Refugee and Political Asylum

Well, for my it was a long time ago, but normally the IO will ask you for your ID, passport. IO will have on his/her desk all the package that you sent before; at this time you are allow to add any information that you consider might be relevant on your case. Then after this part is done IO starts asking you questions about your case, like dates, names , cities, organizations, etc....most of lawyers advise to answer only what they are asking, not to use many words...................just go to the point. Also of course go well dressed and bring all the papers that you think might need. In my case i did not use a lawyer but interpeter to help me out with some important questions and answers, i did prepare my case by mysefl with all the information gattered from internet and friends; but if you are able my advice is to hire a lawyer to go for sure. At the time we finished the interview (30 minutes) she told us that "our response will be mailed as soonest she goes over the results and get reviewed also by the asylum office director" that took for my only 2 months.
I hope this info helps a bit.
Just remember that even if you have a strong case, at this moment those interviews are far more strict than 4 years ago, get well prepare, study all the dates and critical information in your initial application, try to be calm and go for it!
You should be o.k.

Last edited by masylee; 13th March

This forum made me sleep better on many nights and told me what to expect at every step. Nothing was a surprise from Asylum to US Passport.

Waited many many years and got my Asylum I485 approved in 2002. Applied N400 in Aug 07, FP in Jan 08, Citizenship interview in April 08 and got my Oath in May 08. Applied for passport routine service at the oath ceremony and got my passport in 9 days. My online status still shows my case pending since Oct 2007 !!

The interview was taken by an officer who had good country specific knowledge of my COP. The officer had a thick file which had every application I ever sent to INS/BCIS/USCIS in Nebraska. He went thru my asylum application in detail and asked me several questions on whether I was ever arrested, any organization I joined in COP, whether I had visited my COP and what was my last date of visit to COP. When I said I never went to COP and my last date was in 1997 sometime the officer said "then its no problem" and went thru my N400 application and I was done in 10 min from that point. All the questioning and concerns were about my old presence in COP and whether I ever visited after my asylum application. My passport was seen in detail and he was comparing it to a printout of some sort in the file. While giving me a congratulation letter he said my file is being sent to an supervisor for review as it was an asylum case. My oath letter came 15 days later than other family members who gave interview on same date. All of us were interviewed by different officers at the same time in different rooms.

During last several years I have met several people who had applied for asylum and we kept in touch. All of them had similar experience in Citizenship interview about COP. DUI, Misdemenors in Traffic were also problems that some faced.

Visiting COP is a bad idea and I would advise you not to unless it is an emergency because it will come up and you will have to give a logical reason for your visits. During my citizenship interview I realized how vulnerable we are even with GC if it was thru asylum. The GC can be cancelled anytime if fraud is suspected.

My experience with USCIS has been very good and everyone was very efficient and helpful when I called or met or gave interview. Every file is unique and every officer has a lot of discretionary powers so time lines can be a little different.

Thanks to all of you who ever posted anything as feedback whatever it is is very helpful. Thanks to Rajeev for this free servive....Highly Appreciated.

NB: If you feel your timeline has many different results on the forum call USCIS and insist to be connected to an IO. The CSR who picks up initial calls when you call USCIS are all civilian employees who have the same access to info you see online. The IO can read the actual file and tell you current status and resend lost or misplaced letters etc. Patience is the key !!

I was asked if I went back to COP and I said yes, (I only went once for two weks to visit ill family member) IO said nothing negative, just moved on with the interview process.
I know some people who were granted Asylum and went back to COP and now they're US citizens. Don't worry be very positive IO are humans too and understand that some times you have to take a risk to see a family member who is ill. Wish you best of good look, take care.

