any experience how long the quality review takes? the other two years? LOL. thank you.

          • Hopefully not, but nothing would surprise me. If it is from USCIS, you can follow-up by calling their 1-800 number. Sometimes it actually helps…

          • hi Jason,

            I’m planning to sue USCIS to push for the decision, so i’m looking for a reliable lawyer, such as your firm. but the thing is I live in Los Angeles, do you take the case in LA? could you recommend a good one in LA. thank you very much.

          • I don’t have a lawyer to recommend in LA. You might want to contact a local non-profit, like Catholic Charities, to see whether they have a lawyer referral list. That is probably the most reliable way to find a lawyer. I think it is not a case we could do from here. Take care, Jason

        • update for my case. still no decision until now. 🙁

          Reply
          • update fingerprint notification received on 3/8/2016

          • update. received re-interview notice–the 3rd time interview….

          • re-interview rescheduled by uscis ……

  10. Hi, Jason.I submitted my case on Sep 13,2013 in Chicago.Just as you said ,nothing been heard yet,not even the interview notice.I went to the asylm office to check on the status of my case a couple of times,they told me the case is pending,it’s normal to wait over years,so pathetic……..

    Reply
  11. Hello,

    My asylum case is pending in San Francisco asylum office. I applied on end of April, did biometrics but haven’t got interview notice. Is there any way to expedite the process?

    Reply
    • I don’t know about San Fran, but here there is a “short list” (which does not work too well) and sometimes they will expedite if there is a pressing health issue for you or a family member. The best thing to do is to contact the asylum office (easier said thank done) and ask.

      Reply
  12. Hi!
    I applied for asylum that was accepted on August 8th, 2014. Biodata was given one week later, but until now I have no interview date. I am supposed to be interviewed in Chicago. Is there any information on how big is the backlog in Chicago office? Is there any expectation is to probably how long I will wait for the interview and then the decision. I am currently on work visa that will expire in one year. I know I can apply for EAD after 150 days, but what if I work after a year and then 1 or 2 years I am told that my asylum is denied? any advice?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Unfortunately, I don’t know anything specific about the delays in Chicago. You might want to contact that office to see if they can give you any information, but generally, I think no one – not even the asylum offices – knows how long the delay will be.

      Reply
  13. Hi Jason, I’m like most of people here,
    but in my case I’ve already had my interview which was last year on February 2013, till today I haven’t got any news, I did applied for work permit that I got couple months earlier. Can You please tell me anything about when I can expect the decision.

    Reply
    • We’ve seen long delays like that for people from Afghanistan and some people whose cases have been sent to headquarters (usually because they served in their country’s military or they gave money to terrorists – for instance, as ransom for a kidnapping). I’ve recently made an inquiry about a bunch of the cases and I am hoping to hear back soon. Maybe check back with me in two weeks and we’ll see if I have an answer.

      Reply
      • Hi Jason,
        thank you for your answer, I’ll definitively check back
        thanks again for your time.

        Reply
  14. […] Panel speakers also touched on issues that affect asylum seekers in the U.S. more generally. The most important comments in that regard came from John Lafferty, the Chief of the Asylum Division at USCIS, who spoke–among other things–about the backlog (for some background on the backlog, check out my previous post). […]

    Reply
  15. Hi. I had my asylum individual hearing 5 months ago. The immigration judge didn’t make any decision. A month ago the judge asked for my biometric notice. Since that, I’m worry cause I don’t know what’s gonna be the next step. Can anyone help? Or share his experience?.Thanks.

    Reply
  16. Hi,I am Ranjit.I am applying for asylum (I589) on October 16,2013.Than I did my fingerprinted and photographed on October 24,2013.But still no Interview has come.Afterthat I send inquiry letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.They response me like that…Your case is still pending.You will be notified by mail of any decisions relating to your case.Please notify this office of any change of address to prevent delays in receiving further notifications regarding your case.No interview has been scheduled as of the date of this review.Dear Mr.Barua, Currently our resources are stretched,as the USCIS Asylum has received a significant increase in all caseloads over the last several years,which has led to longer processing times for the affirmative caseload.Your Asylum case remain in the backlog untill can be made available,at which point they are scheduled.Your clock is at 138 days and still running.Afterthat I apply for workpermitt and got workpermitt.Now what can I do for interview? please give me any suggestion??

