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.
First and foremost, DHS should provide better information about what is happening. While I imagine that DHS does not always know what is happening (after all, the backlog is unprecedented), it could be providing better information to the backlogged applicants. Some info that would be helpful: (1) An estimate of when the backlogged cases will be heard. Maybe DHS has no idea, but at least tell us something. Apparently, many new officers and support staff have been hired. Will some of these people be dedicated to backlogged cases (I’ve heard that at the San Francisco office one or two officers will be assigned to backlogged cases). Is there any sort of plan to deal with the backlog? Leaving applicants completely in the dark is the worst possible way to handle the situation; (2) If a particular Asylum Office has an “expedite list,” it would be helpful to know the applicant’s place in line and how many people are on the list. Is she the third person or the 200th person? This would at least give some idea of the wait time, especially if DHS updated each person’s place in line as they move forward; and (3) It would be very helpful if the Asylum Offices explained why the backlog exists, what they are doing about it (hiring new officers), and what the applicants can do (apply for work permits, criteria to have a case expedited). While people like me can try to tell applicants what we know (and hopefully our information is more right than wrong), it is far better to hear it from the source. Each Asylum Offices has its own website, so it should be easy enough to publish this information.
Another thing the Asylum Offices could do to ease the pain of the backlog is to give priority to backlogged cases based on family reunification. As I noted last time, one justification for the backlog is that applicants can get their work permits while their cases are in limbo. Of course, the work permit is helpful (even crucial) for many applicants, but for people separated from spouses and children, reunification is the number one issue. This is especially true where the family members are in unsafe situations. I know that in a large bureaucracy, nothing is as simple as it seems, but why can’t DHS prioritize expedite requests where the applicant has a spouse or child overseas?
A third possibility is to dedicate one or more Asylum Officers in each office to work on backlogged cases. As I mentioned, San Francisco will assign one or two Officers to deal with the backlog. What about the other offices? At least if we could see some progress–even a little–with the old cases, it would give hope to the people who are waiting.
Finally, once a backlogged case is decided, DHS should give priority to any I-730 (following to join) petition filed by a granted applicant. Family separation is a terrible hardship. At least DHS (and the Embassies) can make up for some of the delay already suffered by moving I-730s for these cases to the front of the line. These applicants and their families have already waited long enough.
In a perfect world, asylum cases would be processed in the order received. However, I understand DHS’s concerns and the reasons for adjudicating new cases before old cases. By providing more information to backlogged applicants and by giving priority to people separated from their families, DHS can ease the pain caused by delay without implicating the policy concerns that brought us the backlog in the first place.
Hello Jason I applied I-730 for my family they are approved by USCIS office they have medical and interview in oversee during the interview Embassy ask them provide additional information form we submitted that form too now more 60 days no response from Embassy.
Do you know how long the administration processing takes in Embassy for visa Issuance.
Thanks
It varies by embassy and by case, and we too have seen delays at this stage. You can try emailing the embassy to inquire, or maybe contact your Congress person for help. Whether these things will make it faster, I do not know, but you can try. Take care, Jason
my asylum interview was done on april 2016 after applying in Oct 2015 and then i got my EAD in Sep 2016. In Jan 2018, I got renewal EAD for 2 years and yesterday got letter to pick up asylum decision in 2 weeks. what are the chances and what they did not send me decision by mail. should i go to pick up my decision with my attorney or alone. im very confused because I just got my EAD for 2 years and now decision is also there. what are the possibilities. thnx
Normally, they would just send you the decision; I have not heard about getting a letter to come to the office in two weeks. We never go to these, as the only purpose is (or should be) to get the decision – there is nothing for the lawyer to do. If you are worried because the procedure is different, you can certain bring a lawyer. It may just be that your asylum office is different than mine, and I doubt there is cause for concern from that letter. Hopefully, it will be a good decision. Take care, Jason
i m just worried about it and my lawyer is not receiving calls. Im in new york. is it possible they can ask for another interview or more details. In letter they just mentioned date and time of pick up final decision. Just curious whats the worst can happen ? Im positive but we have to think the other side as well. thanks for your quick response
Sometimes, they do ask more questions at these pick-ups, but they really should not do that unless you have your lawyer present. However, in the very large majority of cases, you just pick up the decision and that is it. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, hope you r doing good. Today I got another letter from USCIS to go for bio metrics on next day after picking up my decision next week. Is it normal or positive sign ?
