The purpose of the Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin (“AOSB”) is to give asylum applicants “an estimate for when they might expect their interview to be scheduled.” At best, though, it’s a very rough estimate. The problem is that the AOSB tells only part of the story, and not even the most important part. Let me explain.
First, what is the AOSB? It is a chart that lists the eight main Asylum Offices. For each office, we can see the filing date of the cases that that office was interviewing in March 2016 (the most recent month listed on the chart). We can also see the two previous months (January and February 2016), which gives some idea about how quickly (or not) the office is moving through its case load.
So, for example, if you look at the Arlington, Virginia Asylum Office, you will see that as of March 2016, it is interviewing people who filed their cases in October 2013. In January and February 2016, Arlington was interviewing people who filed their cases in September 2013. The Chicago office has made the most progress during this period, advancing from May to August 2013. San Francisco is also making steady progress, moving from January to March 2014. Other offices–Houston, Los Angeles, Miami–have moved not at all. But again, this is only part of the story.
One thing the numbers do not tell you is that many of the cases filed prior to December 26, 2014 have already been interviewed. Extrapolating from our own case load, for example, I estimate that in my local Asylum Office (Arlington), approximately 60% of cases filed between October 2013 (the date listed on the AOSB) and December 2014 have already been interviewed. That’s because there was a policy change on December 26, 2014 affecting how the Asylum Offices handle their cases.
What happened is this: In the Good Old Days (and the dates for “the Good Old Days” differ depending on your Asylum Office), asylum cases were filed and interviewed relatively quickly. At my local office, most interviews took place two or three months after filing. Then, starting in 2012 or 2013, and continuing until today, the number of people arriving at our Southern border increased significantly. These migrants are mostly young people from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. They are fleeing violence and poverty. Some are attempting to reunite with family members already in the United States.
At the border, the migrants ask for asylum. They are generally detained and subject to a credible fear interview (“CFI”). A CFI is an initial evaluation of eligibility for asylum. It is easier to “pass” a CFI than to win asylum, and a large majority of applicants pass the interview. They are then permitted to present their asylum cases to an Immigration Judge or an Asylum Officer. Applicants who do not pass the CFI are deported.
This mass migration (often called “the surge”) affects the affirmative asylum process in a few ways. First, CFIs are conducted by Asylum Officers. These are the same officers who conduct asylum interviews at the various Asylum Offices. If the officers are spending time on CFIs, they obviously are not spending time interviewing applicants at the Asylum Offices. And since most of the people arriving at the Southern border are detained, which costs the U.S. government money, CFIs get priority over the Asylum Officers’ other work. Another way the surge has affected asylum seekers is that the Asylum Offices are prioritizing unaccompanied minors over other applicants. A large percentage of “surge” asylum applicants are minors, and thus their interviews receive priority over “regular” asylum seekers.
When DHS diverted resources away from the Asylum Offices, affirmative cases started piling up. This began in our local office in 2013. About 60% of the case we filed during this period were interviewed in the normal time frame; the other 40% disappeared. The disappeared cases came to be known as “the backlog.”
Once it became apparent that the backlog was not going away, the Asylum Division changed its policy. Starting on December 26, 2014, cases would be interviewed on a first-in/first-out basis. This meant that the Asylum Offices started interviewing the cases in the order received, starting with the cases that had disappeared into the backlog. The AOSB was first published in about July 2015, and since then, there has not been a whole lot of progress. In Arlington, for example, since July 2015, the Asylum Office has only advanced from August to October 2013. Los Angeles is worse. Back in July 2015, they were interviewing cases filed in August 2011. Today, they are still interviewing cases filed in August 2011. Ugh.
The U.S. government has been trying to improve the situation. The Asylum Division has hired more staff, including officers devoted exclusively to CFIs. We now have a system–limited to be sure–to process refugees in-country in Central America and bring them to the U.S. More controversially, we seem to have convinced Mexico to crack down on migrants passing through its territory, and we have prioritized the deportation of “surge” applicants, sometimes at the expense of our international obligations and due process of law. But if the AOSB provides any indication, these efforts have done little to reduce the backlog.
The most important factor impacting movement at the Asylum Offices still appears to be the number of people arriving at the Southern border. As long as these numbers remain high, I am not optimistic that the Asylum Offices will make much progress on the backlog. And the prospects for improvement in the near-term do not look good: Preliminary reports from the border indicate that we can expect more asylum seekers than ever, as migrants seek to enter the U.S. before our increasingly-hostile political climate makes conditions for asylum seekers at the border even more dire.
All these factors, and more (like, how cases and CFIs are distributed between Asylum Offices, how many Asylum Officers are detailed overseas to process refugees, etc.), contribute to movement on the AOSB. Because there are so many unpredictable factors at play, I don’t see how the AOSB can claim any accuracy as a long-term predictor of when an individual asylum interview will be held. To me, it’s kind of like looking at the weather report a month before your vacation. It doesn’t tell you much, but since it’s all you’ve got, you pay attention anyway.
In the end, there is some value to the AOSB: Once you see that your asylum filing date is coming up, you know to prepare for your interview. Also, for applicants, I suppose it is helpful to know that they are not alone in Backlogistan. But as far as predicting interview dates, the AOSB is a mirage in the desert–it may encourage you to keep walking, but it tells you nothing about when you might get your next drink of water.
Hi,
I have filed on September 2014, and the bulletin said that those who filed on September-October 2014 are scheduled for an interview on August 2016. I am kind of scare to be left behind.
What can I do if I’m not called for an interview during this period of time?
Thanks
Contact the asylum office or go in person to ask about why you were not interviewed. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin. Take care, Jason
Thanks
hi,thanks for your help,i wish to find out if it is possible to have a drivers license while my asylum case is still pending?
You have to contact the state DMV. But in most cases, you cannot get it until you first have the work permit. Once you have that, it should be easy to get a license. Take care, Jason
This link provides a nice analysis comparing the progress being made in different asylum offices in the U.S.:
https://affirmativeasylum.wordpress.com/bulletin/
My name is Serhii.
My wife can be applied to a visitor visa to visit me after I filed a petition to the asylum.
Thank you.
