How Many People Are Granted Asylum
In FY 2019, the most recent pre-pandemic year with available data, 46,508 individuals were granted asylum: 27,643 affirmatively and 18,865 defensively . Due to the closure of asylum offices and suspension of most court hearings in the middle of FY 2020 because of the pandemic, asylum grants that year fell to 31,429. Total annual asylum grants averaged 28,264 between FY 2000 and FY 2020.
The countries of nationality for individuals granted asylum have largely remained the same in this 10-year period , with nationals of China and Egypt making up significant shares of asylees. Other individuals granted asylum in that time period included nationals of Guatemala, Haiti, Venezuela, Iraq, Ethiopia, Iran, Colombia, and Russia.
In FY 2019 , Chinese and Venezuelan nationals represented the greatest shares of asylees of the 46,130 individuals granted asylumeither affirmatively or defensivelyin FY 2019 . More than 110 nationalities were represented among all individuals granted asylum in FY 2019.
Questions At The Interview
Again, different Officers have different styles of questioning. Many Officers begin by going through the biographical background information on the application and then, eventually, move on to the substantive questions on the I-589 form, asking the essay questions almost word for word as they appear on the form. Other Officers will follow along more directly with the declaration and ask the applicant to recount problems that she had chronologically. Often the Officers questioning will result in the applicant telling their story out of chronological order. It is therefore important for you to listen carefully and to ask follow up questions about any significant incidents which the applicant did not testify about. Creating a timeline before the interview can be very helpful in tracking the applicants answers. .
If there is a one year filing deadline issue or any other thorny issues in the case, it is important to prepare the applicant well for discussing these issues. Since the attorney will generally not be guiding the applicant through direct examination, it is crucial that the applicant be able to articulate on their own why they waited two years to file for asylum or once shoplifted a pair of pants.
Most asylum interviews last between one and two hours. If an interpreter is needed, the interviews tend to be closer to two hours.
Thousands Seeking Asylum Face Cruel Wait Of Years For Asylum Decision Fresh Research Shows
A new report published by the Refugee Council today reveals a staggering rise in the numbers of people seeking asylum condemned to wait for over a year for even an initial decision on whether they will be able to remain in the UK.
Freedom of Information requests of Home Office data obtained by the charity show that the number of people waiting for more than a year for an initial decision increased almost tenfold from 3,588 people in 2010 to 33,016 in 2020.
Other shocking findings include the number of children waiting longer than a year for an initial decision having increased more than twelve fold from 563 children in 2010 to 6,887 in 2020.
More than 250 people had been waiting for 5 years or more for an initial decision on their case, of whom 55 were children.
The analysis finds that the average waiting time for an initial decision on an asylum case is likely to be between one and three years. It says that the backlog in initial decisions is primarily driven by the number of initial decisions failing to keep pace with the number of asylum applications being made.
People caught up in the asylum backlog for years on end also lose any work based skills they arrived with, damaging the integration and employment prospects for the majority of cases that go on to be granted status.
Case study:
*Name has been changed to protect anonymity.
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Where To Claim Asylum During Covid
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 – 4.45pm, Friday 9am to 4:30pm
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.
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Your Rights And Responsibilities
As a claimant with an asylum claim, we expect you to co-operate with the asylum process and Home Office officials at all times. Any omission or misrepresentation of facts may affect the decision we make on your claim. If you use deception to obtain leave to enter or remain in the UK, any leave you have been granted may be taken away. It is also a criminal offence and you may be prosecuted.
It is your duty to submit all available documentation to substantiate your claim, including your age, your background , your identity, your nationality or nationalities, any country or countries and place of previous residence, any previous asylum claims, your travel routes, your travel documents, any medical evidence and any evidence that may support your asylum claim.
It is also your responsibility to:
- keep in regular contact with the Home Office
- exit the UK if you are not granted leave and any appeal fails
- obey the law – if you are in doubt about what the law is then it is your responsibility to find out
For example, the carrying of offensive weapons, such as a knife, may result in a prison sentence. Violence and sexual offences are serious crimes that deeply affect the lives of victims and warrant significant prison sentences. The age of sexual consent in the UK is 16.