Thanks for your quick reply.
I don’t know why you need biometrics if you have your decision, but it could just be how things are being processed. If they want you to go, you should go. Good luck with the decision. Take care, Jason
Hi,
My asylum case has been pending for more than two years.
I had applied for TPS as well as I qualified for that. My interview for asylum did get scheduled for dec 2016, but I received another notice after five days that it got postponed until further notice. Today i went to my local service center and found out that my case got transferred from sfo to LN Nebraska without any notice and reason. However they notified me that I will hear from them by this April 2017. I’m hopeful yet concerned as they give me similar answer, an expected date after few months. Is there anything I could do at this point to schedule an interview date sooner?
Thank you.
Rs
I do not know why the Service Center should be involved in your asylum case. I recommend you contact the local asylum office directly and tell them that your interview was postponed, and then ask for a status update. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
I live in US for 16 years. I came to NJ on F1 visa initially. applied for asylum 4 years ago based on my 10 years old son’s mother persecution. We separeted in 07 as she cheated and later on she became a drug addict. By US federal court she is banned from visitations. She moved to Brazil in 2010. My son is US born and is severely autistic and needs specialized medical treatments in US. His hardship also includes: he only speaks english. If we return to our home country of Brazil his mother will take legal actions to lock him in there and his 5 years of treatments and school will be severely lost or compromised. I renewed my work permit 3 times and next month renew it again. I think my case is long time lost.
This sounds like a Cancellation of Removal case, but I suppose it could also be an asylum case – Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
First of all thank you so much for all the support you offer to many of us.
I came in U.S. with a J1 visa on 13th of June 2012, applied further for B2, and when I learn how and what to do I’ve applied for asylum on the 5th of June 2013. My life was threatened and I’ve been humiliated back in my country many many times.
I’ve done all the steps required by USCIS, including forms, fingerprints two times, I had two work authorizations by now, BUT NO INTERVIEW hearing.
I’m stuck like this since then. What would you recommend me to do as a next step?
I’m looking forward to hearing back from you and I appreciate your time and efforts from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you.
You should check the Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin (a link is at the right) to see where you are in the queue. If your office is interviewing people who filed after you, you should contact them and see what is going on (contact info can be found if you follow the link Asylum Office Locator). You can also request that they expedite your case. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
It’s been more than 15 months that I have filed asylum from NJ but yet waiting for an interview. I was never out of status and was in F1 status. Never applied EAD through asylum. Now, I have EAD through TPS which is valid till December 2016.. Also, planning to get married to my girlfriend who is US CItizen and apply for green card through her. She now wants me to withdraw my Asylum case and file through her. Will there be any complications when I go for interview through marriage? Also, I will be moving from NJ to TEXAS and living with my wife.Please suggest me what would be the best way to proceed. Thank you in advance.
You might want to consult a lawyer to be sure there are no problems with the marriage-based case, but in general, you should be able to get the green card through the marriage. If it were me, I would not withdraw the asylum case until the marriage case is approved, as that is safer. Take care, Jason
i have applied for asylum in 2013 aug in Minnesota its been 2 years and 5 mouth since i applied the asylum office for MN is in Chicago. any one have any info about MN
I provided a link at the right to the Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin, which will tell you the status of the Chicago Office. Take care, Jason
Ho Jason,
I applied my asylum in feb 2015, i’ve got my work permit and ssn. Is it ok if i work in another state without changing my current address? Because i will be working in the new state for few months and fo back to the same place after i am done. Will that be a problem?