She can, but your application will make it more difficult for her to get a tourist visa. I wrote about this on April 18, 2014 – maybe that posting would be helpful to you. Take care, Jason
Greetings,
My asylum interview was scheduled on 07/18/2016 after almost 3.5 years of waiting. When I came in officer asked if I have any additional supportive docs, when I said yes, she asked how many I have and then said that I or my lawyer supposed to sent these documents a week before the interview. I said that I didn’t know about it, nowhere in USCIS website you can find this info. Officer said that this is a rule and she cannot conduct an interview today and it will be rescheduled. On my question about approximately time frame she said that she has no idea how long it will take. A week ago I received an interview cancellation notice saying that “your request to cancel that appointment has been received” and “your request to cancel has resulted in a delay in your eligibility to apply for EAC and has STOPPED your pending period at 301 days.” I have 3 questions: 1. Is it legal to cancel an interview by officer if asylum applicant have additional supportive documents with her/him on interview date which had never been included in her/his asylum case? 2. I don’t quite understand what does 301 day pending period mean? 3. Will it help f I go to asylum office in SF and try to talk to somebody and what can I do personally to solve this issue?
Thank you so much for answer in advance.
1 – yes, it is your and your lawyer’s responsibility to know the rules of the asylum office (and I agree, that they should do. Better job informing people about the rules); 2 – the clock is stopped at 301 days, but this has no meaning. Once the clock reaches 180 days, you can apply for your work permit, so if the clock stops after that time, there is no effect. Do not worry about this; 3 – Maybe, but probably you will automatically be rescheduled soon. If not, you can go and ask about it. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
Your insights on this blog are truly fantastic. I’m thinking on filling for asylum but not sure my case would still be valid. I entered the U.S. on September 15, 2013 on an F1 Visa, studied here until October 1, 2014 when I started my new position on an H1B. And I’ve been working and living with my H1B ever since.
I come from Venezuela when I left my country things were bad but not what they currently are, I moved to the US to seek a better life and live my life being openly Gay. About three years have past since I entered the US, I’ve found work and lived my life ever since here.
I fear having to go back home, Venezuela is in a terrible situation and I would not be able to live my life being gay without being teased or suffer violence.
What would you recommend filling under political, social group or not filling at all due to the time I’ve already spent here?
Will gladly appreciate your insights and even due to your knowledge I might do a proper consultation with you.
Because you are still in status, you should not be barred from asylum by the one-year filling requirement (you meet an exception to that requirement). Whether you would actually win asylum, I am not sure. I do not know how dangerous it is for gay people in Venezuela or whether you have threats against you. You may qualify, and it is probably worthwhile to sit down with a lawyer and go over the specifics of your case to get a better idea about your likelihood of receiving asylum. Take care, Jason
Hey Jason, I have a question what if you applied for asylum after 5 years but you were still in status then you fall out of status a year after while waiting for your interview. Do you make an exception of that 1 year filling requirement? Or no since it’s after 1 year that you applied?
Thanks.
One exception to the one-year filing deadline is exceptional circumstances, and this is generally defined as being in lawful status. So, for example, if you were an F-1 student in lawful status for 5 years, and then you apply for asylum while still a student, you should meet an exception to the one-year rule and you should still qualify for asylum. After you file for asylum, if you go out of status, it does not affect eligibility for asylum. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, I reside in Seattle WA and would like to file my asylum application. However, I do not clearly understand where to file the application (though I follow the instruction). Would you provide me the filing address for Seattle? Thank you for your kind help.
Regards,
You can go to the Asylum Office Locator (a link is at right) and follow that to your local asylum office website. On that website, it should give you the filing address for your initial application. Take care, Jason
Thank you Jason. God bless you!
Hello Jason,
Thank you for the work you do, very helpful 🙂
Me and my husband had an interview in San Francisco office in April 2015 and still no answer. What is the longest time you’ve heard of for receiving the answer? It might have gone to HQ, then should we expect 2-3 years?
Thanks a lot,
We have one or two clients waiting for 3+ years (and still waiting), and many clients waiting for 2+ years. Clients from Muslim countries tend to wait longer, and men tend to wait longer than women. All that said, there really is no time frame for a decision. You can ask the local asylum office for an update. You can also contact the USCIS Ombudsman to ask about delay (a link is at right). Take care, Jason
Hey guys,
Congrats with the interview!
Just a quick question, how long had you been waiting for this interview?
Thanks
Hello Mr. Dzubow like everybody else I have a Question…a friend of mine had the interview finally after 3 years of waiting in Miami…and after two weeks he went to immigration to check the result and he got a preaproved letter of case because they have to do a background check…its been already 2 months and still waiting how much longer he may wait u think? And should he go back to immigration to ask for a result or still to wait???thank u so much for all your help and please take care of yourself!!!
He can go back to check, though I do not think that will make it any faster. There is no time frame for waiting. Some people wait a few days; others wait years. He can also make an inquiry with USCIS Ombudsman (a link is at right) – sometimes they give more information about the case than the Asylum Office. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
As per my last message on that blog, it was question about my lawyer who didn’t want to give me the exact date she sent the papers to immigration. As i taught, she didn’t sent it as she told me on may 2016. I received on july 5th, 2016 the receipt from immigration and notice for fingerprints on july 8th, 2016.The papers mentioned that my application has been received on june 27th, 2016. Normally, since our bad communication i did a complaint against her! Now my questions are as follow and sorry for disturbing you:
– I was allowed to stay on my visa tourist for 6 months, on july 15th, 2016 i will be overstay, do i’m automatically out of status or illegal? what is my current status? however my visa multiple is not expired.
– My lawyer sent to me on monday july 11th, 2016 her official notice of withdrawal do this will affect my case with the immigration because i no longer have a lawyer?
– At this time i don’t have yet a lawyer and i don’t know what kind of pressure i should put on me before any request from immigration, could i take time before hire a new lawyer because at this point i’m not sure that immigration will request anything from me already?
– Sincerely, i did paid the lawyer and my budget was tight now by trying to have a new lawyer will i have to pay the lawyer like i’m at the beginning of the case, i asked a lawyer and he said $ 5,000. that’s too much i feel?
– last question: meanwhile i don;t have a lawyer could i asked th asylum office personally to add me on the shortlist or do i have to wait till i have a new lawyer?
