Asylum Interview Questions And Answers

Where To Claim Asylum During Covid

How to Answer Questions at Your Asylum Interview

You can still claim asylum during the coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing and protective measures are in place.

If you think you may have coronavirus, please tell us.

When you call the asylum intake unit they will tell you which registration location you should go to. This may not be the asylum intake unit in Croydon .

Aspects of the asylum process and processes referred to in this booklet may be subject to temporary changes to reduce the potential spread of coronavirus. For the latest information, check with your decision making unit or Migrant Help or www.gov.uk

During the COVID-19 pandemic you may be able to claim asylum at one of the regional intake locations elsewhere within the UK.

For bookings and queries please call 0300 123 4193

Monday to Thursday 9am â 4.45pm, Friday 9am to 4:30pm

Questions You Are Likely To Hear In An Asylum Interview

Interview

Of course, there are countless potential questions you might be asked. Following are some common questions that you should be ready for:

Who harmed you ? Was the government involved? If not, did they do anything to try to stop it?
How did they harm you? Remember that merely psychological harm can also count as real harm, and therefore persecution.
Why did they harm you? Be as specific as possible concerning the motivation behind the persecution you suffered. Be ready to explain how you know what these motivations were, beyond mere supposition.

Afghani

It is important that the motivation behind the persecution you suffered was closely related to your race, religion, nationalist, political views or membership in some social group. Remember that the group doesnt have to be a formal organization your gender or your sexual orientation might qualify as a group, for example.

It is virtually impossible to answer every single question that you might be asked. One thing to remember is to listen carefully to the question and to answer the question that was actually asked, not the question that you expected the officer to ask.

Questions And Answers: Asylum Eligibility And Applications

To continue to keep our workforce and applicants safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining e.

Video advice: Is there an average waiting time between arrival and asylum interview?

A refugee travel document may be used for temporary travel abroad and is required for readmission to the United States as an asylee. If you do not obtain a refugee travel document in advance of departure, you may be unable to re-enter the United States, or you may be placed in removal proceedings before an Immigration Judge.

Don’t Miss: How To Answer Leadership Interview Questions

How Should I Behave During My Personal Interview

The personal interview can be very stressful for the applicant. It is important that you sleep well the night before and that you manage your stress as much as possible. Bring something to eat and to drink for you and your family, as it is possible that you might be in the Asylum Office all day.

Useful tips:

Try to behave normally.
Be polite and courteous with both your interviewer and interpreter.
Try to keep calm during the entire interview and not lose your temper, even if the questions are making you feel uncomfortable.
If you dont feel well, politely inform the officer and ask for a break. You always have the right to ask for a break if, for example, you need to go to the toilet or you need some fresh air.

What To Expect During Your Personal Meeting With An Asylum Officer In The United States

When you apply for asylum affirmatively by preparing and submitting Form I-589, within 21 days after you submit your asylum application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services , it will send you a Notice to Appear for your interview with an Asylum Officer at your local asylum office. Here, we’ll describe exactly what takes place at that interview. For more details, see Timing of the Affirmative Asylum Application Process.

During the interview, the AO will ask you questions about your identity, information you had provided in your asylum application, any applicable bars to your eligibility for asylum, and any documents you had submitted in support of your application. The idea is to make sure that you’re believable, and to evaluate whether you merit a grant of asylum.

Recommended Reading: What To Wear To An Interview 2022

What Kind Of Processing Can I Expect Under The United States Refugee Program

USRAP partners endeavor to process cases as efficiently as possible. Cases are adjudicated on an individual basis and processing times will vary.

U.S. Department of State RSCs carry out most of the casework preparation for refugee eligibility interviews. The RSCs pre-screen applicants, help prepare the applications for USCIS, initiate background security checks, and arrange medical examinations for refugees approved by USCIS.

Following USCIS approval, the RSC also asks for the names and addresses of any relatives in the United States, for details on the person’s work history and job skills, and for any special educational or medical needs of the refugee and accompanying family members, in order to determine the best resettlement arrangements for the refugee.

The International Organization for Migration generally arranges and provides a loan for transportation to the United States. Refugees are expected to repay the cost of their transportation once they are established in the United States. Individual refugees or their relatives may pay for transportation costs in advance.

The Notes Of The Personal Interview

The protection officer writes down the entire conversation in the notes of the personal interview. The protection officer does not read these notes to the applicant. However, the applicant or the lawyer can request a copy of the notes of the personal interview. They can do this during the personal interview or in writing within two working days after the personal interview. After receiving a copy of the notes, the applicant and the lawyer have eight working days to submit their remarks. These must be written in the language of the procedure. If a specific procedure applies, a copy of the notes of the personal interview can be sent along with the decision.

