When asylum seekers are permitted to present their applications for protection in the United States, their cases are often granted. That’s because the asylum law–as created by Congress–is fairly generous.
Our favorable humanitarian law conflicts with the Trump Administration’s goal of blocking people from obtaining asylum in the United States. Rather than attempting to amend the law, the Administration has implemented a series of procedural and administrative roadblocks to prevent applicants from having their cases evaluated on the merits.
Last week, USCIS issued some new rules for cases at the Asylum Office. The most noteworthy change relates to when evidence is due. Other new (or new-ish) rules concern rescheduling interviews and biometric appointments, and attorney attendance at interviews.
The most significant new rule states that evidence is now due 14 calendar days before the interview:
Starting Aug. 21, 2026, you must submit all evidence in support of your asylum application to the asylum office 14 calendar days before the date of your scheduled interview. Evidence submitted less than 14 calendar days from your scheduled interview may not be included with your asylum application, or we may reschedule your asylum interview. A rescheduled asylum interview due to late evidence submission may affect your eligibility for an employment authorization document (EAD).
Prior to August 21, 2026, most Asylum Offices accepted evidence that was filed at least 7 days before the interview. Requiring asylum seekers to submit their evidence 14 days in advance would not be a big deal if the Asylum Offices gave sufficient notice of the interview. Unfortunately, we often receive the notice only a few weeks before the interview. Unless this practice changes (which is doubtful), applicants will have little time between receiving the interview notice and the due date for submitting evidence.
An obvious solution to this problem might be to submit evidence now, so that the Asylum Office has the evidence even before they issue the interview notice. For people who filed their I-589 online, that is an option. However, for the large majority of applicants who filed by paper, it ain’t so easy to submit evidence before you receive the interview notice. That’s because the only way to submit additional evidence is by mail, and the Asylum Office frequently loses documents that are submitted early (they also sometimes lose documents that are submitted on time, and so you should bring an extra copy of your evidence to the interview + proof that you filed the evidence timely). I think the safer approach is to gather and organize your evidence, so it is ready to submit quickly once you receive the interview notice.
Perhaps you think the new 14-day rule makes sense, since it gives the Asylum Officer more time to review your evidence and prepare for the interview. Let me disabuse you of that notion. Asylum Officers usually don’t look at their cases prior to the interview, and in fact, officers rarely receive the file until after the applicant arrives for the interview and checks in. Indeed, it is common to attend an interview where the officer hasn’t looked at the evidence at all and often says as much during the interview.
The 14-day rule is also problematic for attorneys, who are busy and have many cases. A shortened time frame between the interview notice and the due date for evidence makes it more difficult for the attorney to complete the evidence and get it filed.
These difficulties are compounded by another rule change: It has become virtually impossible to reschedule an asylum interview. According to the new rule, effective August 21, 2026, “you must establish exceptional circumstances for USCIS to reschedule your asylum interview” (this same standard applies to people who want to reschedule a biometric appointment). USCIS has previously defined “exceptional circumstances” as including, but not limited to “Battery or extreme cruelty to you or your child or parent; serious illness of you or your spouse, child or parent; or the death of your spouse, child or parent.” But even if you have “exceptional circumstances,” it is still very difficult to get the Asylum Office to reschedule an interview. Most Asylum Offices will only accept reschedule requests by mail. It usually takes days or weeks for them to respond (if they respond at all), and so you have to prepare for the interview at the same time you are hoping it will be rescheduled.
If the interview (or biometric appointment) is rescheduled, this will stop the Asylum Clock, which may prevent you from getting a work permit (if you already have a work permit, there is no effect if the clock stops).
Another recent rule change (from May 2026) adds to these difficulties. The rule states that “USCIS will no longer permit attorneys and accredited representatives to participate remotely in interviews at field offices and in affirmative asylum… interviews… except in limited circumstances.” “All legal representatives must be physically present to attend these interviews.” In short, while attorneys were previously allowed to attend interviews remotely, that is no longer an option, which will further limit asylum seeker’s ability to find a lawyer.
These new rules aim to handicap asylum seekers by making it more difficult to submit evidence and secure legal representation. By collecting your evidence in advance and having a plan with your lawyer, you will be better positioned to overcome these latest obstacles to asylum.
