I admit that I am very strict and hold asylum advocates to a very high standard.

I believe they should be subject to a very high standards tho, given the gravity of their work.

So, whenever I see that asylum advocates didn’t do all they can, I don’t shy away from giving my constructive suggestion. In my opinion, there is a lot that asylum advocates can actually do (that haven’t been done). So I feel that it’s necessary for that to be said.

Celebrities, or asylum advocates. They may be not able to single handedly help Kamala Harris get elected. But maybe they can cumulatively get Kamala Harris elected.

I see a great absence of actions from asylum advocates in the 2024 election. Many asylum advocates are U.S. citizens, they can donate money to candidates. Why haven’t that been done ?

There is a website called opensecrets donor lookup. With all the money immigration lawyers are making in big corporations, I would think it really doesn’t hurt a lot if they could donate maybe …500 dollars to Kamala Harris ? But when I typed in the names of a few prominent asylum or immigration lawyers, it appears they didn’t donate a single penny to Kamala Harris. And I think…that’s a little disappointing. The election of Kamala Harris could positively change the asylum seeking experience of many asylum seekers. And it’s probably a more efficient way in making a change for asylum seekers…With trump in this administration…I mean…I don’t see there is a lot that advocacy groups like ACLU or AILA can do…after all, they are not in power…So sometimes, I am not very pleased with the action/rhetoric mismatch displayed by the asylum advocates community.

At least in the Virginia office, they are busy – this seems to be an experiment to see whether officers can interview 8 cases per week. They are giving little notice prior to the interview, which is making it more difficult, and so if you have an old case, it is good to make sure you have all your evidence, so you are ready if they call you. Take care, Jason

Just curious,
When did you received your interview notice? And which year did you applied? Did you expedite?
I am still pending for many years and see if the new administration already started doing interviews

They may force you to go to the NYC office, if that office has jurisdiction over your case – not all addresses in NY are covered by the NYC office; some are covered by NJ (and NJ is by far the better office). You can check your asylum office if you follow the link under Resources called Asylum Office Locator and entering your zip code. Maybe they will allow you to interview in NJ, but normally, if you live in the area covered by the NYC office, the NJ office will not interview you. Take care, Jason

They both have to wait 5 years from the date listed on the GC (though they can mail the application for citizenship up to 90 days before the 5-year anniversary, assuming they are otherwise eligible). The only way to get citizenship after 3 years is where the person gets her GC based on a marriage petition (not based on status as a dependent spouse). Take care, Jason

I think it is true that people are technically supposed to carry their original card with them, but I have never heard of anyone getting into trouble for carrying a copy. So I think the risk is small, but I guess if you want to be technically compliant, you should carry the card with you (and hopefully not lose it, as it is a pain to replace). Take care, Jason

I don’t carry it on myself. Too risky to lose it. Driver’s License is enough for everyday purpose within the country. Jason can comment on it if I’m wrong.