It sounds like a temporary move that will not be a problem. You should keep evidence of your permanent home – like your driver’s license, lease, bills, taxes, etc. Take care, Jason
Hello,
Now what is the condition of asylum dates in san Francisco
and I also know how much time to call interview case filled on mid of feb 2015
thnku
San Fran is currently interviewing cases filed in about June 2013; we cannot predict how long it will take to reach a case filed in February 2015. Take care, Jason
Hi jason,
I am having some questions also:
I have applied for asylm on July 2014 I got my end Feb 2015 from then I don’t have any news from arlington asylm office.
I am right now on a shortlist but how short is it I don’t know, is it possible to get somehow the date of interview or how to get it faster cause this thing is killing me.
Supposedly, the government will provide information about short list waiting times, but so far, they have not done so. Hopefully they will provide that info soon. Take care, Jason
Great Article. Thanks for the info. Does anyone know where I can find a blank form USCIS G-1145 to fill out?
Hi Jason,
I have one more question. How do I know how many days passed since I filled I-589 form? Because I haven’t received any “acknowledge of receipt”. My I-589 form reached to the LINCOLN, NE 68501 on 10th Feb. I have the USPS tracking number. Can I send USPS tracking details to USCIS as the proof of 150 days? The only letter that I received is “Fingerprint Notification”. The “RECEIVED DATE” on “Fingerprint Notification” letter is March 13, 2015. Please help me. My lawyer does not pick up his phone.
Maybe you need a new lawyer. If you have the post office receipt, maybe you can include that in the application for work permit along with the fingerprint notice. Whatever day the post office says the application was received, that is probably the day you should start counting to 150 days. I would maybe mail it on day 155, just to be safe, but you should be fine. Take care, Jason
Jason,
I really appreciate your help.
God bless you
Hi Jason,
I am confused about where should I send I-765 form. Can I fill out I-765 form online? if yes, Is it necessary to mail additional documents to any USCIS office? or I can do all process online?
We never do the form on-line (I am old school that way), so I cannot advise you about that. We just mail everything to the address in the instructions. I do think you can do it on line (though I do not see much advantage in that), but I would just read the instructions carefully and if you cannot understand what they want, either get a lawyer to help you or just mail it the old fashioned way (like we do).
Thank you Jason for your detailed answer. I’ve decided to mail it too. I’m in SF city. Could you please tell me what address should I mail the form. I read the instructions and there are a couple addresses. That is why I am confused.
I really cannot give that type of specific advice. If you take a look at the form, it should tell you (form I-765). If you need help, you would need to talk to a lawyer about your specific case.
Hey Jason
my father applied for an I-589 january 2015 and G-1145
and till now they didn’t make an interview is that normal?
and if they didn’t make an appointment for interview is that means he’s granted asylum?
and i don’t understand the form G-1145 can you please explain it to me
thank you
I do not know what this form is, sorry.
It takes many months to get an interview, so it sounds like his case is still pending. He cannot get asylum until after the interview. Good luck, Jason
okay mr Jason thank you
just one more question.
if he wants to change an attorney is that simple or we must do anything about it?
The asylum seeker can choose any attorney he wants, so if he wants to change, it should not be a problem.
Also I have other questions since I stop my clock what are the effects is it gonna take me a long time to start everything?
The clock is a real nightmare. If it is stopped, it should re-start when you appear at the next interview or court hearing. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
My husband (asylum granted)apply me as an asylum relative. Since he filed my case on April 2013, until now nothing moved. I called uscis that said my case still in pending. Except waiting, do you think I have other way that can make my case move?
Thanks
This seems to me to be much too long for an I-730 petition. Try to contact the USCIS Ombudsman’s office; maybe they can help (I provided a link to their office in my posting of February 26, 2015). Good luck, Jason
Hi. I applied for my asylum in March 2013 snd went for my interview in August 2014, in Chicago. Is it possible for me to write them a letter asking about the delay of my decision and what do u say. Thanks
You can write a letter or send them an email. You can find their email address here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY
Hi Jason ,
I made a asylum case and as usual i went into the backlog since 2013, my fingerprint took place April 2013 after certain time i received my work permit .
I got to go back to my original country at the end of 2014 for severe family reasons without travel document , what are my chances if i want to come back and continue my case process.
