Jason Dzubow is an immigration attorney who specializes in political asylum, immigration court, and appeals. He is a partner at Dzubow & Pilcher, PLLC, and his full profile can be found here.
Contact Jason Dzubow about an Asylum or Immigration case:
JDzubow@DzubowLaw.com
(202) 328-1353
Hi Jason,
I live in Maryland and want to file my I-589. I am told that I should mail it to Texas service center. Does that mean they will later relocate my application to Arlington? I thought I should mail directly to Arlington. What if I live in Washington DC? to which center should I mail it. I am confused in this regard. Can you please brief me?
Thank you for your usual support!
You should look at the instructions on the I-589 – it tells you where to mail it. For a first application (meaning, you never filed before for asylum), if you live in MD or DC, the application is sent to the Texas Service Center. The interview will be in Arlington. Take care, Jason
I do understand now. Thank you Jason.
Hi Jason I have two questions
1) I applied for asylum in July 15 now I am going to apply for my EAD
Can I change my mailing address , I m living on the same address but I don’t want my mails there , if yes does it will stop my clock ?
2) my country passport has been expired
I want to travel in USA for traveling ,airline needs a valid I’d document,is there any other way ? Thanks ..
If your move does not cause you to change asylum offices, it will not affect the clock. If you changed asylum offices, it will probably stop the clock. Also, while you can file for the EAD after 150 days, you are not actually eligible for it until 180 days have passed. Therefore, if you move and the clock stops with less than 180 days, you will not get the work permit (we learned this the hard way when a client’s clock stopped at 179 days). As for domestic travel, I imagine you need a valid ID – you can ask the airline about that. I suppose you can renew your passport, but that might affect your asylum case. If you are not sure, you should talk to a lawyer about it for advice. Good luck, Jason
Thank you !! So much for your advice ..
HiJason, thank you for the very useful information, I am a aylum seeker, and about ti renew my EAD, but I’m sure the new EAD will be late, so there’s gonna be a gap, does that mean during that gap, I’m not eligible to work? Thank you
Unfortunately, it does. If you work without permission, it does not affect your eligibility for asylum. Take care, Jason
So I have to stop working during that gap time? if my company doesn’t ask my eligibility, could I still work? Are they able to issue out payment ?
If the company does not notice, and you do not tell them, you will be able to keep working and getting paid. I cannot advise you to do that, as it potentially could cause problems for the company, but if you keep working, it should have no effect on your asylum case. Take care, Jason
Thank you for your reply Jason, I am working in this company for a while, and will get permanent position, I called USCIS, they say as long as my case is pending, I am always eligible to work, just want to make sure, even though I receive my card late, it won’t affect my work right? because employer only review work permit at the beginning of the employment, that’s what I was told. Thank you kindly!
My understanding is that the advice is wrong. However, if the company doesn’t notice or care, it should not affect your case.
I see, Thank you so much.
Thanks for your efforts. Your response will be deeply appreciated!!
•I granted asylum last month, and I got my new work permit by mail.
– Is it necessary to apply for new social number?
-What should I do now? or what other applications should I submit to be aware of all my obligations and benefits
after I granted asylum?
• My wife and my first daughter are still in my home country. I am trying to fill I-730 application for them by myself because I couldn’t afford lawyers charges any more. Please! Explain to me all procedures.
-Is it one application for both of them or separate application? Where I have to send the application?
-What is the next step, for them and me, after applying?
-How long does it take for them to come to the U.S.A?
-After they come to the U.S.A, can my wife go back to my home country for couple months because her mother is old women and sick?
-I have my second daughter with me and she granted asylum as well because I submit her name in my case. Can she go back to my country for a while without any fear to enter the U.S again?
Thanks a lot.
It is far too much for me to explain here. The form I-730 is not that difficult. You should read the instructions and do your best to follow them. Also, there are non-profit organizations that can help. One that I know about is the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore, MD. Maybe if you contact them, they can help you or refer you to a local provider. As for benefits and obligations of asylum, the asylum offices usually have an information session every so often. You can attend that, and they will give you information about benefits, etc. Take care, Jason
Thanks a lot for your help.I really appreciate you efforts!
