For some time now, we’ve been hearing from the Asylum Division that they would post a “Scheduling Bulletin” to give affirmative asylum seekers a better idea about wait times. Well, the Bulletin has finally arrived, which is–in a sense–good news. But it’s also bad news, since now we see exactly how slowly things are progressing at most asylum offices.
First off, if you’re curious about the status of your asylum office, check out the Bulletin here. What you’ll see is a breakdown of each asylum office and which cases they are currently interviewing (as of July 2015). So, for example, in July 2015, the Arlington Asylum Office was interviewing cases originally filed in August 2013. The chart also lists which cases each office was interviewing over the past few months, so you can see how quickly (or not) each office is moving through its cases.
Reviewing the Bulletin, a few things jump out at me. First, and most distressing, cases are moving very slowly at most asylum offices, and a few offices–notably Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami–have made no discernible progress in the last four months. One mitigating factor here is that it’s summer, a time when the Southern border is particularly busy. Hopefully, once the number of asylum seekers arriving at the border wanes (as it generally does in autumn), the asylum offices will start interviewing more backlogged cases (if you are not familiar with the “asylum backlog,” please see this posting).
Another point worth noting is that the two asylum offices with jurisdiction over the Southern border states–Los Angeles and Houston–represent the slowest and the fastest offices, respectively. Los Angeles is currently interviewing cases filed in August 2011 (which is slower than I realized–I had thought they were interviewing cases from 2012) and they have been stuck on the August 2011 cases for the last four months. On the other hand, Houston, Texas is the fastest asylum office. They are interviewing cases filed in April 2014, though they have made almost no progress in the last four months either. What’s strange is that there is such disparity along the Southern border. I do not know why resources cannot be distributed more evenly to give some relief to asylum seekers at the LA office.
The only asylum office that has shown significant movement over the last four months is New York. In April 2015, the NY asylum office was interviewing cases filed in January 2013. By July 2015, they were interviewing cases filed in June/July 2013. Newark, New Jersey has also done reasonably well, advancing from December 2012 to April 2013 during the same period.
Rescheduled cases and cases involving children (many of the asylum seekers at the Southern border are children) receive priority over “regular” asylum cases. And according to the Bulletin, the asylum offices in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami have had many such cases. Presumably this explains the lack of progress in those asylum offices.
Finally, for people with cases pending at one of the sub offices, the Bulletin notes that it “currently does not include asylum interviews occurring outside of the eight asylum offices or the Boston sub-office (e.g. interviews occurring on circuit rides).” “Asylum offices schedule circuit ride interviews as resources permit.” The Bulletin suggests that applicants contact the “asylum office with jurisdiction over your case for more detailed information” about the schedule at sub offices. You can find contact information for each asylum office here.
So there you have it. The Bulletin will be updated monthly so you can track how quickly each asylum office is moving through the backlog. Though the current situation is discouraging, at least the Bulletin provides some information about where we stand now, and maybe some hope for those who are waiting.
hi
Jason.
IF my asylum case applied in VA,The mail can be sent to my friends address,and my fridnd will tell me about the mail.
I am Still waiting for the interviw letter.
Now im living in NYC.
Should I inform the USCIS of the change of my address?
You are supposed to inform USCIS if you change your address. If it is just a temporary move, maybe you do not have to, but this can be tricky and you might do well to talk to a lawyer about your specific situation. You do not want a “wrong address” to cause problems for you at the asylum interview.
Hello Mr. Jason, I got interviewed in March 2014 after filing affirmative asylum case and since that time I haven’t received a decision that makes 17 months after interview, I am out of status . I got my first EAD and now my second EAD recently, I went to the asylum office twice in San francisco and every time they tell me it’s pending without any extra word, I asked if it is pending for background and security check, they just replied that it seems that the asylum officer hasn’t made up his decision yet. The last time I went there was 8 months ago after that I sent 2 written inquiries to ask about my case but they didn’t even reply, I am Syrian, I don’t know if this is the reason for not processing the case, some told me if you are interviewed and didn’t get a decision after 6 months so it means that they don’t care about your case anymore! what do you recommend me to do? Thanks in advance
We have recently been receiving decisions for people who were interviewed over a year ago, so the process is slow. I do not think they have forgotten about you, but certainly there is some reason for the delay – maybe security checks, maybe your officer has not yet made a decision (though that seems ridiculous). Maybe try contacting the Ombudsman to see whether they can help or possibly try a mandamus lawsuit. I did a posting on February 26, 2015 where I discussed these ideas (with some web links). Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason. Many many thanks on what you are doing. So if Newark is interviewing April 2013, and I apply in May 2013, should I get a interview notice already, or how long before interview do they sent an notice to you??? Bacause it is so frustrating already to wait with no answer… Thanks a lot
There is no way to know, but things should start moving more quickly after summer ends (like about now), and so you should get everything ready as your interview will likely be soon. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason. I have got the interview notice for october, so I want to let you know that Newark is working already with May cases (they recieved mine on May 19th).