Just finished interview Chicago Office, status change to decision pending. For how long will take to issue decision
It is very unpredictable. Some cases take a few days, most take a few weeks, and some take much longer. In my experience, men from Muslim countries take longer than most other people, but again, it is very unpredictable. Take care, Jason
I think it really depends on where you’re from, not just any Muslim country! Some places like Yemen, Iraq, Syria, and so on might take longer! Personally, I’m from a Muslim country in the middle east but no wars there and it’s stable and it’s not one of the 39, and last year I got my approval from the Chicago office just 9 days after my interview!
It’s a fair point, most of my asylum clients came from countries with big problems; I have fewer from countries like Morocco or the countries in the Persian Gulf, which are more stable. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason, could you please clarify on my confusion? If one already had an EAD card from F1 OPT, which was already expired, and wants to apply EAD for pending asylum application, will this be a new application or renewal? The EAD application form asks this and also the old EAD if it is for renewal. Thank you.
For a case like this, where it is a different category of EAD, I have always listed that as a new application, and not a renewal. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
How long it takes for USCIS /RAIO to process the I-730 for asylee dependent overseas right now? Looks like Effective Aug. 1, 2025, Form I-730 will be transitioned outside Service Center Operations (SCOPS) and will be handled by Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations.
It is very variable and the Administration has been throwing up obstacles to make it more difficult and slower (I wrote about that on May 26, 2026). I would say 2 years is a decent guess for USCIS, though it varies widely. Consular processing might be 6 months to a year or longer, and often times, the consulates are trying to deny I-730 cases, which makes things more difficult. There is ongoing litigation about I-730 cases, and so maybe that will help improve things, but these days, the process is not easy. Take care, Jason
Hi dear Jason, I realized I made a mistake on my I485 application about unauthorized work,
I marked on application I didn’t work unauthorized but realized I did for 8 months or so I had a unauthorized gap renewing my Old Ead and applying for new EAD while I had a pending asylum.
Now I want to fix that, and hopefully I will get interview for greencard soon so I can tell the officer and they might fix it on the spot but, if I didn’t get interview what is the right way to handle this situation. Need your advice on that.
Thank you.
First, be sure that the work was, in fact, unauthorized. Sometimes, when a person would renew the EAD, she would get an automatic extension of the old card, and so maybe you had that extension and your work was not authorized. If you think the work was unauthorized or you are not sure, you should inform USCIS. You can send them a letter to the last address where they sent you mail (or if you have an online account, upload the letter to your account). Also, bring a copy of the letter and the mailing receipt to your I-485 interview, in case USCIS was not able to match it with your application. In the letter, you can explain what happened and how you made a mistake on the I-485. I expect this will be ok, as long as you explain the problem, and in the worst case, they should allow you to file a refugee waiver (form I-601, available at http://www.uscis.gov), which would waive (give you forgiveness) for the error. This waiver is free and fairly easy to get approved. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
I filed my initial I-765 under category (c)(8) on March 26, 2026. It has now been pending for 5 months and 4 days, and my status still says “Case Was Received.” My asylum application was filed on October 22, 2025, and I already completed my asylum interview. USCIS told me my I-765 is being processed at the Potomac Service Center. I submitted a service request, but USCIS responded that my case is still within the normal processing time. Is this a normal wait time for a (c)(8) EAD, or should I take further action?
I filed my initial I-765 under category (c)(8) on March 26, 2026. It has now been pending for 5 months and 4 days, and my status still says “Case Was Received.” My asylum application was filed on October 22, 2025, and I already completed my asylum interview. USCIS told me my I-765 is being processed at the Potomac Service Center. I submitted a service request, but USCIS responded that my case is still within the normal processing time. Is this a normal wait time for a (c)(8) EAD, or should I take further action?
It used to be that first time EADs for asylum applicants were processed very quickly (1 or 2 months). However, the Trump Administration has made many changes to USCIS and things are now slower. I do not know how long a first-time EAD will take, as it is very variable. I do think the service request is a good idea. I also think you can reach out to your Congress person for help – you can find their contact info if you follow the link under Resources called Senate or House of Representatives. Make sure to inform them that you are waiting for a first-time EAD based on asylum pending, since such cases had long been faster than renewals. Take care, Jason
Hey Jason! Since ICE has been arresting people at airports how should people with pending cases travel for their interviews if they live in a different state from the office?