I am still concern about the expected time it’s going to take my wife and daughter to come to the U.S after submitting the application, I-730, for them.
I have my second daughter with me and she granted asylum as well because I submitted her name in my case. Can she go back to my country for a while without any fear to enter the U.S again?
thank you
The I-730/consular process is not so quick – I tell people that it takes 6-9 months, but it could be more (and sometimes it is less). If your daughter received asylum as your derivative, it may be less of a problem for her to return to the home country. However, before she does that, I recommend you talk to a lawyer about it, as it is possible that this will cause her trouble. Good luck, Jason
Hi Sir
I wanted apply for the IOM program, because I worked with the US-army. The IOM prog. takes very long time. And to complete the full processes, this will be after my death, because our life is threatened! I want to apply for the refugee program from inside USA so the life of me and my family be safe. The problem is that the embassy in Iraq refuses our request for the visa. Please, any information so we can overcome this problem?
With regards
JJ
Unfortunately, I do not know of any easy way to get a visa to the US. If you qualify for a work visa (like an H1B or an L) or can afford a student visa (F), that might be easier than a tourist visa. If you can get to the US, you can request asylum. Good luck, Jason
thank you so much Sir…. appreciate your answer.
Hi Jason,
I would like to thank you as always for your amazing job regarding asylum.
My question is, I am hoping to get my EAD soon and also hope to get a new job soon after i get my EAD so i was wondering if the company can process H1B or labor certificate for me. It looks my interview time is going to take long because of the backlog that is why I was looking for other faster options. I first came here with B1/B2 and applied for asylum before my I94 expires.
Thank you again,
TJ
hi, i will like to know why phones are not allowed in san francisco camp. And who to identify and take a relative from there. Also will like to know if after done medicals in Panama and name comes out in San francisco camp, do you cross to Sanfrancisco on your own? doesnt the government some someone with you?
I have no idea what you are asking about – sorry.
Jason,
Thanks for your efforts. We appreciate it!! I want to share some info with you that might help others who are in my situation:
I applied for asylum late 2014 and my parents applied for visit visa last month and they got it. They are here now visiting me. I want to inform other applicants that although our asylum application might create difficulties for our relatives to visit, yet its possible that it wont cause any harm, such in my case!
Cheers,
Ben
That is good news. Your asylum could have made it more difficult for them. It is even harder for spouses and minor children of asylum applicants. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
I have read several blogs at your website these are really helpful,
My questions are as under
I applied for my asylum in january 2013 at new york office my interview is still pending as of nov 25 2015 i already have my EAD and everything my son and my wife are still in my back home first question is can they apply for a non immigrant visa and if they get approved can i add them in my existing asylum case
2nd question can i get a travel document to canada as my case is still in process hope i will get the wise advice from you thanks
Your family can apply for a non-immigrant visa, but it will be difficult to get – if you have applied for asylum, it will make it less likely that the embassy will issue a visa (as they will suspect your family will seek asylum also). If they can get here, you should be able to add them to your case. As for Canada, if you can get a visa, you can go, but if you plan to seek asylum there, your case could be automatically denied since you are coming from the US. Before you go to Canada, you should talk to a Canadian lawyer about your plans. Finally, if you leave the US and want to return to continue your asylum case, you need to get Advance Parole before you go (form I-131). Take care, Jason
Thank you for your amazing blog which helped all of us in our cases. I have a questions regarding my EAD initial filing based on pending asylum, I applied and it has been received on 19th Oct 2015 and since then it is pending as ” case was received ”. Last May, USCIS issued reliefs for Yemeni National due to the current situation and one of these relief is that the adjudication of EAD can be expedited. I made an expedite request and it was denied but stated that I will received a decision soon then nothing happened and before 1 week I made a service request and stated that it is with adjudicator officer and I will receive a decision within 60 days.I didn’t under why my expedite got denied although that was issued by USCIS itself and it was general not for a specific cases.Please advice .your kind assistance is much appreciated.
