Jimmy Carter turns 100 years old today. Mr. Carter was President from 1977 to 1981. During those years, he created the modern asylum system when he signed the Refugee Act of 1980, oversaw the admission of Cubans and Haitians during the Mariel Boatlift, assisted refugees from South Vietnam, which had recently fallen to the Communist North, and worked to increase security along the U.S.-Mexico border. During his long post-presidency, Mr. Carter has championed human rights and democracy, advocated for peace, improved healthcare, fought disease, promoted low-cost housing, and engaged in various diplomatic missions for the U.S. government. Among his many honors, Mr. Carter received the Noble Peace Prize in 2002.
On the occasion of the former President’s 100th birthday, I thought it would be appropriate to look back at his record on immigration, and see how his contributions continue to impact asylum seekers and other migrants more than four decades after he left office.
For asylum seekers, the most consequential piece of legislation to become law during Mr. Carter’s term is the Refugee Act of 1980. That law codified our country’s obligations under the international Refugee Convention, and created the legal framework for asylum that still exists today. The purpose of the Act is set forth in its preamble—
The objectives of this Act are to provide a permanent and systematic procedure for the admission to this country of refugees of special humanitarian concern to the United States, and to provide comprehensive and uniform provisions for the effective resettlement and absorption of those refugees who are admitted.
Prior to the Refugee Act, asylum in the United States was based on the Refugee Convention of 1951, which was incorporated into U.S. law when the Senate ratified the Protocol Related to the Status of Refugees in 1968. The Refugee Act codified those rules as part of the Immigration and Nationality Act, including the definition of “refugee,” which determines who may be eligible for asylum.
The Refugee Act helped solidify our country’s position as a world leader for asylum and refugee resettlement, and over the subsequent decades, our country has resettled more than 3 million refugees and granted asylum to over 700,000 people. In 2021, on the 41st anniversary of the Refugee Act, President Carter noted, “we as Americans can reflect on our decision as a nation to welcome the stranger and renew our commitment to remaining a beacon of hope for freedom-loving people everywhere.”
Probably the most well known refugee incident during Mr. Carter’s term was the Mariel Boatlift, a mass seaborne exodus from Cuba that began in April 1980. After thousands of Cubans went to the Peruvian embassy to ask for asylum, Fidel Castro’s government announced that anyone who wanted to leave the island could go. The Carter Administration created a temporary legal status for arriving Cubans and also for Haitians, who had previously been labeled economic migrants, despite the political repression in their country. At the same time, the Administration attempted to block additional Cubans and Haitians from making the journey to the U.S. In the end, 125,000 Cubans and 25,000 Haitians came to the United States in 1980, and the large majority eventually obtained permanent legal status here.
Not long before the Mariel Boatlift, the Carter Administration dealt with another crisis, as many hundreds of thousands of people fled Vietnam after the North defeated the South. More than 800,000 people left the country by boat, and at least 200,000 died at sea. The crisis kicked into high gear in 1978, and the Carter Administration responded by increasing the number of refugees admitted into the United States from 7,000 per month to 14,000 per month. Although public sentiment was generally against the increase, Mr. Carter felt it was necessary: “We are prepared to act with the compassion that has traditionally characterized the United States when confronted with such situations of human crisis,” Mr. Carter said when he announced the new policy. “Thousands of human lives are at stake.” As a result of his decision, other countries also increased their refugee resettlement efforts, and many thousands of lives were saved.
While President Carter is best known for his generous policies towards refugees, at the beginning of his presidency, he made efforts to mitigate uncontrolled migration along the U.S.-Mexico border and to prevent non-citizens from working in the United States without authorization. Mr. Carter combined these proposals with an amnesty plan for those in the U.S. since before 1970. These ideas were not implemented during Mr. Carter’s term, but came to fruition with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which tightened immigration rules and provided a large scale amnesty during President Reagan’s Administration.
While President Carter’s immigration legacy may be somewhat mixed, he was always guided by his humanitarian ideals, which he summed up in his 1981 farewell address: “America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense, it is the other way round. Human rights invented America.” Let us hope that our nation always honors these words.
Happy Birthday Mr. President!
Hi Jason,
My case is approved by court in July this year and planning to apply for AOS in January as most of the attorneys recommends to wait for at least 6 months. I am physician and my hospital is planning to send me to visit the site at Kenya in June 2025. I am not sure I will get the travel document that time. Is there any way to expedite the processes to get the travel document at least before that?
