As an asylum seeker in the United States, you are required to complete the asylum interview. During this interview, an officer of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will determine whether you qualify for asylum in the US. For this purpose, our asylum attorney has 3 important tips for you.
While this process is rather simple and straightforward, there are often concerns about the nature of the questions to be asked, the requirements to attend the interview, and more. An interview of this importance can often be nerve wracking, but we aim to relieve your stress as much as possible.
To help you, we recommend 3 important tips you should be aware of when attending your asylum interview to improve your chances of receiving a favorable response to your application for asylum in the United States.
Please note that if you are in need of our asylum attorney’s assistance, you may contact our team at any time to schedule an appointment and receive the necessary advice you need to complete this process smoothly.
What is an Asylum Interview?
The asylum interview is the procedure in which you, as an asylum seeker in the United States, will have the opportunity to discuss the reasons behind your request for protection from the U.S. government. This interview is conducted with an asylum officer representative of the USCIS.
For this interview, it is therefore important you have as much evidence as possible to support your case, as well as the requirements established by the agency, in order to prove the accuracy of the facts that led you to escape from your country of origin in an attempt to seek protection.
How Should I Prepare for my Asylum Interview?
There are a certain number of details you should take into consideration when preparing for your asylum interview. The goal is to ensure that you have all the required materials to support your case, and that your interview goes well without any inconveniences that could delay your application.
Here are 3 key tips to remember before your asylum interview
Verify that you Meet the Complete Requirements for Seeking Asylum
The immigration laws have certain documentation requirements that you must be able to provide for your asylum application, and in order for an interview to be conducted. The requirements are as follows:
- A form of identification, this could include any passports you may have or other travel or identification documents, and Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, if you received it when you arrived in the U.S.
- If available, your original birth certificate, marriage certificates, or other documents you filed previously with your Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
- A copy of your Form I-589 and also any additional materials you have previously filed during your case to ensure that your file is not missing any documentation that the officer is not aware of.
- Any additional documents you have available to support your application for asylum that have not already been submitted with your application.
- A certified translation of any document that is not in English.
If you can provide each of the above-mentioned criteria, your asylum interview will be able to run smoothly.
If You do not Speak English, You Must Bring an Interpreter.
If you do not speak English, you will be interviewed through an interpreter that you must provide.
USCIS does not supply you with an interpreter at your interview, unless you are deaf or hard of hearing. Contact the asylum office closest to you regarding your case prior to the scheduled asylum interview if you are deaf or hard of hearing and require adequate assistance in obtaining an interpreter.
You will also need to arrange for an interpreter if you do not speak English fluently enough to be interviewed in English. The interpreter must be competent in English and in the language you are fluent in and be at least 18 years of age.
Failure to bring a competent interpreter to your interview, or not being able to complete your interview in English and not providing an interpreter, will result in USCIS canceling and rescheduling your interview.
Be Sure to Have an Asylum Attorney to Support you.
You are allowed to be accompanied by an attorney or representative during your asylum interview, and throughout the proceedings of the Immigration Court, at no charge to the U.S. government.
You and your attorney or representative are required to file Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, to the USCIS in order for your representative to be present during your asylum interview.
Our Asylum Attorney Can Work With You to Prepare for Your Asylum Interview.
If you need the services of an asylum attorney for your interview, you will find one of the best ones here. Our immigration attorney understands every aspect of the asylum application procedures in the United States, so can help you be fully prepared to get through your asylum interview and get a favorable outcome to your asylum application.
Do not entrust your asylum case to inexperienced individuals who may prevent you from receiving your asylum status in the US. Let us join and prepare you for this process so that you can receive the protection that you were unable to obtain in your home country. Make an appointment today!
