(1)
An asylum seeker is tired of waiting for her interview, and so she goes to the Asylum Office to inquire about her case.
Asylum Seeker: I’ve been waiting forever for my case. Can you please tell me when I can expect an interview?
Officer: You’re in luck–we have a new system and we can tell you precisely when your asylum interview will be held. Let me check… Hold on… Ok, I see that your interview will be in exactly two million years.
Asylum Seeker: What?!!? When will my interview be?
Officer: In exactly two million years.
Asylum Seeker: Oh, thank goodness! I thought you said two billion years.
(2)
A Trump supporter stands outside the Immigration Court and waits for an asylum seekers to arrive for his hearing.
Trump Supporter, yelling at the Asylum Seeker: All our troubles come from the asylum seekers!
Asylum Seeker: That’s right – from the asylum seekers and from the bicycle riders.
Trump Supporter: From the bicycle riders? Why from the bicycle riders?
Asylum Seeker: Why from the asylum seekers?
(3)
Two DHS attorneys board a plane to the Federal Bar Association conference in Memphis. One sits by the window and the other sits in the middle seat.
After a few moments, an asylum attorney sits down in the aisle seat. The asylum attorney makes himself comfortable, takes off his shoes, and leans back in his chair.
Suddenly, the DHS attorney by the window gets up, and states, “I think I’ll get a Coke.”
The asylum attorney in the aisle says, “No worries – I’ll get it for you.” He walks to the back of the plane to get the soda. While he’s gone, the DHS attorney spits into the asylum attorney’s shoe. The two DHS attorneys can barely keep from giggling as the asylum attorney returns to his seat, and hands over the Coke.
The DHS attorney in the middle seat then says, “That looks good. I think I’ll get myself a Coke too.”
Again, the asylum attorney offers to run down the aisle and grab another Coke. While he’s gone, the second DHS attorney spits into the asylum attorney’s other shoe. Once again, the DHS attorneys suppress their laughter just in time, as the asylum attorney returns with a second Coke.
The flights proceeds uneventfully from there, and lands on time in Memphis. On the ground, the asylum attorney slips into his shoes. Immediately, he realizes what’s happened. “How long must this go on?” he asks. “The fighting between our two sides.” “The hatred? The animosity? The spitting in the shoes and the peeing in the Cokes?”
(4)
A Syrian refugee walks into a travel agency in Amman. The agent greets her and asks, “Where to?”
“Where to?” the refugee repeats thoughtfully. “I wish I knew. Let me look at your globe.”
The Syrian refugee slowly spins the globe around, looking carefully at the different continents and countries. After a few minutes, the refugee turns to the travel agent. “Pardon me,” she asks, “but do you have anything else to offer?”
(5)
During the Second World War, after three months of waiting in Casablanca, a Jewish asylum seeker named Lowenthal had almost given up hope of getting a visa for the United States. The U.S. consulate was constantly filled with refugees, and it was virtually impossible even to get an interview with an American official. Finally, Lowenthal was able to make an appointment.
“What are my chances of entering your country?” he asks.
“Not very good, I’m afraid,” said the official. “Your country quota is completely filled. I suggest you come back in ten years.”
“Fine,” replied Lowenthal. “Morning or afternoon?”
Hello Jason,
I have a friend who currently have a pending criminal charge for assault on family member and wants to renew her EAD. The court gave her like s probation and will dismiss the case in 8 months, will there be issue with her renewing her EAD? Kindly reply.
Thanks.
Dennis owen
It is possible there will be – the form requires you to list arrests, and so she will have to list that and provide evidence. Whether that particular crime will block her EAD, I do not know, but maybe she wants to talk to a lawyer about that. Take care, Jason
Its actually a misdemeanor not felony.
You have to be careful here – some misdemeanors are serious problems under the immigration law, and sometimes (rarely) felonies are not so serious. In other words, it is a good idea to have a lawyer look at the specific issue and give you advice. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Finally its a good day for me and my wife as our i485 got approved 2 weeks apart from each other.
However, we have both filed for EAD extensions earlier due to uncertainty. It has been 40 days since we filed for EAD. What to do with those application now? Do we inform USCIS about our i485 approval so that they will not spend time working on our application? Do they issue refund in such scenario.