My husband is the same under my case, and sometimes he participated in some of my actions from my case. He will gonna be interviewed also, or I am the only one?
I know that he have to be with me at the interview, but I am not sure if he will gonna participate.
Many thanks.
If your husband is part of your case (meaning, he filed a photo and signed page 9 of the form I-589 with your asylum application) then he must attend the interview with you. If he has a separate case, it might be a good idea for you to contact the asylum office and tell them that he has a case; maybe they can join your two cases together. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
I have applied for asylum 5 months ago and still haven’t even received a receipt from USCIS yet.
What do you recommend to do and Should I reapply or keep waiting?
Your advise is very much needed.
Thanks a lot for your helpful service,
MI
Some of our clients did not receive receipts. But if you have not received the receipt or a fingerprint appointment, something is definitely wrong. You should contact USCIS (the phone number is on their website http://www.uscis.gov) to ask about the case. Also, double check that you mailed it to the correct address. Also, you can contact your local asylum office to ask whether it was received. If nothing works, you can file again, but that could cause its own problems, so you should probably speak to a lawyer first.
Hi Dear Jason me and my wife went to finger print in Nh August 2013 and I see you said the finger print going to expairy after 15 months , but we did not get any letter fromUSCIS ,we should wait for that letter or if they want to interview from us send that latter to us or I have to call them? And do you know about Boston Office backlog?
Boston is a sub office, and they have not published information about the schedule there. As for fingerprints, they will notify you if you need to do them again.
Hi Jason,
i filed for asylum last September, in the end of October i went for interview, i was told to bring some evidence back asap, and i did, on the day of interview i was told do not come back for answer, it’ll be mailed to me, now is the end of August, almost a year, i was wondering if i should worry?:) are they such a busy, do i have to go and check back with them, I’m in Chicago.. thanks in advance. Have a nice day
Chicago does seem to be very busy. I do not think the slow progress is a good or bad sign – they are just very slow. You might want to email them to make sure the case is still pending, but my guess is that it is a normal – and very long – delay. Good luck, Jason
Dear Jason,
Thank you for explaining so many things that would take us too long to get through.
To give you a brief: I have applied for asylum in FL, at Miami Asylum office in May 2013, of course as the rest of people from the same era of backlog I have not been scheduled for an interview yet, that’s 27 months of waiting.. Anyways I have visited the Affirmative Asylum Scheduling Bulletin linked in your article and at the end of the chart of Interview Schedule for Affirmative Asylum Applicants in Category 3, I have noticed the * asterisks with the following footage: * Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami have been scheduling interviews in the first two categories due to high volumes in those categories as well as in the credible and reasonable fear caseloads…
So I am in category 3, Would that mean, that even if they start to process cases from May 2013 they will not touch my case??
Kind regards
No – I think the part is asterisks is just the asylum office’s explanation for why those offices are moving so slowly (or not at all). Normally, categories one and two are slower after the summer ends, so hopefully they will start doing more category 3 cases soon. Good luck, Jason
Thank you very much for all information in your blog, Jason. It is very useful!
A quick question-do you think having a child, who is US citizen may help to schedule interview faster? My toddler son is a US citizen, and me and my husband are pending asylum interview.
It should not make it any faster or slower. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason, thanks for your briefing and explaining recent information.
I just want to ask you what month are interviewing Arlington office?
Last time you said they stop interviewing any cases
tnxs
They are interviewing August 2013 cases.
Dear Jason
Thanks for your answer,still there a Quetion Arlington interviewing still who field on August 2013 its more than 6 month and they didn’t move ???!!!!!!!
Summer is the slowest time. Maybe when summer ends, things will start to move faster in Arlington and the other offices too.
Hi Jason,
thanks for you great blogs and valued information.
I have filed for asylum from Chicago in November 2014 and completed fingerprints three weeks later. After that I applied for a work permit on May 11, 2015 and after two weeks I received letter from USCIS that they received our application for employment authorization with the receipt numbers . when I checked our cases by entering the receipt numbers in the official website of USCIS and I found this message :” On July 6, 2015, we ordered your new card for your Receipt Number *****, and will mail it to the address you gave us. ” . So more than three months ago passed and until now I didn’t receive the work permit.
when do you think they will send me work permit .
thank you again
If they ordered the card on July 6, it may take awhile to receive, but it has already been 7 weeks. That seems kind of long, but there have been delays lately so maybe there is no problem. The USCIS website has a 1-800 number you can call. It might be worth calling to inquire about what is happening. Good luck, Jason
Jason,
What month being interviewed in Arlington now? I applied in Mid Oct 2013. Please let me know. Thanks!