What To Expect On The Day Of Your Affirmative Asylum Interview
Your interview will generally last at least an hour, although the time may vary depending on your case. You will be asked to take an oath promising to tell the truth during the interview. Your interpreter will also take an oath promising to interpret accurately and truthfully. The asylum officer will verify your identity, ask you basic biographical questions and the reasons you are applying for asylum, and questions to determine if any bars will prevent you from applying for or being granted asylum.
For more information on the bars to asylum, please visit our Asylum Bars page.
The asylum officer will know that it may be difficult for you to talk about traumatic and painful experiences that caused you to leave your country. However, it is very important that you talk about your experiences so that the asylum officer can determine whether you qualify for a grant of asylum.
The information you share with the asylum officer is confidential. In general, information related to your asylum claim cannot be shared with third parties without your written consent or specific authorization by the Secretary of Homeland Security. There are certain exceptions to this rule, however, which can be found in the confidentiality regulation . For more information on confidentiality and the asylum process, please visit our Fact Sheet on Asylum Confidentiality .
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Questions You May Be Asked During An Asylum Interview
The interviewer will talk with you and ask you questions. Your interpreter and/or attorney can help you if you do not completely understand a question. Many of the questions will be biographical in nature or will attempt to evaluate any bars to asylum that you may have. Prepare for anything the interviewer may even ask you a question again, or in a different way, to assess the veracity of your statements.
In addition to any basic biographical or informational questions, you may be asked:
- Why are you seeking asylum?
- Do you have any proof of persecution? Were you physically harmed?
- Can any person validate your claims?
- Have you ever committed a serious crime?
- Have you ever been involved in persecution or terroristic acts?
- What are the reasons you fear persecution in your home country?
Remember, you can always ask the asylum officer to repeat a question or slow down. What is most important is that you understand the questions, allowing you to respond appropriately and fully. There are no wrong answers, but you absolutely must tell the truth during an asylum interview.
Typically, you will receive your asylum decision within two weeks of your interview date. The asylum officer will carefully review the details of your application as well as the information provided during your interview. They will determine whether, in their opinion, you have demonstrated credible fear while meeting all other asylum requirements. For more details, visit the USCISs website.
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.
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What Happens To The Cases That Get Selected And Scheduled For Asylum Interview In San Francisco Out Of Order
1 What are the recent scheduling changes for an asylum interview in San Francisco? 1. 1 Update to this article on February 22, 2021:1. 2 Update to this article on August 19, 2019:1. 2. 1 Interviews with asylum seekers at the southern border are now the first priority. 1. 3 Update to this article on May 20, 2019:1. 4 Update to this article on February 11, 2019:1. 5 The article below dates back to February 2018:1. 5. 1 We need to take one year bar seriously1. 6 What happens to the cases that were in line for an asylum interview in San Francisco before January 8, 2018? 1. 7 Scheduling an asylum interview in Seattle, Washington. 1. 8 What happens to the cases that get selected and scheduled for asylum interview in San Francisco out of order? 1. 9 Changes in asylum interview times 1. 10 Expedite requests to schedule asylum interview in San FranciscoAsylum interview in San Francisco is now scheduled much faster than before. On January 29, 2018, USCIS made changes to priorities in scheduling asylum interviews.
Grant Of Asylum As A Refugee
If you are granted asylum in the UK you are recognised as a refugee under the 1951 Refugee Convention and are allowed to remain in the UK for 5 years . At the end of 5 years limited leave, subject to the outcome of any review and to the policies in place at the time, you will be eligible to seek indefinite leave to remain . You should do this 1 month before your 5 years limited leave expires.
During your period of limited leave, if there is a significant and non-temporary change in country conditions, it may be decided to review grants of refugee status. Your status may also be reviewed if we receive information relating to your actions that may mean you no longer warrant refugee status, such as if your refugee status was obtained by misrepresentation.