Thank you
You can try to expedite and this seems like a good reason. I wrote about the process of expediting on January 29, 2020 and maybe that post will help. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
Take a read at this story of mine. I have been with you on your blog for 9 years now.
We have a several death in our family and feel that we can no longer wait for the USCIS to set an interview date for us to be able hear the next step of the interview.
I wrote to you some time back asking if we can renew our passports and you said yes we can.
The next thing I know it is a long process and procedure.
I am going to mention the country here and I am also going to let people know that things like this can happen with anyone.
The said country is Pakistan. I had to renew my passport. But sometime in June the government in that country decided not to renew passports for asylum seekers abroad.
Ofcourse it was received with a lot of negativity and after much hesitation the govt decided to reverse the decision.
Now that we need to renew our passport, there is an online system which is a failed system not just from one way but many ways.
There are 4 email accounts and no one can reach any authenticity of what needs to be done if someone is stuck at a step of renewal.
I was one of them emailing them on all 3 accounts and no would reply back to me .
If I call the helpline there was no help given and half of them dont even know what we are talkng about.
SO someone suggested if I waited they have no idea how long it would take us and asked us to go to the closest embassy that comes unders our jurisdiction.
Me and my husband and our kids packed to leave to this state we were received with utmost disrespect just because the first question was ” how did you obtain your work permit”
We were not allowed to explain about our case being pending as soon as we used the word asylum he said im not handling this case and it someone else let me get him forward.
We finally were able to speak to that person and he made a long story of how we are suppose to be confirming identity of our members of family back home and their phone number.
The application will be given at the embassy but there will be an enquiry done on this and it might take over 6 months to complete.
I explained to him that my father just recently passed away and he was the only one I had in that country and no one is there.
He never believed and tried further to humiliate us in his deterioting english speaking skills.
He finally said if u cant give me the necessary documents we are not going to take your application and go ahead and complete it online once we resolve issues that we are facing with our online application.
This is an embassy that is suppose to be there for the people to help them in times of need and we were asked to leave.
I cannot believe how we were treated.
With a heavy heart we drove back to our home. It took us 9 hours of driving due to a mishap on the road and I can tell you it was the longest journey of my life.
We came back home and I tried calling several times to Pakistan to see if somone could help me.
But no one could. I googled and youtubed alot of the information and was finally able to login into my account and file for renewal on an urgent basis.
The government now says you will need wait as your case has been deferred until further enquiry.
I do not understand what does this mean.
I never stay in Pakistan, my husband is from a different country.
I plan to go my husband country.
I want to ask you, do you know if what kind of enquiry is this.
Are they going to go back ground check and if yes where will it be ?
In US or pakistan ?
What sort of information are they looking for? Is US goverment going to give them any information.
I thought is it not their business to know what is happening.
At first someone told me do not mention you are on asylum here but I am not someone who can lie or taught to lie.
They asked for green card or US passport or work authorisation.
Either way they would have come to know that work permit was issued based on certain code .
Secondly they would ask me why did we not renew the passport since 2021.
You can delete certain information if I am not allowed to write about a country and post a response for me.
But as a person who has helped immigrants all your life I wanted you to know what the outside world is trying to make our lives hell.
I wish I could get my green card based on asylum but I wish to not sometimes go through this kind of trauma and humiliation.
It is unbelievable in 2024 we are being treated like animals.
I do not know how long they are going to defer the case and how long they going to look into finding details when I really do not have any traces in Pakistan nor do I have any information there and I have never been and bottom is that asylum application was filed and never heard back from them.
It is not an approved case. IT is a clear pending case which I think they should not be taking under consideration.
ANything you have to say or know please share because for me this is all so heart breaking.
Thank you
I had heard about the Pakistani government’s decision concerning asylum seekers. I am glad they reversed it, at least as a formality, though apparently not in practice. I suppose it is easier for the Pakistani government to blame asylum seekers than to take a realistic look at themselves and their failures in Pakistan to treat people humanely, stop corruption, and effectively fight against terrorism. In terms of the US government, they cannot give any info about your pending asylum status to a foreign country. However, as you note, the code (c-8) on your work permit indicates asylum pending, and I imagine foreign governments are aware of that code. If you have not tried and you want to, you can try to expedite your asylum case – I wrote about that on March 23, 2022. If that fails, you can try a mandamus, which should get you an interview. Otherwise, in terms of getting your passport, I don’t have many ideas – since at least the policy is officially revoked, maybe you can try different consulates in the US, if you can reach them. I know that for people applying for US visas overseas, some consulates seem to work better than others, and maybe it is the same for Pakistan. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
This pretty good topic. Thanks for all your advices throughout 10 years of waiting my asylum interview with USCIS.