They are currently interviewing people who filed in August 2013.
hi jason
thank you for the service you render us, my problem is this one; I make my first work permit application since early June 2015, but already two months ago and a few days pass I is not no action and I call no immigration favorably because they tell me it’s going and if exceeded the 90 days what should I do ….. my file is a chicago
Probably it is just a standard delay and there is nothing you can do about it. There have been delays with work permits, but we have seen worse delays with renewals, so yours is going slow. However, it sounds like it is still within the normal processing time, which means you will have to keep waiting. If you received your receipt and did your fingerprints, you should be on track and hopefully you will get it soon. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I am have been thinking of suing Miami Immigration office. I have been waiting on a response on my Asylum case for the last 10 months, but I don’t have enough money to go with a private lawyer. Do you know if any lawyers or office that would help me with the process without charging me?
Thanks,
I do not know of any. The best place to start is by googling “Catholic Charities Miami” and call them. Probably they cannot do it, but they may have some ideas for you. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
First of all thank you so much for the blog posts. We really get a lot of information from them.
I applied in Apr 2015 and my case is pending in Arlington, VA. Now I would like to apply for a job. So, if I move from the Arlington office relevant area, and change my address (after obtaining EAD) to a different office (e.g. SFO or NY), will they definitely transfer my case to the office my new address is located in? Can I ask them to keep my case in Arlington while I change my address? I will get to VA for my interview from any where I live. I really don’t want to move my case from Arlington.
Appreciate your response!
If you move to a new jurisdiction and change your address, the asylum office will move your case. You can ask to keep it in Virginia, but I highly doubt they will do that. For this reason, if you can keep your permanent address in VA and only go temporarily to a new location, it may be better for you.
Hey Jason. Thank you for the info you provide to us. I live in Nebraska and my asylum case is under the Chicago asylum Office. However I should be interviewed in Omaha, Nebraska. My question is, does the time frame posted for chicago asylum office apply to my case since i will be interviewed in Omaha? I filed my case in August 2014. It looks like the chicago office is interviewing case from 2013. Does that mean I will have to wait for at least two years till I get the interview? Hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you much.
You really cannot predict waiting times based on the cases that are currently being interviewed. In some office, many 2014 cases are already finished, so the asylum office might move quickly through those cases. Also, depending how many people are crossing the US/Mexico border to seek asylum, things might move faster or slower at the asylum offices. All that said, the posted wait times are not for sub office; only for the main office. Maybe they will post information for sub office, but so far, they have not.
HI JAZON
IT JUST A CLARIFICATION I NEED ON THE PUBLISHED BULLETIN ABOUT WAIT TIME FOR INTERVIEW, I APPLIED IN JANUARY 2014 DID BIOMETRICS IN JANUARY 2014 AND I LIVE IN THE VALLEY, VAN NUYS AND NORDHOFF AND MY CASE IS AT RAGUNA NAGUEL WHICH I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE IT IS,, SO ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT JURISDICTION LIKE ARLINGTON, san francisco, chicago! los angeles etc MY QUESTION IS THIS: WHAT IS MY JURISDICTION? AM I IN LOS ANGELS OR SAN FRANSISCO OR WHAT? CAUSE WHEN I READ THE BULLETIN I DO NOT KNOW WHERE MY CASE HAS TO BE? ANOTHER QUESTION : IF I PASS MY INTERVIEW AND GRANTED I WILL IMMEDIATELY FILE FOR MY KIDS AND HUSBAND TO COME, DOES IT TAKE LONG FOR THEM TO COME? THANKS JASON
If you go to this website and enter your zip code, it will tell you which asylum office has jurisdiction over your case. However, it will not tell you whether your case is at the main office or a sub office: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY
I think your file case is there according to your Zip code.
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.detail&office=ZLA&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY&OfficeLocator.zipcode=91402
HI JASON,
THANK YOU FOR THE WEBSITE YOU GAVE ME, i found that my case is with los angeles. But jason it is killing me because if i file in january 2014 and los angeles is interviewing now 2011, this means that i have to wait 3 more years?
It does not mean that. We do not know how quickly they will move through the backlog. I think that the asylum offices have completed many of the cases filed between 2011 and 2014, and so hopefully they will move quickly through the remaining cases, and hopefully it will be less than three years. Also, they are hiring more people all the time and trying to make things faster. So I try to be optimistic that it will not be as long as it seems. Hopefully.
Dear Jason
I have a pending Asylum Case from August 2014 and my father is an american citizen so I was wondering if he could apply a (I-130) form for me and my wife along side the asylum case.