Thank you very much for your incredible service to the asylum seekers.
Jean Baptiste
Since she lied to you, I think you made the right decision to file a complaint. As long as the asylum application was filed within one year of arrival in the US, you are ok. Your current status is asylum pending. Her withdrawal should not affect the care, though you may be entitled to a refund. Your interview will probably not be for a long time, so I suppose there is no emergency to find a new lawyer. If a problem comes up, you can always find a lawyer, and when you get closer to the interview, you can find a lawyer then. I wrote about lawyer fees on March 2, 2016; maybe that would help. You can put yourself on the short list, but if you do, you might get called unexpectedly, so if you want a lawyer at the interview, you should get one soon, so the lawyer is ready to go when the interview is scheduled. Take care, Jason
Thank you so much for making this useful website,my asylum request filed on August 2014 in Miami office which stuck scheduling interviews for people who filed on May 2013 from more than 7 months ,what do you advice me to do ? Shall I have to change the state and which state is the best and fast ?
Different offices move at different rates and how they move is pretty unpredictable. Maybe Miami will start to move more quickly. Who knows? Because it is basically impossible to predict, I tell people that they are better off living wherever is best for them. If Miami is good for you, then stay there. However, if you want to move, you should move. I would not base that decision too strongly on the asylum office, as they are simply too unpredictable. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
I did my interview at chicago office 2 months ago and, as usual, no response yet. My question is about the best way to contact the asylum office to inquire about the status of the case, and if there is any possible way to expedite the decision of the asylum office. Thank you
It is very difficult to expedite the decision. I did a post on February 26, 2015 that lists some ideas that you can try after the interview(Congress, Ombudsman, Mandamus), though most of the post is about delays prior to the interview. Other than those ideas, I do not think there is much you can do. Of course, you can contact the asylum office to inquire – in-person or by email. You can find contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Jason,
I have applied for asylum since 04/2014 at Chicago office. If I moved my asylum case from Chicago office to Houston office, will my case go to the end of the line?
According to USCIS, you will keep your place in the queue. However, to be safe, I would email the old asylum office to make sure the case was moved, and the new asylum office to check that your case is received. You can find the email addresses if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
i want to apply asylum because i have fear of my murder in my home country. i have already tourist visa for USA and Canada and many times travel both countries. Can you please suggest me which country is best for resettle my life and where success rate of asylum grant is high.
thank you in advance for your precious advice.
To win asylum in either place you need to show that you face harm because of your race, religion, nationality, political opinion or particular social group. If you face harm because of a personal dispute, you have a more difficult case. I do not know much about Canada, but the process in the US is very slow – depending where you live, it could take years to get a decision. I think probably you should choose the country where you feel safest and where you have family or friends to help you. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason
I have some confusion please solve my confusion. As i check the Reports of asylum in FY report of 2014 the north Carolina ( VA office ) asylum grant rate is 13% and in Seattle (SF Office ) it is 43%. But when i check Asylum office grant rate then it shown SF office is 76% and VA office is 52%.So can you Please help me where i need to apply my asylum case. Because i have friends in North Carolina who give me support for resettle But Asylum grant rate is slower here thn Seattle.
Is Grant rate depend also on state where you apply or it will only depend on Main Asylum office.
Thanks & Regard
I do not know where you get these statistics. Maybe they are from Immigration Courts, which are different than the Asylum Offices. I did a post about this topic on February 25, 2016 that might be helpful. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
thank you very, very much for this blog. It’s the most useful sourse of information. I’ve read your articles about the backlog and a new order for an interview sheduling, but there’s one thing I can’t figure out.
Since the order has changed, do you know any cases when a person applied for an asylum while being in a legal status (tourist or student, for example) and shortly after that s/he has been called in for an interview?
I wonder is it “safe” to apply while I’m in legal status because the backlog is so enormously big that when an interview will be sheduled, I will be out of my status long ago (which gives me a right to go to the court if I will get a negative result on my interview, that’s the “safe” part). Or is it not safe because, despite of the new order, USCIS can shedule an interview earlier for those who applied while being in legal status? Before the new order came, it’s been some sort of unspoken law to not apply while you’re in legal status. Has anything changed? What’s your opinion and experience?
Unless you are an unaccompanied minor, or somehow come to the attention of the government (for example, by committing a crime), if you file for asylum now, you will wait a long time (per the Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin). So for most people, they will be out of status by the time of their interview. Some people prefer this – so if the Asylum Office denies their cease, they can go to court and try again. Other people prefer to be in-status at the time of the interview, in which case they receive a more detailed explanation for the denial and have a chance to rebut the denial. But if they are ultimately denied, they do not go to court. It really depends on what you prefer, but for most people, I think they prefer to go to court if they are denied. Take care, Jason
Thank you!
I’m not a minor and have no crime records, so I guess it should be fine. Still a Russian roulette, but the sooner you apply the sooner you can file for EAD, which is helpful.
Hi Jason,
Thank you so much for all work that you are doing for the suffering people. May G-d bless you in every way.
Could you please help us to make decision in our situation? My mother applied for the asylum status in Miami office in November, 2014. Since this office is stuck in May, 2013 and is not making any progress, we would like to move her case to New York, where they process applications for August 2014. Will this actually help to expedite her case? We have relatives in NY and they are ready to help with this move.
Thank you so much!
I did a posting on February 25, 2016 that may help – please take a look at that. If she moves to NY, the case will be transferred. She should keep her place in the queue, but you may need to follow up by email or in person with the old and new asylum offices to ensure that this happens. Frankly, I do not think it is so hard to predict how the different asylum offices will move their cases, that I think you should not make a decision based on the available statistics (as I discussed in the Feb 25 article). I think she should live wherever is best for her. But if you want to try your luck in NY, I do not think there is any harm – Good luck, Jason
Jason, thank you so much for your answer!
Hi Jason I applied asylum since 8/2013 Chicago asylum offices bulltin say that they interviewing people applied in October 2013 I applied in August 2013 till now no interview I went to office and asked them they told me till now and they can not give me interview appointment what can I do please I lost any hope that they give me interview
Best regards
Something must be wrong. You can also email them (you can find their email if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator). Or go there again and ask for a supervisor. You can also contact USCIS Ombudsman (a link is at the right) and explain the problem – maybe they can help. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
my asylum case is pending since it was applied in August 2013, but I have another opportunity that comes up. My employer can apply for papers for me. Do you think it is possible to keep the old case opened and apply based on job offer? How does it work?
