Immigrants in America need more help now than ever. The Trump Administration has launched a broad-based assault against them, targeting the most vulnerable through arbitrary detention, procedural barriers, and the destruction of due process. Aside from harming non-citizens and their loved ones, these efforts have eroded the rule of law and have helped the President and his allies accrue unprecedented power.
It’s difficult to know how to respond to the Administration’s attacks, but one powerful approach for lawyers is to represent non-citizens pro bono (without charge). This is a way to help an individual and also stand up for the rule of law. What’s more, representing non-citizens pro bono has concrete benefits for the lawyer, in terms of learning new skills, expanding your network, and building or growing your legal practice. I know this because my own pro bono work helped me build and maintain my law practice for more than two decades.
There are lots of altruistic reasons to engage in pro bono work, including that it can be life saving for the client. However, today, I want to discuss the tangible benefits to the lawyer of taking on a pro bono case.
First, taking pro bono cases is a great way to build or expand your law practice. That is exactly how I built my own law firm. I took a few asylum cases pro bono or for a very low fee. Those clients referred other clients, which led to still other clients. Over time, I raised my fees so I could afford to hire some help and pay myself a reasonable (though not terribly great) salary. Indeed, for 20 years I operated my own firm and it all began with a few pro bono cases.
To build a practice this way required some strategic thinking. I knew that my area (Washington, DC) had a large Central American population, and so I took six months to study Spanish prior to opening my own firm. What I did not realize was that there were already many lawyers who were fluent in Spanish, and that six months was not enough time for me to learn Spanish (but it was enough time to nearly exhaust my savings). As a result, I didn’t fare too well in my search for Spanish-speaking clients. Luckily, there are people from many countries in Washington, DC, and I managed to meet people from Ethiopia and Afghanistan who needed asylum but who did not have a lot of money. I represented a few of these people pro bono and over time, this grew into a successful law practice. In short, what I lacked in strategic thinking, I made up for with good luck!
And so if you can think strategically about who you want as your clients, you can focus your pro bono efforts in that direction. This is a great way to start a new firm or to add new practice areas to an existing firm.
Taking cases pro bono is also a great way to expand your network and make friends. When you work on pro bono cases, you invariably meet other lawyers who can assist you in many ways. These include mentorship and referrals, and in some cases, employment. In fact, I was hired at my current job, at TASSC International, because the organization’s leadership knew me through my volunteer work. Expanding your network is also beneficial for your mental health. The practice of law–and in particular, the practice of immigration law–can be quite stressful. It is incredibly beneficial to have friends who understand what you are going through, and who can support you in difficult times (i.e., all the time).
In addition, pro bono work allows you to try new practice areas under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Non-profit organizations provide training, model pleadings, mentoring, and support for attorneys who take cases pro bono, and so it’s a great way to learn new lawyering skills. For younger attorneys, it’s also a great way to have more control over your own case–you come up with a plan (in consultation with your partner organization) and can largely make your own decisions about how to present the case.
Finally, although pro bono cases require a time commitment, I find that taking such cases can actually help avoid burnout by letting you try something new in a safe context. Representing a person in a new type of case can be energizing, since the work is so meaningful and because variety is the spice of life.
Many people went to law school because they want to help others. Representing an asylum seeker pro bono is a manageable way to change someone’s life and to stand up against the Administration’s deportation machine.
If you are an attorney and want to learn more about assisting an asylum seeker pro bono, please email me at Jason@TASSC.org. I would be happy to give you more information and discuss the types of cases that are available.
Hi Jason, I have an interview scheduled on Oct 16. Is the last day to submit the evidence Oct 1 or Oct 2? Also, what time zone does USCIS use for the deadline: UTC timezone or the local time zone where the interview office is? I am so sorry to bother you with all these many question. I got my interview date very suddenly. Thank you so much.
They want documents 14 days prior to the interview, and so I think that is October 2. In terms of the time zone, I am not sure why that is relevant, but the local time zone for your asylum office is the time zone that applies. In terms of your home address (I presume in your country), I am not sure what you already listed on the I-589 form, but you can provide an explanation about why you use the business address, and that your house is at a different location. It is pretty common in other countries that there is no house number (and sometimes, no street name) and this has never been a problem. As long as you explain the situation, you should be fine. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason, I have a very particular situation. My home does not have a house number for some reasons I do not know, and with only a street name without any number, I essentially do not have a home address even though our family live there my whole life. So, I always used my family owned business address in the same town, which has a house number, as my home address so that I could receive mail. I also used the business address as my home address on both my visa and asylum applications. Could you please help me with how to approach this situation during my interview?