Thanks
Unless you have a valid visa to re-enter the US, I do not see how you can return. You can apply for a new visa at the US embassy, but that will likely be denied. If you try to come back or apply for a visa, you should at least have some evidence about the severe family problem that caused you to return home.
Hi Jason,
I have applied for asylum wile I was in Illinois in January 2014 and in May2014 I moved to New Jersey. I requested to transfer my address to my new address. I have applied for employment authorization and denied, they told me that the clock has stopped before I reach 180 days and they recommend me to contact the asylum office. I was wondering if the asylum office will restart my clock?, I moved in New Jersey before any interview is scheduled to me. what is my possibility? Thanks
WE had this problem once – it is very unfair of them to stop the clock because you moved, but that is what they do. I doubt contacting the asylum office will help, but it won’t hurt, so maybe give it a try. I have also listed some ways to try to make your case faster (in a post on February 26, 2015), so maybe you want to try some of those. Good luck, Jason
Hi Dear, Currently my asylum application is in a pending interview case in Miami Florida. However, I am moving to New York. How much delay is this going to cause to my asylum application if I move to New York and requesting to transfer my asylum from Miami? Someone says the interview date is taken around two years in Florida.. Also I’m aware about the rate to grants and Denials. What Do u think is better State for my case? I’m really anxious about it..
Thank you Jason, I will be glad for your advise and answers.
I do not know how much delay it will cause; we’ve even seen a few cases where transferring the case seemed to make it go faster (though normally, a transfer causes delay). One point – if you transfer the case before 180 days after you file it, it may “stop the clock,” which will prevent you from getting a work permit.
Hi There,
If I change my address to another state (from NY to Florida), will my EAD clock be rested to 0 day? That is to say, Is changing address affect EAD clock?
Thank you
Changing your address should not affect the EAD clock in-and-of itself. However, if the change causes a delay in your case, it will stop the clock. To be extra safe, it might be better to submit the change of address after 180 days have passed. Then, even if the change is interpreted as applicant-caused-delay, you can still get the work permit. If you must file the change of address before 180 days, I might contact the asylum office first to ask whether this will affect the clock.
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the providing good information. I was apply asylum application about last week of December 2014 since as you already mention all that now they are working in FIFO. Is there is anyway to request interview sooner? and how about to bring spouse and children in this period. Even this long period will be stressful for the applicants who aren’t looking just for EAD.
I get very confuse and frustrated with time. What we can do with life without families and No life what will be with families.
If is there is anyway please help me from this. I talk with my attorney he always say wait for their notification. I asked him to prepare a letter to request a interview at least once but still he isn’t thinking.
Unfortunately, it is difficult to make the cases move faster. I have written about some ideas on February 26, 2015. Maybe that will help. Your family can also try to apply for a US visa to come here, but that is very difficult. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
I have applied for asylum on 25 Feb 2015 in San Francisco. I did my fingerprint around one month ago but I have not received any interview notification. Do you think I will get the notification soon or I am in backlog and I should wait years for the interview notification.
Thank you
They are doing older cases before newer cases, so I suspect you will be waiting for a while. Good luck, Jason
Hi colleage. I have filed an application in San Francisco on 22nd February 2015. It is now almost a month and I did not receive notice of receipt. I went back the copy of application with me and found out that the street number was wrong in one digit but others are correct. Is it possible that they sent the notice of receipt to wrong address?
It is possible. Maybe wait another few weeks to see whether you get a receipt. If not, you can contact the asylum office and see what they advise. We had this problem once and it was a mess. We filed a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act request) and finally received the receipt, but it took months and was a real pain. Good luck, Jason
hello
i applied my application in new york but when i want to check my case status there is no result because when i put my recipient number the system telling me not recognize
You cannot check the status of your asylum case on-line; you have to contact the asylum office. Here is a link that may help: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY
Hi there,
I am basically from Pakistan and have applied for asylum on June 14 and did my finger prints on 20 June, it’s almost 50 days didn’t get any response from USCIS for interview, I contact my attorney she is Lazy from first day of taking fee. I am thinking to write them letter and email to forward my case. What you will suggest regarding this?