For all those who are patiently waiting for their approval here is my timeline
Aug 2017: Asylum approval
Aug 2018: I485 application packet sent for husband and wife
May 2019: wife application got approved
June 2019: husband application got approved
(This is for TSC)
Thanks,
Sam
Hi Jason, I hope you are doing great
I have question my mum fear persecution in home country I am a citizen and filed petition for her but she just want to come ASAP due to the situation there.
The question
1- can she come to the USA and apply for asylum
2- will my petition affect the case by any way
3- she was gone through genital mutuation and also fear religion persecution . Should she apply for both asylum or just one ?
4- some people say 9 circuit courts accept genital mutuation cases
Thanks
1 – Yes, but if she is in the US, she may be eligible to get her GC based on you, which would probably be easier. 2 – It may make it more difficult for her to get a visa. 3 – Probably both, but it depends on the case. 4 – FGM is a basis for asylum anywhere in the US. If she comes to the US, and she decides to file for her GC, be aware that if she files for a GC within the first 90 days of arrival, there is a possibility that USCIS will accuse her of fraud when she entered the US (assuming she entered on a non-immigrant visa), since they will think she came on the visa and then planned to stay here permanently, which is in violation of most non-immigrant visas. If she comes here, but does not have an intention to remain permanently, and then later decides to stay, that is safer. Also, she could go to a third country and wait for the visa processing – that is another option. In short, it may be easier to get the GC based on her family relationship, but she has to be careful about the fraud issue, and you should talk to a lawyer about it to be safe. Take care, Jason
It might be a good idea to inform USCIS about the approved green cards and include a copy of the cards. You can ask for a refund, but I think that is very unlikely. Anywyay, congratulations on the green cards. Take care, Jason
Hello everyone!
My ead clock did not increment today. It has been stopped today but my decision is still pending it says.
Is anyone else experiencing the same situation today?
Thanks
Hi Jason,
Good morning
The other day I made an inquiry here that as to why my EAD clock has stopped while I am still waiting for my MCH scheduled for 2020. as per your suggestions, I have reached out the Immigration court thru telephone call and they assured me that the days for EAD now counting right and I was also able to verify it thru the 800 898 7180 automation hotline.
Thanks,
Have a wonderful day
Glad to hear that – normally, fixing a clock issue is a big pain, so you were lucky, I guess. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
Thanks for your post. I filed my case at March 2015 and still haven’t receive any interview yet. Do you have any idea if i transfer my case to other office? If i transferred my case from New York to SF or Arlington, can i get interviewed soon? Will they process my case as March 2015 which means never get an interview OR June 2019 which means fast interview? Thank you.
If you can move to an area covered by a “faster” asylum office, maybe you would get an interview, but I am not sure – in general, that does not seem to work, but these daysm, you never know. I will post something this week or next week about fast and slow offices, so maybe check back. Take care, Jason
Thank you so much.
That’s a good question to ask, I filed my case in Aug 2015 still waiting to hear back, let’s see what answer we get, i was thinking the same thing lately.
Dear asylum community,
Is there anyone to share his or experience with form I-730 approval while the beneficiary in the USA? I have a pending I-730 petition and the beneficiary who is my husband is already in the USA.
We have done this before and it should work. I am not sure about the time frame, though, as we have not done such a case in while and anyway, the time frames are not predictable these days. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
What’s the logic behind LIFO?
Why they dont start working on backlog cases?
I tried third times for expediting seems USCIS kinda dont like my application always giving with the same shit answer!!!! (Excuse my words)
What is gonna happen ? I applied back in January 2016? Do u think i will never get interview????
Im planning to go canada talked with a lawyer over there they dont have issues as i have pending cases here?