Thank you in advance,
Rina
You can keep your asylum case open while you apply for a green card, but if you are out of status (meaning your visa has expired), it will be difficult to get your green card through your job, and you may need to leave the US and get it at an embassy, which can be a real problem. You would need to talk to a lawyer about this. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason, quick question- I applied for asylum last year, and I need to move soon (same state, even same city Virginia) Do you think filing form is enough (AR-11) for change of address in that case? Or it is better to call or email asylum office?
Thank you in advance.
We submit the AR-11 directly to the local office. You can also follow up with an email (you can find their email address if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator). Take care, Jason
Thank you for your help!
Hi Jason. My husband wants to apply for political asylum but I have double nationality. Is this fact going to affect his case, since I will be derivative? Also, I overstay my visa but because I am only a derivative Is the case to be take as a affirmative case or a defensive case? Thanks
Unless you are already in immigration court, it is an affirmative application. Your dual nationality may affect his case if the Asylum Office thinks that he has the right to live in your country and he can live there safely. In other words, if he is “firmly resettled” in your country (meaning – he has an offer to live there, whether he take it or not). This can be a tricky issue in a case, and I recommend you talk to a lawyer to look at the specifics of your situation. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thanks much for your blog, it’s a great resource. I initially filed my asylum case using the services of a lawyer and I already have my EAD. However, i had to move from the jurisdiction of my initial asylum office. I am thinking of changing my address and moving my case to my new asylum office, but my present lawyer is being aloof and unsupportive about this and is also bad at communication. Please how do i get a lawyer off my case? And how can i successfully move asylum offices?
If you change your address (using form AR-11) and the new address is within the jurisdiction of a new asylum office, your case should be moved automatically. However, sometimes cases do not move, and so you have to contact your old office to remind them. As for changing lawyers, just tell the old lawyer that he/she is fired and – if you want – find a new lawyer. Don’t forget to get a complete copy of your file from the old lawyer, if you do not have it already, as that will be helpful to the new lawyer or if you continue the case by yourself. Take care, Jason
Hi jason, i had my interview reschulded about a month ago from san francisco asylum office in person, have not gotten the interview notice in mail yet, been checking mail every day. How long is wait process these days?
Normally, it is not too long. You may want to email them to double check – you can find the email address if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Hi Asana,
Same here, checking mail thoroughly every single day!
Would you please tell me, when you submitted your I-589 asylum application? maybe that could give me an idea when to expect that notice, just a month and a year would be enough… I’ve been waiting for an interview call from SF asylum office almost two years…
I hope everything will go smoothly for you, good luck!
Thanks,
Hi Jason.
Do you know anything about Alaska?Is it true that asylum application process is going faster than in other states?
I have one case from there, and it is going very slowly. I doubt it is going faster than other states, as it is a sub office of San Francisco, and generally the sub offices are slower than the main office. Take care, Jason
I heard that officers are coming once a year during the summer to interview people who filled application in past year.I know cases who filled in april 2014 and they got interviewed in august 2014.
It could be, but remember that the system changed in December 2014, so now USCIS is reviewing the cases in order received. Anyway, the sub offices are a mystery to me, at least. Let us know what happens. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
great article as always, thanks.
I had applied for asylum 40 days ago in Seattle area but I haven’t received the I-589 acknowledge receipt yet. I understand the work load but the delay has made me nervous lately. What are the expected durations for one to expect the receipt? Is there any way I can ask the office if they receiving my application? Do you think this affects the EAD clock? Thank you!
Dear Jason,
I’m experimenting a really strange and bad situation right now with my lawyer and definitely I’m confused. As I told you on my previous comments, my communication with my lawyer is not really good at all. On may 11, 2016, she told me that my application will be send to USCIS’s office. On june 1st she wrote me and told me that my application has been sent and I can count for 150 days to be eligible for an EAD car application. My first question for her was, which exact date my application were sent to the immigration in order to countdown de 150 days time frame. from june 1st, 2016 til yesterday she never reply and fortunately I found this website that helped me to figure out the situation and my expectation for delays in each step. Yesterday she were totally upset, told me that I don’t give her a break I can’t expect to communicate with her when I want it and a lot of other expressions that double my bad situation. I left my country for a political situation I’m trying to set me free in other ways and now my own lawyer make me feel that I did something completely bad because of only one simple question: which is the exact date of the documents shipping to USCIS’s office? does it a complicate question, by an analyze do I didn’t give her a break on her job on my case? sincerely I was terrified and unfortunalety I had tears pop up on my eyes. horrible moment!! The most terrifying things is she still not answer my question directly regarding the date she only said that she told me already. I can understand that she’s playing lawyer card with me. she answered but not directly. anyway, assuming that she sent the document, I contacted the Asylum office of my jurisdiction base on Bethpage NY via email and an automatic reply said that I should wait within 5 business days for an answer from them, I did give them my full name, my current address , my phone number and my current lawyer’s name expecting that those informations will be sufficient for an answer from them.
And does it possible to send a first part of the application to the USCIS office and then to send the last part after by a new mail to USCIS’s office?
I become suspicious, sorry for the word because she gave me the contact of another lawyer who also worked on my case, (based on what she told me) into the same firm, we introduce ourselves via email and I asked her the same question: which is the exact the of the shipping? she just told me that she have to contact the mai lawyer on that question because she doesn’t have the answer and she hope that the main lawyer (my lawyer) will give me the answer shortly. what is that circle?
I’m confused, Jason sine yesterday I have breathing trouble its like my trouble doesn’t have any end. Oh My God!!! I’m trying to stay quiet but every single minute that’s gets back on my mind.
I hope to receive an answer from Asylum office to confirm what is my decision with the lawyer because yesterday, she was the first telling me that she s ready to stop the contract and give me back my documents and a part of my payment. Sincerely I didn’t want to take this way and complicate my process.
But, assuming what she told me, if the documents were really sent or not how could I plan to have a new lawyer and I mean you Jason. Do you think that modification could stop the progress of my case. Anyway, I really dont know which questions to asked or not but I deeply hope your advice on that matters.