Hi Jason,
Thank you for everything you do. I first want to share good news that I was recently granted asylum. Your articles helped me a lot. I have one question: do you recommend people applying for green card like day one after the approval? If not, when do you think would be the best timing to do so?
Thank you again.
That’s great news – Congratulations! In terms of the GC, you can apply at any time, but I am still recommending that people wait at least 6 months before applying. I explained my reasoning for this in a post dated February 8, 2023. Take care, Jason
For evidence submission, do I need to summarize the article or just submit it as is? Should I format my evidences in a research paper style with direct quotes from the news and citations? Would that be helpful? Thank you for your guidance.
Translated documents need to be word-for-word. You can submit a legal brief or cover letter that includes summaries, but for the actual translations, you need to translate the entire document. If the document is very long, you can clearly indicate the parts that are being translated and only provide translations for those parts, but if you do that, make sure to include all relevant parts, and also include a translation of the title, author, and date of article. Take care, Jason
While translating evidences, how do I disclose the AI usage? I am getting some help from AI and then proofreading and fixing where needed during my translation. Can you please give me some guidance on this procedure? Thank you.
You can use AI to translate a document. However, you are still required to have a human review the translation, make sure it is all correct, and sign the certificate of translation. I wrote more about this (including a link to a model certificate of translation) on August 24, 2017. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
This is Ronnie Mancho.
I have been trying to reach you in vain. Can you call me at [] or tell me how i can contact you please.
It is urgent,
respectfully requested ,
Ronnie Mancho
I have redacted your phone number. If you need to reach me, you can email me at Jason@Asylumist.com. Take care, Jason
Good afternoon Jason. What could the current guidance on I-485 and explain what types of notices this message can correspond to. On September 26, 2026, we issued a notice for your Form I485, APPLICATION TO REGISTER PERMANENT RESIDENCE OR ADJUST STATUS, Receipt Number MSc**********. Please follow the instructions in the notice. If you do not receive your notice by October 26, 2026, please go to http://www.uscis.gov/e-request to request a copy of the notice. If you move, go to http://www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.
That sounds like a standard online notice. It does not indicate that there is anything for you to do, and so I think you just have to wait for the next notice, as USCIS processes the case. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason
I was your client for Asylum at your firm and then again at murray ossario for green card.
Me and my wife had 485 interview in august 2025. But only I received another interview notice 2 weeks ago, says initial interview scheduled for October 2nd. This was after congressman inquiry.
The interview last year only lasted 5 mins.
Now upon checking My case status Uscis website.
It says Case Required USCIS To Send A Notice for me and my wife. Wondering what that could be.
I also sent you email about 2 weeks ago but i only got automated response that you are not with that firm anymore and the case will be reassigned to another lawyer but i have not received any email or call yet i already paid the fees and everything. Just wonderIng if you can help me in any way with this.
Thank you.
Nothing to worry, I also have asylum based greencard application pending since Nov 2024, this case status change is about fbi background check, standard security check notification, don’t stress about it.
In terms of the notice, you will have to wait for the paper letter in the mail, as there is no way to know what it is about until you get the letter. The best way to communicate with the firm is to call them to ask for the paralegal assigned to the case, and they can give you any update. Unless you get a new interview or a request for additional info, it sounds like there is nothing to do in the case, and so the firm may just be waiting for a notice from USCIS. If you are unable to reach anyone at Murray, you can email me and I can check with them; my email is Jason@Asylumist.com. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
Thank you very much for your help.
Our I-589 asylum case was already approved in May 2024, and we filed our I-485 application in November 2024. Since then, we have been waiting for a decision on our adjustment of status. The current status of our I-485 says, “Case Was Updated to Show Fingerprints Were Taken.”
However, on September 16, 2026, when we checked the previous ZAR receipt number associated with our I-589 case, it showed a new status: “Decision Was Mailed,” with the last status change listed as 9 days ago.
This is confusing to us because our I-589 case was already approved in May 2024 and was closed after the approval. We have therefore been following the I-485 receipt number while waiting for the adjustment-of-status decision.
As of today, we have not received any mail regarding the September 16, 2026 status update. I am concerned and confused about what this new “Decision Was Mailed” status could mean.
I also asked some friends who have similar cases, and they told me they experienced the same type of status update after their asylum cases had already been approved.
Could you please help me understand what this status might mean and whether there is anything we need to do? I am worried that we may be missing an important notice.
Thank you again for your time and assistance.
