If you moved, you should have changed your address. You can use form AR-11 or if you have a USCIS account, you can submit the change there. If you moved and did not change your address, they probably sent it to the old address. You can email them to ask about the interview – you can find their email if you follow the link under Resources called Asylum Office Locator. It is important to figure this out, even if you have to go in person to ask, as they could deny your application if you do not appear for an interview, and then send you to immigration court. Note that some offices have walk in hours and maybe that info is on their website, which you will also find if you follow the link I mentioned, but if you are in Arlington, it is most Thursday mornings, but it is best to be there before 9:00 AM. Take care, Jason

I think that is probably correct, as I believe the child must be under 16, but you should probably double check with a lawyer who can research the question, just to be sure. Take care, Jason

Thank you for the reply! I actually have a kid that I adopted, but he was then 16 already. So he can’t get immigration benefits through me, right?

The only benefits you can receive now from asylum are the Refugee Travel Document and maybe, if you have children, the ability to bring them to the US (though in most – but not all – cases, your US citizen spouse can also bring them here). If you do not have children and do not need the RTD (which I think you won’t need as you probably will be a US citizen before asylum is approved), you would do well to withdraw the asylum case – I wrote about how to do that on December 7, 2022. Take care, Jason

Thank you for your blog. It’s probably the best source of reliable information for asylum seekers in the US. I have a question. I’ve been waiting for the interview for a 7 years now. When I applied for asylum I was single. Sure enough during the wait my martial status changed. I married the US citizen. A few months ago I got 10 year GC through the marriage. Help me pls to decide should I dismiss the asylum application or not. Does it make sense to pursue it? Do I obtain any benefits if the asylum is granted? And what are the negatives if I just won’t show up for the interview?

Thank you, Margo

You can, but this month I am not very available, and so it is better to email me after July 29 – JDzubow@DzubowLaw.com. Thank you, Jason

Done. They know to expect a reply after July. Any creative ideas in their situation are welcome.

thank you

It is generally better to start sooner rather than later, but it depends on what she wants, and there may be nothing productive to do now except wait for the U visa. In any event, if she wanted to contact me, maybe she can do that at the end of July, as my availability is very limited now. Thank you, Jason