    Reply
    • It sounds like your case is stuck in the backlog like so many other people. We have not found a way to make the backlog cases go faster, and it is still unknown when the Asylum Office will get to those cases. It is a very difficult situation. I hope you have some progress soon. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  17. Dear Jason,

    Express regret to distrub u again and again.
    we are the applicant under I-589 and have been waiting for our decission almost 4 months after interview with asylum officer.
    there were no delay caused by us and so far we know our case is under review with asylum officer,
    meantime, we didn’t asked/noticed by the USCIS to submit any additional documents required.
    is there any chance to stop our EAD clock by the USCIS?
    btw- we already applied for EAD after 152 days from the date of our complite asylum application (I-589) is filed by the USCIS.

    looking forward to hearing fm u soon,

    Thanks n have a pleasant day.

    rgds,

    ANDRIA

    Reply
    • It sounds like your clock should not have stopped, but it will take 1 to 3 months (sometimes more) to receive the work permit. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  18. Thank you so much for your quick response. As it is taking longer than the standard time frame, is there any change of getting approval of our case??

    Reply
    • I think there is no standard time frame. I also don’t think a delay means it is more or less likely that the case will be granted, but I am not sure. It makes sense that they do not need to do a security check to deny a case, so you’d think that only approved cases would face delays, but I really don’t know. My sense is that a delay does not indicate anything about whether or not the case will be approved, but I have never noticed any pattern in my cases.

      Reply
  19. Dear Jason,
    Greetings!
    I would like to thank you very much for helping the asylees by kindly answering our inquiries and providing us with the true facts. Many tend to give us false hopes inorder to encourage us to struggle and live it through, but no one can fully empathize the struggle except us, the sufferers .My family and I are facing the same problem. I am writing on behalf of my father, who is the main applicant. After filing the I-589, we received all the letters of acknowledgement of I-589, fingerprint, biometric, interview date within a month.Our interview took place after 43 days from the filing date and the location was in Arlington,VA. Our interview was good and during the interview my father was told that we will receive our decision after one month but it has now been almost 4 months from our interview date, still we didn’t receive any decision. In between my father went there 2 times to inquiry about our case,in both times they informed my father that the case is under review with officer, decision will be mailed once completed. It has been 5 months since our filing date, so we applied for the EAD. My questions are that when should we expect the decision to be made? Is there no standard proccessing time frame? I read in one website that it has to be made within 6 months, how reliable is the information? And since there is a delay in our decision, is there likely to be delay in the provision of our EAD too? It is very hard to survive for a family of four with no jobs and no aids for months. Even we can’t get checkup when we are ill. We have been told by many that if it takes longer to decide, it is a good sign. But like I said, it is very agonizing to wait and hope for the arrival of decision every single day. I can’t even go to college for the crisis. Our family has fallen into depression. I hope to get your response soon. Keep up the good work. God Bless!!
    kind Regards.
    Andria

    Reply
    • I will do a posting on this topic soon (delays after the interview), but to answer your question: No one knows how long it will take. It depends on many factors – your country, security background checks, whether you ever served in the military. In my experience, you can have two people, and they seem almost the same, but one person’s case takes a few weeks and the other person’s case takes a year or more. Why? I don’t know. The only thing useful I can really tell you is that you can apply for the work permit 150 days after the application was initially filed. Good luck and I hope a good decision comes soon, Jason

      Reply
  20. Thank you Jason, i hope things get easier for both law professionals and asylum seekers. I read your articles and you seem like a humanitarian person, rare these days.

    Reply
  21. Hi, I am Jason. I have applied asylum June 19 and I received interview date on July 13. But after one week I received letter from asylum office in Los Angeles they wrote that we are regret that we have to rescheduled your interview date. Since then 2 month past I didn’t get any interview date. Yesterday I went for e enquiry but they said they don’t known when I will get my interview date. I said I didn’t request for rescheduled then what wrong that my interview date rescheduled. I asked them how long it will take for interview date.. Can I know how long I have to wait. I am getting frustrated.. Thanks

    Reply
    • I doubt they can tell you how long you have to wait, and it is VERY frustrating. If your case has been filed more than 150 days ago, you can apply for a work permit. I wish you good luck, Jason

      Reply
  22. Hi, I am Jason. I have received my asylum interview date July 13 but after one week I received another letter from the asylum office that they said they are regret that they have to rescheduled my interview date which was first week of last month. I am now waiting almost 2 months for interview date. Can I know why asylum office rescheduled my interview date and how long I have to wait for my interview date . I am having hard time.

