Asylum Applications Now Available for Online Filing

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal, is now available to file online for certain affirmative asylum applicants.  If you prefer to file by mail, you may still do so.

USCIS Director, Ur M. Jaddou, stated, “The option to file affirmative asylum applications online is part of USCIS’ ongoing move to minimize reliance on paper records and further transition to an electronic environment.”

If you are physically present in the United States, you may apply online by creating an online account on the USCIS website.

However, you are not eligible to file online if you:

• Are in proceedings in immigration court or before the Board of Immigration Appeals;

• Are an unaccompanied alien child as defined in 6 U.S.C. § 279(g) and are in removal proceedings;

• Are among the categories of applicants who must currently file by mail with the Asylum Vetting Center as outlined in the Special Instructions section of the USCIS Form I-589 webpage; or

• Already submitted a Form I-589, which is still pending with USCIS.

Make sure to review the instructions on the USCIS website to determine your eligibility for online filing.

If you have any questions, please contact an attorney at Hope Immigration.  We are happy to help!