One think make me sooo frustrated to start all over again from scratch ovee there
Please reply
I would not go to Canada – call a lawyer there first to find out how best to file asylum there. We wrote something about Canada on March 31, 2016. As for LIFO, they think it deters frivolous applications (I plan to post something partly about this soon – this week or next week). Unfortunately, no one knows when a 2016 case might be interviewed. Take care, Jason
Jason,
This is the fourth status inquiry that I send to the asylum office for 2 years with no answer back from SF asylum office. I am not even receiving the automatic acknowledgment. I tried to send from both my Hotmail and Gmail accounts. Both are behaving the same, not receiving anything back as if I sent nothing. It looks the office has filtered my A number or my case ID number to be sent automatically to the junk folder. Having my case pending for six years with three interviews and no intention to answer my emails requests is not a good sign as far as I believe. Do you have any idea about that? Is your office still not accepting filing mandamus cases with SF office?
Hello there! You are not alone in SF office, I have sent them 2 letters in the mail, emailed twice, and called twice in past 60 days but never got any auto reply or any sort of reply from them. I have no idea how can I contact them, I live far from SF office therefore I can’t go in person to inquire about my status. I feel like I am giving up hope everyday. God help us.
You might consider a mandamus lawsuit – we wrote about that on October 18, 2018. Take care, Jason
We do not do mandamus cases, but there are plenty of lawyers who do (you need someone who is barred in CA). If you can, you might try to go in person to ask them. You can find their office hours on their website – follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. You can also try calling, but that is not easy. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
my wife got her GC from asylum in 2012. for some reason she cloud not live in usa.so, she got RTD and left the coutry from september 2014 until november 2016. this november is almost three years that she lives inside usa.when can she apply for citizenship? I heard about 4 years and one day rule does this rule apply to her?
thanks
The analysis of this is not so simple. My guess is that the “clock” for citizenship re-started in November 2016, when she returned to the US. If that is correct, she would be eligible to apply in about September 2021 (assuming she meets all other criteria). However, I am not sure, and she can certainly consult with a lawyer to look at the specifics of the case and find an answer. Take care, Jason
Anyone from San Francisco waiting on decision after filing in 2018 (when in status)? Went to office the other day, they say the interviewer has not made decision yet, it’s already been more than 6 months. I could understand if the decision was pending with supervisor or pending background checks, but SF office not being able to render decision from the interviewer is just disheartening.
It may be the security background check – that is a common reason for delay. If you want, you might consider a mandamus lawsuit to force them to make a decision. We wrote about that on October 2, 2018. Take care, Jason
Today, I conducted my second interview, i didnt feel well overall, and officer was asking to remember names for people whom i helped 7 years ago back home but i dont remember, officer said that not remembring this info is not a good sign, so my lawyer re-expained that I got traumatized after i had been arrested by the syrian goverment and that i didnt have much interaction with people whom i helped when i was back home, so not sure if that convinced her or not at the end she said that all additional transcripts will be transferred over to the supervisor for final Decision.
Im kind of lost and confused and sure how the outcome will be after waiting for five years and conducted two interviews.
And how they expect me to remember such a small details after seven years and after all circumstances i had gone through ?
They seem to do this to many Syrians. I do not know why they single out Syrians (as opposed to Afghans and Iraqis, who are generally not treated as badly). I have asked some asylum officers about it, and they have told me that there are no special rules for Syrians. I am not sure I believe that. Anyway, hopefully, you will get a good result, but keep in mind that the treatment in court (if you get sent to court) is usually better and there is still a chance to win (and you know the time frame, since they give you a court date). Good luck, Jason
So do you think i still have my chance?
Morever, after she mentioned that bad bad sign, my lawyer and I explained to her that i got traumatized after i had been released from the prison and that didnt help me pulling out all information, but officer said that i was able to wrie detailed information in my affidavit (but i never mentioned individual names who i rarely met) only closed friends who helpes me doing My humanitirian job, so i dont know if that convinced her.
And my health situation is supported by a medial report belong to a clinic works for the humar rights and said all symptomps i had during the testimony support all fact had been described in my affidavit.
Sometimes, even when the interview does not go very well, the case is granted, so I think you just have to wait and see. The reasons you mention do not seem very good reasons to deny the case, so hopefully, the result will be positive. Good luck, Jason
While searching my old Facebook posts, I found a post which is realy testify and consistent with my case and answer a lot of questions i have been asked during the second interview, do you think its a good idea to translate it and add it to my file, doesnt raise any question with the officer why Im adding this evidence at this point of the proceess and after the second interview and after 5 years of filing my case?
