Arlington Asylum Application
The completed asylum application, for those applicants living in the state of Virginia, must be mailed to the Texas Service Center. If the applicant is in removal proceedings, the application is filed at the Arlington Immigration Court. Hiring an experienced immigration attorney will benefit anyone currently preparing for the Arlington asylum application process or immigration. However, there is no requirement that an asylum applicant be represented by counsel.
Applying for Asylum in Arlington
If the asylum applicant will be filing an Arlington asylum application. This means the applicant completes Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal with supporting evidence to the Texas Service Center. The applicant is provided a receipt notice as evidence of when the asylum application was filed.
A few weeks after filing, the asylum applicant receives a biometrics notice to be fingerprinted in order to have a background check conducted. After 150 days of the pendency of the application, the asylum applicant can file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. After 180 days the I-765 application can then be approved by USCIS.
What is the Interview Process for Asylum Applicants?
Shortly after filing, as of January 29, 2018, those applications submitted last will be scheduled to be interviewed first by the asylum office. Approximately one week before the interview, the asylum applicant is permitted to supplement the record with additional evidence.
After the interview at the local asylum office, the applicant will receive a decision after approximately two weeks. The decision will be either to grant asylum or refer the case to the immigration court. If asylum is granted the asylum applicant becomes an asylee. After one year in asylee status, the applicant may file for adjustment status by filing Form I-485, Application for Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
If the asylum applicant is referred to the immigration court, then the asylum applicant is permitted to supplement the application with additional evidence. The immigration judge will schedule an individual merits hearing to hear the asylum applicant’s testimony.
What is the United States Citizen Immigration Services?
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS is the governmental agency that provides immigration benefits such as work authorization, lawful permanent residence, and citizenship to noncitizens. USCIS’s website, www.uscis.gov is where applicants will find the I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal as well as Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
USCIS accepts the completed Form I-589 and then forwards the application to the local asylum office. USCIS is the agency that will forward the asylum application to the local field office to schedule for an asylum interview.
The local asylum office will interview the asylum applicant and will determine whether the application will be granted or referred to the immigration court. Applicants should be aware that the scheduling of asylum interviews has changed as of January 29, 2018 and asylum applicants will be scheduled for an interview shortly after filing.
Deadlines and Forms in Applying for Asylum
Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal is not a complicated form, however, what is difficult is ensuring that the asylum officer understands the asylum claim and applies to law to the facts alleged by the applicant. Applicants often face restrictions with regard to the one-year filing deadline and past criminal history and immigration history violations.
Applicants should be aware that asylum interviews will be scheduled for those that recently apply, meaning that applicants should gather the evidence that will support their asylum claim in a timely manner so that the evidence can be considered by the asylum office.
Applicants should also be aware that there is a one-year filing deadline. Applicants are required to submit an Arlington asylum application within one year of entry in order to be considered for asylum benefits. There are exceptions to this rule, but exceptions is a matter that should be discussed with an immigration attorney.