Also does he need to file two separate forms for me and my wife or is my wife going to be a derivative. Could you also tell me about the processing times for such applications.
regards,
He can file for you and the processing time is about 7 or 8 years (maybe more). You may not be able to get your green card that way, and so you need to consult with a lawyer about the specifics of your case. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason
Thanks for the reply, but what did you mean by I will be not able to get a green card by this way? Is it because I have an open Asylum case? If so should I cancel my asylum case?
Regards,
You MAY not be able to get your green card that way. If you are not in lawful status (like a valid F visa or H1B visa – asylum pending status does not count), then you cannot get your green card without leaving the US, and then you might not be able to return. Because your eligibility is very fact specific, you should talk to a lawyer to review your case.
Hi Jason,
I interviewed mid 2014 and still have not received a decision. The officer during the interview mentioned that my name “has issues” and it may take time. I understand this may be due to security and background checks. Are there any waiting charts for security checks? Do you think filing a a Federal mamamndus would yield results without affecting the descision in this case?
You could try a mandamus and it should not affect the outcome. Of course, there is no way to know for sure, but I believe that it will not affect. There are no charts or info on the time frame for decisions. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, I am assuming there is “no legal” restriction on “her” travel to the home country as I am the primarily applicant . Is that a correct thought ?
I would not assume that. Derivatives do sometimes travel to the home country and return, but it would be smart to talk to a lawyer about the specific situation before the derivative travels, just to be safe.
Whatever will happen to those on circuit rides? San Francisco is doing july 2013 but those from January 2013 haven’t been called yet. So, what and how will those people know of the estimated times? This bulletin board is of no use to them. any idea JASON?
No ideas – I am not sure whether they plan to post that information or not. It seems like it should not be difficult to post that info, so hopefully they will.
Dear Jason
I’m on pending asylum case and working with EAD , my question is can my employer apply for green card for me they are a big company and really happy with my services , and the other question is I applied on dec-2014 on miami , with what I see in this chart do I have to wait another 2 years or so for my interview? Thank you
The chart does not predict how long you will wait; it just tells you who is interviewing now, so if Miami moves more quickly, you might wait less than two years. If there are more problems and it goes slowly, you can wait longer. However, for most offices, I suspect the wait will be shorter, since at least some of the 2014 cases have already been finished. Your employer can sponsor you for a green card, but you may have to leave the US to get it, and you may have a legal bar to returning once you leave. You will need to discuss these questions with a lawyer (which hopefully your company will pay for if they sponsor you).
Hi Jeson
Thank you for updating us. That was so important and really appreciated.
I have applied few months ago and it looks my case will go to the backlog. So I am waiting for my EAD to come so that I could at least start working. MY question is can I change my status to H1B if I can get a professional job in my field? I was just wondering if starting professional job once I get my EAD and changing status to H1B is an option? I was thinking this because the waiting time looks pretty long.
thank you!
If you are still in status, you can probably change to an H1B without leaving the country. If your current status (B visa, F visa, etch) has expired, you will need to leave the country to get the H1B. Either way, if this is an option, you should talk to a lawyer to help you with the process. Good luck, Jason
My B visa has already expired. If I have to leave the country where can I go; I mean I cant go back to my country at this time. And Is it possible to get visa from other countries?
Probably you need to talk to a lawyer about the best approach, but you could leave to a third country, if you can get a visa.
Thank you very much!
Hey Jason. I really appreciate the work what you have doing so far. I have a different question though. I have a legit asylum case which has been pending for over 2 years and hopefully I get my interview very soon. Meanwhile, I applied for Canadian permanent residency which I was approved for and they want me to send our passports for them to put visas within the next 30 days. But this Canadian thing was just a plan B in the worst case if my asylum although solid case was denied. The question is: would that be an issue if we go to the our interview with our passports having Canadian residency visas? if it would a prob, could we go to the interview without our passports ( maybe claiming we have lost them)?? The thing is I don’t wanna completely shut down that Canadian option just in case. But we have to submit our passports within the next 30 days otherwise they would cancel our eligibility.
I have had clients with this dilemma before. If you have Canadian residency, it is a basis to automatically deny your asylum case (but maybe you can find some way around it – I doubt it, but you would have to talk to a lawyer). Also, I doubt you can hide this from the asylum office, even if you do not bring your passport to the interview (which could also result in a denial of the case). I think basically you are stuck – either accept the offer from Canada or pass the offer and hope for asylum. But if the asylum office knows you passed up Canadian residency, they may hold that against you in the asylum case. It is a difficult decision – good luck, Jason
Theoretically, I don’t have the Canadian residency until I actually submit my passport and I accept it. Do you mean I have to actually turn down the Canadian offer by not sending my passport? or I have to officially write a denial letter? Do you think if I have a way to hold on my Canadian residency which is unlikely but not impossible until after my interview, it would still hurt my asylum chances??