I think this is a USCIS error. Many people who have approved asylum recently received the same message. I have talked about it with other lawyers as well, and at this point, we think it is an error and can be ignored. Obviously, if there are other messages, that could change things, but for now, there seems to be nothing to do. Take care, Jason
Dear Jason, thank you for your help.
we have already approved our I-589 in May 2014 and applied for I-485 in November 2024. so, we are still waiting our status of adjustment IT SAYS, ‘case was Updated To show fingerprints were Taken’. While on this on September 16, 2026, our previous ZAR NUMBER regarding I-589 SAYS Last status change: 9 days ago. Decision was Mailed. Imagine this case was closed when our case was approved. so, we were checking and following the receipt number of I-485. UP TO NOW THERE IS NO MAIL sent about the September 16, 2026 decision. I am confused and asked some friends, and they told me the same happened to them. I am scared, what would it be please.
I don’t exactly understand your situation. You filed for asylum at the Asylum Office in 2014 and then you filed for a Green Card on some other basis (maybe a family petition?) in 2024? If so, you would normally keep the asylum case pending until you actually received the GC, and then you would withdraw the asylum application. There have been many people who were granted asylum years ago, and who recently received messages from USCIS about their asylum cases. This seems to be a USCIS error, and so far, nothing else has happened to these people. Maybe that is your situation? If you have moved since you filed your application, make sure you have updated your address with USCIS at http://www.uscis.gov, or if you think there is something else going on, maybe you want to talk to a lawyer to look into the situation. Take care, Jason
I am sorry 2014 to mean 2024
Hello Jason, Congrats on your new role! I have an asylum based I485 interview coming up next week in Albany. Can I bring my 10-month-old baby with me although the instruction notice says no children? I tried to call USCIS customer center, but the AI agent couldn’t answer my question, as expected. Thank you.
Thank you. It would be far better to leave your child with a baby sitter, or if you cannot do that, bring someone to the interview who can take care of your child while you go inside. The officer may let you bring the child into the interview, but they may also refuse to do the interview, in which case you could be rescheduled or possibly even denied. Even if the officer does allow the child inside, that can be very disruptive when the situation is already stressful. My thought is that you should do your best to have someone watch the child so you can go to the interview and focus on that. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, processing time for i-485 asylee is now 34.5 months which is pretty much 3 years, is it a good idea to file mandamus after a year and half of waiting? I guess the idea is to put legal/court pressure on USCIS to approve your case rather then complain that your case it taking longer than their ridiculous processing time. Any recent luck with mandamus on your end?
I am not doing mandamus cases, but wait times may vary by location, and so you would want to talk to a local lawyer who does such cases to evaluate whether it is worth trying. As far as I am concerned, the whole “processing time” thing is a scam. USCIS clearly has the capacity to process these cases faster (since they did in the past and since their workload is decreased due to fewer people filing for benefits). They are just going slow using the excuse of security, which is basically the same excuse the Administration uses for everything from voting rights to restricting the free press. I think if you talk to a lawyer who has done mandamus suits and the lawyer thinks you have a case, it is worth a try. It seems like these days, that is the only way to get a decision from USCIS in a remotely timely manner. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason, do u know anyone who has traveled domestically without any issue on pending asylum or pending court individual hearing.
Also in your knowledge what is safe to go to LA from New jersey by train or by road if not by plane. Going there is necessary.
Since all the trouble at airports began, I have had 2 clients travel by plane with no incident. They were relatives, both were women from a majority Muslim country. This was probably two months ago, shortly after the airport arrests began. While I think it is possible to travel domestically by air, I think there is a real risk of being detained and I am advising people with pending asylum cases that it is not safe to travel (unless they have some other valid status). In terms of trains and roads, there are some examples of people being arrested while driving, but as far as I can tell, most of those involve people who get stopped for a traffic violation or who get into an accident. If you are driving to LA, that will take you closer to the US/Mexico border, and that area may be higher risk. I have not heard about arrests on trains lately, but that is possible too, and I did hear about instances of that in the past (before the current Trump Administration). While in general, I think the risk of being detained is not very high, based on what info I have, I think air travel is the most risky. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
First of all thank you for your blogs and spending time to respond to our questions. I am currently in removal proceedings with a Master Calendar Hearing scheduled for late 2028 based on a pending asylum application. In the meantime, I married a U.S. citizen, and my Form I-130 was approved earlier this year. I was admitted to the U.S through a B1/B2 visa.
I am now trying to determine the best path forward to adjust my status:
Option 1 (Immigration Court): File Form I-485 directly with the Immigration Judge. This keeps my asylum claim active as a backup and preserves my appeal rights, but it may take another 3 to 4 years.