I have a question that’s I hope you could have some answers about it as it’s not immigration related.
As you know waiting asylum office response for 10 years will make you start normalizing new life learn an industry in America. I became Computer Numerical Controls machinist through experience from the scratch so now I’m a very in demand skilled manufacturing professional but with my work authorization I can’t work in any facility that work with defense or aerospace. I literally got a job offer from Big companies like Boeing and other big employers in the aerospace industry but they stop the hiring process when they check my immigration status the export law ITAR prevent these employers from hiring foreign nationals if I was admitted asylum that should’ve be fine, but pending can’t get hired. Long story short. My question can I apply for this export license by my self it takes 45-90 but I never navigate that. Thanks
Sorry, I do not know about export licenses. Sometimes the government agency that issues the licenses can be reached by phone or email for questions, though in this particular case, I do not know. You could try to expedite your case – I wrote about that on March 23, 2022. Economic hardship can be a basis for that. If that fails, you can file a mandamus lawsuit to try to get an interview. Take care, Jason
Hello, I was waiting 7 long years
May I fill a writ of mandamus to het my interview fast.
June 26 got my interview
October 8th decision Asylum granted
Hello Jason, can you please show me information about expedited RTD my father has a brain tumor that doctors can no remove unfortunately he is 80 years old and I would like to see him before he passed 3rd country is this a reason to expedite travel refugees document ?
Thanks
That is a strong reason to expedite. I think you would start by calling USCIS at 800-375-5283 and try to get a person. Then explain the problem and need to travel. Also, make sure you have some evidence about your father’s condition, such as a letter from a doctor. It would be best if the doctor indicated he will get treatment in a third country. I wrote more about expediting in general on January 29, 2020. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason yes, my father had surgery the past year unfortunately they can’t remove the tumor completely and we are just waiting and praying for more time with him, the thing he doesn’t need treatment in a 3rd country, I just want my brothers travel with him before he can no move anymore, and he can meet my US children
Can ask to a doctor there for a letter about a possible treatment in a 3rd country?
The number I have to call is before applying to a RTD o after ?
My husband is my derivative and also an asylee and I would like to apply to RTD for him that way he can go with me and my 2 children who are autistic and disabled to support me?
Can I mention this to the agent?
The number is the main number for USCIS, but it is the only number I know about that you can call for this. Maybe you can also ask for help from your Congress person, but I doubt they will over quickly enough. If you have a letter stating that the treatment will be in a third country, that should be enough evidence. And yes, you can also try to expedite your husband’s RTD. I would get some evidence about your children’s health conditions to support the claim and the request to expedite. Take care, Jason
Why do you allow them to check your immigration status pre-hiring ?
Generally, employers will discriminate, and it’s easier to avoid legal liability before a hiring decision is made (it’s easier to not hire than to fire somebody)
I am not sure where you get this information. I very rarely hear from my clients about employers discriminating, especially now that people can get the 5-year EAD and so can work for a longer term. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason, I had an individual hearing and the judge decided to administrative close since I have a TPS. What are the things that help me to appeal?
I think you should talk to a lawyer. The better approach might be a motion to re-calendar with the judge, and provide an explanation about why you need to get a decision. If the judge refuses (and some judges will refuse), I am not sure whether that decision can be appealed or – if it can be appealed – whether there is a chance for success. Once TPS ends, or if you do not renew it, you can inform the judge and move forward with the case, but otherwise, I think you should talk with a lawyer to see whether anything effective can be done. Take care, Jason
Good Morning Jason,
Thank you so much for all you are doing for asylum community.
Please a have a concern and need your advice.
Yesterday I checked my USCIS account online and found out ” New card was produced ” after 16 months I-485 pending( through 1 year asylum approval) without approval letter.
This morning around 2am I received email from USCIS that they have taken action on my case.