Thank you sincerely,
Jean Baptiste
I responded to this when you posted it before. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
great article as always, thanks.
I had applied for asylum 40 days ago in Seattle area but I haven’t received the I-589 acknowledge receipt yet. I understand the work load but the delay has made me nervous lately. What are the expected durations for one to expect the receipt? Is there any way I can ask the office if they receiving my application? Do you think this affects the EAD clock? Thank you!
Forty days seems a bit long. Are you sure you mailed it to the correct address? You should double check. If so, you can contact the local office to ask them about whether it was received. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Also, you can file a Freedom of Information Act request to get a copy of the file you sent in, and the receipts. Use form G-639, available at http://www.uscis.gov. But that takes months. As long as it was received at the proper office, the asylum clock should start. Take care, Jason
Thank you Jason for your quick response and suggestions. It is helpful.
Sorry Jean,
the above comment was meant to be a question to Jason.
Cheers.
Hello Jason,
I live and work in Texas with my wife and two kids but I am planning to move my wife and kids to California as my relatives and other family members live in California too so is it possible that I change my address to California asylum office? although I work in Texas and have Texas driver lic and paying taxes from Texas registered company, is this going to complicate my case? Would they ask why do have your address in cali when you work and live in Tx??? So, can I go ahead and move my family to California and stay in Texas for work or you don’t recommend this move?
Looking forward for your advice
Thanks Jason.
I think you should put your family wherever is best and you should work wherever you can. In the case you describe, it seems to me that you can keep your case in TX or move it to CA, since it seems like you will be residing in both places. You are required to inform USCIS about where you live, and so you must give them your address (on form AR-11), but if you live in two places, I suppose you can choose which address to give them. I did a posting on February 25, 2016 that talks about the different asylum offices. Maybe that would be helpful. Take care, Jason
Hi
My question is if I want to add my wife to my asylum application even its pending how long it’s take to get her EAD
She should be able to get the EAD at the same time as you, assuming you add her to your case. You can contact your local asylum office and they should be able to tell you how to add her to your case. Contact info for the asylum office can be found if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Hi. In Miami, for example, you could add your wife to your case directly in Miami Asylum Office. You just need to write simple letter: “I want to add my wife to my case ….”. And thats it. If you have EAD already, then your wife going to get EAD ‘immediately’.
By the way. If you want to renew your EAD in Miami, you dont need to wait 3 or 4 months, like that was before. They will send you new EAD in 2-4 weeks (they don’t ask you to pass fingerprints right now).
Regards, Roman
Hi everyone,
Thank you JASON for the useful article. I have had two questions for you and appreciate you kind help.
1. I submitted my asylum application (April, 2016) and got my finger print. As I understand that USCIS is giving priority for those who applied in 2014 and 2013. My question is that USCIS won’t interview recently applied asylum seekers unless they fished the old ones ?
2. Regarding EAD application, 150 days starts from the day which Asylum application filled or for the day which I got the notification?.
After Applying EAD How long it take to get my work permit ?
Thanks in advance
USCIS is interviewing cases in the order received, so you have to wait for the 2014 and 2015 cases before they get to you, though you could try to expedite or put yourself on the “short list,” if you asylum office has one; 2 – On the receipt, it states the day your application was received. That is the day you start counting from. When you get to 150 days, you can apply for the EAD. Take care, Jason
Thank you for your kind reply.
What about 180 days clock which manyioned in USCIS. I did not understand exactly what it means ?
Thanks again ..
When the clock reaches 150 days, you can file for the EAD. You cannot actually get the EAD until the clock reaches 180 days, but USCIS allows you to file 30 days early.
Hello Jason, thank you for your recent post on AOSB, it was very informative. My asylum case is pending at the Arlington office, I recently applied for my EAD, I received the receipt of my EAD application the first week of June 2016, and a week later Vermont Office sent me a notice that my EAD case is forwarded to Nebraska office for processing. As I heard from my lawyer and friends, it would take a month to get EAD in the first time, my question is since they forwarded my EAD application to Nebraska, how long will it take now? And will they ask me for fingers-print, though I give my biometric (fingers-print) after filing my asylum seven months ago. Thank you very much!
You do not need another fingerprint for EAD application and for how long it take it usually 3 to 4 months but I hope you get it soon I am waiting for mine too ( renewal) I filed mine about a month ago
We are seeing EADs taking about 4 months, though some are faster and I sometimes hear about people getting the EAD in a month (mostly on the West Coast). The transfer to Nebraska is routine – USICS moves cases around depending on their workload. Also, it seems some people are fingerprinted for the EADs; others are not. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
I did verify and the Asylum Office that deserve my area is that one located at Bethpage, NY 11714. Thank you, I’m going to contact them right away but I still have a few more questions please.
Normally I came here on my tourist B1/B2 visa and I was allowed to stay for no more than six (6) months. At this present time, I’ll be overstaying next month and I want to know if I’ll be automatically illegal and do my visa is expired because my violation. Also, it is permit to drive, I have my licence from my country but Im pretty sure its doesn’t mean so big over there, so what is the possible process to drive while I’m on asylum pending case?
I do appreciate your help and thank you!
Jean Baptiste
You have to talk to your state DMV about a driver’s license; I do not know. However, most people with an EAD can get a license. If you file for asylum, you are allowed to remain here until the case is complete. You are not in-status, since your B visa has expired, but you are permitted to remain here. Take care, Jason
Just make sure to file within one year after the date of your arrival to U.S and for your international driver license just call SOS in your state and ask them if your license is valid here or not. for your tourist visa you could extend it to another 6 months.
Does that mean I can extend my delay on my tourist visa for another six (6) months despite of I sent an asylum application?
