The Asylumist Panel Discussion

Earlier this month, I participated in a panel discussion about the U.S. asylum system and my new book, The Asylumist: How to Seek Asylum in the United States and Keep Your Sanity. The event was sponsored by Ayuda, and we raised over $1000 for that worthy organization. Panelists at the event included retired Immigration Judge Lisa Dornell, Ayuda’s Legal Director, Laurie Ball Cooper, and torture survivor and advocate Tensay Kelile. The event was held at Immigrant Food, a DC restaurant that celebrates immigrants and their contributions to our country. Special thanks to Peter Schechter of Immigrant Food, who hosted and moderated the panel.

At the event, we discuss the state of asylum in the U.S., and make some suggestions for how the Biden Administration can improve the system. We also hear from Tensay Kelile about his persecution in Ethiopia and about the years-long wait he has endured as an asylum seeker.  

You can watch the event below, and you can donate to Ayuda here. Also, all profits from my book through the end of this month will go to Ayuda, so now is a great time time to buy a copy or three!

 

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83 comments

  1. Hi Jason
    My EOIR IH is coming soon. Similar to IJ, is it possible to know who from ICE will be representing the government?

    Reply
    • They usually do not assign the DHS attorney until a few weeks before the case. As a lawyer, we get periodic emails indicating which attorney is assigned to which judge, and so your lawyer may know. Otherwise, I guess you can call DHS to ask (it is normal to try to talk to the DHS attorney prior to the hearing to discuss the case). You can find the phone number if you follow the link under Resources called DHS Office of the Chief Counsel. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thank you for your response.
        Could you please share what would you normally talk with with the DHS attorney prior to the hearing to discuss the case? Do they share what they plan to do or is it just small talk?

        Reply
        • I ask whether there are any parts of the case that they can agree to, or how they want us to present the case. For example – if they think the case is very strong, they may tell me that I do not need to present the case, but they want to just ask the person a few questions. Other times (most times), they tell me to present the full case. Mostly, I call because the judge wants us to call, since most times, calling in advance does not accomplish much. But at least I can tell the judge I tried, which I think is helpful. Take care, Jason

          Reply
          • Thank you so much, Jason.
            When you talk to the government attorney, does it happen the same day before IH or is it a few days or days before IH?
            Also, do you have to make an appointment to talk to them prior to the case? My attorney hasn’t mentioned anything about talking to the government attorney prior to IH so I want to check with her on what’s her plan on that.

          • At least in my local courts, they do not assign a lawyer to the case until a week or two before the trial, so I try to call after that. Whether I actually reach anyone, and whether they ever call me back, is not predictable, but at least if the judge asks, I can say that I tried (I always say that “we” tried to reach each other, so that it does not make DHS look bad – there is no sense in making the DHS lawyer angry before the trial). Also, recently, you can email the attorney in some cases, but you still have to call first and talk to the receptionist. They do not always respond to emails either. Maybe for this reason, some attorneys do not bother to reach out to DHS, but I try to do that, as I think it is the better approach. Take care, Jason

  2. Hi Jason. Are you aware of a trend that happening where if you got your permanent resident through marriage, when you go in for citizenship interview they now ask questions about your marriage. Like where you lived, where you met, name of in-laws etc. I just saw this on a tik-tok video posted by a lawyer.

    Reply
    • That is not really new, and while it happens in some interviews, it does not happen in most others, at least that is my experience (I was just at a naturalization interview today and those issues were not discussed). Take care, Jason

      Reply
    • I mean…shouldn’t they ask this thing ? To me it’s completely valid…

      I am actually surprised that strict vetting is not used more.

      I particularly don’t favor chain immigration with the exception of Europe and Latin America, this will change the demographic of the U.S. that I want to live in. The marriage should be authentic.

      Reply
      • Actually plus a few other countries added to the exception

        Reply
        • Lol, so you don’t like middle Eastern or black or Asian people, I suggest you move to Europe or Latin America and enjoy life there😁 Loser

          Reply
          • I didn’t say that…You are a little sensitive my dear…

          • Scopa, right! How the hell you are “seeking asylum” in a country that is multicultural/ethnic but don’t want it to welcome people who are not White/of Spanish descent? S/he is needs to go seek asylum in Europe or Latin America then. S/he or he would also want to ensure that he/she is not seeking asylum in one of these multicultural or multi-ethnic European or Latin American country. For, the last time I checked many of them are not homogeneous. Or, s/he may want to consider staying in his/her homogeneous societal culture (aka the country of persecution/COP).

