The U.S. Asylum Office has announced a number of important changes to asylum procedures, forms and other requirements, including:
New Form I-589 EditionUSCIS published a new edition of Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, dated 03/01/23. Starting July 31, 2023, USCIS will accept only the 03/01/23 edition of the form. Until then, USCIS will continue to accept the 10/12/22 edition of Form I-589.
Documentation Requirement ChangesEffective immediately, applicants submitting Form I-589 no longer need to submit a passport-style photo, multiple copies of the form, or multiple copies of the supporting documentation.
New Filing Location for Certain Affirmative Asylum Applications Submitted by MailUSCIS has changed the filing location for certain affirmative asylum applicants to submit Form I-589 by mail. This change is expected to help streamline asylum processing and improve adjudication efficiency by digitizing paper filings. Starting May 31, 2023, Form I-589 must be sent to the lockbox with jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence instead of to the service center.
More InformationThe following categories of affirmative asylum applicants must continue to mail their asylum application directly to the Asylum Vetting Center:
- Loss of Derivative Status After Asylum Approval but Before Adjustment of Status (Nunc Pro Tunc);
- Loss of Derivative Status After Initial Filing but Before Final Decision;
- Simultaneous Filing as a Principal Applicant and a Derivative Applicant;
- Previously Issued a Final Action by USCIS on a Form I-589; and
- Previously in Immigration Court Proceedings.
Online filing is also available and encouraged for affirmative asylum applicants who are not in immigration court proceedings and who do not have to submit their application to the Asylum Vetting Center as indicated above.
If you wish to discuss applying for political asylum to remain in the United States please contact the Law Offices of Mark A. Urbanski PLLC and we will be happy to arrange a consultation.