I think if you want to be safe, you need to have a lawyer and go over all the options. In short, if you have an offer of Canadian residency, I think it is very likely to result in a denial of asylum. Also, I suspect that the US government will know if you have an offer from the Canadians, but I am not sure about that.
hey jason. I just went back and check the workload of asylum offices by curiosity. e.g. in Chicago office in May 2013, only 286 cases were filed..So how could they have been scheduling those 286 cases during 4 months in a row and not be able to finish them? how fast do they work?
It’s a good question. My guess is that they are devoting their time to other things – credible fear interviews at the border, certain juvenile cases – and they are not interviewing the 286 cases. Hopefully, things will slow down at the border and they can work on the 286 cases.
Hi Jason, thanks for providing this very useful information. I am waiting for my decision since Jan 2015 from San Francisco office. Last I heard from them was when they said case is in back ground and security check. I have emailed them again but they do not respond. Is there any way to get an answer from them ?
Secondly what is the wait time for getting travel documents after getting an approval. Also can my derivatives travel on travel documents to their home country ? Thanks
You can try the Ombudsman’s office. I wrote about this in a posting dated February 26, 2015, but even that is unlikely to make much difference. If you are granted, you can get a refugee travel document in (usually 3 or 4 months). Whether your dependents can return to the home country – I would imagine there is a risk and it would depend on the individual circumstances – you should talk to a lawyer before they travel. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason
I am currently an employee on OPT I have my SSN and pay my taxes , I’m in United States for four years , recently I have decided to change my religion am I still eligible to apply for asylum base on religion since I lived here more then one year ?
Thank you
You will have to deal with the one-year bar, but it sounds like there may be two exceptions – changed circumstances (you changed your religion) and extraordinary circumstances (you have been in status the whole time). You would do well to consult with a lawyer about this though, to be safer. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason
i applied in November 2014 in houston , i read the bulletin page and it was totally unclear , the bulletin said in houston the did interviews for April 2014 in April,May,June and July 2015 withing 4 months in spite all the speech of stretching the resources , although it is in total 240 case filed in April 2014 for example which about in worst scenario 25% got interview of that month that make backlog cases of april 2014 are 180
USCIS statistics shows the number of conducted interviews in Houston in April,May,June 2015 are 263+190+208 = 661
I am speaking in worst scenario >>> to whom those number of ASYLUM INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED sent ????
I am not sure what you are referring to. I understand that Houston and many other offices are slow – normally they are slower in the summer due to many arrivals at the Southern border. Hopefully, that will slow down and they will make some progress on the backlog.
Hi Jason
i applied in Houston November 2014 , the process as really unclear
The bulletin show they did interviews for backlog cases from April 2014 which is in total not only backlog 240 , and the total Interviews Conducted from April ,May and June 2015 are 263+190+208 = 661
So in worst scenario only 25% of filed cases in April 2014 has got interview before these three months (april,may,june 2015) , that is mean about 180 case from April 2014 in backlog , so to whom the interviews scheduled ???? this is the worst scenario and i am sure more than 60% get interview 2 weeks after filing in 2014!!
Hi Jason, I was detained at the border and then later paroled. I waited 150 days to apply for my EAD; it was denied, because apparently my clock was stopped at 62 days due to a change of venue motion. Is there a way to restart the clock? What arguments can I make with the court?
Once you attend the first Master Calendar Hearing at the new venue, the clock should start. But there are big problems with the clock, and whether it starts may depend on which judge you have. There may be a way to obtain an EAD based on parole – if you are in court you should have a lawyer and ask him/her about this. Good luck, Jason
I am as frustrated as anyone about the delays my asylum clients are facing…i have one who waited 2.5 years for a decision and after countless followups we finally just got a recommended approval. I have many waiting for interviews, and I am trying as hard as I can to expedite for a lady who still has a husband and son in danger back home. Having said that, I think it’s important to remember what constitutes a legitimate asylum claim. The applicant swears under oath that they will likely be killed or suffer very serious harm if returned to their country. If that is the case, then I don’t know how waiting here in the US with a work permit within about 8 months of applying could be a “slow death” or worse than risking death and serious harm in the home country.
I think in some cases there is a sense of entitlement to asylum that I also find off-putting (to state it kindly). But the US has offered asylum to people – it has offered to help – and when that “help” is in the form of indefinite waiting it is a real problem, especially for people separated from family members. There probably needs to be a reform of the system to clarify who is eligible and who is not and we as a country need to make some decisions about that.
Good morning Jason,
First thank you for the replies, I get more info from the website than from anywhere else
I have a couple of questions:
1- I applied a couple of months ago and two weeks after that I received the biometric letter unfortunately when I went to office for fingerprinting . They had a problem with the A number. So they said they will fix the issue and send me another biometric letter. It has been 4 months now and I still didn’t receive it? What should I do?
And the important question is : am I in queue for the interview or they won’t put me until I do the biometrics?