You can try, but generally, there is no need since you can stay in the US anyway (unless you want to change into another status like F-1 later on). Also, when you extend the tourist visa, you are indicating that you will leave the US when the extension is over. Since you have applied for asylum, you have told the government that you do not want to leave. This is a conflict that could cause problems for both the visa extension and the asylum case. You would do well to talk to a lawyer about the specifics of your case before you do this. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
I’m experimenting a really strange and bad situation right now with my lawyer and definitely I’m confused. As I told you on my previous comments, my communication with my lawyer is not really good at all. On may 11, 2016, she told me that my application will be send to USCIS’s office. On june 1st she wrote me and told me that my application has been sent and I can count for 150 days to be eligible for an EAD car application. My first question for her was, which exact date my application were sent to the immigration in order to countdown de 150 days time frame. from june 1st, 2016 til yesterday she never reply and fortunately I found this website that helped me to figure out the situation and my expectation for delays in each step. Yesterday she were totally upset, told me that I don’t give her a break I can’t expect to communicate with her when I want it and a lot of other expressions that double my bad situation. I left my country for a political situation I’m trying to set me free in other ways and now my own lawyer make me feel that I did something completely bad because of only one simple question: which is the exact date of the documents shipping to USCIS’s office? does it a complicate question, by an analyze do I didn’t give her a break on her job on my case? sincerely I was terrified and unfortunalety I had tears pop up on my eyes. horrible moment!! The most terrifying things is she still not answer my question directly regarding the date she only said that she told me already. I can understand that she’s playing lawyer card with me. she answered but not directly. anyway, assuming that she sent the document, I contacted the Asylum office of my jurisdiction base on Bethpage NY via email and an automatic reply said that I should wait within 5 business days for an answer from them, I did give them my full name, my current address , my phone number and my current lawyer’s name expecting that those informations will be sufficient for an answer from them.
And does it possible to send a first part of the application to the USCIS office and then to send the last part after by a new mail to USCIS’s office?
I become suspicious, sorry for the word because she gave me the contact of another lawyer who also worked on my case, (based on what she told me) into the same firm, we introduce ourselves via email and I asked her the same question: which is the exact the of the shipping? she just told me that she have to contact the mai lawyer on that question because she doesn’t have the answer and she hope that the main lawyer (my lawyer) will give me the answer shortly. what is that circle?
I’m confused, Jason sine yesterday I have breathing trouble its like my trouble doesn’t have any end. Oh My God!!! I’m trying to stay quiet but every single minute that’s gets back on my mind.
I hope to receive an answer from Asylum office to confirm what is my decision with the lawyer because yesterday, she was the first telling me that she s ready to stop the contract and give me back my documents and a part of my payment. Sincerely I didn’t want to take this way and complicate my process.
But, assuming what she told me, if the documents were really sent or not how could I plan to have a new lawyer and I mean you Jason. Do you think that modification could stop the progress of my case. Anyway, I really dont know which questions to asked or not but I deeply hope your advice on that matters.
Thank you sincerely,
Jean Baptiste
Based on what you are saying, I think you should change lawyers. I do think it can be overwhelming for a lawyer to deal with a client who has many questions or who requires a lot of attention. However, that is our job. She seems to be indicating that she does not want to be your lawyer any more, and so I do not think she will be effective for you. Also, there is an easy way to know when your case was filed: You should have received a receipt in the mail; it normally takes 3 to 5 weeks to get it. The receipt states the “received date” and you can count 150 days from that day for the work permit. If you have not received the receipt, maybe wait another week or two to be sure, but if you do not have it, she will need to help you (and she is responsible, since she mailed the case). Finally, you can submit additional documents later, that is no problem. I think you should be calm, wait for the receipt, and then look for a new attorney. I can do it, but you are better off with someone local. You have plenty of time, as these cases take a long time, so you can look carefully and find a good lawyer. Take care, Jason
Hello jason, God bless you for helping us . I just have a question, i arrived usa 14 months ago , ( student visa ) .. But filed my case 6 months ago . Now i want to study the master in Indiana university . But they want residency proof . Do they consider the ead or social security card as residency proof .?
Most of our clients are able to study at university if they have an EAD. There is no rule on this, and so different school do different things. So you will have to talk to the school. I think most people do not get in-state tuition if their asylum case is pending (though they often do once it is granted). Take care, Jason
Thanks again Jason for your blogs.
I keep reading about backlogged cases and no long along I was in the same position. I filled mine in July 2013 at the Chicago office and on April 4th 2016 I was interviewed but till today nothing form the office. I read somewhere that even decisions now can take long time to be reached. Is this now a new trend? or it’s just a matter of couple decisions being delayed? And also for some reasons there were three persons during my interview, only one talked but I found weird.
Thanks again
Sometimes, extra people are in the interview for training purposes – that may be the reason. Of our clients, many who have been interviewed are waiting for a decision. It does seem that this is a common problem and the waits are very long; longer than they used to be before the backlog. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
After a long time of reading these post finally I place my questions over there and that you could answer me and please bare to me because I really have a few questions:
1- My lawyer sent my application early on may 2016 and since I didn’t have a real conversation with regarding this matter after being informed that the waiting time for ach step is a long path, I feel frustrated, anxious, deeply bad after being separated with my family and disappointed. The non-communication with her make me feel more bad. One month is already past and I didn’t received any notice yet. Could i called them by myself to know when I could expected that first notice because at least that will mean I have something in process?
I’m living at Long Island, NY and I would like to know if my location is under a sub-office or not? The countdown for each step in the process like EAD application, it is on business day basis? If I want to try to be admitted on the “Short list” do I have to ask the lawyer to do it or could I process it by myself?
I want to thank you for your answers and hope that I could hear from you as soon as you can.
Kindly,
Jean Baptiste
If the lawyer is not giving you what you need, you should find a new lawyer. It normally takes about a month (or less) to get the receipt for asylum. You can try to check with the local office about whether your case is pending. You can find contact info for the office if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator and enter your zip code. I do not think you are in a sub-office. I think your office will be NYC or Newark, NJ. You can file for the EAD 150 calendar days after your case was received by USCIS (assuming it was received in May 2016, you can file for the EAD in October 2016). As for the short list, you need to coordinate with your lawyer (or a new lawyer), as the case must be complete before you put your name on the short list (assuming that your asylum office even has a short list). You can ask about the short list if you contact the asylum office about your case. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I first of all thank God that I was able to find this website where I see you, Jason, are doing a great job guiding us, the asylum seekers. This website really helps answering some few questions one might get in regards to applying for asylum here in USA.