I thought I already replied to this, but I do not think it is unusual to wait for 3 to 4 months for an EAD, and we have not had any luck expediting such cases, regardless of the home country. I think you can request them to expedite, and maybe you will be lucky, but there are delays for everyone and so I would not be surprised if you have to wait 3 or 4 months. If it works, let us know. Thank you, Jason
Hi Jason,
I am ready to apply for asylum. Which asylum office or location of the country you think is more likely to schedule an interview the earliest, considering the number of pending cases each has? Is it possible to know the current pending cases of all offices?
Thank you
You can check the Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin (link is at the right). However, this tells you which office is fastest now; it does not necessarily predict which office will be the fastest going forward. Good luck, Jason
Hi, Jason,
Thank you for your guidance. My husband has the pending asylum application from May 2015 and I am included in it. If I return to my country will it affect the case? And if he gets asylum status granted will he be able to bring me back here through I-730?
Thank you in advance.
It could affect his case, but it depends on the circumstances. We do many cases where the principal applicant faces harm, but the derivatives do not, so it will not necessarily affect the case. I think it is something you want to discuss with a lawyer first. If you return home and he wins asylum, he can file an I-730 for you. Take care, Jason
Thank you for your help. Best regards.
Hi Dear,
I applied for asylum on Jul-2013 at Miami ,till this moment no interview and Miami still in interview for whose applied in Feb-2013 from 5 months as reports from USCIS , why Miami very slow in interviewing? , and can i expect my interview .
BR,
Monda
It is very slow mostly due to their obligation to interview people who arrive at the US/Mexico border before they interview regular asylum seekers like you. Hopefully, they will get to your case soon. Good luck, Jason
Hey,
I applied in Miami in Sept-2014! So it seems its gonna be a longer wait for me!
my quest for information pertaining to asylum would be a futile exercise
had it not been for this platform containing information purely intended to help us all as we toil through the state of limbo. I may even see a better day where attorneys could some day like you give the humane aspect of the complex immigration system the necessary attention it deserves than a peace meal by piece meal alms of it showered with disclaimer clause. A human right lawyer myself from a civil law country( Ethiopia) makes me feel sad to see that you prohibit vulnerable people fleeing persecution and against all odds, we make it on time for the specified time( 180 days since application for Asylum and 30 days passed since I-765, nothing new pertaining EAD. i only see that USCIS received my case more than 3-4 weeks ago!
what would be plausible thing i can do than to wait
Amasagenalu! I have listed (on February 26, 2015) some ideas for expediting a case, but it is very difficult to get USCIS to expedite (though we have had some very limited success with this). As for the EAD, there have recently been delays in processing those, and though you can call USCIS to inquire, the only thing you can really do it wait. It is very frustrating. Take care, Jason
I came on an f1 visa and applied for asylum right away without informing the college that i was coming and now that my application is pending I want to go back to school.And the college that thinks I am in my home country sent me an I-20 for spring so can I just go back to the college or apply for reinstatement?
You will have to ask the school – I am not sure, and different schools have different policies. In the worst case, you should be able to attend school once you have your EAD (you can apply for that 150 days after you filed your asylum case). Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your work and I always appreciate it.
My question is that I have applied for EAD for the first time and I also got the receipt notice. I have tried to check it online and it says my case was received for some time now (about three weeks) and does not say pending or anything. Should it say pending or something?
Thank you
TJ
If you have the receipt, you should be fine – there are delays for EADs, even first EADs. I think you will just have to wait for USCIS to process the application. Take care, Jason
Hello Jason,
I have been granted asylum in August 2013 (interviewed at Arlington’s asylum office in October 2012) and have filed for my permanent residency in October 2014. I have not heard any updates since then, and have inquired through USCIS website as well as the congressman.
Meanwhile, I got married in Dec 2014, amd my wife is a US Citizen. Would it be expedient in light of the current backlogs to file through my wife through the appropriate process?
Did you receive a receipt? If not, and if you paid by check, was your check cashed? There are no particular backlogs related to adjustment of status. I would figure out what went wrong before you spend more money and time on a new application that might face the same problem. You might try contacting the Ombudsman’s office – it is their job to help with situations such as yours. There is a link at the right to the Ombudsman. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
I am waiting for my interview since September 2014, my 2 daughters back home, is it possible to bring my small one? Is there any way?