Asylum granted 2000
PR since: 07/03/2005   (Boston DO RE- N-400)
N-400 sent: 04/03/2010
N-400 Received in TX: 04/07/2010
N-400 Check Cashed:04/14/2010
797C-NOA Received: 04/19/2010
FP Notice received: 05/03/2010
FP Appointment: 05/18/2010
TXT (transferred to local office): 06/01/2010
Interview : 07/07/2010
Oath Ceremony: 09/29/2010
Received U.S. Passport 10/07/2010

Today I did my interview and passed. The Officer was a very beautiful young lady and she was nice and friendly. After taking an oath to tell the truth, she started going through my N-400 application (not line by line). Eventhough I said no to "citation and arrest", I had HOV violation and driving under suspended privilage tickets. Showed her documents that I paid my due and I am clear. She seemed satisified with that. Also I have said no to "have you been to jail or prison? " in my application,I told her I was detained in my home country and she said that is fine.

After that she asked me civic questions, reading and writing tests. And she said that I have passed the interview and she would recommand me for approval. She even wanted me to take the oath ceremony this very day, but I remind her that my 5th anniversary is on 02/14/2011. She said then we will send you an oath letter on that day telling you when to come.

That was it folks. what a relief!

1. It took me all togather, 119 days from application file date to an Oath Ceremony. I am proud to be the USC now. I had to wait about 40 days between interview and Oath ceremony date because my GC was not complete 5 years at the time of Interview. Otherwise my Oath would be on April 26, which would make my Naturalization process complete within 100 days. It's FAST.....!!!

   Thanks all of you (specially to wantmygcnow, thankful,shefe assylum etc) for your help, supports and advices in the issues regarding my Asylum, Green Card and finally Naturalization.

   please check out my signature for timeline......

   Thank you,

   LPR :04/17/2006 (GC 04/18/2007)
   D/O : San Francisco
   01/19/09 : N-400 to Phoenix
   01/20/11 : Next day delivered
   01/20/11 :Rec.Date
   01/24/11 :Chk cashed
   01/28/11 :NOA Received
   01/28/11 :FP Received
   01/31/11 :FP walk 02/09/11
   02/28/11 :Transfer to local office
   03/03/11 :Interview Letter
   04/07/11 :Interview Done-Decision can not be made
   04/30/11 :OL received
   05/18/11 :Oath Done
   05/18/11:Passport Apply
   xx/xx/11 :Passport in Hand

1. 21.5 years ago I arrived to USA and June 4 I will have a citizenship interview. You can read my story.

    

   1. Following is a time table of my case

      1. December 1990 arrived in US

      2. February 1991 applied for political asylum, till 1998 was waiting for an interview due to backlog

      3. Sometime 1998 interview with immigration office, denial of asylum

      4. March, 1999 granted a political asylum status by immigration judge, New York

      5. 1999-2006 staying in-line due to 10 000 a year quota for asylum cases to apply for adjustment of status for permanent residence.

      6. May 2006 Interviewed by immigration officer and few weeks later adjustment of status was denied due to my extensive travel from 1999 to 2006.

      7. June 2006 Appeal has been filed by my Immigration attorney

      8. May 2007 Interview in Garden City office (Garden City, NY) and in presence of my attorney was promised to receive an answer by mail not later than 6 months.

      9. Sept 2007 – Dec 2007 Numerous trips to Garden City office due to lack of any response on my case from May 2007

      10. January 2008. Filled Mandamus suit due to lack of response.

      11. Feb 2008. Interview in Garden City office. In presence of my attorney I was told that my I-485 petition has been approved 01/30/2008. I submitted two photos and was taken a fingerprint and was told to expect an actual Green Card in a month or so. Till this date I have received nothing in any shape and form from any immigration authorities. No approved notice, no Welcome Letter, etc. My lawyer has mailed me a first page of my I-485 application with stamp from Department Of Homeland Security “approved Jan 30, 2008”

      12. May 6 2008. Called National Customer Service Center 1-800-375-5283 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting FREE 1-800-375-5283 end_of_the_skype_highlighting and got an answer that my case is still pending, no further information available.

      13. May 7, 2008. Visit to Federal Plaza, NY, NY for infopass appointment. Got same answer as over the phone. My case is still pending and I have to wait for decision.

      It is just a deposition of my case. But to let you know more I would add some personal facts.In 1997 my father died in country of where I fled from and I was not able to attend a funeral.