      • Maybe because the government no more pays attention to stereotypes about immigrants? This could be something really positive! I am thrilled with it and appreciate it!

        Reply
      • Your comment displays a real lack of knowledge about US history. Migrants (brought as slaves) have been here from Africa for as long as Europeans, and Chinese migrants came to the US at least since the mid-1800s, but by the end of the century, they were blocked from citizenship by US law. People came here from many other places as well. It is also very disappointing to see you (an immigrant) express such views towards other immigrants who happen to be from the “wrong” place. Take care, Jason

        Reply
        • I will refrain here.

          Reply
          • No space for racism in this country. Racists are always disappointed and frustrated. Their tiny attempts can never make least changes they want. They always loose. They, unfortunately, die younger, since they severely suffer from their uncontrolled and unreasonable feelings of hate, abhorrence, grudge, and loathing! This is so tragic!

          • Sigh…

            I didn’t say a single thing about race or a specific race…

          • There is a strong relationship between racism and discrimination. I do hope everyone could avoid them.

      • ‘…with the exception of Europe and Latin America…”? So you have just confirmed what many people on this blog have been saying all this while? I am so disappointed in you!!! And here I am feeling sorry for a BIG RACIST LOSER LIKE YOU!!!! I even defended you when people called you “redneck” and racist. genuinely felt sorry for you and thought that you were going through some psychological issues, but being that I am neither from Europe nor Latin America (by the way, you can be any “race” and come from Latin America and Europe, dummy), and you’ve made it very clear- on a number of occasions- that you’d prefer the U.S. not welcome people like me, or people who come from where I come from, I hope you suffer some more!

        Reply
        • May I ask where you are from ? just curious…

          I also added that “a few other countries added to the exception…”. So maybe it will include your country of origin ?

          Reply
          • 🤣

  3. Anyone ? Jason ? I’m begging … for answers ! I sent my i485 package asylum based and I landed in national benefits center it’s been months !! No nothing they don’t respond or say what is happening , Jason why is this happening to us ? Another disgrace . No Information on this new policy ……. I am mortified I was supposed to be processed in Nebraska . And now im in a dark hole like many !!! Whyyy

    Reply
    • @leyla
      What new policy you’re talking about?
      After NBC your case shall be moved to either texas or Nebraska cause these are the only two service center issue the greencards for asylees

      Reply
    • If you have the receipt, you should be fine. USCIS moves cases around and you cannot predict that. Unfortunately, it is a real mess, and the TSC is incredibly slow, but where USCIS chooses to process your case is largely beyond your control (it depends on where you live in the US, I think, and also on luck – where USCIS chooses to send the application). But if you have the receipt, they will process your case eventually. Also, you can ask them to expedite, if you have a reason. I did a post about that in January 2020. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Hello Mr Jason

        I’m filling an application I131 and I134 in some parts and pages there is no access to write so if I print it out then write with a pen so is it a problem? I’m filling this application for a person who is out side of the US should I leave blank applicant signature and date of signature ?

        Thanks

        Reply
        • Unless the form is being filed electronically, you can print it and fill all or part by hand. If someone else plans to sign it, I guess you would lieave the signature blank, and then they can review and sign the form, and submit it. Take care, Jason

          Reply
    • The fact that you KNOW where your I-485 was first received is indication that USCIS did in fact send you a receipt. While I agree that USCIS is a hot mess right now, you need to be patient! You need to understand that there are asylees, though this doesn’t justify anything, who are waiting for 3+ years for a decision on their adjustment of status application. Most of them, while disappointed, go on with their lives.

      By the way, what do you mean by you were supposed to be processed in Nebraska? How do you know this? I hope you did not follow stupid advice and moved to a state or location that you thought would make your I-485 application get processed at the Nebraska service center.

      Personally, I don’t think your angst or frustration is justified- at least not at this time.

      I feel like you people need to be told the honest truth. No sugar coating the truth.

      Reply
      • Dear Jamie , with all due respect . Shut the phuck up, you’re simply pathetic and perhaps the most ridiculous thinker . Anyone is entitled to whatever the hell they feel. You on the other hand , are a obliging idiot.

        Reply
        • LAPOCHKA, I am not the one waiting for a GC- you are! I can also assure you that I don’t have to rely on expletive-laden sentences to convey my thoughts and idea- or what I am thinking. By the way, when did the meaning of the word “obliging” change? Was I supposed to be offended?