And also do you have the latest bulletin of schedule for interview?
There is a link to the Asylum Office Scheduling Bulletin at the right. Your daughter can apply for a visa, but it is very difficult to get, and the fact that you have requested asylum may make it even more difficult. Maybe she wants to try anyway, as we did have one client try this, and it worked (from Egypt). Good luck, Jason
Jason and Dana,
I applied for asylum late 2014 and my parents applied for visit visa last month and the got it. They are here now visiting me. I want to inform other applicant that although that our asylum application might create difficulties for our relatives to visit, yet its possible that it wont such in my case!
Cheers,
Ben
Hi Jason,
My husband and I sent in September the documents for the renewal of the work permit, and we haven’t received anything from them, not even the receipt letter. We don’t know what to do. Because we don’t have a case number to call the uscis and ask.
Thank you
Isabel
If you paid by check, you can get the check from your bank. USCIS should have stamped the check with a case number that you can check on the USCIS website. If you did not pay by check, I do not know what you can do except to wait. There have been delays with work permits, and it has not been that long, so I suspect you will get the receipt soon. Good luck, Jason
Hi,
I have a pending asylum case for 5 years and have been interviewed twice once in Miami asylum office in 2010 and again in Arlington in June 2014 ( since I moved and they moved my case after 3.5 years of the change of address)
I have four questions
A) how do I know if they have referred my case to head quarter for review ?
B) can I apply for skilled immigration to canada while my asykum is pending
C) can i apply for change of status based on H1b or busniess sponsorship since I applied for asylum when I was in Status(B1/B2)
D) can I come back to US on any other status if I voleenterly withdraw my case? I have US born kids as well
Thanks
I tried to answer the questions below:
A – You can email them and ask; maybe they will tell you something. You can also contact the Ombudsman (link at right) and maybe they can tell you
B – Probably, but you need to contact a lawyer in Canada (or at least a lawyer who knows about Canadian immigration law)
C – Probably, but I think you would be required to leave the US to get the H1B visa. You should talk to a lawyer before you do any of that.
D – You can try. If you try to return with most non-immigrant visas (like a B visitor visa), they may deny the visa because they think you have an intent to immigrate. Other visas (H1B), this should not be a problem. Again, you will have to consult with a lawyer before you make any decisions about this, as there are many factors that need to be considered.
Thanks a lot for your prompt response .
I visited Arlington asykum office after almost 10 months yesterday and last time they said its in background check and this time they said its in headquarters for review. Since there are several types of cases referred for headquarter review, how can I find out that which category my case is related to?
Also may I know for how long it has been with headquarters?
Thanks
I do not know how you can find out the reason for HQ review. I doubt they will tell, but you can email them and ask. You can also contact the Ombudsman and maybe they could tell you (but again, I doubt it). As for the length of time, our experience is that it is very unpredictable. It could be days or it could be years. I wrote about HQ review a few weeks ago and I included a link to see whether the case was under TRIG review – you might try that as well. Good luck, Jason
Dear Lawyer,
I was granted aylum in the states two years ago and I’m currently a green card holder, I recently got married and want to bring my wife, who has Australian citizenship to live with me in the States, what is the fastest way to achieve this? Do I have to wait to get the American citizenship first?
Thank you in advance
You should probably consult a lawyer about this, but if you want to file for her, the form is the I-130 (available at http://www.uscis.gov). The process is faster if you are a US citizen, but a green card holder can petition for a spouse. Take care, Jason
Really appreciate your response, thank you
Hi sir
I m a Pakistan lady I HV question that my husband HD b2 visa for five yes last yr he came Pakistan and applied mine n my son visit visa. For USA but it WS denied then he left USA new he is going to be asylum there after this what rules all b for me? Can I apply visit visa again as he can’t come Pakistan n if us then on which category I should apply?? Thx
I am not sure I understand your question, but if your husband applies for asylum, it will be more difficult for you and your child to get a B visa from the US embassy – they will suspect that you plan to violate your visa and stay permanently in the US. Good luck, Jason
Hi Jason,
I was looking all over the internet for answers to my questions, and after finding how you are responding to almost everyone, I’m really glad to find your website. Thank you in advance for your time answering everyone. You can’t imagine how much your responses help us.