I heard that people get arrested even on trains or greyhound.
It’s a good question, as the effort to arrest people “doing it the right way” at airports actually prevents them from “doing it the right way.” I have not heard about wife-spear problems for asylum seekers who travel by bus or train. Once in a while, I have heard about such a case, but as far as I know, such travel is relatively safe. The same is true for people who travel by car. Unfortunately, this is a very difficult and unfair problem, but train or bus should be safer than airplane. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
I have a question to ask you, for someone who stayed in the US for 10 years applied asylum in 2016 and never got it. is it possible to apply to canada visit visa to go there on a 10 days wedding vacation or you would not get visa?
I doubt you would get a visa, but you can try. The other problem is that you could be detained by the US when you travel. You would need Advance Parole to return to the US (I wrote about that on September 11, 2017), and this probably takes a year or longer to get (you can try to expedite). Also, while asylum seekers are supposed to be able to leave the US and return with AP, you are seeing some affirmative asylum seekers detained at the airport, and that would certainly be a possibility for anyone who travels to Canada. Even if they cross at a land border, you could be detained there as well. In short, while it may theoretically be possible to get a visa, get AP, travel to Canada, and return, I expect it will be very difficult to get the needed documents and there is a real risk of detention. Take care, Jason
Hi jason
Sorry should have made a little more clear we have left the US. Gone back to our home country.
We are applying from our home country for a visit visa to take our kids on a short vacation.
We couldnt survive the current administration.
We were too scared of being detained.
We have money to show assets to show on application. But will we get the visa is a question.
Do you have any recommended lawyers you can suggest to speak to in canada?
Do you have such cases where people go visig after they left US the near by countries after a while.
Are they permitted to get visa or is it something that is not welcomed
My understanding is that Canada and the US share visa information, and so it is possible that Canada will know about your asylum application in the US. If so, I expect it will be more difficult to get a visa to Canada, as they will not want to give a tourist visa to someone who they think may file for asylum in the US. It would probably be worthwhile to talk with a lawyer in Canada who does such visas, as they can help you present the strongest application possible, and maybe also advise you more about whether your US asylum case could be a factor in the visa application to Canada. I do not know a lawyer in Canada who does such cases, sorry. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Are green card holder traveling with their passport automatically pulled to secondary inspection upon return nowadays? I am a derivative asylee and I plan to travel with my country passport which is different from the principal.
I have not heard that people in your situation have to go to secondary inspection. It is possible that you will, but if so, there should be no problem (aside from the inconvenience), since a derivative has not expressed a fear of return to their country (especially when it is not even the country of the principal). So there should be no problem using your passport. You should be prepared to explain this if asked, but probably that will not be necessary. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Hope this finds you well! How long are you seeing GC interviews and approvals taking in Arlington VA office? I applied November 2024 so almost 2 years and no interview yet? Is there anything I can do to expedite?
Thanks,
I think 2 years is the time when you can expect the interview soon (though some cases take quite a bit longer). You can try to expedite if you have a reason – I wrote about expediting with USCIS on January 29, 2020 and maybe that article would help. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
when you say 2 years is mark when one can expect an interview soon, is this a general expectation (I know it’s going to be different for everyone), or for those who applied in a specific time frame?
For example, I applied for asylum in early 2023.
For an asylum-based green card, we are seeing those take about 2 years, but that is a very rough estimate based on my own experience. Some certainly take longer, and once in a while, we see one that goes quickly. I did a post on May 13, 2026 with a link to a new online tool to track USCIS cases, and you may want to look to see what that says. It is relatively up to date and may give a better estimate about the wait time. Take care, Jason
Hey Jason, long-time reader here.
In the beginning of 2016, I did file for political asylum on my own. I changed a state, and it’s been assigned to LA office and pending for the interview ever since. In 2018, I found a lawyer who agreed to represent me, forewarning that my case doesn’t look that strong, but there’s at least 50/50 chance – otherwise, he wouldn’t take it. I have heard about mandamus before and discussed it with him, but it’s been recommended not to rush out. My case has grown even stronger given the polarizaton between the nations and political chaos in my homecountry (Ukraine). With current administration, should mandamus still be kept out of the picture just to be safe, because the outcome is unpredictable, or may be initiated? I have been living in the U.S. for more than 11 years, and I can’t be more grateful for being here, but the uncertainty with status has been bottlenecking my life prospects and holding a severe mental toll. What can you recommend based on your experience?
