18 Apr Asylum Interview

If you are seeking asylum through the Asylum Merits Interview process with USCIS after a positive credible fear determination, visit our Asylum Merits Interview with USCIS: Processing After a Positive Credible Fear Determination page for information on how to prepare for your Asylum Merits Interview. This means you were placed in expedited removal proceedings, you received a positive credible fear determination, and USCIS retained your asylum application for further consideration in an Asylum Merits Interview. For information on ways to obtain asylum in the United States, visit the
Obtaining Asylum in the United States page.

On the day of your affirmative asylum interview you should bring:

• A form of identification, including:

o Any passports you may have,
o Other travel or identification documents, and
o Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record, if you received one when you arrived in the U.S.

• The originals of any birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other documents you previously submitted with your Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal,
• A copy of your Form I-589 and any additional material that you previously submitted in case the asylum office is missing any of this information;
• Any additional items you have available that document your claim and that you have not already submitted with your application;
• An interpreter if you are not able to continue with the interview in English,
• Your spouse and/or children under 21, if they were included in your asylum application as derivatives at the time you filed your application;
  
  

o They must bring any identity, travel or other supporting documents they have in their possession.
o Although you are required to list all of your family members on your application, the only family members you need to bring to the interview are those who will be included as derivatives in the asylum decision.

• A certified translation of any document that is not in English;
  
  

o Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation that the translator has certified is complete and correct.
o The translator must certify that they are competent to translate the language used in the document into English.

You have the right to bring an attorney or representative to your interview at no cost to the U.S. government. You and your attorney/representative must submit Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative to USCIS, in order for your attorney/representative to accompany you to your asylum interview.