Last question I am closer to El Paso than the houston office does that mean I will be interviewed there rather the Houston office? Keeping in mind I applied to the Houston office directly
Thank you
I do not know which office will interview you. I think you should be in the queue for your interview, but I worry it might affect your work permit (if, for example, they think you failed to attend the fingerprint appointment). Maybe you should contact the Houston office and tell them about the problem. If they do not help, I would try the Ombudsman. I think it is important to resolve this issue so it does not cause other problems. Good luck, Jason
Jason, given that these absurd wait times are keeping families separated for years, would it be possible for families in the home countries to visit or flee to third countries, and then apply to UNHCR or American embassies for refugee visas to the United States, assuming the family members themselves are also facing persecution? The State Department claims that the refugee visa processing time is about a year to 18 months (http://www.state.gov/j/prm/releases/factsheets/2013/210135.htm), which would be less than the average wait time for asylees at this point
I suppose they could try that. I don’t know a whole lot about refugee processing, but it seems very difficult to get registered as a refugee and then resettled to the US. Here is a link that might be helpful, at least for people in Egypt: http://stars-egypt.org/.
Hi Jason,
Thank you so much for the info!
We applied in Miami in December 2014, and now they are interviewing Feb 2013. So it is almost 2 years gap. We’ve been waiting for 8 months already. Do you think that with such a progress it may take like another two years of waiting?
Thank you!
I do not know. However, in my local office, there is also a two year waiting period, but many of the case filed during that period are already finished. For this reason, I expect them to move relatively quickly through the remaining cases (hopefully). It may be the same in Miami. Good luck, Jason
Hi,
What about seniors, my dad now 83 years old and have diabetes and he lost one eye on 2007 and the other one is less than 40%
I sent them an inquiry and they replied as usual PENDING
My dad filing date is Jan 2014, in LA office
So, according to this bulletin its most possible he gonna die before be interviewed
If you send them evidence of his health problems, maybe they will expedite, but the LA is very slow. If you are a US citizen, you can file for him, and that would probably be faster.
I already sent a medical report says that he have diabetes and taking insulin injections, and due to this he lost one eye in 2007 and the other one is less than 40% …
They replied your case is still pending and NO interview scheduled till now..that was before 3 months.
Anyway my sister is US citizen and can file I-130 for him and my mom also. My question is what if they got approved and granted a green card, does the immigration will cancel their I-589 OR there will be a possibility to be granted asylum!!!! its some how confusing
Regards
If a US citizen files for a parent, it is pretty fast and the person probably does not have to leave the US to get a green card. However, to file for a brother or sister is very slow – it takes over 11 years, and probably you would have to leave US to get the green card, which can cause problems – you would need to talk to a lawyer about that. If you get a green card based on family, the asylum case would end – there is no problem with that. Take care, Jason
thx
Hi jason
I applied for asylum since 2011 and interviewed on march 2015 at chicago AO
When do you expect my decison will come?
Sorry applied for asylum since 2013
Excuse when you apply in wich month /2013
November
Movember
There is no way to predict. Chicago is usually pretty quick about giving decisions, but it seems things are moving slowly there lately. In general, we have had people get decisions anywhere from 3 days to 2+ years after the interview, so there is no way to know. Good luck, Jason
oh my god in los angeles asylum office they are stuck in 2011 auguest
so who applied in 2013 will get the interveiw after 2 years oh my god that is dead for anyone who applied in 2013
jason i just want to ask that los angeles office had a backlog cases in 21
2012 or only 2011 and 2013
thank you so much !!!
The chart does not say how many cases between 2011 and 2015 have already been done, so maybe many of those cases are already complete and LA will move quickly through its backlog. Maybe.
Hi Jason,
I filed for my EAD and I just wanted to know if my asylum clock was moving or not. How can I contact Chicago asylum office to know what if my clock was moving? Could you help with contact phone if you have.
Thanks
I listed a link to the asylum offices at the end of this blog post. I do not think the asylum office will inform you about the clock. If you filed the case, and have not caused a delay by moving or missing your fingerprint appointment, the clock should be moving.
Sir, what I understood from this newsletter we Applicants for political asylum in the Office of Virginia in the month of 12/2014 will wait two years at the very least with this slowdown, the tribulations of two dimensions of our wives and our children and this something painful and tired and very fatigued in addition to the Permanent concern them, I have to human rights organizations Interested help of asylum seekers pressure to migrate offices more for accelerating the procedures and consideration for those who suffer, what is the use of an application for asylum and favors for 3 years without such a decision at the same end needs for asylum last ,, really need to help in the annexation of our families here with us and live in peace
I think you are probably incorrect about the time frame. Most asylum cases from 2014 have already been processed (my associate Ruth Dickey wrote about that in the last few postings), so hopefully the asylum office will move quickly through the remaining 2014 cases. Of course, we do not know for sure, but we hope…
Dear Jason
According to your recent blogs, I just realized that the interview time and the result of the interview is taking so long for most of the applicants ! Plus, these things make the life of the applicant to be horrible as possible !