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Applying For Affirmative Asylum
Any person eligible for affirmative asylum has the right to seek it. It is important to note that some can apply for asylum even if they arrived in the U.S. illegally. To be eligible to apply for affirmative asylum, a person must:
- Not be undergoing any removal proceedings
- Be present in the U.S. at the time of application process
- Apply for asylum within one year of arriving in the U.S.
To formally apply for asylum with the USCIS, you or your attorney must submit Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. The USCIS receives and processes applications via specific service centers across the country. You can locate your closest field office here. Any asylum candidate can also petition for spouses or unmarried children under 21 at the time of their application.
After completing and submitting your application, the USCIS will process the paperwork. In addition to the required documentation and forms, asylum applicants must undergo fingerprinting, background checks, and the most important aspect the interview.
Your Rights In The Interview
- You have the right to request a male or female interviewer, and a male or female interpreter. Make this request as far in advance as possible.
- If you are not feeling well, you are tired, or you are upset because of having to think about what has happened to you, tell the interviewer this.
- If you need a break during the interview, ask for one this is your right, do not be afraid to ask.
- If you think there is a problem with interpretation, say so as soon as possible, and ask for this to be noted on the interview record.
- If there were things you forgot to say, or said wrong, or felt you were not given time to explain, or if there were any other problems during the interview, make sure this is noted when you are asked, towards the end of the interview, Is there anything else you want to add?
- Make sure you are given a copy of the audio recording and the written transcript at the end of the interview.
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Major Differences Between Affirmative And Defensive Asylum
In some cases, its necessary to understand the main differences between affirmative and defensive asylum. If you have questions about these two types of asylum, your attorney can provide you with more guidance. However, you can refer to the table below, which explains the main differences between the two.
| Affirmative Asylum | |
| You have not been placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. | You have been placed in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. |
| You submit Form I-589 to USCIS. | You are placed in removal proceedings by an asylum officer, either because you are in removal proceedings for immigration violations, or you tried to enter the U.S. without proper documentation but you are found to have a credible fear of persecution or torture. |
| You appear before a USCIS asylum officer for a non-adversarial interview. | You appear before an immigration judge with the Executive Office for Immigration Review for an adversarial hearing. |
| You provide your own interpreter for your asylum interview. | The immigration court provides a qualified interpreter for your asylum hearing and all other court proceedings you are a party to. |
| You are seeking asylum in the United States lawfully and with good reason. | You are seeking asylum in the United States after the fact, which means you arrived in the U.S. and were caught by immigration officials and have chosen to seek asylum. |
Affirmative Filing And Scheduling
An applicant can file for asylum affirmatively. This process is initiated by sending two copies of form I-589 to the CIS Service Center which has jurisdiction over the region in which the applicant resides. . It is generally best to send the application via overnight delivery so that it is possible to prove delivery of the application if an issue ever arises as to whether or not the application was properly filed. It is not necessary to send the remaining components of the application immediatelyand in fact, it is preferable not to do so because they can be assembled while the applicant is waiting for an interview, the scheduling of which is initiated by simple submission of the barebones I-589.
If an attorney is representing the applicant on the application, the attorney must also file a Notice of Appearance , preferably on blue paper. When there is an attorney of record, CIS is supposed to send all notices about the case to both the attorney and the applicant. Sometimes, however, it only sends them to the client or to the attorney instead of both, so it is important for both of you to contact one another whenever either of you receives CIS correspondence.
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Seeking Asylum Talk To A Skilled Knowledgeable Asylum Attorney Now
Any person seeking asylum should seek the guidance of a qualified and compassionate immigration attorney. Proper legal representation will make the entire process, from applying to interviewing, more straightforward and less stressful. The process of applying for affirmative asylum is already stressful enough let an attorney help by lending their knowledge and skills.
At Davis & Associates, our passionate and experienced attorneys help clients in the Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as across Texas. Schedule a free initial consultation today to discuss your unique case and understand your path forward. Were eager to help.