If you think it helps, you can add it (with translation and certificate of translation). You can also explain why you did not find it earlier. Take care, Jason
Honeslty, i would like to keep thr process moving and get the decision ASAP, ans also from your experience is there any margin for mistakes or inconsistency among first and second interiew and affidavit if they were minor and do not change the basic structure for the case overall ?
Regards
I think there is room for small inconsistencies. The problem is, if an officer wants to deny, a small inconsistency may allow them to do it. That said, we have won many cases that were far from perfect, but which were good enough. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
I thank you for your help. Please kindly guide me if this is the right time to renew my ead which is expiring in November 2019.
I also want to know if I can apply for travel document (advance parole) along with it? What is the amount for travel document?
Thanks for your usual assistance.
If the EAD is based on asylum pending, you can file to renew it up to 180 days before it expires. For AP, you need to apply separately (assuming again that you have a pending affirmative asylum case). I wrote about that on September 11, 2017. Take care, Jason
Thanks greatly for your selfless efforts. I do not get the part where you said apply for A.P separately. Can I not include the completed A.P form alongside the EAD renewal form? Is the application for A.P free?
Please reply soon.
Dennis
You have to check the instructions – they are two separate applications and I think they need to be mailed to different addresses. There is also a separate fee for AP. Take care, Jason
Honeslty, i would like to keep thr process moving and get the decision ASAP, ans also from your experience is there any margin for mistakes or inconsistency among first and second interiew and affidavit if they were minor and do not change the basic structure for the case overall ?
Regards,
Hi JASON,
Hope your doing good.
Today Inquire with USCIS regarding my case they told me from asylum office applied A5 EAD for me and my family. Can you please tell me what’s that A5 class.
Waiting for your reply.
Thanks,
VJ
Congratulations VJ!!!
A5 EAD is for the Asylee whose asylum petition got approved (Granted Asylum).
An EAD based on a-5 is for people whose asylum cases have been granted. Hopefully, that is you. You can contact the asylum office to inquire about the status of the case – you can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
VJ: Thank you for your reply below. Can you please tell me how did you inquire about your case? Did you go to Tukwila office or called SF office? I really appreciate your response.
Jason,
I was approved Asylum by USCIS and have already applied for GC. I have my wife as a derivative on my case. Her GC is already approved while mine is still pending. She wants to go see her family members who have settled outside (not to the country where we are fear prosecution from). However, her GC has her surname as my surname but her passport has her maiden name. So we were thinking about applying for a refugee travel document and not use the passport while travelling. Could you please let us know if that is the correct approach? Also if it is then the form i131 asks for ‘class of admission’ and we do not know what to fill in. We just want to be in the safe side so that a country other than US while travelling will not inquire about a different name in GC and a different name in Passport. Please guide us through this confusion.
Thanks,
Sam
She should use the RTD, as that is safer, but not all countries accept it. You might contact the embassy of the country to see if she can travel there using the RTD. If not, she should still have the RTD for purposes of returning to the US. It may take 4 to 8 months to get the RTD. As for the class of admission, for that, we generally put the visa category she used to enter the United States on her last entry. Take care, Jason
Hey Jason,
I like the jokes, we need a little laughter in our lives. I applied for my GC a year ago, still in process. My EAD expired more than a year, since I didn’t need it, didn’t apply for it. But now I’m seeking a professional job and they ask to prove my eligibility to work. I already applied for EAD but it’s still in process.
1. How can I prove to my employer (big company) that I am eligible to work without my EAD?
2. How long is it taking to get a GC nowadays? Mine is transferred to the local office a year ago and the processing time estimation for the office is only for ‘Family and Employment based GC’ I can’t even do inquiries.
3. From experience do you think a case transferred to a local office means a GC interview? I’m the principal applicant.
Thank you for giving us your valuable time!