I got here legally with my tourist visa B1/B2 last year in May and in July 2015, I tried to approach a lawyer just to see if she could help me: you can not believe it, instead of helping me she was confusing me trying to make it harder for me, but I could see that she wanted money. I left her, assuring her to go back few days later but I didn’t, instead I filed for asylum myself. The confirmation came on time but I didn’t receive it because it got stolen in the mail with some other correspondences of mine; one month later I went to the asylum office in my area and they confirmed they received my application and had already sent me the confirmation, however I told them about the theft incident and they gave me a copy and again sent me the fingerprint letter that I had taken very late. I waited for 180 days and applied for the EAD; I got it shortly after and applied for the social security card and then the State Identification, they didn’t delay though. If I happen to need to talk to a lawyer I might ask you the question here because I see you are very helpful. I am honestly learning more from the questions and answers I read here. Nevertheless there is one question I didn’t get: some people were asking if they can ask to be put on a “short list” : I guess they have been waiting for long for their interview which I know do take too long and there is nothing else one can do. However, can you please reexplain me what the “short list” is for and in which circumstance one can ask to be put on the short list. I don’t need to talk to a lawyer I will go straight to the asylum office in my area after I have known its advantages.
With many thanks.
Tomi
Not every office has a short list, but if yours has one, you can email them (or go in person) and put your name on the list. If you need contact info for the office, follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Your case (all documents, letters, evidence) must be 100% finished and submitted before you put your name on the list. The short list is a list of people who will be called if there is a last-minute opening. Sometimes, a person cancel’s his interview, and then they call a person on the short list. In my office, the short list is very long, and not so effective, but it exists and it can get you an earlier interview than if you just wait in the queue. If you put your name on the short list, you still have your case in the regular queue, so you have two options. Also, if there is an emergency, you can ask that your case be expedited. I did a posting on February 26, 2015, which may be helpful on these points. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, thank you for your work. My questions are not directly relevant to the “AOSB” but I would really appreciate if you could answer.
When do people have their cases viewed by the Immigration Judge after they pass the “CFI”? and when those people can receive employment authorization and SSN?
Today makes 193rd day since USCIS received my asylum application (USCIS received my I-765 on May 5th, 2016, 36 days ago), what do you think approximately when will I receive my EAD? I live and I applied in Los Angeles, if it matters.
Thank You
CFIs are only for people arriving at the border/point of entry who claim asylum there. If they “pass” and are sent to court, the cases are expedited for many of the applicants. How long that takes depends on the specific Immigration Judge, but those cases get priority over most other court cases. For the EADs, we are seeing people wait up to 4 months (though it seems faster on the West Coast). If you have the receipt, the case should be processing. Take care, Jason
It’s amazing how you look into all comments and reply where possible, Thanks so much for that. My husbands case filed in january 2013 from seattle washington has not been called for interview till date. And san francisco office is already advanced to august 2013 cases. What does that mean? did they missed my husbands case?
Seattle is a sub-office of SF and so the interviews there are on a different schedule from SF. You can contact the SF office to ask about this, but I suspect it is just because you are in the jurisdiction of a sub-office. You can find contact info for the asylum office if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Same here, I filed mine in June, 2014, in Seattle, I checked with SF asylum office last year in October, asking about what time period they were interviewing in Seattle, they said they were scheduling for people filed in December, 2012. And somebody posted on this site, asked inquired in March, they said they were scheduling for December,2012, still. So not moving an inch for half a year, and now, from your situation, Jan,2013 in Seattle, should be able to get an interview in a year or two? I can’t imagine, why sub office are so slow, there are at least 4 years Gap.Try to understand the logic…
I think they are slower because the officers need to make a special trip there to do interviews, and they do not go all that often. Why not? I do not know – it would be nice if people were not penalized so much because of where they live. Take care, Jason
Even though my interview date is as longer as the ocean, Today when i see the arlington asylum officer progress and you effort for us to let we know about the asylum seeker , i feel very happy and my heart be come full of hope .
thanks for you kindly advise and effort and wish you to have all the best in the universe
Thank you and I wish you good luck with your case, Jason
Jason my asylum case has just been moved from Newark to Houston Texas asylum office. I applied at the Newark office in August 2013. Seeing that they are now interviewing April-May 2014 cases in Houston Texas where will they place my case since they are now way ahead of my case.
Good question. I think they are not doing many affirmative cases, as they have been stuck on the same month for a while. However, they should interview you if they ever start moving again. You may want to email them or go there to follow up on the case and ask about your interview. You can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Thank you Jason for keeping us updated all the time, I need your advise if that is possible.
I’m Syrian & I’ve filled my asylum on August 2014 on LA office. As you mentioned cases are not moving at all on LA office so am thinking about relocating to San Francisco so I can get my interview earlier. My question is, do you think if I moved my case they will made me go to bottom of list again on San Francisco or they just will deal with my case based on when it’s filled which means I will got my interview soon. please advise, thanks.
Hi, maybe somebody here already got experience with moving case to another office? Share your experience please, did you get interview according bulletins or they put it in the bottom?
According to USCIS, if you move, you keep your place in the queue. However, I do think it causes some delays. Given the time from in LA and SF, my guess is that you will be interviewed faster if you move, but you will need to follow up with the asylum offices to make sure your case is transferred. Take care, Jason
Since most of the unaccompanied minors have been showing up at the border during the summer, I reasoned that the asylum offices will have larger backlogs of cases filed during the summer months. So they are likely to spend longer going through the May-September applications than the October-April ones. Would that explain why Arlington has just jumped from the October 2013 applications to the January 2014 ones?
And then, as you pointed out, many of the cases filed before December 26, 2014 have already been interviewed. So we should expect all the asylum offices to slow way down again once they start processing the January 2015 applications?
I agree with both those points. We had observed that most (maybe all) of our cases filed in late 2013 had been interviewed a long time ago, and so I think the progress on the chart reflects that cases filed during that time period are already done. Take care, Jason
Backlogistan! I like it bro. As you said it that’s all we got, we will pay attention. And a little hope now we moved in to 2014.
Thanks for your effort.
Guys! Finally USCIS just published new Bulletin! Arlington made a huge progress! I”m happy!
Maria I just noticed! A little hope.