After signing to my account to see the action on my case, I was surprised that beside I-485 new card, my I-131 application pending since February 2024 ( receipt IOE…. it was send when I-485 was pending) was denied and terminated and letter was mail to explain why this action. I checked I-131 case history and it said” case closed because the applicant or petitioner received a status or benefit through other means”
Please have you ever seen case like that.
Thank you in advance
The I-131 does different things (Refugee Travel Document, Re-Entry Permit, Advance Parole), most of which would be compatible with receiving a GC. However, if you used the I-485 to apply for Advance Parole, you would not need that if the GC had been issued. So maybe that is why it was denied; at least that is my best guess. Once you receive the letter, you will know for sure. Take care, Jason
Thank you Mr Jason for your answer.
I didn’t apply for Advance Parole, I was been renewed my RTD even sent the old RTD with renewal application ( while my I-485 based asylum was pending which receipt was added to I-131 application)was returned to me. So I will wait to receive the denied letter and understand more about their action.
Thank you again
Strange. I guess there is no way to know until you get the letter. Take care, Jason
Congratulations APRIL for your I485 approval. Where was your case? In Texas or NBC? My I485 pending more than 18 months in Texas
Thank you
Hi TK
My I-485 was in NBC since June 2023. You are almost there maybe until the end of week you will get approval because now 80% process time for I-485 based asylum just approved 17 months ( check it on uscis.gov)
Thank you Jason for all the help.
When applying for a GC under asylum, it asks if i ever been arrested anywhere in the world. I’ve never been arrested in the us, but I’ve been arrested numerous times in my country and that was included in my asylum case. So i have to click “YES” and shoul i provide all the evidence?i never was convicted or never even charged with crimes, all arrests were unreasonable and unlawful. All arrests have been included in my asylum claim. Also, will this elevate the chances of needing an interview for my Gc?thank you.
If this is a paper application, in a situation like this, we circle the question, write “see cover letter,” and explain in the letter about the arrests. We also note that this info was included with the asylum application. If it is an online application, you can include that same info in an attachment – just be sure to mention which part of the form and question you are addressing. Whether this will make it more likely that you will get an interview (as opposed to getting the GC without an interview), I do not know. Many people get an interview regardless of whether there are any complicating factors in their case, and some do not have interviews and just get the GC. Interviews are generally pretty easy. Take care, Jason
I’m planning on filing paper copy.
So you don’t resubmit the same arrest documents with GC? I should just circle it and mention that i’ve included all the arrests in my Asylum claim and explain the situation,correct?
We do submit arrests documents for crimes, but for political arrests, we have not done that. If you have such documents, you can submit them – presumably, they are the same as what you gave to the asylum office. If they are different, I would have a lawyer look at them before you submit them. Take care, Jason
They are the same and NO Criminal arrests. Never convicted of a crime or even accused of one, everything is unlawful detentions and are the same documents as filed with original case!
Also, how fast do you get biometrics scheduled after applying for a Gc? Trying to see if 1 month will be enough to schedule a travel…
Thank you so much for your help
Then as long as you mention the arrests and explain, you should be fine. They most likely will re-use the biometrics, but they do not always do that, and appointments usually arrive a month or two after filing. I would guess that if you want to travel and plan to return within a month of filing, you should be fine. But you may want to have someone check your mail or get “informed delivery” from the post office so you will know if something arrives. Take care, Jason
Also, do they reuse biometrics for GC?same like they do for RTD or ead?
Great article and happy belated birthday to Jimmy Carter!Jason I’m not sure if it’s ok to ask this but I’m not sure what to do.