I am from Syria, and I applied in L.A. with my husband for asylum and he was the main applicant. We’ve done the Asylum office interview and our case was referred to the immigration court due to conflict in answers my husband gave the officer. Now we’ve got a trial date scheduled in July 2017. We tried through our attorney to make it sooner, but our request got denied.
If you would kindly answer our questions and from your experience what would you advice us to do:
1. Can we re-apply for the asylum by making me the main applicant since my case is less complicated than my husband?
2. If we moved our address from L.A. to Maryland (since our son lives and works there), will we be able to get a sooner interview date in Maryland Immigration court?
3. During the waiting time for the trial, can we travel outside the U.S. (but of course not to Syria) and return with our asylum case still active? If yes how is that possible?
Thank you so much for making time to help and guide others.. Your responses are highly appreciated.
I tried to answer in order:
1. If you are part of your husband’s case and both of you were referred to court, then you cannot apply again at the Asylum Office. If you are both in court, and your case is better, you could become the “lead” person.
2. Maryland is faster than LA, but by the time the case is moved and scheduled for a final hearing, I doubt it will be before July 2017.
3. I believe if you leave the US under these circumstances, it will be considered a “self deportation” and you will not be allowed to return. If you really must travel, you can have your lawyer (or another lawyer) research this questions, in case I am wrong.
Good luck, Jason
Thank you so much for your answers.
You’ve been very helpful.
Dear Jason,
You are doing a great deal by helping people.
I am from Pakistan and about to apply for a religious in new york.
My husband could not come as he did not the visa.what are my chances of getting the asylum case approved and when will my husband be with me.
Each case is different, so I cannot tell you the chances for success in your case. If you are granted asylum, you can file a form I-730 to bring your husband to the US. Usually, this takes 6 to 12 months (after your case is approved). Take care, Jason
Dear Jason,
Can B1 & FI visa holders apply for asylum? Will they be alleged by Asylum Officer of committing visa fraud as they were supposed by visa counselor to have no intent to stay permanently in US. Will their valid visa status be revoked upon filing an asylum application.
Please reply
Thanks
Hi Jason,
My Fiance will be arriving in the US under an approved K1 visa November 17th. We will be married immediately after he arrives and then will be applying for soc. security card, I-485, along with I-765. My question is this, will he be able to work in the US while the forms are being processed. I thought there was a work permit he could fill out at our local USCIS office. But I am a bit unclear. Thanks in advance!
-C
In general, a person cannot legally work without the EAD. Here, though, I can answer only questions related to asylum.
Hi Jason,
Thank you very much for your help in the immigration issues. They are really helpful.
My question is that whether applying for short notice asylum interview affects my EAD clock. I recently applied for EAD and I dont want to risk my EAD clock for short notice asylum interview. My other question is do I need to give finger print for my EAD?
Thank you very much.
TJ
You do need to give fingerprints for the EAD. Take care, Jason
Thank you Jason very much.
Can I check online the status of my EAD? Also can I apply for social security number if my EAD is approved and I can check that online.
Thank you
I don’t know about SSN, but you should be able to check the status of your EAD application online at http://www.uscis.gov. The is a link to check case status. Take care, Jason
Hi Jason,
Thank you very much for your help in the immigration issues. I wanted to know if short-notice application for asylum interview affects my EAD clock?
Thank you
TJ
If you put yourself on the short list for an asylum interview? It would not affect the asylum clock.
Hi Jason
Your prompt reply to the queries are very helpful. Thank you for all your effort.
I got married after applying for asylum (which was 6 months ago.)Now would like to add my husband to my application. What is the process and when is the best time or shall I wait for my result? Does it affect my clock
Will my dependent get EAD
Please suggest
THANK YOU
AASHA
It does not affect the clock. You can add him anytime. The process seems to vary between asylum offices, but if you email your local office, they should send you instructions on how to add him. Take care, Jason
Hi
I filled asylum on July 21st and I missed my interview with immigration officer then my asylum clock is stop on 161 days and April 2012 I applied for e a d card but they denied because your days is not 180 days they rejected my application for dad and still my clock is stop and my case is in immigration court in 2014 already master c lender hearing is done. But still I don’t have e a d card . Please let know what I have to do.