          You being entitled to feel how you want doesn’t mean your feelings are valid or reasonable. Just the same like an irrational fear doesn’t mean that the fear is valid.

          In any event, you have no control over the amount of time you wait for the GC to be processed, unless you are going to sue USCIS. If you’ve only been waiting for a couple months, like you claimed, then the chances of your lawsuit succeeding are slim to none.

          Reply
          • Dear Jamie with all due respect , zophienella and I are individuals who feel entitled to our own frustrations, emotions. You don’t get to say what is valid or not . I have not been waiting for a couple months . It’s been far too long . Also who the phuck are you to tell me or her or anyone that our disgraceful long wait is not valid ? Moreover , if you are not in any process or waiting in this community. Why do you come here to express your useless thoughts. Quite honestly I really don’t care about what you think or feel , but I find it to be as complete loser behavior to come here and share nothing informative.Again if you don’t provide informative data or something useful , then you’re just insufferable and you’re better off with your mouth shut or perhaps fingers put away from the keyboard .. . Maybe get a part time job lol? Take care 🙂

          • Mr. or Miss Ratchet (aka LAPOCHKA), I am not fazed by profanities so spare me! If anything, being overly foul-mouthed, to me, is a sign of vocabulary deficiency, an inability to express yourself, and a lack of reasonability.

            I didn’t know that a requirement to make comments on this blog is to have an application pending some kind of immigration benefit? Or just to come seek information from other people?

            I am not going to waste my time going back-and-forth with an uncouth gawk who doesn’t know what decency is even if it slaps him/her in the face! Crawl back, acerebral troglodyte! Don’t come for me cuz I can be very unkind!

          • hahahahahha you really have made my day “ cuz I can be very unkind “ and you talk about vocabulary deficiency . When you write like a 13 year old idiot . If anyone needs to crawl back to whatever the hell they came from is you , maybe your mothers basement ?? Lol that was so funny

          • With all of respect Jamie but you know nothing at all and just keep spreading bs here!
            Yes sir your i-485 service center depends on where you live stop your bs and act like no body know where it goes ! People who file from East coast their applications go to Texas and the west coast end up in Nebraska hmm ohio goes to Nebraska same with Indiana while KY and TN end up in Texas so stop spreading lies here

          • Mr Jamie If you cannot contribute anything positive to this blog then it is best to stay quiet . People here come because of their fears and frustrations and you seem to mock or make them feel like they are exaggerating. At the end of the day , what point are you trying to make ? They only went to know why they are being processed in such place and why it takes long. I don’t think that is something that is invalid , for any applicant .

    • I understand your concerns but what made you think you are different than others (all of us). I did get this part quite sure. Were you hoping for a different treatment for something you have done?

      Reply
  4. Hi Jason,
    I am an asylee and I have a pending I-485 In NBC since April. My RTD is expired and sent my old RTD with I-131 Form to USCIS for a new one while I am still waiting for my green card.
    ” USPS Tracking number……. delivered, Front Desk/Reception/Mail Room 8/30/2021. CHICAGO IL 60603. ”

    It has been almost 1 month they did not get the fee from my credit card. I am not sure what is the meaning of Mail room. I have followed the instruction on USCIS. I am worried it has been 1 month i tried to call USCIS they did not answer and I emailed to Uscis Locbox they did not answer. What can I do? I have no case number or do not know how to check my application is arrived or processing.

    Thank you for your help

    Reply
    • Without a receipt, I think the only way to check is to call (800-375-5283), but it is not easy to reach a person, and even then, they may not be able to help. It may just be that things are slow, and receipts do sometimes take more than a month. I would try again to call, but if there is nothing in another month, you can be pretty confident that the application is missing and you can re-file. If you do that, you should be able to use a copy of the I-485 receipt instead of paying the fee. Also, in the cover letter, explain that you send an application previously and that is disappeared. If you have Post Office tracking info, include that as proof. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  5. Hi Jason.

    I am an asylee and I did apply for my green in May 2019 and still waiting for it.

    I am from Afghanistan and my brother had SIV case on file and waiting for his approval. We sent several emails to related departments and they didn’t did anything. Finally after US troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, my brother try to hide himself along with his family in our home town but during his second day (09/06/2021)he passed away. There was sign and symtomp that he was killed by giving pison to him. Every one was so scared and no one take his dead body to the hospital for invistigation . Now our whole family is in dangerous and I don’t know how to help them. Please help me to find way to bring them out of country.