Thanks for everything you do!
Some asylum officers are faster than others, and the LA office is probably the slowest. For most offices, people who have waited 5+ years can do a mandamus and it would normally work, but I am not sure that is the case for LA. If your lawyer does mandamus cases there, he would know more about the chances for success. Whether a mandamus is a good idea really depends on you. It sounds like you are (understandably) frustrated by the long wait, and the case sounds like it has a decent chance for success, and so maybe a mandamus is worth a try. On the other hand, if you have some alternative path (the most common is marriage to a US citizen, but there are others), you may want to try that first. I guess I am a little uncomfortable when a lawyer gives a client numerical odds of success (I wrote about that on March 23, 2017). Hopefully, the lawyer also discussed with you any weak points in the case and you thought about what evidence you needed to overcome those weak points. Take care, Jason
Can I ask why numeric odds make you feel uncomfortable ?
To me that feels kind of important. If a case has a split chance of being successful, then the lawyer plays a huge, vital role in their representations. If, however, the case is a slam dunk or a sure loss, I don’t think asylum advocates should take those cases. The legal resources are scarce and they should be used where they will make a difference in the outcome.
Anything less than 100% makes me uncomfortable. The lawyer’s job is not to win the case, it is to look for the weak points and problems and address those, and help create the strongest case possible for the client. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason.
Do you happen to know if naturalization applicants are now required character references? My sister got an RFE for submitting two character references from neighbors who are preferably US citizens. This was a couple of weeks ago. Her attorney says that they need to be submitted as “affidavits” not as just letters. Do you have any idea what the new format should be? Just yesterday they released a new guidance stating they are starting in person neighborhood interviews where officers will go to random neighbors and ask about the person/family.
Thanks.
They are doing everything they can to make life more difficult for immigrants, and all of it is based on the lie that immigrants are somehow a threat. In any event, I think different USCIS officers are taking different approaches to their cases, and so I am not surprised that they would ask for this. I do not think it is happening in every case, and it may be related to the specific case, or maybe it is just something that officer is doing with all their cases. I do not have an example of such a letter but the RFE should provide some guidance. Probably, it should be notarized and include a copy of the writer’s photo ID. The writer should also list their name, address, phone number, email, state how they know the person, and explain why the person has good moral character. These letters do not have to be long – usually one or two pages is enough, but it is a pain, and it is very annoying to have to ask other people for references. Nevertheless, it is required, and in my experience, most people are very happy to help. Take care, Jason
Thanks Jason. She doesn’t have a criminal record or even a traffic ticket. We were surprised but I think it may be related to this new guidance released yesterday. Do you think they will even visit neighbors? The concern is that she has had an issue with couple of neighbors related to parking spots so that may play negatively if they decide to give a “bad review”.
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20260825-InvestigationsForNatzEligibility.pdf
It really makes people vulnerable to exploitation and blackmail: “If you don’t do X, I will give a bad report about you to USCIS.” I doubt a parking issue would be problematic, especially if she gets a few letters from people attesting to her good character. I suppose if she does get a bad review, she can find other people who will testify that she is not at fault or find some other way to counter the negative information. I see why the dispute creates a concern for her, but I expect that it will not be a major issue (and maybe not an issue at all, as most people probably won’t be subject to these investigations). Take care, Jason
What worries me is that, this new policy could have negative repercussions to people’s lives. Prejudiced neighbors, jealous coworkers, jealous exes. Etc… most people in the US would rather not share their personal , private lives with coworkers, or are too busy to really have a relationship with their neighbors because they work two to three jobs just to make hands meet. Cruelty is the point. People need to lawyer up and get defensive with the current approach of USCIS.
I agree with that worry, and it leaves non-citizens vulnerable to extortion. So far, we are not hearing many reports about these types of investigations, and I am hopeful that they will be relatively rare, given that they require a lot of resources. The growing hostility toward immigration enforcement may also be a factor here, and I don’t think the investigators will be getting many warm receptions from neighbors or co-workers. We shall see. Take care, Jason
Hey eliza!