1 – I did a post on May 16, 2018 that may help with this (if I remember correctly), but the USCIS webpage for the form I-9 discusses what documentation is needed to work. A person with asylum granted is eligible to work with the asylum-granted I-94 and the SSN. Many employers want to see something more “official” than those, so the card is helpful, but if they review the list of acceptable documents, they will see that you are eligible to work even without the card. 2 – We have been seeing people take about 14 months, but the USCIS processing times are all over the map – I think it says between 10.5 and 36 months, or something like that. 3 – Not really. They transfer cases all around and I have no idea what it means or why they bother to tell people about the transfer. Most GC applicants who had asylum are not interviewed, but some are. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
Thank you for what you are doing for the people who need help and guidance.
I need some information regarding the below points:
I am a Syrian who is studying in the US right now. I fear for my life if i return to Syria, I want to seek asylum in the U.S.
Meanwhile, my wife was granted asylum in a European country a couple of months ago, and she has travelled to the US to see me, and my spouse application is under process.
It has taken a long time for the visa to be processed and there is so much uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the application.
since I am in the US and my life is in danger in Syria, I cannot return to my country. I would like to know if my asylum application in the US will be affected by the partner visa which is under process. Also, I wonder if my wife can stay with me in the US during this period given that she has already been granted asylum in a European country and will her inclusion or status ever impact my asylum application.
Your wife can stay with you as a dependent asylum application, if you apply for asylum. However, her application for you will likely affect your case. If the US government thinks you are “firmly resettled” in the third country, asylum will be denied. Whether they will view the application as evidence of firm resettlement, I do not know, but they will certainly want to know about the application, and I think there is a decent chance they will deny asylum due to that application. I would talk to a lawyer and think about how to proceed in order to avoid the firm resettlement issue – you may be able to get around this problem, but you will need to think carefully how to do that. Take care, Jason
Thank you for your response Jason.
Will my spouse application in the European country still affect my asylum application in the US given that:
1)Right now I cannot return to Syria due to threat to my life.
2)Technically I am not “firmly resettled” in the European country, and still have not received my approval and visa from that country that would allow me to travel there. And If I get an outcome on my visa application (partner) during my asylum application in the US, will it affect my asylum application here?
My student visa will expire soon, and I have no option of going back to my country and cannot travel to the European country where my wife is granted asylum and my spouse application is still under process, the only option i have right now is seeking asylum in the US. Will the US government still consider me “firmly resettled” in a third country, and based on it reject my application?
If you are not firmly resettled in Europe, you will not be blocked from asylum. However, I expect that the officer will have questions about this to determine whether you meet the definition of firmly resettled (as usual, the definition is not as clear as we might hope). I do think you should talk to a lawyer to think about how you want to present this issue, just to be safe – you cannot ignore it, and since the law is unclear, there is some flexibility in how the decision is made. I think you are probably not firmly resettled, but the officer – who might be looking for a reason to deny – might try to use that as a basis, and so you need to think through how to deal with the issue. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your response.
As suggested, I will see some lawyers in order to discuss this issue.
however, I highly appreciate if you kindly share your opinion on the below:
if I decide to withdraw my partner visa application that is under process in the European country now and lodge my asylum application here? there is so much uncertainty regarding the timeline and outcome of my application there.
Will withdrawal of my spouse application be an issue for my asylum application and raise a question that why I decided to withdraw my application?
Thank you once again for your support and guidance.
Issam,
They could ask you to explain why you did that, and you could then explain. Unfortunately, there is no easy way around the problems you mention. I would not withdraw the case in Europe until you talk to a lawyer to analyze the firm resettlement issue. The best bet is to try the US case and have Europe as a back-up plan (or vice versa). Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, may I ask you some questions please? I was granted asylum in October 2018 and I’m going to send my I-485 application in October 2019. I know we Ashlee’s aren’t subject to public charge issues when we apply GC or citizenship, but I still have a question to ask. I used to apply Medicaid or Medical in 2017 and 2018 only because I need an insurance to avoid tax penalties. So I never use my Medicaid or Medical in any hospital or anywhere. In this case, I think I still need to answer yes in the I-485 form, is that correct? I’m also wondering would it cause a trouble if I write my explanation for applying MediCaid in cover letter? Or would it be better just indicating the period of my MediCaid with no any other explanation, since we asylees are exempted from public charges when we apply immigration benefits? Thank you very much!