    Reply
  23. Also, additional to the past question about EAD (First time c8) i have another question.
    I know you don’t have a precise answer for this, but, are 100% of the conducted asylum interviews being carried in the first come – first serve methodology? I mean, i read the workload reports and say that in an office they conduct 550 interviews that month, despite the fact that 700 new applications where filed. Are all the 550 interviews conducted with that methodology? Or are some used to lighten the backlog? Shorter way to put it is, are the backlog applications being attended (even in a smaller scale) or just staying frozen in backlog until further notice?
    Thanks Again!

    Reply
    • Good question. I don’t know. We have only seen a few of our backlog cases interviewed. For the most part, they are not being interviewed. It is the same for other lawyers I have spoken to. Hopefully the asylum offices will start to tell us, as it would be very helpful to people who are waiting.

      Reply
  24. Hi, I am Jason. I have received my asylum interview date July 13 but after one week I received another letter from asylum office that they said they are regret that they have to rescheduled my interview date which was first week of last month. I am now waiting almost 2 months for interview date. Can I know why asylum office e rescheduled my interview and how long I have to wait. I am having hard time.

    Reply
    • Hi Jason
      Can u tell me did they also mention that ur EAd clock has inteeen stopped? ?
      Wht was the content of letter? I also got a letter stating that my interview has been canceled on our request. . But I didnt send any request not even my attorney.
      plz help me.
      .

      Reply
  25. Jason, i thank you for the effort you put into keeping this website updated and giving us a general view of the situation in the country, while not every new is a good new at least we are updated with reality and that always helps.
    I filed my I-765 for a EAD, in the Texas Service Center, it said that the time frame for c8 applicants was 3 weeks, but after reading the comments i am reading that its taking 3 months, is this information accurate? Because it will cause some modifications on my own survival plans. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • At least for our clients, things seem to have slowed down a bit. I-765 applications for some people are taking more than three months. Others are less, but none of them are three weeks. Maybe that is the time frame in TX, but as far as I know, it is longer here.

      Reply
  26. thank you Daniel. I will go online and check it out. thanks.

    Reply
    • A person can apply on his own, and we often recommend that they do. The reason for this is that if you make an error, USCIS will usually send you a letter and allow you to correct the error (which is different from asylum, where if you make an error, your case might be denied). On the other hand, sometimes the application for employment authorization can be complicated and people have trouble. Normally, though, if you are careful and follow the instructions, you should not have a problem doing the application by yourself.

      Reply
  27. Bruna you don’t need a lawyer to file for your work permit. Just complete form I-765 and send it to the appropriate USCIS office. Again YOU DON’T NEED A LAWYER TO FILL AND SEND THIS FORM my brother

    Reply
  28. Even though most cases seem same as mine, I get to share mine because it drives me crazy. I came in the U.S with f1 visa, and I filed the application for asylum since November 2013. A week later I received a fingerprint notice then I showed up. since November of last year nothing came on my mail such a notice for an interview. 150 days later I applied for a work permit which I got 3 Months after while the expected processing time for asylee is 3 weeks. I used to study and try to keep my F1 status because of fear to become illegal as my case still pending. Actually I am out of budget to keep paying for my tuition, and I am about to loose my F1 status. Can anyone tell me what is gonna happen if the school I attended report to the immigration that I am not anymore on my F1 status, and until now I did not get an interview, neither a decision? Please anyone help me with this case. I don’t have neither a lawyer. I am trying to come up with everything by myself.