Take a look at my posting from February 12, 2015. Most likely, you will be waiting a while for your interview.
hi Jason,
this us umer from Los Angeles,
my dad applied for asylum about 10 months ago, his asylum interview is still pending,Im under 21 so and my application is under him,i am a student and i wanted to move to Texas to study there and to work as well.my permanent address will still be the los angeles address becasue my dad is living there and i wont change my state id as well. Do you thing this would affect our asylum application or do i need to inform USCIS of my change of address or something like that. and can i use my work permit in a different state as well.
Hi Jason
I need some advice here
I made interview on 6 Nov 2014
For asylum in Houston, Texts
and I wait two month then I sent email to asylum office with my new address,
they answer me we sent decision on 24 Nov 2014 to your old address and we will see if mail comeback to us and we will send it again to your new address.
till now I never received any decision, advice me please.
Can I go to asylum office and pick up the decision.
If it is easy for you, you should go to the asylum office. You might want to check in advance to see what days you are allowed to go there. I would bring evidence that you changed your address, so they see that the mailing error was not your fault. You might also be able to do all this by email. Good luck, Jason
hi Jason,
this us umer from Los Angeles,
my dad applied for asylum about 10 months ago, his asylum interview is still pending,Im under 21 so and my application is under him,i am a student and i wanted to move to Texas to study there and to work as well.my permanent address will still be the los angeles address becasue my dad is living there and i wont change my state id as well. Do you thing this would affect our asylum application or do i need to inform USCIS of my change of address or something like that. and can i use my work permit in a different state as well.
Hi
I think they have skipped my interview! Is there any way I can contact them to get any information about this matter. I tried to call assaylum office hot like few minutes ago. But seems to it doesn’t work
Thanks
Try emailing them. You can find your Asylum Office here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY. The email addresses are on each office’s web page.
[…] in fact, USCIS has worked hard to continue processing cases under very difficult conditions.I’ve discussed before about some things USCIS could do to ease the burden on asylum applicants—prioritize […]
My case is still pending in New York. Can I go to different state to work with my work permit? Will it affect the decision at interview if I work in another state while my case is pending in NY?
You can go to another state to work. However, if you move to a new address, you are required to tell the Asylum Office. If you move to another state, it may cause your case to be transferred to a different Asylum Office. Whether this will make your case slower or faster, I do not know. If you are not sure whether you need to file the change of address form, you should talk to a lawyer or contact the Asylum Office to ask them.
I applied for asyulm on July 2013 and I was interviewed in June 2024 almost after a year . My decison is pending and after writing many letters to asyulm office they didn’t send me a decision but note for second fingerprint . I did the second fingerprint a month and half ago but no result or answer yeat…
Why do you think they ask me to take second fingerprint?
For how long it takes to make decion after the second fingerprint ?
Did how long I need to wait to write to them again ?
Thank you a lot
Unfortunately, I do not know how long you will wait. We had some clients receive the notice for a second fingerprint appointment. Some of them got decisions; others did not. Unfortunately, the timing of these cases is very unpredictable. Hopefully you will get good news soon. Take care, Jason
Thank you every body here . Thanks to Allah .todY I got approved after 35 days from making the second fingerprint .
Hopefully to get the green card soon .
congrats eddy . what asylum office ?what did u write for them in those letters ? how frequent u send the letters ? thanks in advance . i have been a year with no interview. thinking to send them email or maybe letter . i don’t know which is more effective . i am in fl
Dear Jason, me an my family applied for asylum in Tampa ,FL. beginning of 2013. Until now we haven’t been contacted for an interview and we’re still pending. Almost 3 years and not even called in for an interview ? Isn’t that unusual ? Also if I ever decide to withdraw my assylum application will I be eligible to apply for a regular visitor visa right after it or will I be not permitted to come to the u.s legally or at least after a certain period of time thank you
Sadly, your situation is not unusual. Across the US, over 60,000 people are stuck in the asylum backlog. Hopefully, we will start to see some improvements soon, but so far, things seem pretty slow. If you leave and try to come back later, it may be more difficult for you to get a tourist visa because the Embassy might think you plan to violate your visitor status by applying again for asylum. You might want to talk to an attorney before you leave, as you could be barred from returning, depending on when you went out of status and when you applied for asylum.