I would answer yes – as it is better to be over-inclusive than to make USCIS suspicious that you are hiding something. Then you can explain in the cover letter or supplement. I do not think it matters whether you tell them that you did not use it, but you can say that. Either way, as you mention, asylees are not subject to the public charge requirement, so this does not matter. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I am preparing to apply for an asylum-based GC soon. For some of the questions in the i-485 form, i do have YES as answers which in turn require writing explanation. Do I need to include the explanations in the “cover letter” or in the “attachment?”
Thank you!
Either place is fine, as long as you include the explanations. I wrote about this issue on November 13, 2017 – maybe that would help. Take care, Jason
Hi JASON,
Good morning.
Hope your doing good.
I would like to inform you that I applied my asylum along with my family in September 2018 and I was done my interview in Seattle (tukwila USCIS office ) on December 2018. Recently I received my first EAD like in the month of April 2019. Now this morning I was surprised when IAM checking my case status online it says Fees were waived for filling your form I-. 765 ,till yesterday my case status was like decision is pending .IAM scary now I didn’t applied any thing in USCIS. can you please help me with this are did you face any scenario like this.
Awaiting for your reply as soon.
Have a wonderful day to you.
Thanks
VJ
VJ,
No need to worry, there is a possibility your case is approved. that has been the trend for a couple of my friends. You will probably receive a decision in the next couple of days.
Your asylum case is approved and it means they automatically process another EAD with approved code( asylum status).
Hi JASON this morning I was surprised regarding fee waived for I-765 , now the case shows ERROR validation. Am totally confused please help me on this. Awaiting for your reply as soon.
I do not know – for things like this, you really have to wait for the letter from USCIS, and then you will have a better idea about what has happened. Take care, Jason
Hopefully, it is good news, but there is no way to know for sure until you receive something in the mail. You can contact the asylum office to inquire – you can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
When am checking my case in uscis it says validation error,what’s mean that.
I do not know – if the receipt number is properly entered, it may be an error with the USCIS system. If you are concerned, you can call USCIS to inquire at 800-375-5283, and try to talk to a human being. Take care, Jason
Hi JASON,
Hope your doing good.
Today Inquire with USCIS regarding my case they told me from asylum office applied A5 EAD for me and my family. Can you please tell me what’s that A5 class.
Waiting for your reply.
Thanks,
VJ
Hello VJ! I think we talked before and hope you are doing well. After the interview at Tukwila office how long did it take to get your status updated on the website? Can you please tell me I have been waiting for over 3 months and my status is still “Your interview is schedule” even after the interview. Thank you VJ!
Hi Celin
After the interview it got updated within a month,I was done my interview in December 2018. Still now I didn’t get any mail from USCIS once I get the receipt then only say it got approved.till that no assurance.
Than you.
Hello. I have applied for asylum and I was interviewed. I also applied and received my EAD recently. I got an online notice that says your fees were waived a week ago. I updated my USPS informed delivery and I got another online notice from USCIS that says your new card is being produced. I have not received a decision yet and I’m very confused. Could it be that the system is glitching? Thank you.
Hi Sephy,
It’s likely an approval. My friends that had such situations received their approval letters after a few days. Just be patient. Please can you share your timeline? Which asylum office? When did you apply and got your interview?
San Francisco office. I applied in 2016 and had 3 interviews so far. Last one was October last year.
Good luck and please let us know the final outcome.
Hi Sephy! What month in 2016 did you apply? Thanks!
Hi SEPHY!
Welcome to the USA! It is an Approval!!! Celebrate it.
I do not know. Hopefully, it will be a good sign, but the system is such a mess there is no way to know until you get something in the mail. You can try to contact the asylum office to inquire about your case – you can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. Take care, Jason
I was reading the blog and the bike and asylee joke crack me up, I’m asylum seeker and works as a bicyclist in NYC, it’s good to hear something new and at least laugh after read, other than that long wait, and third world country system for asylum in USA is joke in it self.
Take care!