The clock probably should have started in 2014 when you went to the Master Calendar Hearing. The rules related to the clock are vague, and so different judges interpret it differently. I think the only thing you can do is to contact the court administrator and ask them to start your clock. If your case is in court, you really should have a lawyer, and if you do, he or she can help you with the clock. Good luck, Jason
Sir, I would like say what about asylum categories? first,second and third category. please explain
Sir, I would like state that what about in asylum cases categories on which base asylum interview held? plz explain
Maybe you are asking about scheduling categories? Rescheduled cases and cases involving unaccompanied minors get priority over “regular” asylum cases.
Hi Jason,
Im asylum seeker and i had interview back in 2011 in Arlington office. Two weeks after interview i went to asylum office to get notice “From pick up to mail out”, this was last notice i got from immigration service. It four full years i applied for the asylum and im still in pending status. When i type my case number in the USCIS “Check your case” it says that “number is invalid or non existing”, although it was existing in the beginning and i was checking it. You can imagine how many times i visited asylum office and each time i got same answer “You case is under review/pending”. I was writing to the Congressman office and White House, i was writing to the Ombudsman office and always got same answer, currently under review/pending. Im really not sure what to do and im considering only two options left, suing immigration and going to the media. What is your opinion about my options?
My opinion is that such a delay is inexcusable. I have no idea why they have such ridiculous delays for certain people. Unless your case is somehow media-worthy, I doubt the media would care, and even if it were in the news, I doubt the asylum office would do anything about it. You might consider suing them; maybe that is the most realistic option. I will (probably) post something next week about delays caused by headquarters review – maybe that will be a bit helpful to you, but I will not be writing about solutions – just problems; sorry. Good luck, Jason
sir,
I would like to what is first,second and third category in asylum cases?
Sorry – I do not understand the question.
Hey Jason,
After doing lots of research on asylum, I find your website to be the most helpful. I really appreciate your work.
I applied for asylum on 9th Feb 2015 at the San Francisco asylum office, and after 5 months applied for EAD. In one month I got my EAD card, now I have social security driving license which are valid for one year. I contacted a senator to find out about my case from the SF asylum office, they give her a reply and told her that it is in process and awaiting interview. So, I think there is nothing else than to wait.
As per my asylum case, I was a translator for US Marines in Afghanistan for one year. After that I worked as contractor with US Army. During that time, I was kidnapped by the taliban and my family paid ransom money to get me free. I was still receiving threats so I came to United States to seek asylum.
I saw the backlog report and it shows that in august 2015, SF asylum office is dealing with cases of august 2013. So, in your expert opinion when should I expect an interview? Apart from waiting, should I be doing something else?
Your response will be deeply appreciated. Gold bless you
Thanks
Thank you for the kind words. You should be gathering evidence related to you job as a translator and your problems in Afghanistan. It sounds like you have a strong case (we do a lot of Afghan cases and more than 95% are successful). We cannot predict when your interview will be; we know only who is being interviewed today. Also, you should know that many of our Afghan clients have to wait for a long time after the interview due to security background checks (even people who worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan). Hopefully, you will not experience this, but you should be prepared for a long wait, just in case. Good luck, Jason
Dear Jason
You are doing a great job I would like to say thank you for your efforts which you are putting for us.
I want to know, I’m a main applicant of asylum and got my EAD. Can I apply EAD for my spouse and kids they are included in my asylum application. I need to apply their SSN for tax returns. Could you please advice.