    Thanks,
    A Khan

    Reply
  6. Hello Jason,
    I am going to apply for adjustment of status. When enclosing a check for my I-485 application fee, do I need to include the biometrics fee in the check? If no, when will I need to make the payment for my biometrics? I would appreciate your advice!

    Reply
    • Hello David : I submitted One check for the total amount of $1225 . That is form $1140 + Biometrics $85 . The total is $1225 . You don’t need to submit multiple checks because it could cause conflict . Just write very small on the check part of reason for payment : Write I485 form and biometrics payment. Make sure you go to the website part of uscis on how to properly write your check .

      Reply
      • Good point. We also write the person’s Alien number on the “memo” line of the check. Take care, Jason

        Reply
    • If you are an adult applicant under age 75 (I think), you need to pay the biometrics and include that fee when you file (we send one check for $1,225 to “Department of Homeland Security”). Take care, Jason

      Reply
  7. Jason, I am an out-of-status person with a pending asylum. Last month after giving my 30 day notice, I moved out of my room but my landlord would not return me my deposit nonetheless. My understanding is that he can keep the deposit up-to 45 days. If he doesn’t return it by then, may I go to a small claims court? If my status resurfaces during the court proceedings later, could anything happen to me? I have a letter from the USCIS that I can continue staying in the US until my case is heard. Also, the only piece of ID I have is my DC ID that is not valid for federal purposes. Does my current status enable me to seek a legal assistance from an administrative court? Is there also a bureau where I could report my landlord for unethical business practices? I am really lost. Thanks.

    Reply
    • @MEG you can go to small claims court or any court. They don’t check your status there. You can file a complaint with Best Business Bureau or leave your review on the landlord’s yelp, Facebook page, google maps.

      Reply
    • Your status cannot be used against you, and doing so may violate local laws. I do not know much about landlord tenant law, and so you would need to talk to someone who does. Many charitable organizations assist with such problems – I did a post on September 22, 2016 with links to charitable immigration organizations. Maybe one of those can give you a referral. Take care, Jason

      Reply
  8. Hi Jason,

    Thank you for all your help! I have a TPS and asylum pending right now. I need to travel to my headquarters in Europe in January. Can I do that if I apply for travel documents? What is the risk associated to this?

    Thanks again!

    Reply
    • It is best to get Advance Parole based on TPS, as that is easier than AP based on asylum pending (which I wrote about on September 11, 2017). If you have a valid AP document, you should have no problem re-entering the US. However, AP is not a passport, and you would need to use your passport to travel. This could have a negative effect on your asylum case, depending on your case (if you fear your home government, you may need to explain why you used the passport from that government; if you fear non-state actors, this is much less of an issue). Take care, Jason

      Reply
  9. Dear Jason,
    Thank you so much for improving our immigration knowledge and being with us during this tough season.
    Have you seen any asylum seeker that his EAD 6 months extension exceeded with no new EAD ?
    My son’s EAD expired April/01/2021 and his 6 months extension will be expired soon.What do we do if we don’t receive his new EAD in one week?
    Thanks ,

    Reply
    • It does sometimes happen. The best advice is to file early to renew (you can file up to 180 days before the old card expires). However, once you are in your situation, one option is to call USCIS (800-375-5283) and explain it is an emergency and see if they can help you. I wrote more generally about expediting with USCIS in January 2020, but in this situation, the best bet is to call. If that does not work and the extension ends, he is not eligible to work legally in the US. If he does work illegally and USCIS knows about it, it can have immigration consequences, but it would not cause the asylum case to be denied. Some employers are more flexible than others – maybe he can get a leave of absence or work without pay for a while (and then hopefully get a bonus once the EAD arrives). Unfortunately, it is a difficult situation, but maybe try calling and see if you can get any help. Good luck, Jason

      Reply
  10. For the las 8 years I have followed this forum religiously.
    As a newly minted attorney myself( new york bar) and pending asylum applicant(former as of today), I felt morally obligated to encourage others and to honestly thank you for your dedication.
    Many have become so much better than the grossly incompetent “attorneys” that passed the bar but are cluless when it comes to asylum law.
    This blog has stood the test of time and proven to be trustworthy nationally. Jason even found a way to add a clour theme to the navigating bar!
    I came to the US in 2014 and I have never been called for an interview.
    Time flew and was able to stay sane by going to law school, passed the bar( several attempts!) Hey, NY bar is no joke for foriegn trained attorneys!
    Two years ago my employer filed employment based petition EB2( Jason has written about this find that article on the search bar above).
    The complexities and nuances are too much but in nut shell, I kept my hope and chose consular processing. I couldn’t go back to my home country so the search for a third country post was going side by side as the I_140 related adjudication.
    The notorious NVC sent the file to my home country despite finding a post willing to make an exception.
    The transfer added several months but eventually I went to another country attended interview. As luck would have it, my understanding of the process helped a bit in staying on top of the paper work. Submitted more than 500 pages of documents indexed and well organized. They had certinly studied the case throughly as there were sticky notes jumping here and there during my interview. In the end the officer said, this is the most throughly prepared case I am happy to see. Everything looks good .
    Handed me magical piece of paper to return and pick up the passport for me and my whole family. This is written on the plane as I return back to the US.
    I am with you all in spirit and I know the pain that you are going through. Time and patience is not in the vocabulary of our immigration law. Stay positive and I wish you all the best of luck