Hilarious! I loved the third one and knew that he is gonna pee in the coke for sure. If I were him I would have done that too. Reminds me of the movie “HELP” the woman makes the pie with her poop and feed it to the mistress. Anyone on this forum got interviewed in Tukwila/Seattle office? How long does it take to get the decision? I made an appointment to inquire but the person on front desk said these AOs come on temporary duties and my only hope is San Francisco Office but SFO never responded to any of my voicemails/email or mails. I am getting frustrated everyday. I don’t know what to do at this point because I had to let go of so many job opportunities in Federal Government/Law enforcement because of my status. I would greatly appreciate if someone can help. Thank you everyone.
You might try emailing again – usually, they do answer, but not always (and maybe they have gotten worse – I do not have many cases in SF). Also, if nothing else is working, you might consider a mandamus lawsuit – we wrote about that on October 2, 2018. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason.hope you are doing well.please Jason iam trying desperately to reach you.my time is running out.i left an email in yr firm about the first contact. I know you are very active here that’s why i am leaving this here.i know how you can be busy. Best regards Josephine.
I was in court. However, as of Friday afternoon, I have returned all phone calls and emails. If you need to reach me, you can send an email to JDzubow@DzubowLaw.com or call me at 202-328-1353 and leave a message. Thank you, Jason
Thank you for responding Jason. Please afternoon like 2pm or 3pm? I don’t want to be there and you are may be still out.take care.
If you send an email or leave I message, I respond to everyone, usually within 24 hours. We do not accept walk-in appointments, however, so please call or email in advance. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your continued support.
I am filing for an asylum-based GC. As you know, one of the questions (Part 8, Question 25) asks if I EVER was arrested for which my answer is YES. I was a victim of multiple political arrests. The details of what happened, where it happened, when it happened, etc. is included in my i-589 application (it is 10-pages long). Am I required to provide the similar details in my GC application as well or a brief summary is sufficient? Your advice is highly appreciated!
You should check “yes” and write “see cover letter” next to that. In the cover letter, you can explain about the political arrests and that it was mentioned in your asylum case. That should be enough. Also, I wrote about this topic in general on November 13, 2017. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your response. I have read your November 13, 2017 blog. I found it highly useful. Do I need to explain the political arrests in the “cover letter” or in the “attachment?” In the cover letter i am planning to include just a three-line statement explaining my application and the list of documents that accompany and support my application. Thank you again
I do not think it matters – as long as you explain it somewhere, no one can accuse you of trying to hide it, and you should be fine. Take care, Jason
Timeline for Asylum Based Green Card Approval:
Filed: June 2018
Approval Received: June 2019
TEXAS SERVICE CENTER
That is not bad. Just a year
Hi Jason,
Can I drop my asylum case if I have a TPS? Can my employer sponsor me without any problem?
Please advise
You can withdraw an asylum case if you want. Generally, I only recommend that if the person wants to leave the US or has already acquired permanent status. If you want to withdraw, you just have to contact the asylum office and ask about that – you can find their contact info if you follow the link at right called Asylum Office Locator. I wrote about employment-based sponsorship on August 28, 2018. You should talk to a lawyer about whether you are eligible, as that can be complicated. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason and others here:
You know that the current administration has brought I-730 interview for those beneficiaries who are currently in the USA ( I believe after August 2017). Do you have any of your clients who hasn’t been called for I-730 interview even after the new rule change? Anyone else who is also the beneficiary of I-730 and currently in the USA can comment on this question as well. Thank you.
I only do I-730 cases for people in the US once in a while, and so I have not had such a case since 2017. My experience with the government in general is not very consistent though. For example, we filed a GC case for two parents of a US citizen. One got the GC very quickly with no interview (which is strange). The other had an interview and has a delay. So while USCIS says that it will interview all I-730 beneficiaries, I am not sure what is actually happening. If you file an I-730, though, I would anticipate an interview for the person. Maybe it won’t happen, but it most likely will. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I have pending asylum and waiting for interview. more than a year ago a company put a check to my bank account. recently, government took that money from my acount with a court warrant subject to forfeiture. I called them and they told me the company which put the check to your accout commited fraud activity and that is reason we took that money from your bank account. they said there is no charge against you, but if you want the money back you have 30 days to file claim otherwise the money will become the property of the goverment. acctually, that money is not much enough to take lawyer and go to court.so, I decided to do not fight in court. do you think this cloud be a problem during my asylum interview or background check or other future immigration process? they said there is no charge or cited agianst you. I did not do anything wrong and never worked for that company.
