Though I haven’t seen any data to back this up, it seems to me that second interviews at the Asylum Office are becoming more common. I’ve been hearing reports about second (or third) interviews from others and we are seeing it in our own practice as well. In this post, we will talk about the second interview: Why is it needed? What happens at a second interview? How should you prepare?
As a preliminary matter, I wonder how common second interviews actually are. I have never seen data about second interviews from the Asylum Division, and so we are left to speculate. In my own practice, second interviews are relatively rare. I would guess that maybe 5% of my asylum clients have been interviewed more than once. If my cases are representative (and that’s a big “if”), 5% of the roughly 435,000 pending cases is 21,750 second interviews, which is a lot of second interviews (on the other hand, who are we kidding – at the rate cases are moving, most applicants will be lucky to get a first interview anytime soon, let alone a second interview!).
So why are second interviews needed? There seems to be several different reasons. In some cases, the Asylum Officer (“AO”) completed the interview, but failed to gather all the relevant information from the applicant. Maybe the AO’s supervisor–who must approved each decision–needed additional testimony. Other times, the security background check reveals information that requires further explanation, or the Asylum Office discovered new facts that they want to ask you about. In other cases, maybe the AO quit or retired without finishing the case, and the notes are inadequate to reach a decision. In some cases, country conditions change, and this may raise additional questions, or perhaps a change in the law necessitates another interview. Unfortunately, there is usually no way to know in advance why the Asylum Office has scheduled a second interview. This makes it more difficult to prepare, since what happens at the second interview depends on why that interview is needed.
In terms of what to expect at a second interview, you might be asked only a few perfunctory questions. On the other hand, you may need to re-do the entire interview–and answer questions in even more detail than at the first interview. In other cases, the AO may have questions only about a particular aspect of the case.
So how do you prepare for a second interview if you do not know what to expect? The obvious answer is to prepare for the worst. In other words, assume that your entire interview will be re-done and prepare accordingly (I did a post about what happens at an initial asylum interview here). Also, if you have notes from the prior interview(s), you should review those. If not, maybe you can think through what happened at the first interview in order to be better prepared. Did anything unusual happen? Were the AO’s questions focused on certain parts of the case? Do you recall making any mistakes?
Remember that inconsistencies between what you say at a second interview and what you said at the first interview might cause the AO to conclude that you are not telling the truth, so be careful about how you answer questions. If you do not understand a question, tell the officer that you do not understand. If you do not know the answer or do not remember, inform the AO. Do not guess. If you guess and your answer is not consistent with prior testimony or evidence, it could result in an adverse credibility finding, which would likely cause your case to be denied.
In addition, if you think additional evidence–including country condition evidence–would be beneficial for your case, you should gather and submit that. I wrote more about what evidence to submit here and about how to organize and submit that evidence here.
Finally, many people want to know if a second interview indicates that a decision is imminent or whether it is a positive or negative sign about the case’s outcome. At the end of the interview, you can (politely) ask the AO about the time frame for a decision. Often, the officer will not know, but there is no harm in asking. In my own experience, we often receive a decision within a few weeks or months after a second interview, but not always. In terms of the outcome, my sense is that a second interview is not a positive or a negative sign.
It is important to take second interviews seriously. They may be very brief, but they could also be extremely comprehensive. As with first interviews, those applicants who are well prepared will have an increased likelihood of success.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your constant support and for offering advice that serves as a great guide for so many people. I’d like to share my journey with asylum interviews, which is still ongoing, and get your thoughts on a recent development.
My first interview took place in October 2023. At that time, the officer informed me that no additional evidence was needed. I was later scheduled for a second interview in July 2024, during which the officer confirmed that my file was complete and even mentioned they didn’t know why another interview had been scheduled—it lasted only 30 minutes.
Since July, I’ve seen significant progress on my account. However, yesterday, I received a notice for a third interview, scheduled for two weeks from now. When I checked my case status, it stated, “Interview Is Being Rescheduled,” but under Case History, it showed, “On November 22, 2024, you completed your interview with USCIS,” which is the same date they rescheduled my third interview.
I’m working with a lawyer on this, but I wanted to hear your thoughts. Do you have any idea why this might have happened or what could explain this discrepancy?
Thank you!
I find the online messages pretty unreliable, and so if they sent you a letter for an interview, that is the next step. It is unusual to have a third interview (not to mention incredibly inefficient), but most likely, the asylum office failed to ask you some questions and the supervisor needs clarification. It is also possible something came up in the background check and they need to ask you about it. Your lawyer can try to contact the asylum office to ask, but they are not very responsive and so you probably just need to go to the interview to see what they need. The above article discusses second interviews in general, and that would apply to third interviews as well. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your reply . I just received another notice of cancellation for the third interview. Now I am really more confused.