    Reply
    • Clap clap

      Reply
    • Congratulations.

      May I ask, if you are given the asylum interview tho, will you be approved ?

      I am in the process of deciding whether to withdraw my asylum application…there is a possibility that I may be deemed as not eligible for asylum.

      Reply
    • Congratulations Bro Happy for you,
      I have a couple of questions if you don’t mind; Did you have a valid passport for this trip? If not, how did you travel to the third country while you are pending asylum status? How do you pick the third county and how to set up the consular visit? Why did you prepare 500 pages document? Did you need to explain why you had to use the third country option? If you do not mind was it Canada?
      When you have an expired passport and are not able to get a new one because of conflict with your government, are you able to fill the EB2 and Adjustment of status forms?
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Do you also have a pending EB2 case ?

        Reply
        • I can apply for NIW EB2. I am still maintaining my F1 status and I can apply for NIW EB2 with my employment (a job offered but not with sponsorship) advanced degree professional etc besides my asylum application is accepted I am an asylee already and will be applying for the green card in the coming months, but what bothers me is the long wait (I had to wait for interview for 3 years and wait for the decision for 2 more years) reading from others and the possibility of waiting for more years scares me and NIW EB2 seems shorter processing time

          Reply
          • Thanks for your data point. And I’d like to say congratulations, this is still a good result for you.

            To me, the hardest part is uncertainty and there are other necessary process for me contingent on the fate of mine…

          • The NIW may or may not be faster, but it is likely more expensive. It is also less certain. You have to meet the requirements for a NIW – it can be easy or difficult depending on your profession and experience, but to me, the asylum-based GC is more certain and less expensive (I am assuming you will use a lawyer to do the I-140 packet). We can keep hoping that the new USCIS director will do something about the processing times. We shall see. Also, I should mention that if you qualify for EB1, you should be able to do expedited processing, which can be very fast. Take care, Jason

          • Thankyou Jason

    • This is an amazing story of perseverance – Congratulations on law school and the GC! It would be nice if it were not necessary to go through all this effort to get status, and it is terrible that USCIS never did its job (decide your asylum case), but I am glad you were able to use the time and reach a good conclusion. Thank you for sharing the story. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • May I follow up on this,

        I have seen many people who are granted relief through other route or granted asylum because the applicants have the potential to get relief through other route.

        Does…having a concurrent immigration application…tip the scale for the adjudication of asylum application one way or another ?

        Reply
        • As long as everything is consistent, concurrent applications should have no effect on an asylum case. Take care, Jason

          Reply
          • Sounds good. Thanks Jason 🙂

    • Congrats.

      Reply
    • Hi there,
      Really happy for you. We are also dealing with AOS through EB2 and thinking about consular processingin a third country. Do only concern is what if it gets deny, we need to have a plan B to be able to get back. What was yours? I appreciate if you contact me on the email below so that I can ask a few questions to help me on this path. Here is the email: eb2.asylum@gmx.com

      Reply
      • Normally, the plan B is Advance Parole (I wrote about that on September 11, 2017 and September 6, 2018), which allows you to return to the US if the embassy case does not work out. It is not easy to time the AP with the embassy interview, but it may be possible. Take care, Jason

        Reply
    • Thanks for shring this Chanew! Happy for you! I think we re from the same country ( selam selam, tena yistlign :). Could you please share me your email. I would like to know more about how you were able to convince them not to send you back to home country for the interview.

      Thanks a lot!