    Reply
    • You should not worry. Since you have applied for asylum, you are allowed to remain in the US until your case is decided. You have your asylum receipt and your work permit. Both are evidence that you are lawfully permitted to remain here until the case is done. Good luck, Jason

      Reply
  29. for all you that are still waiting,
    my advice is to write a letter to the office you are waiting to hear from. most of the time you should recieve an answer within 2 weeks.

    btw most of you guys are not mentioning what state your cases are at?

    good luck to all of you and do update us on the result 🙂

    Reply
  30. I filled my i-589 asylum application back in December 4,2013 through a “recommended” immigration law office who somewhat specializes in cases from my country, Sudan. I was assured by my lawyer that I will receive an interview notice via mail. About 6 weeks from the day I submitted my application I got a call one morning from my lawyer’s office informing me that Arlington asylum office just called and they want me to come today for the interview! I was shocked, as I thought I will be mailed the interview notice and have time to prepare for my interview. I hesitated and asked for 10 minutes to think about it, when I called my lawyer back her immediately advised me against going to the interview and said they should reschedule my interview because they failed to notify us by mail. Now, 6 months later, I wish I didn’t hesitate, didn’t listen to my lawyer and just put something on and made it to the Arlington office that day.
    After that, all my trust and confidence in my lawyer went down the drain. I’m on a short list to be interviewed but the list keeps growing and few people are called if any.
    Do you have any advice for me? or is there anything I can do to alert the Arlington office about my case which was ready for an interview?

    Thanks,
    Hiba

    Reply
  31. Hi Jason,
    You have been very helpful by providing information whatever know.
    The recent news on CNN was that the emergency shelters around southern border are closing in few weeks because of less influx of UAC. Does it mean the Asylum officers will return to their respective offices and resume the asylum interview after few weeks?
    Any expert analysis will give some life to us..

    Reply
    • I doubt we will see an effect that quickly, as they probably still need to work through a lot of cases, but if the situation at the border becomes less busy, we may see asylum cases elsewhere start to move more quickly. Here in our local Asylum Office (Virginia), things do seem to be moving along faster, at least for many people. So we are hoping for the best.

      Reply
  32. My office is Chicago

    Reply
  33. I am african. I have sent my application by january 2014. I did my fingerprint january 14 but then nothing. Nothing at all. No interview notice no nothing. I am here on Student visa (F1) that will expire soon and my daughter is back home threatnen by death and sickness. For what I read on the website, the hole process should not last more than 60 days or a maximum of 180. I did not file for working permit because my lawyer wants to charge extra for that. So I am stuck , thinking about my 5 years old girl and not knowing what happens next. Do you guys have any advice for me? I wrote a statut update check but no answer since 2 weeks. What do I do?

    Reply
  34. I hate my self for being treated like the rest of the ppl. Im from iraq. Everyday I hear a lookin and/or a booming in my neighborhood. A three persons died that I know personally and many neighbors died ever since I applied for asylum. I applied in June 13. But as to date not a single letter for interview. I tried every approach but as always didn’t work out. I hate life.

    Reply
  35. There is nothing to me now as agonizing as waiting for an asylum interview at a date not set by DHS. I applied since December 2012, did biometrics as requested by the office in Texas in January 2013. Till this date, I have heard nothing! I have called and written for status updates, and no one ever replies. The pain of uncertainty, of not knowing if I have the security I long for right now in the rest of my life is difficult to tell. O God, help me!

    Reply
    • I agree with you that the uncertainty is a big part of the problem. DHS has done a poor job of informing people like you (and there are thousands of people like you) about what is going on. It seems to me that they could be providing updates on their website so at least we would have an idea about what is happening, but so far they have chosen not to do this. I wish you good luck.

      Reply
  36. It’s been 7 complete months since I filed my application.Although I got EAD but no interview. My attorney said that he had put my name in his list 1 month ago but couldn’t say for sure the time when I can expect interview. The situation of my family always worries me.When asked to the attorney,he said that officers are bg dealing with recently increased border crisis cases in southern part.
    Is it that we will not be interviewed until those cases have been finished completely,or the process has gone slowed down only?
    My case is in San Francisco

    Reply
    • It seems to be about the same everywhere in the country. Unfortunately, the asylum offices are not giving us much information, so we really don’t know what their plan is (or even if they have a plan). They have hired a significant number of new officers, but it does not yet seem to be helping. I hope things will start moving again soon. Best of luck.

      Reply
  37. hi all, am almost in the same situation as most of you, but one bit of luck may be!
    I applied for asylum, and in about a month I had done the interview. It all happened so fast and my optimism was so high, thinking its going to take days, or atleast a maximum of 2weeks and I will have my decision . Since 28th May, when I did my interview, I have been checking on the mail van, and man before he even gets to the box. Nonthing for me!
    its coming to 2months now, my problem is that, am not working and I have a wife and a kid back home, and they are being threatened. So this kills me!