thanks
I do not think this is a problem for your immigration case. I would keep all the documentation of the matter, and bring it with you for your asylum interview, just in case it is needed. However, I do not see how this will be a problem, and I doubt they will even ask you for the info (but bring it, just in case). Take care, Jason
The Syrian one “the globe” is a fact rather than a joke.
That is actually originally a World War II joke about a Jewish refugee. Seventy five years later, the names have changed, but sadly, the story is the same. Take care, Jason
https://youtu.be/oQG7wxb964Q
Donald Trump joking about shooting asylum seekers? It’s like the difference between a Jew telling a Jewish joke and a Nazi telling a Jewish joke. It makes all the difference. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
Do you have any cases with Judge Snow recently ? Is he coming back to court in Arlington? Would Master hearing with him will be on time or maybe not? Thanks a lot
Also, how long should we wait from master hearing to individule hearing for Judge Snow? one year ? two year? Thanks
This, I do not remember, sorry. Take care, Jason
I have a case with him this month (an individual) in Arlington, and I believe he is doing Masters as well. If you are scheduled for a Master Hearing with him, my guess is that it will remain on schedule. You can always double check the phone number 800-898-7180 before the hearing to be sure. Take care, Jason
Thank you so much for reply. I do really appreciate it.
I don’t think those are funny at all…given the circumstances many of us in…
As they say, “Life does not cease to be funny when people die, any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.” Or something like that. Take care, Jason
Good Jokes, thank you, despite some of them are remakes of the old ones. About ‘one billion years’ I liked most!
They are all remakes. I don’t have time to be original. Take care, Jason
😂
😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆🤣
Hi Mr. Jason,
One of my friend’s case was referred to court directly by ice. his court first or initial hearing is in this month. i have 2 questions for you regarding this.
1) he is living in different place than the first address where he applied his case from. but he didnt know about form ar-11 if court takes it or no. so does he have to tell the court his current address?
2) since his case was referred to court direct by ice, he couldn’t get the ead or didn’t know how to get it… but he worked for him and his family survival. do he have to mention where he is working?
Thank you.
Dear Jason,
Nice jokes😂😂😂
Let us not lose sense of humor even in such difficult situations!
1 – He is required to tell the court his new address. The form for people in court is the EOIR-33 (not the AR-11, which is for people at the asylum office). He can tell the judge when he gets to court, and the judge may move his case, but this does not always happen. If he wants, he can ask the judge to move his case. 2 – They rarely ask, but if they do, he has to tell the truth (and if he is seeking asylum, that is generally not affected by working without permission). If he intends to seek asylum and has not yet filed, he needs to be aware of the one-year asylum bar, and he should file as soon as possible with the court (either in court, or at the court reception’s office). Once the I-589 is filed, the clock will start, and he should hopefully, eventually get a work permit. Finally, he should try to get a lawyer, as it is much easier to win a case in court if you have a lawyer. Take care, Jason
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I think they are funny, but not that funny…
🤣
Thank you Jason.
What a great way to calm the nerves. While I found Joke number 1 and 3 very hilarious, joke number 2, I reckon, speaks to the larger issue of suspicion, distrust and sometimes lack of understanding values some asylum seekers can bring to the table. For instance, I got my first job as finance manager shortly after I obtained my work authorization and I have since been contributing my quota to the Country’s financial well-being. I am paying so much in FICA and other state taxes but never at any time obtained benefit from the government.
The Joke about DHS officers and Asylum Attorney was truly intriguing, don’t know what to make of that but then I’m glad this is lawful Country. Justice will prevail in the end.
Sincerely,
I think Freud (or maybe Jung – I always get them mixed up) said that jokes were a window into the subconscious. Who knows? Take care, Jason
haha