I have a greencard and Travel
Document that will expire in a 3months. I need to travel to one country soon, based on my nationality I do not need a visa for this country just ESTA, it’s nearly impossible to get a visa to a travel document because it must be valid for minimum of 6 months and mine will expire in 3 months. Few years back I made kind of mistake. I obtained a passport from my country of persecution (I didn’t visit the embassy there I just got it totally remotely since it wasn’t biometric passport so my presence wasn’t necessary and then it was just mailed to me) I’ve never mentioned about this passport when I applied for a greencard or travel document… I lied. So now I’m thinking about using this passport for the first time to
Visit the country I need to travel and I’m planning to use my travel document to return to US and basically only use this passport to enter the country I needed. Do you think that would be possible? Do you think CBP will find out? Since I will have to mention this passport number for outbound flight, I doubt US know about this passport since it’s not appeared anywhere etc should I risk it and use it or it’s better not to risk and just pretend this passport never existed? If they will find out what consequences I will have would I be deported? My asylum is not political based
Thank you
I would assume that the US government will know about the new passport, and I would not try to hide it. I think that could make matters worse. I assume by lying, you mean that you did not list your most recent passport on the forms you completed. I doubt USCIS would care about this, as it happens all the time and can usually be explained, since many people just list the passport they had when they received asylum. If asked, I think you would need to show the current passport and when you apply for citizenship, I think you should mention that new passport. Otherwise, if USCIS thinks you are deliberately hiding a passport from them, it could have negative effects. You explained here how you got the passport, and so I doubt you would have an issue, at least under the current administration (maybe a future Trump Administration would be tougher on this point, but the first Trump Administration did not seem concerned with this issue). I wrote more about this issue on May 25, 2022, if you are interested. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
My self and my wife we both applied N400 on July 22 2024, and now my wife she got the interview letter but mine still it shows case was received. Is there any issue wil be on my application because I got one reckless ticket and speeding ticket before getting my GC.for the reckless ticket I paid the fine and speeding ticket got dismissed. I have mentioned the two tickets in my application please suggest your opinion on this. Or can I apply FBi background check report to see what happened to my application.
Thanks,
It is very common for family members to apply at the same time and get interviews at different times. I doubt it is related to the ticket, and I think it is far too soon to worry about this, as citizenship cases can easily take a year or longer. Even if the delay is related to the ticket, which I doubt, there would be nothing to do about it, though make sure you have a copy of the “disposition” (final outcome) of the case so you can give it to USCIS if they ask (if you have not already done thus). Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
Can you please help me with the address where I have to send my I 131 RTD application or if I can file online
Thank you
There are different addresses depending on what you are doing with the I-131 (Advance Parole, Refugee Travel Document, etc.). If you check the I-131 web page at http://www.uscis.gov and look for “Direct Filing Addresses,” you will find that info. It will also tell you if you can file online. Take care, Jason
Hi, Jason! Thank you again for the information you share with us.
In 2015 I and my wife received a marriage license in California and applied for asylum.
We never obtained a certificate of marriage, because we did not know about difference between marriage license and certificate of marriage.
In 2023 we both received an asylum status and later applied for a green card.
I was a main applicant and received my green card last month.
But my wife case was denied due to absence of the certificate of marriage.
The old marriage license is expired and we are going to get a new one along with certificate of marriage.
Is my wife still qualified to get the green card through adjustment of status as derivative asylee?
Since I got my green card already is she still derivative asylee?
Is there any other way to prove our marriage without obtaining a new license?
Could you do this case for my wife? I trust you
It sounds like the marriage was never legally binding, and so I think she should not have received asylum as a derivative. It sounds like she did receive it, though. One option (and I think this will likely not work, since the original asylum grant for her was flawed) is to file a nunc pro tunc asylum application. I discuss this a bit in a post from February 10, 2022, near the bottom. If your wife has asylum and is able to work and travel, I think your best approach would be to do nothing and just let her stay here as an asylee. Once you are a US citizen, you can file for her to get a green card based on your citizenship (though if she entered the US unlawfully, this may be an issue). As for me, if you needed a consultation, I can do that, but I am not sure whether I can tell you anything more than this. Take care, Jason
I would like to have your consultation. How to make it happen?
You can email me and let me know what you need: JDzubow@DzubowLaw.com. Thank you, Jason
Obviously this country has becoming more anti-immigrant…
But I wonder…
Are they specifically anti-asylum seekers ?
Or just anti-illegal immigrant ? because anti-illegal immigrant is totally justified. People should obey immigrations laws and regulations.
But people who cross the border, they are not breaking laws…right ? If they pass credible fear interview, they are let in to pursue asylum; If they don’t, they are paroled in to challenge the credible fear interview decision…Every step is prescribed by the legal and lawful process. So I don’t get the animus towards border crossers…
Most people who enter at the border are entering legally. The laws need to be changed and updates, and I think the animus comes in part from the sense that the border is being overwhelmed and that potentially dangerous people are sneaking in (though the border has been much calmer of late) and also the idea that we are taking too many immigrants overall, which is based – at least in part – on false information spread about immigrants. Of course, it is easy to demonize immigrants, as they are not a very powerful group of people. Take care, Jason
If it’s cost-free to discriminate, then discrimination towards immigrants will never dissipate…
I’d suggest some jail time for each offense of immigrant discrimination…
Hello great asylum community members:
I am waiting for my decision since Feb 2023 in Arlington office. Last week, I have an update my application and now my status changed from Decision Pending to Application pending. Does anyone have any experience from it ?