You can send them an email to ask if they are rescheduling or will issue a decision. You can find their email if you follow the link under Resources called Asylum Office Locator. They often do not respond, but sometimes they do, and there is no harm in asking. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
I was scheduled for an asylum interview for the first time after 8 years of wait. The interview started late and we couldn’t finish, the officer suggested to continue another day to complete the interview. My question is: Does USCIS schedule the same officer to complete the interview in this case ?
Thanks
Yes, they would normally schedule the same officer and usually the time between a first and second interview is not very long. Take care, Jason
Good morning sir, Thankyou for help everyone, I have question about asylum interview schedule again after I already completed interview. I done my asylum interview on August but they again scheduled interview in October I really don’t know what I can do and why they rescheduled my interview again. Can you please help me understand this. Thankyou
This happens sometimes, and there can be many reasons – maybe the officer did not ask all the needed questions, maybe the officer quit and did not complete the case, maybe they obtained new info about you or your country and want to ask. You should prepare for this as you prepared for the first interview, and if you have notes from the first interview, you should review those as well, since you do not want to say anything inconsistent with what you said the first time. Take care, Jason
I passed my Asylum interview with UNHCR in Pakistan after one month UNCHR again called me and asked some questions regarding my case my question is this that totally how many interviews UNHCR take from asylum seekers and how much time take that an asylum seekers get the final decision?
This sounds like a refugee case and I do not do such cases, so I cannot give you an idea about the time frame, sorry. Maybe if you can talk to the people who interviewed you, they can give you an idea about this. Good luck, Jason
Hello Jason,
I had affirmative asylum interview in November 2021. Till date decision is pending. I inquired after 90 days , got response under review. This month I inquired again, got response “ under extended review “.
What does “ extended review “means?
Thanks
Arnov
I do not have much faith in those notices, but I expect it means there is an issue in your case and it requires additional review, maybe at headquarters. I did a post on October 20, 2015 listing some reasons for headquarters review. It could also relate to TRIG – terrorism related inadmissibility grounds. I wrote about that on June 24, 2016. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
I have got citizenship interview notice which is due after 24 days and I have filled A-11 form to change my home and Mailing address which is just one mile away from previous address in same county.will it postpone my interview?
Second question do I need change address on my driver license too? what if addresses on Interview notice and Driver license are different?
That should have no effect on the interview unless you moved to another state. It is probably better to change your license, as they may ask for it at the interview. However, I guess you can explain that you did not have time yet to change it. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I moved to a new house and i did not permanently leave my old address. If i do not notify USPS my new address about one month and i am still using my old address, will the uscis deny my filing?
Do i have to notify my new address with uscis and usps at the same time?
Thank you!
If you still have your old address and can receive mail there, it seems to me that you should be fine. If you move to a new address and give up the old address, you have to inform USCIS. But here, it seems you have temporarily left your home, and so it is still your permanent address. So I do not see a problem (as long as you get the mail and can respond to any USCIS requests on time). Take care, Jason
Hello Community,
I’m a GC holder based on asylum. My RTD expired and I need to renew it. I checked where to send the RTD forms and found that the website sends me back to a link where Employment based forms are filed. Can anyone confirm it please where I can send the RTD forms. I live in Illinois.
If you look at the Direct Filing Addresses for Form I-131, available at http://www.uscis.gov, you should see info about that; it should not link you back to the EAD. Take care, Jason
File at the Chicago office. the addresses on uscis have been updated. the redirected link yuore mentioning is correct; I sent mine last week at new address, received receipt today. i am also from illinois.
Hi All,
I’m desperate here for a travel parole 🙁 it’s been around 16 months since I applied, I need to see my family it’s been 7 years!! Can anyone please share their timeline from the Texas office for travel parole
Thanks
That seems too long – maybe you can call USCIS at 800-375-5283. I did a post about expediting with USCIS on January 29, 2020 – maybe that would give you some other ideas. Take care, Jason
Thank you Jason! I did call unfortunately it is within the normal timeline
Would you like to share and describe the circumstance under which you escape your country of origin ?
Hi Jason,
I was granted asylum a few months ago in the US. It means I can not return to my country of nationality. I graduated from college back in my country but didn’t bring my credentials while leaving the country. To get my college credentials, I must be in my country, as the country’s law requires. On the other hand, traveling to my country is too risky.
Is there any way in the U.S that I can prove that I graduated from college in my country without returning to my country?
Regards,
I really do not know about that, but maybe it is possible to give power of attorney to someone in your country so they are authorized to get your records, or maybe you have a friend working at the college who can help. I suppose it also depends on what you need and who you need to prove this to. Often times, copies of documents are enough, especially if you explain why you cannot get originals (assuming you are comfortable explaining this to people). Take care, Jason