Thank you
If they are dependent in your asylum case (meaning, they were fingerprinted when you were), they should be eligible for the EAD, the same as you. Take care, Jason
Hello Sir,
I applied for asylum in January 2015 for me and my son. And than after 180 days I applied for ead for me and my 2year son. I was keeping a track on my applications status online. 3days back it showed that my son ead application was approved but my ead application is still showing “application received”. And today in postal mail I received a notice of approval of ead for my son but didn’t received his ead card. And my ead application is still pending as it shows online. My question is:
what should I do to get my ead approved and what is the next step for my 2 year old son after receiving his ead card?
Thank you so much sir for your time. Really appreciate your work. God bless you!
Your son will likely receive the card soon. It normally takes 1 to 3 months to get the EAD, so there is probably no problem with your card. I do not know about the next step – there really is no next step except to wait for the interview. Your son should be able to get a Social Security card if he needs one. Take care, Jason
Thank you so much Sir.
renewal of EAD delay
Hi Jason,
I have applied to renew my EAD as my asylum case is still pending. I am over my 120 days since I have applied. My attorney has called the office twice and has made an expedited request but I haven’t heard anything from them. I have not even receive a letter that they have receive my application for EAD renewal.
I am in total loss and stress as I may have to give up my job because I can’t get my EAD renewed.
If you paid for the EAD by check, you can check with your bank to see whether it was cashed. If so, you can get a copy of the check, which will have a tracking number from USCIS stamped on it. You can use this number to track the case online and make inquiries. If the case as not ever received, maybe you should file again. If it was received and you have the number, it sounds like your lawyer is doing what can be done. You can also try contacting the Ombudsman’s office or going to USCIS by making an InfoPass appointment. Good luck, Jason
Hi attorney Dzubow,
I know there are a few differences between refugees and asylees, but I still want to ask you this question, which might sound very silly to you… But is the US taking in refugees during the refugees crisis now going to impact on asylum seekers? Like the speed of processing the applications, affirmative interview dates and such? Thank you for your time!
The short answer is, I don’t think it will affect the asylum system. The long answer is that I am working on a blog post about this, and I will hopefully post it in the next week or two…
Hi Jason
Thank you for your time and your help,I would like to ask you a question, I applied for Asylum and my case been denied and I will try too reapply again, I just wondering if you recommend any good asylum attorney in my area ( I live in Michigan) ?
Thanks
I can’t think of anyone I know there. You might want to try contacting a local immigration charity to see whether they have a referral list. If you cannot find someone, we can do a case in Michigan (or anywhere else). If you want to discuss, you are welcome to contact me. Take care, Jason
Hello!
I am filling application for asylum and I got a question which has never been discussed in the Internet.
I have not any place of physical residence, I am camping in mountains between Utah and Arizona because it is the cheapest way to survive for me, and this situation will not change until I will get work permission. I am going to ask people open a PO box for me and use it as mailing address, but what should I answer about my physical residence in I-589 form? Is it Ok just write in “Street, number and name” line “camping in Rosy Canyon behind Cane Beds, AZ? I am stuck on it two days ago and can not find any answer…
If it is an official campground, they should have a mailing address. If not, I suppose you can write it as you say, but you will need a mailing address, so the PO box is a good idea. You might also note in the cover letter or on the form, that you are homeless and that is why you are living in the campground. Take care, Jason
Jason, thank you for your response! I appreciate very much your advice!
Best regards,
Edward.
Hi Jason,
I just came across your site & I thank you for the helpful info you share.
I’ve been here in the US for 12 years. My US citizen mother recently filed an I-130 for me. As you know it’s about 15 years of waiting. Will applying for asylum be a wise move to expedite getting a green card? Could I be granted EAD w/ a pending asylum case? Or should I just wait for my petition.
It is not really possible to answer these questions, as it depends on many factors. Generally, if you have a good asylum case, you can give it a try, and you will get an EAD after about 6 or 7 months. I do not think the wait for an adult child of a USC is 15 years (though maybe it depends on your country). I recommend you consult with a lawyer who can go over all the options and pitfalls. Good luck, Jason
Thanks a lot Jason!
Dear Jason,
I appreciate your response. The answer is N/A because question 23 says if previously in the US, so I wrote N/A by hand writing since the question is not applicable. Thanks,
Dear Jason,
I’m confused regarding answering the question 23 in part A.II, which is “if previously in US., date of previous arrival. This question is for my wife. She arrived the US a year ago and I answered that in the question 17 which is about the date of the last arrival. Her arrival was the first one and she still in the US up to this moment. Can I write by my hand N/A regarding question 23 since there is noway to write anything except date?Thanks a lot.
