how to win an asylum case uscis without a lawyer

by Ulices Schumm 8 min read

Tip 1: Be truthful in your application In order to win your political asylum case, you must pass the interview stage with an asylum officer. The officer usually bases his questions upon your statements in the application.

Full Answer

How do you win an asylum case in the US?

This guide explores tips and techniques to win your asylum case and remain in the United States as an asylee, eventually receiving a green card. In order to win your political asylum case, you must pass the interview stage with an asylum officer. The officer usually bases his questions upon your statements in the application.

Do I need a lawyer for an asylum claim?

Asylum claims, never easy to win, are becoming more difficult. In 2018, for example, only 35 percent of asylum claims were approved after six straight years of declining approval rates. Nevertheless, it helps to have a lawyer.

How do I qualify for legal residence under US asylum law?

To qualify for legal residence under US asylum law, you must first qualify under the legal definition of “ refugee ”, even though you are present in the US. In other words, you must prove that you are unable or unwilling to return home because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution that is based on:

Can a person be deported while their asylum case is pending?

If the BIA rules against you, you can appeal to the US Court of Appeals. Very few claimants win at this level, however — the approval rate is about eight percent. It is also possible to be deported while your appeal is still pending. Special Case: Marriage During a Pending Asylum Claim

How do I make my asylum case strong?

Strategies for Improving Chances of Qualifying for Asylum § 1158.) You must show that this persecution was (or would be) inflicted on you because of one or more "protected grounds": your race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

What are the chances of winning an asylum case?

While asylum denial rates had grown ever higher during the Trump years to a peak of 71 percent in FY 2020, they fell to 63 percent in FY 2021. Expressed another way, success rates grew from 29 percent to 37 percent under President Biden.

How can I make my asylum case faster?

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

What do you need to prove for asylum?

An asylum claimant must demonstrate persecution based on one of the five protected grounds (race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion).

How do I pass an asylum interview?

8 Tips for a Successful Asylum Interview1) Practice makes perfect. ... 2) Make travel arrangements. ... 3) Prepare physically and emotionally. ... 4) Wear appropriate clothes. ... 5) Correct mistakes. ... 6) Be honest, detailed, and consistent. ... 7) Don't be afraid to cry. ... 8) Utilize an attorney.

Why would asylum be denied?

If you do not provide very detailed information in a well-organized manner, your claim for asylum will likely be denied, even if you have a genuine fear of persecution in your country. Moreover, time is of the essence in asylum applications.

What are the chances of winning immigration appeal?

The Odds Of Winning Are Against You Few file an appeal. Only 35,000 to 40,000 – less than 20% – keep fighting to stay in the United States with their wife and children. Of the 35,000 to 40,000 who decide to fight the immigration court decision . . . . . . Only 10% win their appeals.

Can immigration lawyer speed up process?

The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.

How long does an asylum interview last?

about 1 hourThe interview will generally last about 1 hour, although the time may vary depending on the case. You may also bring witnesses to testify on your behalf. For more information about your asylum interview, see our Web page on Preparing for Your Asylum Interview.

How can I win asylum case in USA?

You'll need to show that you fit the legal definition of a "refugee"—that is, that you are unable or unwilling to return to your home country because of having experienced persecution or having a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of at least one of five grounds: either your race, religion, nationality, ...

What percentage of asylum claims are granted?

For much of the past decade, around a third of initial decisions were grants. The grant rate in 2021 is the highest grant rate in over thirty years (since 82% in 1990). The low number of refusals in 2021 is predominantly related to a 98% decrease in third country refusals (from 2,952 in 2020 to 50 in 2021).

Which state is good for asylum in USA?

Where do asylees live in the U.S.? Throughout the United States, with the largest number in California. The largest number of individuals granted asylum in the affirmative process lived in California in FY 2016 (43.8 percent), followed by New York (10.8 percent) and Florida (7.8 percent).

What does an attorney do for asylum?

A good attorney will help you gather evidence to support your asylum application, research BIA and Federal Court cases which pertain to your application and prepare you for direct and cross-examination in Court. Of course, not all attorneys are created equal. You need to do your homework before hiring an attorney to assist you.

How many people have their asylum applications approved?

The following asylum tips can help you win your case in Immigration Court or before the USCIS. Less than half of the people who apply for asylum in the United States have their applications approved. Even people who have been arrested, served time in prison and who were tortured in their countries sometimes have their applications denied.

What happens if you move to California from Atlanta?

So if you move from Atlanta to California, you can have your case moved to the Immigration Court here and your chances of being granted asylum may improve. Crazy system, but when your life is on the line, you need to do what is best for you and your family.

Why was the Chinese man afraid to return to his country?

He was afraid to return to his country because he was Chinese and a Christian. Before the hearing started, the Immigration Judge informed us that she had never granted an asylum application to a Chinese Christian from Indonesia. She had always found that they were subject to discrimination, but not to persecution.