      During 1999-2006 I have made numerous trips to abroad to see my two sons whom I was not able to see previous 8 years. My youngest son moved to US in his 17 in 2001. I got possibility to reunite with him because mu asylum status and he has lived with me for three years. He decided to move back to country of birth after three years of living with me mostly because he was depressed by his status of second grade resident, waiting to his quota to arrive to adjust his status. When I was able to file I-485 in 2006 quota for such as mine cases was dropped. Ironically it is happened just as my waiting in line ended. It was not fist my bad luck. When I was waiting an original interview after few years INS decided to start call people from end of the line, so it was easier to remove someone if case was denied as person stayed in US short time. In 1998 when my interview was scheduled backlog was gone and I was among the last who were affected. But all who was approved before me were online ahead of me for adjustment of status with artificial limit of 10 000 a year. But as my interview for adjustment was conducted I was denied of adjustment for reason of extensive travel using RTD. I have admitted that I was in my native country two times for brief periods. I submitted documents about my mother’s health as she was born in 1924. Anyway, it did not make any difference. Finally, May 5 this year my mother died in different country. Not in which I have fled from but neighboring while visiting her sister. I was trying to get something from USCIS in order to travel abroad, but my calls and infopass visit to office just were just to find out that my I-485 approval is still pending and nothing can be done for me to make me able travel for funeral and return back. Sad story for me…

      Anyway, I have to move on in my life. So I contacted my lawyer and he told me that my federal mandamus case is closed because I got approved. I do not know what to do. My lawyer have no other advice than to contact my local congressmen. I feel myself like a beggar in this country, despite of having own business for all this years, paying taxes and so on. 17 years and still counting. Any choices I have beside to commit a public suicide at parking lot before local USCIS office? Tell you the truth I am fed up beyond wildest imaginations. 

This forum made me sleep better on many nights and told me what to expect at every step. Nothing was a surprise from Asylum to US Passport.

Waited many many years and got my Asylum I485 approved in 2002. Applied N400 in Aug 07, FP in Jan 08, Citizenship interview in April 08 and got my Oath in May 08. Applied for passport routine service at the oath ceremony and got my passport in 9 days. My online status still shows my case pending since Oct 2007 !!

The interview was taken by an officer who had good country specific knowledge of my COP. The officer had a thick file which had every application I ever sent to INS/BCIS/USCIS in Nebraska. He went thru my asylum application in detail and asked me several questions on whether I was ever arrested, any organization I joined in COP, whether I had visited my COP and what was my last date of visit to COP. When I said I never went to COP and my last date was in 1997 sometime the officer said "then its no problem" and went thru my N400 application and I was done in 10 min from that point. All the questioning and concerns were about my old presence in COP and whether I ever visited after my asylum application. My passport was seen in detail and he was comparing it to a printout of some sort in the file. While giving me a congratulation letter he said my file is being sent to an supervisor for review as it was an asylum case. My oath letter came 15 days later than other family members who gave interview on same date. All of us were interviewed by different officers at the same time in different rooms.

During last several years I have met several people who had applied for asylum and we kept in touch. All of them had similar experience in Citizenship interview about COP. DUI, Misdemenors in Traffic were also problems that some faced.

Visiting COP is a bad idea and I would advise you not to unless it is an emergency because it will come up and you will have to give a logical reason for your visits. During my citizenship interview I realized how vulnerable we are even with GC if it was thru asylum. The GC can be cancelled anytime if fraud is suspected.

My experience with USCIS has been very good and everyone was very efficient and helpful when I called or met or gave interview. Every file is unique and every officer has a lot of discretionary powers so time lines can be a little different.

Thanks to all of you who ever posted anything as feedback whatever it is is very helpful. Thanks to Rajeev for this free servive....Highly Appreciated.

NB: If you feel your timeline has many different results on the forum call USCIS and insist to be connected to an IO. The CSR who picks up initial calls when you call USCIS are all civilian employees who have the same access to info you see online. The IO can read the actual file and tell you current status and resend lost or misplaced letters etc. Patience is the key !!

Hi everyone,

I had my interview in NYC. It took about 10 min or less. I was approved on the spot and advised to wait for the oath letter, which I did.