That is good news. We had noticed that most case that we filed in November and December 2014 had been interviewed, so maybe the new chart reflects that. Hopefully it will be a trend. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason
Sent to renew the work permit since March of this year, so far have not received anything from them, and then work will end on 10 this month ,, Is it possible to send me numbers to contact them or tell me how to contact them ,, I live in Oregon
If you have not even received a receipt for the work permit, then something is wrong. That should only take a few weeks. If you go to http://www.uscis.gov, there is a 1-800 number you can call, or you can make an Info Pass appointment and go in person. However, without a receipt number, I do not know how they can help you (if you paid for the EAD with a check, and your bank can give you a copy of the cashed check, there may be a USCIS receipt number on the back of the check). If none of that works, I suppose you will need to re-apply. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason, Thank you for the Support
I had filed for asylum Back in March 2013, The Last time (2015) the asylum office was mailed to inquire about my case it took them 8 months to send back a generic Mail explaining the backlog and lack of asylum office to have resources to send staff on Circuit ride to adjudicate cases , Last Month my lawyer emailed the SF office director after 3 and half years waiting I was scheduled for interview. I think there is hope that the cases are moving.
Hopefully – Good luck with your case, Jason
Does that mean for those on circuit ride they won’t get their interviews per AOSB bcoz according to the bulletin SF is doing July2014 and you just got your interview even though you had filed it Mar2013.
The AOSB does not provide info about circuit ride cases. They recommend you contact the asylum office to ask (good luck with that). If you wan to try, you can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
Hie Jason,
Thank you for informing us about the asylum process.I filed my application in October 2015 in Arlington office Virginia ,and have filed for my work authorization in 2016,but my case was referred to Nebraska Office.Is this going to delay my application for EAD and fo i mantain the line or my application is moved back.Thank you for the response.
If you are talking about the EAD case, it is routine for USCIS to transfer those to Nebraska. They move cases around depending on workload. It has nothing to do with you, and has no affect on the asylum case. Typically, we are seeing EADs take about 4 months. Take care, Jason
Thanks Jason for the informative article. looks like it will take a very long time for the affirmative applicants even for interview calls. Isn’t it a heartbreaking news if a long waited case is denied?
Very. For me, the worst part is people who are separated from family, especially young children. To not see your child for years, and to not know when you will see the child again, is incredibly difficult. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason and thank you so much for helping us sons of Elohim.
if I flied in January 2014 in Chicago and I’m obviously not interviewed yet, and I move to San Francisco today, (meaning my case moved) knowing that San Francsico has already interviewd cases who filed in January 2014 (like me) a couple month ago (In January 2016), what will they do to my case? Would they make me wait again or they will put my case in priority (since I filed before everybody who is being intervied now)?
According to USCIS, if you move, you keep your place in line. I do not 100% believe that this works, but that is what they say. If so, and you move to SF, you should get an interview very quickly (though you may need to contact the old and/or new asylum office to make sure your case is transferred). That said, I do not know what might happen in your specific situation, and you may want to email SF to see whether they might tell you. You can find contact info for the asylum offices if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. If you get an answer, please let us know. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason. Very good article. And thanks for such an informative article. I applied in October 2014 in New York office and you said that before dec 2014 people got there interview in normal manner. But I did not interview. And second question New York office according to bulletin they interview August 2014 in March 2016. So my case filling date is October 2014. So do you think that next couple of months they will call me for interview. Thanks Jason.
Not all interviews were on a last in first out basis. 60% of them were. Around 40% went into the backlog. Yours went into the backlog. Looks like your interview is coming up soon. Get ready and good luck.
Just to clarify, if you are talking about the 60/40 split I mention in the article, that is for the Arlington Asylum Office (based on our experience with our cases). It probably does not apply to other asylum offices. Take care, Jason
NY was always slower than my local office, but prior to December 2014, some cases were interviewed and other cases went to the backlog. How exactly this worked at each office, I do not know, but your case went to the backlog. Based on the dates you are giving me, I suspect your interview is not too far away. If you have not already done so, you should make sure you have all the documents so you are ready submit them before the interview. Take care, Jason
hi Jason. Thanks for your reply. I already submitted my all documents with my application. And I have to submit just only one document more and my lawyer says that this document we bring to the interview. So I will bring that on the day of interview and rest all documents I already submitted with my application. You said that NY office is slower than ur office but according to asylum office bulletin NY is little faster than Arlington office. For example in May 2016 NY is doing August 2014 and Arlington is doing jan 2014. So what do u think
I recommend you submit any additional documents before the interview. That may not be the rule in NY, but it is the rule in VA, though if it is only one document, it may not be a problem. But maybe it is better to submit it beforehand if you can. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
My case has been pending since October 2013 in Newark office. I recently got asked to give biometrics again related to the case itself not EAD (first set of biometrics were done at the time the case was filed in 2013). I assume this probably has nothing to do with an interview but more so with keeping up with everyone’s records? I noticed the Bulletin hasn’t been updated in May so I was getting a bit puzzled if there is a glimpse of hope but I am sure there isn’t. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much for your blog btw. It is absolutely brilliant.
Sincerely,
Em
Like you saod, its to update their records. Of anything, its a good sign.
Like* if*
Excuse my typos
Biometrics expire after 15 months, so it may be a routine fingerprinting. This sometimes happens, and sometimes, it does not. It may also mean that an interview is coming or that they expect movement at your Asylum Office. We have seen where people got fingerprinted and then got an interview notice, but we’ve also seen people get fingerprinted and then nothing happens. That is a long way to say, I don’t know. But maybe you can be cautiously optimistic. Good luck, Jason
Hello, Mr.Jason! Thank you for clarifying with situation in Backlogistan. i think that soon it becomes a new state of USA -51! (God forbid)
I have one proposal for USCIS-instead of hiring a huge amount of new officers may be it would be best to open a new (9) asylum office which will work only with people arriving at Southern border?
And one more, I’d like to know more about processing time at field offices, for ex. in my Atlanta office. As I understand the amount of scheduled interviews in Arlington office doesn’t show us scheduled interviews in Atlanta field office, am I right?
They have actually opened an office with (I think) about 60 officers to work on border cases (CFIs). As I understand it, it is located in Virginia and they do the interviews by phone or video. As for the sub office waiting times, I agree that it would be very helpful to publish them. Even limited info is usually better than nothing. Take care, Jason