Do all attorneys have to do their homework?

Of course, not all attorneys are created equal. You need to do your homework before hiring an attorney to assist you.

Who is the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies?

The Center for Gender and Refugee Studies (CGRS) has compiled a searchable database of qualified and pre-vetted country specialists and health professionals who serve as expert witnesses to support asylum seekers in the United States.

Can you choose the judge who hears your case?

Of course, you do not get to choose the Judge who will hear your case. But you can choose where you live.

What it Takes to Win an Asylum Immigration Case

The current presidential administration is taking a hard line on immigration, but that doesn’t mean that there are not strategies you can pursue to become a legal resident of the United States.

Showing That You Have Fear of Persecution in Your Home Country

The heart of an asylum case is to prove to a USCIS immigration officer or a federal immigration judge that it is too dangerous for you to return to your home country because you have a well-founded fear of persecution based on one of the following classifications:

You Will Need to Have Compelling Evidence to Support Your Asylum Claim

Obviously, many people want to live and work in the US, and a successful asylum petition will allow for you to do both of those things, so federal authorities will want to see compelling evidence to support your petition.

Contact the Los Angeles Immigration Attorneys at Gastelum Law

At the Law Offices of Omar Gastelum and Associates, PLC, our experienced immigration attorneys will work with you to build the future that you and your family deserve. Contact the Law Offices of Omar Gastelum and Associates, PLC today to discuss the asylum process or any other immigration issue.

Is it hard to win an asylum case?

Asylum cases are hard, especially if you are not already an experienced practitioner. But by becoming educated on asylum seekers’ home countries, gaining their trust, reviewing the application thoroughly before filing, and assessing the situation from an objective perspective, attorneys can greatly increase the chance of winning their client’s asylum cases.

Is there a shortage of asylum lawyers?

Immigration - and especially asylum - is a pressing issue in America today. Not only is there a shortage of attorneys for the number of asylum applicants, asylum cases are tough to win. In Perfecting a Winning Strategy for Asylum Applications, Ruby Powers, an exceptional immigration attorney in Texas and New Jersey, breaks down the key strategies that attorneys need to know to help their clients obtain legal status, whether they are regular immigration practitioners or taking on an asylum case pro bono. Check out these four tips from the program:

How long does it take to get asylum after a judge denies it?

For in-status applicants, on the date an asylum officer denies your asylum application; 30 days after an immigration judge denies your asylum application, unless you file a timely appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals; or. On the date the Board of Immigration Appeals affirms or upholds a denial.

How long after filing an I-765 can I apply for asylum?

You may apply for employment authorization 365 calendar days after you file your complete asylum application.

What is the CASA injunction?

This preliminary injunction provides limited injunctive relief to members of two organizations, CASA de Maryland (CASA) and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), in the application of the Removal of 30-day Processing Provision for Asylum Applicant-Related Form I-765 Employment Authorization Applications Rule and the Asylum Application, Interview, and Employment Authorization for Applicants Rule to Form I-589s and Form I-765s filed by asylum applicants who are also members of CASA or ASAP.

How to check asylum status?

If you have an asylum application pending with us, you can check your case status online. All you need is the receipt number that we mailed you after you filed your application. Start here: uscis.gov/casestatus.

How long do you have to file for asylum for a child?

To include your child on your application, the child must be under 21 and unmarried. You must file the petition within two years of being granted asylum unless there are humanitarian reasons to excuse this deadline. There is no fee to file this petition.

What is the form I-589?

Nationality. Membership in a particular social group. Political opinion. If you are eligible for asylum you may be permitted to remain in the United States. To apply for asylum, file a Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within one year of your arrival to the United States.

When was the USCIS rescinded?

ALERT: On Aug. 2, 2019, USCIS rescinded the May 31, 2019, memorandum, “Updated Procedures for Asylum Applications Filed by Unaccompanied Alien Children,” when the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in the case of J.O.P. v. U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security et al., Civil Action 8:19-cv-01944, issued a temporary restraining order enjoining us from applying it. On Dec. 21, 2020, the District Court certified a class and entered an Amended Preliminary Injunction in the case of J.O.P (PDF, 57.46 KB).

How often does USCIS post statistics?

USCIS posts this information four times per year, and you can see the latest posting here. We looked at the numbers from the most recently available six month period: April to September 2015. To determine the approval rate, we removed from the mix (technically, from the denominator) asylum denials based on no-shows–in other words, where the applicant herself never attended the interview.

Is San Francisco a bad place to apply for a job?

On the other hand, if all else is equal (or maybe if you just have a hankerin’ for some Rice-A-Roni), San Francisco is probably not a bad place to apply.

Is the approval rate for each asylum office the same?

It’s unfortunate that we even need to ask this question. In a perfect world, the approval rates for each Asylum Office would be about the same. But in the real world, approval rates vary–by quite a lot, it turns out.