Option 2 (USCIS): Request termination of my court proceedings to file Form I-485 directly with USCIS. This could be faster, but it carries more risk because it removes the safety net of the pending asylum case and appeals structure.
Having been in the U.S. for nearly a decade, I am anxious to see my aging parents ( would need to meet in another country other than where I am originally from). I am unsure about what to prioritize (safety vs timing). I don’t think I will forgive myself if anything happens to my parents while I wait for my papers. On the other hand I need to play it safe so that I could remain in the U.S. to take care of my wife and children here. I would appreciate any advice, insights, or personal experiences from those who have navigated a similar decision. Thank You!!
I think our assessment of the risk is correct, but you may not have control over whether or not the case gets dismissed – you would have to ask DHS and the judge, and they may or may not agree. I think you need to talk this through with a lawyer who knows the specifics of the case, but one possible option would be to try to expedite the case with the judge, and present your I-485 (and if needed, your asylum claim) at that time. This may not be possible, but you can ask. Sometimes, the judge will want you to file the I-485 with USCIS before they agree to dismiss. If you end up filing the I-485 with USCIS, you can also file for Advance Parole, so that maybe you will get that more quickly (rather than waiting to file the AP and I-485 after the case is dismissed). It may be possible to make things faster, but these days, you are right to consider the risks and it would be worth talking this through with a lawyer to make the best decision you can. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
My EAD application just shows Approved, and I am originally from Afghanistan. If I remember correctly, you advised that we need to apply for the next one as soon as we receive the current to make sure there is no gap or chance of losing the EAD. Is this still the case ? Should I apply as soon as I get the card ? Also, the new EADs are valid for 1.5 year right ?
New EADs will be valid for only 1.5 years, that is my understanding. Also, there are no more automatic extensions, and so when the card expires, you are not legally allowed to work any more (assuming this is based on asylum pending; if your EAD is based on asylum approved, you can work legally even if the EAD has expired). You can file to renew now. The problem is that the wait time is so unpredictable. It may take 1.5 years or even longer to get the new card, or it may only take a few months. I would probably still recommend that you filed to renew within the next few months, as it is probably better to have overlapping EAD cards than to have a gap between EADs where you cannot work for a period of time. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
My I-730 was approved back in 2019. Then, I applied for Green Card after a year and my GC was approved as well. Now, I’m waiting for the time to apply for Citizenship.
Today, I got an email from the USCIS that there has been a recent processing action taken on my case. The case status says: Initial Review. The notification says that I will receive the notice within one month.
It seems weird and strange to me. For your kind information, I recently submitted an online change of address form and I never indicated that I have a pending case (I don’t have a pending case).
What do you think about this and should I be concerned about anything?
Thank you.
I would just keep an eye on this to see if you get any other notices. There have been many examples of people who have asylum (or who have a GC or citizenship based on asylum) getting online notices about their asylum cases, even though those cases are long finished. This seems to be a USCIS error. I have not heard an example of an I-730 person getting this type of notice, but your description of what happened seems similar to those other people, and so I suspect that it is the same error. If you receive other notices that seem more substantive or problematic, if would be worth talking to a lawyer, but based on what happened so far, I think this is just a USCIS error and is probably not something you need to worry about. Take care, Jason
My case is LGBT I recently received decision from asylum office that my asylum is not granted in Chicago office, it show that I didn’t prove previous persecution as well future persecution, mu case is LGBT based on membership in particular social group, what’s my chances on court because it show it’s not denied it’s referred to
Court
Best regards
I am sorry to hear that the case was referred to court. LGBT cases tend to be very strong, but it depends on conditions in your home country. It is important to have good evidence that you are, in fact, gay (letters from people who know you, membership documents from LGBT organizations, photos at LGBT events, etc.). It is also important to have good evidence about the country conditions in your home country, to show that conditions there are dangerous for LGBT people. Hopefully, you will have a lawyer for the court case, as court can be difficult to navigate by yourself. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason.
Do you think it is safe to travel to Hawaii for asylee waiting for his GC & RTD?
No criminal record, no other issues with any gov departments.
I have not heard about anyone who has been granted asylum having problems traveling domestically, so I think it is ok. Aside from your work permit (which should list category a-5, asylee), it would be a good idea to have your I-94 indicating that asylum is granted and have access to the court order or asylum office letter stating that asylum is granted (maybe keep a copy of those on your phone or computer). Otherwise, I think you should be ok to travel. Take care, Jason