Information about the asylum procedure, tailored to the asylum seeker, can be found at : asyluminbelgium.be.

Don’t Miss: Where Can I Watch The Interview

Contact Honolulu Hi Immigration Lawyers Who Can Help You

Hirota & Associates, LLLC is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and represents clients throughout all of Hawaii, the US mainland, and the world.

Our Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Early morning, evenings and weekends by appointment only.Call Hirota & Associates, LLLC at 808-587-9600 or contact us online.

Hirota & Associates, LLLC is located in Honolulu, Hawaii, and represents clients throughout all of Hawaii, the US mainland, and the world.

Attorney Advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.

See our profile at Lawyers.com or

Who To Take With You

What Are The Three Most Important Questions in an Asylum Case?

Your letter will say who you need to take with you. You dont need to take your children to the interview – even if youre applying on their behalf. They might be distracting for your interviewer.

Try finding a friend to look after your children – if you cant find anyone, call the number on your interview letter. Theyll either:

find a new date when you can find childcare
find childcare for you thats close to the interview

You cant take a friend or family member to the interview. Itll normally be you, the interviewer and the Home Office interpreter if you need one. You can take a lawyer and their interpreter. This wont be covered by legal aid unless youre:

a vulnerable person – for example, if youre disabled or seriously ill

Also Check: Interviewing Users: How To Uncover Compelling Insights

How Can I Find Out The Status Of My Affirmative Asylum Application

You can find out the status of a pending asylum application by sending a written inquiry or by visiting the asylum office with jurisdiction over your case. Please provide in writing the following information when you write to the asylum office:

Your legal name and, if different, the name as it appears on the application
Your date of birth
Date and location of your asylum interview, if applicable

You may also inquire at the asylum office where your case is pending. See the Asylum Office Locator page.

You can check also your Case Status Online. All you need is the receipt number that we mailed you after you filed your application.

What Is The Process Like How Long Does It Take

The process of Asylum has three possible routes:

If you have never had prior interactions with Immigration you will first have to apply for asylum with USCIS. This is strictly for people who have never received an NTA and have never been in proceedings. This is called Affirmative Filing. After applying, you will attend an interview at the respective asylum office in the jurisdiction in which your residence falls. The Asylum officer will make one of two determinations. A.) Your asylum will be approved or B.) You application will be denied, and you will then be referred to court for immigration proceedings to argue your case in front of an Immigration Judge.

After you have received an NTA, you will be subject to Immigration Court. During this time, your attorney will inform the court of the forms of relief that you plan to apply for. Following this initial hearing, you will be responsible for filling out the appropriate applications and providing evidence to support your claims to the court. There can be multiple master hearings, before the Individual Hearing, in which the judge will make a decision on the applications filed, and decide which, if any, that he/she will grant.

Due to the backlog of cases in Immigration Courts right now, the whole process can take a few years.

You May Like: How To Sell A Pen In Interview

Attorney Or Representative Is Unavailable For The Affirmative Asylum Interview

The filing of Form G-28 does not prevent asylum offices from processing an application even if your attorney is not present. If an asylum office denies your request to reschedule an interview and your attorney is not available for the interview, you can either sign a waiver and continue with the interview without your attorney or accept referral to the immigration court. If you accept referral to the immigration court, your case will be treated as though you failed to appear at your asylum interview. Although you have the right to have an attorney or representative present at the interview, you are responsible for ensuring that your attorney/representative is present for the interview.

Why Should I Prepare For My Interview

What percent of migrants seeking asylum in the US are approved?

As the asylum interview is the main determinant of whether you will get asylum or not, you should be very well prepared for it. With great preparation, you can make sure that you will have a fair and just asylum decision. If you have a lawyer or a social worker, you should ask them to prepare you for your asylum interview. If you dont have a lawyer or a social worker, please get in contact with a legal NGO or send us, the Mobile Info Team, a or Whatsapp.

Can I Apply For Asylum Even If I Was Convicted Of A Crime

Yes, but you may be barred from being granted asylum depending on the crime. You must disclose any criminal history on your Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and at your asylum interview. If you do not disclose such information, your asylum claim will be referred to the immigration court and may result in fines or imprisonment for committing perjury. For more information on bars to receiving asylum, see the Asylum Bars page.