Yes, I renewed my passport and went to COP three times (short trips) - I listed all trips on my application. No questions had been asked. However, being a member of this forum for years, I had all kind of docs with me to defend my decision to go.

No questions about asylum whatsoever. Just wanted to share. Good luck to everyone.

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay in posting about my experience.

As some of you know, I filed in August 2007 and got stuck in the front-log, and was unable to do my finger prints until December 2007. However, luckily, my interview was scheduled right away for March 2008.

In Buffalo, we do not have same day oath, so I knew going in that I would not be sworn in the same day. I did know however, that I would get the oath notice right away (on the spot) if I passed, because they hold ceremonies every 2 weeks.

My interview was on a Thursday afternoon (for 2pm), but I ended up waiting there until 3.15pm. I was the last person to be called in, and my IO was an elderly African American lady. She took me into her office and introduced herself. Then she swore me in.

Before I could sit down, she asked to see my driver's license, green card and national passport. It was at this point that I gently reminded her that I am an asylee and do not have a national passport, and I proceeded to hand her my re-entry permit. She thanked me for giving her the travel document, and the interview began. Right away, she looked at my green card and compared it with the information on my driver's license.

She basically went through the entire application - line by line - some times asking me the exact same questions and other times just simply paraphrasing. She would check off each item in red ink when she was satisfied with my response. In the middle of the interview, she paused and without notice started the 10 history test questions and stopped after I answered first 6 correctly. She asked me to read a sentence off a piece of paper and had me write a simple sentence on the same paper. The she told me I passed the reading, writing, and history portion and had me sign the paper.

We resumed to the N-400 where she began asking me about my work history. She asked me for my entire work history and wanted to go beyond the 5 years written on the application. I think she wanted to compare this with my I-485 application as I could see her flipping to it. Then she looked through my travel document (every single page) and asked me if I have ever traveled internationally. I told her aside from trips to Canada (which I listed) I have never been out of the US. She stressed again if I went back to my COP - to which I said no. She asked me how I got my status again, and asked me how come I didn't have a passport....then how did I enter the country the first time? I told her I entered without documents. She seemed satisfied with that response.

She then asked me if I have ever been in deportation proceedings and I told her that since I filed for asylum and was referred to a judge, I was technically placed in deportation proceedings. The judge gave me my asylum and removed me from deportation proceedings. She was unfamiliar with whether or not that should mean we mark 'yes' for that question. So she got up and asked a colleague. She came back an told me that it doesn't but that she will make a note in the application that I was awarded asylum by an immigration judge.

She quickly glanced through my marriage status and asked me if my wife was in the US and if my daughter was born here - to which I answered yes. It was after all in the application! My wife's status in the US did not come up. And then she went back to my work and education section and commented on how they overlap - to which I explained I went to night school while working full time. I think that surprised/impressed her that I completed undergrad and graduate school while working full time. I don't know why that is so surprising considering we have come to the US to better our lives and escape persecution.

Finally she made me sign my pictures with my regular signature and sign the application as well. She gave me the form that I have been recommended for approval but she would need to run my case through her supervisor since they do not get alot of asylee and refugee applicants. I think I was one of the few that did not get the oath letter the same day. She told me I should expect my oath letter in the mail within 10 days, and you know what? I got it exactly 11 days later and was sworn in a few days after that.

All in all, if you are an asylee and you have stayed within the rules, everything should be okay. They do focus more on us because we aren't common and they want to make sure they aren't bestowing citizenship easily. Also, your trips overseas might come up. Just be honest and up front and everything will be okay.

Hope this helps you guys and sorry for the delay in getting it out to you.

I had my asylum interview in the Miami asylum office on July 12th 2012. To begin, the asylum officer was very agressive when asking questions to establish my identity (name , age, DOB, ect); this disturbed my focus and caused me to forget the dates when i had lived at various adresses. Also, during the interview i did not get a chance to fully express myself and tell the saylum officer exactly what happened as she usually stopped me in the middle of my responses. At the end of the interview however, she told my lawyer that the application was well filed and prepared. Nopw am wating for a response in the mail as i am still in lawful status.