Even, if an applicant get the interview scheduled ! they will have to wait for such a long time to get the result of that !
this make the life of an applicant to move from a uncertainty point to another !
but now I am thinking somehow to let the USICS or DHS know about all the hardships, since I found out that your website is one the most viewed website asylum related topics !
I was seeking your advise about a way to do this ! since it may help most of the applicants !
like making a petition website or something like that, which these departments know how we are impacted psychologically!
by the way do you think that it will even work ?!
Thanks
yes please lets do that, its impossible we keep silent and attorneys keep silent too, Human right organization is not helpful too ,,,,,, like as applicant under threat back home has a choice between die or stay here here and lose all his money and his degree which is simply slowly dying too.
Dear Jason
According to your recent blogs, I just realized that the interview time and the result of the interview is taking so long for most of the applicants ! Plus, these things make the life of the applicant to be horrible as possible !
Even, if an applicant get the interview scheduled ! they will have to wait for such a long time to get the result of that !
this make the life of an applicant to move from a uncertainty point to another !
but now I am thinking somehow to let the USICS or DHS know about all the hardships, since I found out that your website is one the most viewed website asylum related topics !
I was seeking your about a way to do this !
like making a petition website or something like that, which these departments know how we are impacted psychologically !
Thanks
To be clear, waiting time after the interview is vary unpredictable. Probably most applicants get their decision in a few months, but I agree with you that the waiting causes great suffering and stress. I have thought about ideas like a petition or a protest, or going to Congress, but I am not sure exactly what it would accomplish. I do have confidence that the Asylum Division is trying hard to improve the situation, but there are many competing interests and it is very difficult. Anyway, if you have a good idea, I am certainly willing to listen, as the situation now is so bad.
yes please lets do that, its impossible we keep silent and attorneys keep silent too, Human right organizations are not helpful also ,,,,,, like as applicant under threat back home has a choice between die or stay here here and lose all his money and his degree which is simply slowly dying too.
I support you with any step including, I am losing my medical degree because of all that
Jason, Can I have your contact info
That I can contact you regarding this directly ?
Because, I am seriously willing to do this !
Thanks
You can send me an email at Jdzubow (at) DzubowLaw.com.
Dear Jason
Thanks again , someone told me that this waiting for interview will count for the 5 years time frame of citizenship is that true ,
It is not true. If you get asylum, you can apply for a green card after one year. Once you get the green card, it will be back-dated one year (so if you get it today, it will be dated August 11, 2014), and then you can apply for your citizenship 5 years after that date (so in this example, you could apply for citizenship by August 11, 2019 – but you can actually mail the application 90 days early).
Hello Jason always THANK YOU for your work here. I applied for the asylum, I’m living in San Antonio TX and I know that my office is Houston TX. My question is: my “interview schedule” is of the Houston office or I’ll have to wait more because I live in San Antonio (and it is not the “eight asylum offices?)
There is a sub office in El Paso, but I don’t know my Texas geography, so I do not know which office is closer to you or where they will send you. Here is a link with the list of sub-offices, for what it’s worth: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCYQFjABahUKEwjQvu7A5aDHAhVIcz4KHYqEDzg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.uscis.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FUSCIS%2FResources%2FResources%2520for%2520Congress%2FUSCIS_and_DOS_Conference_Asylum_Division_OLA_Presentation_April_2015_with_OCC_edits.pdf&ei=oMrJVdDuLsjm-QGKib7AAw&usg=AFQjCNE4XqejAwFWeuWgkkUUJLecIBZbnQ
Jason, Thanks for the update. I can exactly confirm that I was interviewed based on the chart which is a good news. The bad news is that I was moved from one uncertainty point in my life to another. I was hoping when I would have my interview I would have the decision in 2 weeks. To be honest with you, I personally prefer to receive a No answer today than a yes answer in 4 years. Then, I know I can’t get any type of support from U.S government and I would absolutely 100 % look into other options. This process is so frustrating but I really appreciate your updates.
Also, do you think we need to pay that 390 $ fee for EAD every year until we receive a decision?
Unless you get a fee waiver, you need to pay the fee every time except for the first time.