    Is there any one else like me, do you have any idea what could have happened with my case, some one told me, if it goes beyond a month before your decision its normally a good sign?
    Please reply!

    Reply
    • Often times the reason for delays after the interview is the security background check. This can takes weeks, months, even – I am sorry to say – years. In my experience, it seems to be slower for people from Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and maybe some other countries. Hopefully, you will get some good news soon.

      Reply
  38. I’ve have been waiting for my interview to be rescheduled from July 2012, and still nothing

    Reply
  39. The wait has been real painful. I had applied and got my finger print done by june of 2013 since that day I had hope if i will get letter of interview, but not.
    can you help me in this case? Is there any way or medium that i can use? please reply me..

    Reply
    • We have tried many different approaches, with really no luck. You can try your Congressperson – each one has a staff member who can help with immigration. Often this does not work, but it won’t hurt. You can also try USCIS Ombudsman, though again we have not had luck with this. I wish I knew an effective way to get cases moving, but I don’t and I do not know of other attorneys who have succeeded at this.

      Reply
  40. Mine is pending from june 2013 without no interview date. It’s really really really stressful!!

    Reply
  41. My assylum application is pending from February 1 2014, I have given my finger print but I was not called for an interview but people who applied after me are called. Is there anyway that mine will be close or any means I can check, I applied at VA. please somebody help me.

    Reply
  42. Hi everybody. I had my asylum hearing 2 months ago before immigration judge. The judge didn’t make any decision on my case. She just said ” I don’t know if I’m gonna grant you asylum, I’ll think about it and I’ll forward my decision to your lawyer.” The government attorney neither said anything. My lawyer keep telling me that i will get a decision soon. Could anyone tell me how long does it take to issue a decision? Thanks for your help.

    Reply
    • It totally depends on the judge – some are fast and some are slow. Hopefully, it will be soon. Good luck, Jason

      Reply
  43. Hi,
    It seems that I had a similar situation compared to other seeker.
    For me it’s already 6 months and no decision after the interview.

    I been to the asylum office twice for inquiry and they told me to wait month, seems that this is a tricky timeline.

    The problem is that, I forward my C8 work permit application one month ago, still not receive the notice. This is deadly frustrating to me.

    Reply
  44. Hi,
    It seems that I had a similar situation compared to other seeker.
    For me it’s already 6 months and no decision after the interview.

    I been to the asylum office twice for inquiry and they told me to wait month, seems that this is a tricky timeline.

    The problem is that, I forward my C8 work permit application one month ago, still not receive the notice. This is deadly frustrating to me.

    Any suggestions?

    Reply
    • It usually takes 2-3 months to get the work permit. Unfortunately, I have not discovered a way to make these cases go faster. I wish you good luck, Jason

      Reply
  45. I done the fingerprint me and my family on March 28, when do you think they will contact me for the interview, is there is any delay those days? Thanks

    Reply
  46. It is tragic what we have to go through. It has been one full year. I check my mail box everyday hoping everyday I will get my interview notice. Nothing. I sent a letter to USCIS requesting about the status of my application and their reply was “keep calm and wait”. The uncertainty is killing me.

    Reply
    • It is very depressing and difficult. I wish you good luck and hopefully you will have a response soon.

      Reply
  47. Yes I am a mother two to girls (12 and 13, who left her children in a hell, and came here to fight for them and myself. Only to be stuck here for 12 months without any outcome after a good interview. I am dying slowly without the love of my life. I do not know what to do and I hope I can get me a clue what I should do to hear form my interviewer. I Initially was told 2 weeks, but now It has been 12 months without any decision. I was told the interviewer did not make a decision yet and want to have a committee to reach his decision, but how long????? My case in in Arlington, VA.

    Reply
  48. […] she applied for her work permit (after the application had been pending for 150 days due to the asylum backlog), the application for an employment document triggered notice to the consulate, which was (somehow) […]

    Reply
  49. […] Last time, I discussed the asylum case backlog from 2013: Why it happened, what (little) can be done to help, and DHS’s justification for processing new cases before old cases. Today, I want to make some suggestions about how DHS might better handle this situation. […]

    Reply
  50. I’m one of the victim with this situation, really really so sad, no words to express how this is hard,……

    Reply
    • I am sorry to hear it – it is a very difficult situation. I wish you good luck

      Reply

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