      Reply
  11. Hello jason
    I asked you question last week but you didn’t give me a specific answer jason please i need to know if I expedite my travel document with uscis on phone will they notify my attorney?? I told her but she is out of office for 10 days and I really wanna expedite as soon as possible i did let her know but she didn’t tell me do it or not and i neeeeeed my RTD asap

    Reply
    • If she filed the case and her name is on the I-131 form, they will likely send a notice to you and her. If she has not filed the forms for you, I do not see how they would notify her. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thanks jason but an attorney should help their clients not stress them more! I wanna understand why an attorney would be against the expedite request like I really need my RTD asap I’m really sad after being stuck in the US for 6 years now the RTD takes 10 months to be delivered! I swear the USCIS treats us like animals not as a humans at all and when i emailed her my expedite request claim and I’m the one who will call uscis and how i need to travel asap she replied me we will talk next week! Like just tell me yes go ahead or no don’t do it but why hold me a whole week waiting for you to tell me what do you think! I’m so depressed and frustrated to go vacation overseas forreal

        Reply
        • I mean…I suggest you to be humbler…

          Reply
        • Maybe you need a new lawyer. I tell my clients up front that I cannot try to expedite any USCIS request, as we are a small office and do not have the capacity to do that. It would have been better if your lawyer had told you that more quickly, but lawyers are busy and it is often impossible to respond to requests quickly – we have many different obligations and the government is behaving extremely erratically, making it difficult to manage our case loads. Take care, Jason

          Reply
  12. Thank you for sharing the video.
    Hearing people advocate for asylum seekers with such passion made me feel there is still hope.

    Reply
  13. Hello Jason,

    I have received the FOIA request from the USCIS. The FOIA included why did the Officer denial my case ( Assessment which are 7 pages ) by mistake as per my attorney said. Its not common to send this Assessment to the Asylum seeker.
    The Assessment includes exactly my did he rejected me !!
    Do you think the JI will read it and focuses on it or he will just start new case ??

    Bol
    Thanks

    Reply
    • The judge will not get the assessment from the officer. However, the DHS lawyer (the prosecutor) will have it and can use it to cross examine you (i.e., try to show that you are not telling the truth). Since you were lucky enough to get that info – and many people do not get it – hopefully, you can review it and think of how to counter/correct the errors from the asylum office to prevent DHS from using that to attack your credibility. Take care, Jason

      Reply
      • Thanks for your time

        I have read about humanitarian asylum case law. Just I would like to check about that if it is applicable for my daughter because she still need her medical in all her life !!
        Because she consider a Palestinian in Lebanon and there is no medical care for Palestinian in Lebanon
        Do you think that is a reason to accept my case ?

        There is any related about medical case and humanitarian asylum case law ??

        ?

        Reply
        • I think you are confusing humanitarian parole and humanitarian asylum. HP is for people who want to come to the US but cannot get a visa (for example, to get medical treatment here). HA is for people who have been harmed so badly in their country that we will give them asylum today, even if their country has changed and it is safe for them to return home. To me, it sounds like you need HP to bring your daughter here. If she is here, and you are talking about asylum, if she is being refused medical treatment due to her nationality (Palestinian), for example, that might be a basis for asylum, but normally, a medical condition is not a basis for asylum. Take care, Jason

          Reply
          • Dear Jason

            Im from Afghanistan!!

            As you know part of this mass evacuation! My two sisters was able to come to US!! Both were given two years parole in refugee camp here in US!! Its been 20 days since they arrived their work permit are processed too and when i check it says card produced

            My question what is gonna happen with them after two years!! Since they dont have any status because US BROUGHT them here!! Do you know any programs that can give them status? Or how can they status i dont see any way except applying for asylum but how their asylum gonna work? Since they dont have documents

          • It is good that they are here, but there is no mechanism for them to automatically get status. This is completely idiotic. Unless the law changes (and I know of no effort to change things at this time), most Afghans who enter the US this way will probably have to file for asylum. Some may be eligible to get status based on other ways, such as SIV or family based immigration (I wrote about the latter on August 6 and 28, 2018). Hopefully, there will be a new law to help them, but if not, they may have to file for asylum. Keep in mind that a person must file for asylum within the first year of arriving, and so they may want to file soon, or maybe wait some months to see if any new laws are passed to assist people in their situation. However, if they are approaching the one-year deadline, and there is no other path for them, the safest thing to do is file for asylum. Take care, Jason

  14. Hello Jason,
    Thanks so much for sharing The Asylumist Panel Discussion video. I really enjoyed the great discussion. I have ordered the book and made some donations to Ayuda. I am kindly encouraging all my asylum fellows who visit this portal to join the donation. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Thank you – it is very much appreciated. Take care, Jason

      Reply

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