I completely agree with you – it is better to get a “no” than to left in limbo without a decision for years. It is particularly bad if you are separated from family. I did list some ideas to try to expedite in a post I did on February 26, 2015. Maybe something there would help you – like contacting the Ombudsman or filing a mandamus lawsuit. Good luck, Jason
Hi thanks for you help and God bless
I just want to ask you thing I filed for EAD and after the 180 days I got Denied saying that I caused a delay when filed for changes of address
And 73 active processing days had elapsed
What should I do thanks for you help
Best
If you moved to another jurisdiction (i.e., moved from one asylum office to another), it is considered delay, and it can prevent you from getting a work permit. Really, it is ridiculous because you would not have had an interview yet even if you stayed at the same office, but that is how it works. Until you actually go to the interview, I think there is no way to get the EAD. Maybe you should contact the asylum office and ask if there is anything you can do. Good luck, Jason
Hello, Jason
I got a second finger print notice in June 07, 2015 and got it done on June 10, 2015. Applied for the asylum in April 2014 in LA. Now got this fingerprinting letter. What can it mean?
Fingerprints expire after 15 months, so maybe that is the reason. It seems like a waste of time, though, if they are interviewing cases from August 2011.
Hi Yarry,
possible it mean your previous fingerprint wasn’t done well.
Now that the stats are out, would you say that moving to Arlington from LA would speed up the case filed in November 2014? Thank you!
Maybe – LA is not moving and it is way behind the other asylum offices. Probably anywhere is better thank there.
LA office is intervewing Aug 2011 !!!!!!
This is happening because asylum backlog is not a sexy subject to discuss in the media
Just by searching Asylum Backlog on google and seeing the results dated back to 2014 gives you a clue that nobody care about the tens of thousands of people that live in limbo state anymore its like those tens of thousands are nothing but invsible worthless creatures that live in this country
Hi jason , i applied for asylum before 7 months ago and have no thing at all .. My parents and my brother and sister are us citizen .. And i have a daughter who is a us citizen too .. My question is could that helps me in any way? Like making reunion or anything? Please i would like to know your answer .. Thank you
It is possible it could help, but you would need to consult a lawyer about the specifics of the case. Generally, a child can only file for you if she is over 21 years old. Your parents can probably file for you, but there is a long waiting period. There may also be other ways these family members can help, but you would need to consult with an attorney so you could tell him or her the specifics of your situation. Good luck, Jason
Thank you so much i will consult the attorney
What about the delay of the decision i have been waiting about year and half after the interview thank you
They have provided no info about that, and I doubt they ever will since there are different reasons for the delay. It is very frustrating. Good luck, Jason
I appreciate this new transparency, but the long delays aren’t surprising. We’ve known for a long time that the asylum offices are backed up and they’re only now telling us by how much. One thing that’s missing from their new announcement is how long people are waiting after an interview for a decision. I file a lot of asylum claims before the Chicago Asylum office. I have one couple waiting on a decision who were interviewed in March, 2012. Another was interviewed in February 2014 – no answer yet. Another was interviewed in August, 2014 – no answer yet. And on and on. They focus a lot on how quickly they are interviewing people, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. There is no good reason to have wait 3 years for a decision following an interview.
You are quite right – also, it would be nice if they could give us some info about the “short lists”. Supposedly that may happen. I doubt we will ever get much information on delayed decisions, because there are different reasons for the delay, but I totally agree that the waiting time for some people after the interview is ridiculous.
Good morning Jason,
I am paralegal and helped our attorney file two affirmative asylum cases with the Arlington Asylum Office, one was in March 2015 and the other June 2015. We filed them directly with the Arlington Asylum office because the ICE attorney instructed us to do so. At this time, we haven’t heard back from them. We don’t even have a receipt notice for the filing. We called and emailed the Arlington Asylum office with no success. Have you heard of this issue before? We appreciate any input regarding this matter.
Normally, when I file an affirmative case at Arlington, I mail the application to the Texas Service Center. The only time I file directly with Arlington is if there had been a prior application that was denied. Maybe try contacting the trial attorney who gave you that advice and see whether he/she can help. It often takes them a few weeks to respond to an email, so maybe you will hear back. Good luck, Jason
Good morning Jason I applied befor 2years with Chicago asylum office and till now I’m waiting interview when I saw chart I’m very sad my be take more 6month waiting interview and no way only wait
Yes, it is pretty bad, and Chicago is moving very slowly for some reason. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason, I’m currently pending in LA waitng for interview since 2013, been thinking about transfer my case to Chicago, however I was told that once the case has been transfered my clock will stop, and there’s no guarantee that my case will be processed according to my original priority date, hene there’s a risk of losing the renewal of EAD card, is that true?
That is not true – once you have reached 180 days, you are eligible for the EAD. If you move at that time, it will not affect the EAD. However, whether it will make your case faster or slower, I do not know. Take care, Jason
Thanks Jason, I know someone who just filed for asylum in LA recently around March, 2015 and he got interview immediately within that month, and got the decision very soon. I felt confused why things like that still happened. Aren’t they processing older cases only?
Perhaps it was a juvenile or there was some other reason the case was expedited. For normal asylum cases, they are processing 2011 cases.
Thanks.