Did she apply for the N-400 based on marriage or based on approved asylum? Also in which state that officer asked her for that?
Thanks
it’s been 15 months and 26 days since i applied for my RTD and it’s still pending so far ,i tried to expedite and failed and i also did congress inquiry with my senator and nothing changed!!! do you think i should sue them next monday? writ of mandmaus ? as it’s my last resort! i need to travel asap.
It is very unfortunate that they make these things take so long. There is no reason for it, and I suspect it is mostly just to make like difficult for asylees. It is really quite vile. It sounds like you tried everything and there is nothing left except a mandamus lawsuit. I do not know whether that would work after a 15 month wait, as it varies depending where you are in the US, but you could talk to a lawyer in your area who does such cases to see whether it is a good option. Take care, Jason
Hi, I was granted asylum and I have a pending green card application. While my green card application was pending, I traveled outside the U.S. twice using a valid Refugee Travel Document. I did not travel to the country I claimed asylum from. At my interview today, the officer told me that I should have used Advance Parole instead and that my green card application may be denied because of this. Is that correct, or is a Refugee Travel Document enough for someone who already has asylum?
Can you advise which officer told you this?
Was it during GC interview or CBP officer?
RTD is the correct document for asylees.
Advance Parole is for asylum seekers.
Lawrence ma , yes GC Interview
Can you advise how long you had to wait for an interview?
I’m waiting for 12 months, wondering how many more:)
3 years
That is a long time to wait for a Green Card interview. Most cases I have seen are slow – maybe 2 years – but usually not that slow. It may vary by office, and I have not done a case in Massachusetts, at least not for a while. Take care, Jason
The officer is wrong. I suppose it is not impossible that USCIS is trying some new sneaky way to deny green cards and that they will retroactively try to change the rules, but I think that is unlikely. The appropriate document for an asylee to travel and re-enter the US is the RTD. Many of my clients have done that (including while the I-485 was pending) and no one has ever had a problem. I think the more likely explanation is that the officer does not know what he or she is talking about, as they are not always very well trained. Hopefully, the issue will be cleared up by a supervisor, but if you are worried that it really might be denied, you might want to have a lawyer submit a letter explaining that you are permitted to travel with the RTD and that would not prevent you from obtaining a GC. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
What do you think about the move to revoke around 200K B1/B2 visas going back to 2016?
Looks like it will affect asylum seekers on those visas. How about asylees? Will it affect those who are already granted asylum but entered on a tourist visa? Also, is it possible to revoke a visa that expired 9 years ago? What are the consequences for the adjustment of status and naturalization process for these individuals?
Thank you.
The visa determines who can enter the US. Once you are inside the US, the visa has no effect, and so I think this effort will not have much real word impact. Maybe if there is someone who entered with a visa, filed for asylum, withdrew the asylum case (or had it denied), and then leaves the US, they will not be able to re-enter with the same visa, but I suspect there are very few people like that. Maybe this is only part 1 of their plan to harm more asylum seekers, but I just don’t see how revoking the visa will make a difference, even combined with other possible changes. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
I hope you are doing well, and we, the people of the asylum seeker community, appreciate the continuous support you provide to us.
I wanted to ask if you have any insights on why asylum decisions from last year is taking more than a year to resolve, whereas some people who applied for asylum at the beginning of the year already got their interview and even the decision after few weeks of the interview. I understand the asylum office is working under LIFO system, but it is not fair to make the applicant wait for months or years (5 years waited for an interview and been waiting for 13 months for the decision & not from banned countries).
On top of that, FOIA officers straight up stopped answering or providing any files since this spring saying you have been requesting duplicate requests even though i noted multiple times its not a duplicate request. Furthermore, USCIS responded my case inquiry alleging my case is “well within processing times”, even though I-589 is the only case type that’s missing from processing times info. So i don’t know which processing time they refer to
I thought about suing USCIS but am hesitant since they might retaliate and straight out give a refusal (which is expected from them nowadays) Please advise if you know what’s going on with asylum offices (Chicago office specifically) or what would you do in the situation of people like me.