Thank you
My opinion is that the online messages have little meaning, and that you have to wait for the paper decision. Unfortunately, decisions are not coming quickly. I wrote about things you can do to try to get a decision on June 2, 2021. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for your support to asylum community. My asylum case is approved by judge in few months ago. I have seen approval for green card after asylum approval takes 2-3 years. I talk to an attorney and they are hopeful for my EB1A approval. I wanted to know if that is feasible to apply EB1A after asylum approval or there will be consequences and better to apply on asylum base.
As long as you are eligible, you can apply for the GC based on EB1. That said, I would probably apply based on asylum. You no longer have to wait a year after being granted to apply for the GC and most lawyers recommend you wait 6 months (I wrote about that on February 6, 2023 and explained why). Also, I have not seen GCs from asylum take that long, though they do usually take 1 to 2 years. Finally, when you get a GC based on asylum, it should be back-dated one year, and that will allow you to apply sooner for citizenship. I think you can try either way (asylum of EB1), but I do not know that one is much better than the other in terms of timing. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I mailed my I485 application to USCIS Elgin Lockbox since I live in Virginia. I received receipt from NBC Lee’s Summit, MO. When I mailed my application and evidence, the renewal of my national passport was in process. I received my new passport after I applied for adjustment of status. Please advice where should I mail the copy of new passport to. Should I mail it to USCIS Elgin Lockbox or NBC Lee’s Summit, MO? Thank you for your help!
Unless USCIS asks for the new passport, I do not see any reason to send it. You can bring it to your interview and give them a copy there, or if you have not submitted the medical exam, you can submit it with the request for evidence when USCIS asks for the exam. If you want to mail them a copy sooner than that, make sure to include the receipt number (or better yet, a copy of the receipt) with your filing, and I would send it to the last address that sent you mail. Take care, Jason
How do I expedite my ead renewal. Applied for March 29th.. still saying Case decision when I check. Have a Dui, can that be the cause of the delay. Also how can I expedite master hearing scheduled for August 2025. Just got accepted into Nursing school.
Greetings!!
I doubt you can expedite the EAD renewal, especially if you filed prior to your old card expiring, and so have the automatic 540-day extension. I did write about expediting in general with USCIS on January 29, 2020. I doubt the DUI would cause the delay, as the only types of crimes that would normally block an EAD are aggravated felonies, and I can’t imagine how a DUI would be an aggravated felony. In general, renewals are taking a year or more for many people. In terms of expediting the court case, that is more likely – I wrote about that on April 20, 2017. Take care, Jason
I just finished watching the debate.
In 2028, the JD Vance/Nikki Haley ticket will be formidable…I am extremely worried because they are smarter…I am worried that they will be elected in 2028…
Thank you for what you do Jason, quick question about c-14 EAD. Who can get it and how to get this deffered action ead.
Thank you
I do not know much about that. Category c-14 is for different types of pending cases, including Special Immigrant Juvenile cases and u visa applicants. I think it is also available to certain people who have a removal order, but there are a lot of limitations on that and I do not know all the rules. If that is you, you would want to talk to a lawyer to evaluate eligibility. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
I want to know if you have an opening I would like to do travel document and green card application with your office I live in DC. Can you provide me your office information
You are welcome to email me to make an appointment: JDzubow@DzubowLaw.com. Thank you, Jason
Hello Jason,
Thank you for answering all of our questions. Based on your experience, how long can a male applicant from a majority Muslim country typically expect to receive a decision after the interview?
Thank you!
There is no normal wait time, but in my experience, it is pretty rare to get a decision in less than 6 months, and many people wait much longer than that. On the other hand, one of my fastest cases was a man from Afghanistan – 3 days, including the weekend, if I remember correctly. I did a post about actions you can take to try to get a decision on June 2, 2021. Take care, Jason
But he lost to an anti-asylum republican…
In your opinion, did ronald reagan did damage to the asylum system and asylum seekers ?