The form does not allow you to enter certain information, and if you need to answer “n/a” to certain questions, you have to write it by hand. I am not fully sure I understand your question, but if you think the answer is “n/a”, you can certainly hand-write that in the box.
Dear Mr. Dzubow,
Could you help me figure out whether Miami Asylum Office has its short-notice list? Thank you so much in advance!
I do not know – you should email them directly. You can find the email address here: https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ZSY
Of course, no response from Miami Asylum Office on my question of a short-notice list. Would you give me another advice or link where to apply?
I do not have any contacts that would help you – Maybe you should try to talk to a lawyer in Miami (maybe at a non-profit like Catholic Charities) to see whether they know about the short list.
jason just to let you know the chart is updated today
Please give us the link. Thanks
http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/asylum/affirmative-asylum-scheduling-bulletin
Thank you.
Hi Jason.. if my attorney files motion to reopen with Governmnt and it agrees to do so, what is next? Will they schedule hearing right away with the judge who decided my case before? Or will they contact my attorney by notifying that they dont mind reopening the case and let him do the rest with the Judge? Im just curious about these since its been 4 months now and still no response from the government…
There needs to be a good reason to reopen the case. If the court agrees to reopen, it can take many months or only a few – it depends on the judge.
Would you know what year is the Las Vegas asylum office processing now?
USCIS has not published information about the schedule of its sub-office, so I do not know. The schedule for main offices is here, and usually the sub offices are slower than the main offices: http://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylum/asylum/affirmative-asylum-scheduling-bulletin
Thank you Jason… But I have one more question, what main office should I look for, Los Angeles or San Francisco?
I do not know – you can Google “asylum office locator” and use that website to identity your local asylum office.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for your time and your help,I would like to ask you about my situation. I applied for Asylum, and I had the interview a year ago, yet their no decision mailed to me. My daughter still in my home country, and she will be 20 years old after two months .I really concern about her age and my asylum case. My question is: If my case is granted asylum would that include my daughter if she is under 21 at the time of filing the application or the time of approval? I mean , if it takes them 3 years to approve my case and my daughter is over 21 by the time, what would be her status?
And is there any way to check my pending case status ? and how?
Thank you.
The only way to check the case status is to contact the asylum office directly. As for your daughter, if you filed while she was under 21, and she is older than 21 after your case is granted, you can still bring her to the US (under the Child Status Protection Act). If you win the case, you have 2 years to file for her.
Hi,
I granted an asylum on 12/12/2014 and got EAD. This EAD will expire on 12/12/2015. I decided to apply for green card on 10/12/2015. Can I apply for green card on 10/12/2015?
Thanks
We used to apply for the green card 11 months (and no sooner) after the asylum was granted. However, one time, USCIS rejected the application because it was too early, and now we mail the application exactly 12 months after asylum was granted. One thing: Check the approval letter carefully – the date the letter was mailed and the date asylum was granted may not be the same, so maybe you can apply earlier than you think.
Hi Jason,
Thank you for all the guidance you offer.
I was granted asylum status in 2008. I filed and worked on my case alone. A year later, I won the green card lottery, I applied for an adjustment of status and obtained my green card. Because my understanding was that I was granted a green card based on the lottery, I traveled back to my country of origin to visit my grandmother who was hospitalized 3 years after obtaining my green card and also obtained a national passport. My stay lasted 5 days and I have not travelled back to my home country. I have used my passport for my traveling and on one my return trip back, an immigration officer indicated to me that based on my green card status, I should not be holdong any national passport. This was quite a schock for me as I was under the impression that my status had been adjusted based on the lottery and not my asylum status. I am now eligible for citizenship based on 5 years of green card, I am married to a us citizen for 2 years. What should I expect from my interview? Did I make a misinterpret my change of status? I have not been able to figure out which status supercedes the other. Thank you very much for your guidance.