First, let me thank you for all the support you have given to the asylum seekers who have reached out to you for knowledge.
I’ve filed my case on September 23rd 2014 with the Arlington asylum office, done my fingerprints on October 1st. My interview was on November 4th and I was supposed to get a decision on November 18th. For some reason my son’s fingerprints did not show so we got an expediting letter and did the fingerprints again and returned the stamped letter back to the asylum office before the the decision date. On the day of picking up the decision, I was told that there are more questions that needed to be answered so I was scheduled for a second interview on Dec. 2nd. The interview went OK and at the end of the interview I asked the officer when should I expect the decision she said she didn’t know, but that she will do her best to finish my case quickly. Until today, I have not received any information and that is really worrying me. I am planning to visit the asylum office and inquire in person. Please advise your point of view.
Thank you.
You can visit them to inquire and – if you are lucky – maybe they will tell you something. Unfortunately, they make their decisions in their own time, and there is not much you can do to make them go faster. Visiting them or emailing them won’t hurt, and maybe it will help. It sounds like they are paying attention to your case, so hopefully you will receive a good decision soon.
Hi Again,
Thank you for your response. I apologize for replying late, but I am intentionally trying to keep myself away from the asylum issue.
I did go the other day, however I haven’t got any feed back, I also asked about my 150 and I am around 30 days due. I was told at the asylum office to apply for the work permit after 160 days and not 150 days, is that the required time?
I’m planning to visit them again in a few weeks time, just to see if there is any update.
Thank you again for your support.
I am not sure why they told you 160 days. It really doesn’t matter – you are not actually eligible for the work permit until 180 days, but they allow you to apply after 150 days.
I had pending case almost 6 months in NJ r ,recently I moved to Las vegas
I transfered my asylum case to Nevada ,couple of days ago I received letter from immigration court (master hearing ) and gave me appointment for 6 months later .here is much faster than NJ .
Good luck Everybody .
dear Reza
your suggestion sound good but I have question.
why you didn’t interview scheduled and have been called by the court direct?
you should be interviewed first, rejected your application and then transfer to the court.
am I right?
I’ve applied for Asylum on July 2013 at SF office, and still haven’t heard anything for my case!!!!I’ve also applied for my second work permit recently. Any news from SF office?Is there any cases that you may have which applied around my time and got their interview at least!?
I don’t have any specifics on the SF office. In general, the asylum offices have been hiring more people, and less people have been entering the system, so hopefully we will see the benefit of that soon and things will start moving.
I need help am in Asyelm case i did finger print last Jul 15 2014 but still they didn’tggive me appointment for interview? ???
You are probably in the backlog with many thousands of others. Sometimes, if you can give a reason to expedite (health problems, family unity), maybe they will move the case more quickly. This is difficult, but if there is a good reason, it is worth a try. Good luck, Jason
Please help me!!!!!! Am in asyelm case and i did finger print on Jul15 2014 but still they didn’t call me for interview
Dear Jason,
I got a rejection from the asylum office and i am in my legal status as a visitor, can i reapply to the asylum again?
what about move to anther state to make Process time in immigration court Faster then Chicago court ?
Thank you Jason, I will be glad for your advise and answers.
Processing times are unpredictable. If your case was rejected while you were in lawful status, you can apply again. Most likely, the case will be denied (since it was already denied once), and then you will go to the Immigration Judge, where you can present your case again.
Dear Jason.
Do you think am eligible to apply for a work permit when the right time comes? I have gone through all stages, and am just waiting for my decision but i heard that i cant apply for work permit. Sept 17th would 150 days. Please advise me on this case!
Unless you have somehow delayed your case (by missing an interview appointment for example), you should be eligible to apply 150 days after you filed for asylum.
