Those seeking asylum in the United States face several hurdles before they can gain protection, no matter why they fled their country of origin. The process begins with the filing of Form I-589, and according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, this document remains viable for one year from the filing date.
If you recently filed this form, you may want to understand the steps that follow your application and what circumstances, if any, may hinder the process.
Filing Form I-589
Before you file form I-589, there are a few qualifications you must meet first. These apply to anyone seeking asylum in the U.S., such as if you have not yet received a Notice To Appear form from the United States Department of Homeland Security and if you filed the form 22 days before you received your notice to appear. The USCIS will notify you by mail once it accepts your I-589.
Executive office review
Once the USCIS accepts your I-589, it will continue on to the Executive Office for Immigration Review. There, officials either accept or reject the application based on your current status. It is important that your address matches the one on file with the EOIR, or your file may become lost, making it necessary for you to resubmit it.
Notice to appear
Your status within the immigration courts can affect how the government handles your I-589. For example, if you have not yet received a Notice to Appear, your form is eligible for filing within the system.
The local immigration court sends out NTA letters after the processing of an I-589. Those seeking asylum may have to submit further requests and circumstances in writing to the USCIS.
