Those seeking asylum and withholding of removal status in the United States should expect a delay in receipt notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS announced that asylum seekers filing an I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal should not expect a timely receipt from the agency due to ongoing delays.

While receipts are expected to be delayed, USCIS has confirmed that, for purposes of the asylum one-year filing deadline, an applicant’s filing date will remain the date that the I-589 petition was received by USCIS, not the date the receipt notice is ultimately issued. This applies to affirmative interviewing scheduling priorities and Employment Authorization Document eligibility, based on a pending asylum application. It must be noted, however, that if the petition is not filed properly, it will be rejected, regardless of the filing date.

To avoid prolonged delays, the USCIS has issued the following reminders:

  • An asylum application should be filed within one year of arrival to the United States unless circumstances have materially changed that would prevent a timely filing.
  • All answers should be typed or printed in black ink.
  • Answer all requested questions about yourself and your family. If you are unable to answer a question, answer “none,” “not applicable,” or “unknown” in black ink.
  • It is encouraged to include all additional support documentation and written statements at the time of filing. Written statements should include dates, details, and events as it relates to your claim.
  • Provide your Alien Registration Number, date, and signature, on each supplemental sheet on the cover page of any supporting document submitted.

Asylum seekers who do not receive a receipt notice in a timely manner should refrain from filing additional I-589 forms, as duplicative filings will ultimately cause further delays. Further, I-589 applications should not be submitted to the Vermont Service Center, as the center is not currently processing these types of forms and this will cause further delays.

If you have questions about your asylum application or any other immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. Our experienced team of attorneys is ready to help you in your specific situation to ensure you get the right advice.

asylum I-589