Thank you in advance
Wait times after the interview are very unpredictable. Usually, if there is a long wait, it is due to security background checks. Given that you filed for asylum 5 years ago and that your interview was 13 months ago, you can probably file a mandamus lawsuit now. Talk to a lawyer who does such cases in your area, but usually that will help you get a decision. At least in my experience, I do not think they retaliate against people who file mandamus lawsuits. You can also email the asylum office to ask about the delay – I wrote about how to do this on March 30, 2022 (note that the article also refers to the Ombudsman office, which used to sometimes help with delayed cases; the Trump Administration eliminated that office). Take care, Jason
Morning Jason,
I’ve been waiting two years with no updates on my asylee-based green card application. I contacted my senator’s office, and they replied that the average processing time is 34 months and that they can’t do anything. That’s the same thing my previous lawyer told me, which frankly is ridiculous. USCIS has paused these cases and created all sorts of hurdles, so the delays are intentionally their fault—and likely by design to keep pushing the wait times higher.
As I mentioned to my previous lawyer, relying on that average processing time to support a remedy or mandamus action is not reasonable. Over the past year the number has kept growing and staying ahead of me, so I won’t catch up to it anytime soon. Last month it was 32 months, today it’s 34, and next month it will probably be 36. I’ll never be able to reach that figure to establish a basis for mandamus.
What’s your opinion?
Thank you for your years of support
I agree with all this, especially the part about it being ridiculous and deliberate (USCIS would tell you that they are rooting out fraud, but I don’t buy that). You can try to expedite your case – I wrote about expediting with USCIS on January 29, 2020 and maybe that would give you some ideas. Attempting to expedite and seeking help from your Congressperson can also help set the stage for a mandamus lawsuit (it shows the judge that you tried to get the case resolved prior to filing the mandamus). I do think that you can probably file a mandamus soon – talk to a lawyer who does such cases, as the appropriate time frame to file such a case changes over time and varies depending where you are located in the US. If your lawyer thinks it won’t work, it may be worth a second opinion, but make sure to ask whether the lawyer has had success with a mandamus filed for a case that is within the same time frame as your case. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
Thank you for having this platform for us.
We are so grateful to you for helping us during this difficult time and most importantly being so honest with us where some people are just not giving attention to honesty.
I have a question please, I would like to know why the appointments are being cancelled we saw that Sept 01 onwards all visa interviews have been cancelled.
Why did this happen ?
Is there any reason?
Secondly please can i ask for someone who saw this government as a difficult place to face and decided to pack up bags to leave, can the person apply for a visit visa in about 2 years from now just for a visit and have some closure on certain things?
We stayed 13 years in US, applied asylum, no overstay, no removal proceedings no deportation. We just decided to leave before the interview date do you think we did the right thing we were very scared that something might happen to one of us and the kids might just be seperated.
We are now back in home country withdrawn the case, closed it. and have nothing outstanding.
Do you think we should get an EOIR / FOIR for ourselves to see where we stand ? and what is our history?
We do have a child who is a US citizen as well.
Thank you
1 – I have not heard about visa interviews being canceled, so I do not know about that. I have heard that the State Department will revoke visas for people who came to the US and filed for asylum, but that will mainly apply to people inside the US. If you had a valid visa, applied for asylum, and then left the US, it is possible that the State Department will also invalidate your visa, but in your case, if you were in the US for 13 years, your prior visa has already expired. 2 – You can apply for a visitor visa under those circumstances, and you will have to see how things are going at the time you want to apply. I do think it will be very difficult to get another visitor visa, since you came to the US and stayed for so long. It sounds like you probably do not have any legal bars to returning here. However, the consulate will want to have strong evidence that you do not plan to overstay your visa again (in your case, you did overstay the prior visa, but since you filed for asylum, you were allowed to remain here and it seems like you did not spend time here unlawfully, but that is different from overstaying your time in the US). Other types of visas, such as H1b or L, may be easier for you to get, since those visas do not require a showing that you will leave at the end of your stay. Also, if you can apply for a Green Card (maybe through your child when the child is 21), that could be a basis to come to the US. I suggest you see what is the situation when you are ready to try to come back, and talk to a lawyer about the best ways to do that. In terms of FOIA, there is no harm in that, and it is always good to have more information about your case, and it could be useful when you try to return. Take care, Jason