Dear Jason,
Currently my asylum application is in a pending interview case in Arlington Virginia. However, I am relocating to New York. How much delay is this going to cause to my asylum application if I move to New York and requesting to transfer my asylum case from Arlington VA to New York? Does New York Asylum office also delay asylum interviews a lot like Arlington does? I have now been waiting for over 8months to get a new asylum interview appointment.
Thank you Jason, I will be glad for your advise and answers.
I really don’t know. Generally, NY seems much slower than VA. You might want to call or email the new asylum office to ask about transferring the case and how it will affect the timing. Also, be careful that you contact the correct office – the only cases that actually go to the NY office are certain cases in the City and some surrounding areas. The rest go to NJ. If you know your new zip code, you can enter it here and determine the new office:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY
Good luck
Also, after the 2 weeks period I read from the website that I would be getting my decision, I called to find out about my status, and was instructed to go at the asylum center for information, and found out that my case was not handled yet, no decision had been made.
I talked to the supervisor who was so good to me, and he told me I was so lucky I got the interview this soon, and he said my AO was not in office for some time, she was coming back the following day and that he was going to leave a note on her desk.
Some one told, I didn’t have to call or go there that this would hinder their decision on my case!
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.
Many people are in this situation. We can only hope that there will be a decision soon. I wish you good luck, Jason
HI Jason.
I was supposed to be a visitor back in August but they want to send me back from the port of entry. I never planned to file for asylum but it’s my only means of meeting my relatives without the embarrassment of denied and sent back (in fact, I don’t know what an asylum is and what sufferings I will encounter and how long I will suffer) here I am waiting for the initial hearing (I was given a parole from a detention) I have been here with my relatives for over six months now). I now want to go home because I don’t think it’s worth fighting my case and compromise my freedom and happiness. Is there a way to request to expedite a voluntary departure? Will this be also affected by the backlogs? I know I am now qualified to apply for a work permit but again I never really intend stay for long in here. Thank yo very much and you are not obliged to answer this I have been reading your posts and they are very informative and useful for us asylum seekers indeed. Keep up the good work.
The backlog should not affect you, as that is only for asylum office cases, not court cases (though court cases are VERY slow). It is possible to expedite voluntary departure. It usually involves communicating with the government attorney and filing a motion in court. If possible, it would be helpful to consult an attorney for help, but if you cannot afford that, you can try contact the local DHS Office of Chief Counsel to see whether they will agree to help you leave more quickly. Good luck, Jason
Well，its been a long long time.My case is pending almost 3 years.
What i tried is : congressman, walk into asylum office for a inquiry form.
It seems like dont work at all,though i have work permit.
I think those asylum offices just wanna leave these asylum seekers who just like me alone. They completely ignore backlogged cases.
Need some advice here, I have filed for asylum last July till now have not been interviewed but since I got my work permit on February I have been offered a job in another state and if I take it I’ll need to change my asylum office, would that make it backloged even further or it will be treated like last in first out?
Thank you
In your previus articles you have mentioned that Uscis hired around 100 officers. Well thats a serious firepower. By their statute each officer can deal with up to 18 cases per 2 weeks (or something like that, i don’t remember exactly) so that is the capacity to hear roughly 40,000 new cases per year.
Do we know how many officers do they have in total and per asylum office? How many cases did they receive in 2013 and in 2014 (if they hired so many people and they still can not deal with the backlog, then what is is the trend of new asylum applications filed? Is it doubled or tripled?).
Why is asylum statistics so outdated on the website of the department of justice?
All good questions, and I am really not sure about the answers. You would think that 100 new officers would made a very significant difference, but we are not really seeing it yet. Part of the problem may be that the volume of credible fear cases at the border is still way up, and that is taking away a lot of resources. Check out this link:
http://www.uscis.gov/outreach/notes-previous-engagements
If you search under the category asylum, you will find the notes from the various stakeholder meetings. It is not really organized, but if you read through it, you will learn a lot about what is going on with the Asylum Offices.