How To Prepare For An Affirmative Asylum Interview

After you have submitted your asylum application, you must wait to be contacted by the USCIS about your interview date. Without a doubt, the interview is the most critical aspect of the entire asylum process. It is during this interview that applicants discuss their cases with a government official, known as an asylum officer. This official will talk with you and discuss the experiences that led you to flee your home and seek asylum in the U.S. While recounting such life events will likely be stressful and upsetting, it is absolutely necessary to convince the interviewer that you are a candidate for asylum.

You can prepare for the interview by readying the following documents and materials, which need to be brought to your interview:

I-94 Arrival Record
Passport, as well as any other ID/travel documents
A hard copy of your I-589 asylum application

If you submitted paperwork petitioning for a spouse or children, they should come to the interview with you. Additionally, they will need to provide any paperwork discussed above that is applicable, like their passport and ID. Additionally, if your travel, ID, and other documents/evidence are not in English, you will need to bring certified translations of those documents. You can read more about specific required documentation on the USCISs website.

Also Check: What Question Will Be Ask During Interview

Preparing For The Asylum Interview

Purpose of the Interview

The interview is your opportunity to tell your own, personal story about what happened to you in your home country and why you decided to come to Ireland.

It is very important to be well prepared for it.

Register with Refugee Legal Service

You should register with the Refugee Legal Service immediately. This service is confidential, independent of the Department of Justice and Equality and is there to help you.

You can register in writing. Fill out the registration form and send it together to the Refugee Legal Service. You find this form as the last page of the information pack you receive from the Department of Justice.

Refugee Legal Service

Tel:+353 1 646 9600

Fax:+353 1 671 0200

If you travel to Dublin for a legal consultation with the Refugee Legal Service, the Community Welfare Officer will give you funding for the travel expenses. In some cases this is only after you come back from the consultation. You need to bring back a letter of proof from your caseworker that you have attended legal consultation and also all travel receipts.

You can contact your Refugee Legal Service caseworker anytime with questions. You should make contact if you change address, or if you receive any correspondence from the Department of Justice and Equality .

Important Preparation

Important:

Write down your own case story.

Books in the library

Missing Your Affirmative Asylum Interview

Mock Asylum Interview

Shortly after you miss your interview, you will receive a Failure to Appear Warning Letter from the asylum office where your interview was scheduled to occur. This letter explains the consequences of missing your interview and how to request a rescheduled interview before referral to immigration court for removal proceedings.

If we receive your request within 45 days after your missed interview date, you must establish good cause for failing to appear for your interview.

If we receive your request more than 45 days after your missed interview date, you must establish exceptional circumstances for failing to appear.

If 46 days have passed and the asylum office has not received a request to reschedule your interview and:

You are not in lawful immigration status,the asylum office will refer your case to an immigration judge for adjudication before EOIR and send you a Referral Notice for Failure to Appear.

You are in lawful immigration status,the asylum office will administratively close your case and send you a Dismissal of Asylum Application Failure to Appear.

More information about establishing exceptional circumstances is available on the Establishing Good Cause or Exceptional Circumstances webpage.

Recommended Reading: What Is A Digital Interview

Should I Bring My Minor Children With Me To The Asylum Office

Yes, you should. In theory, minors do not have a separate asylum interview. However, the asylum officer can consider it necessary to ask them a few questions. If the interviewer does that, he will ask the questions in your presence. The interviewer will have to take into consideration their age, vulnerability, and psychological state.

Review Your Application And All Supporting Documentation

When you receive your asylum interview notice, review the asylum application form, declaration and documents you provided. Read your asylum declaration to refresh your memory. If you have a lawyer, you should discuss providing additional documents, evidence, country reports, affidavits, which may help your case. This must be done well in advance of the interview to allow time to prepare any new material. The new documentation can then be added to your case. Each asylum office has specific deadlines by which you can add evidence to your file.

Recommended Reading: How To Interview A New Employee

Asylum Interview Sample Questions

The Asylum interview is one of the most important parts of the asylum application process. This is where you will share your personal experience. It is recommended that before your interview you should speak to your immigration attorney so they can help you prepare.The attorney can help you by providing a list of asylum interview sample questions. If you prefer your attorney/representative to be present during your interview, you will need to submit a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative.

It’s imperative to show up on time and respectfully present yourself this is a way you can build credibility with your asylum officer . At the beginning of your interview, you will be asked to take an oath declaring that your testimony will only tell the truth. The interview will be confidential and will not be recorded, however, there will be note-taking in the process.