AfterFilingtheAsylumApplication

In order for us to do our job effectively and work as a team we kindly ask that you follow some basic
rules during the pendency of your case and review all the material we provide to you in preparing for
yourasyluminterview.

When you call our office about your case or related matters, and we cannot assist you immediately,
always leave a detailed message with your full name and the nature of your inquiry. This allows us to
determine theurgencyof yourinquiry andrespond accordingly. Tellingusyouhavesomethingurgent
todiscuss,without more,willnotexpediteourresponsetoyourinquiry.Furthermore,pleaseallowat
least 24 hours for someone from our office to return your call before calling back and leaving another
message.

PleasenotethatIwillnotcommentaboutordiscussyourcasewithfriendsorrelativesunlessyougive
meexpressedauthorizationtodoso.

Please remember to make your payments in a timely fashion pursuant to our fee agreement to avoid
anydelaysintheprocessingofyourcase.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTOFRECEIPT

Ourofficereceivesacopyofallnoticessenttoyouregardingyourcase.

Approximatelytwoweeksafterwemailyourasylumapplicationyouwillreceiveanacknowledgement
of receipt stating that your application has been received and that you may remain in the U.S. until a
decisionismadeonyourapplication.

TheAcknowledgementofReceiptlookslikethis:

FINGERPRINTAPPOINTMENTLETTER

Approximately two weeks after you receive the acknowledgement of receipt you will receive a
fingerprintappointmentletter (FormI797C,NoticeofAction)instructingyouandanyfamilymembers
included in your application to get fingerprinted and photographed at an immigration office near you.
Youwillbegivenaspecificaddresstogotowithinatwoweekperiod.Theattorneywillnotbepresent
for this appointment and you have to secure your own ride to the appointment. Please take your
passport(s) and the appointment letter(s) with you. After completing your fingerprints, your
appointment letter will be stamped and returned to you; please keep this for your records as proof of
yourbiometricscompletion.Ifyoudonotreceiveyourfingerprintappointmentletterwithin14daysof
receivingtheacknowledgmentofreceiptyourasylumapplication,pleasecontactourofficeforfurther
instructions.

TheFingerprintNotificationlookslikethis:

ASYLUMINTERVIEWNOTICE

Please note that all asylum offices in the United States are experiencing a severe backlog that has
resulted in interviews being scheduled far out in the future. As such, it may take months, and
sometimesayearormore,beforeyourcaseisscheduledforaninterview.Weaskthatyoucontactour
office (preferably by email to ammar@asmarlaw.com) if you have not received an interview
appointmentletterwithintwomonthsofhavingreceivedyourAcknowledgementofReceipt.Please
notethattheAsylumInterviewNoticewillaskthatyoubring3copiesofevidenceofyourrelationshipto
family members on your I589. You do not have to worry about this because when we file your
application,wealsosend3copiesofeverything.Sopleaseignorethisspecificinstructionunlesswetell
youotherwise.

TheAsylumInterviewNoticelookslikethis:

Soonafteryoureceiveyourasyluminterviewnoticesomeonefromourofficewillcallyoutoschedulea
single90minute,ortwo45minute,reviewsession(s)toprepareyoufortheasyluminterview.Before
these review sessions, you must be aware of and have thoroughly reviewed the contents of your
asylumapplicationpackage,especiallyyoursworndeclarationandFormI589.Otherwiseyouwillnot
adequatelybenefitfromthereviewsessions.

If you are not fluent in English I highly recommend having your asylum application (Form I589) and
sworn declaration completely and accurately translated into your native language it is usually not
enoughthatthematerialisreadbacktoyouinyourlanguage.HavingyoursworndeclarationandI589
translated will allow you to review everything directly and repeatedly, which will make you more
preparedattheasyluminterview.Foranadditionalcostoneofourcontractinterpreterscantranslate
yourdeclarationand/orasylumapplication(FormI589).

Pleasenoteyouwillneedaninterpreteratyourasyluminterviewifyouoryourfamilymembersarenot
fluent in English. The asylum office does not provide an interpreter for you, though an interpreter
monitorwillappearbyphonetoensuretheaccuracyoftheinterpretation.Whileanyonewhoisfluent
in English and your native language can serve as interpreter, I highly recommend you employ the
services of one of our experienced contract interpreters. There have been instances when an
interpreter is disqualified for being incompetent, resulting in the interview being cancelled and
rescheduledweeksifnotmonthslater.

Evenworse,anotsogoodinterpretermayadverselyaffecttheoutcomeofthecasebynotinterpreting
accurately, leading the asylum officer to conclude that an applicant is being evasive or not telling the
truth.

If you wish for us to provide you with an interpreter during your interview, you must let us know
immediatelyuponreceivingyourinterviewappointmentnotice.

THEDAYOFTHEINTERVIEW

1. You need to secure your own ride to the asylum interview and make sure you arrive on time.
Remember to take into account traffic delay, which is not usually considered a valid excuse for
tardiness. If you are more than half an hour late, the asylum office may cancel your appointment
andrescheduleyourcase.

2. Bringwithyoualloriginaldocumentsthatwereincludedaspartofyourasylumapplicationpackage.
Keep them in a separate folder for easy and immediate access, and dont mix them with other
documents that were not made part of your application. And always remember to bring your
passportandthatofanyfamilymembersincludedinyourapplication.

3. The Applicant and every family member included as a derivative on the asylum application must
appear for the interview. The spouse of the Applicant and children over ten years of age will be
askedsecurityrelatedquestions,questionsabouttravelstoothercountriesinthepast,andwhether
any country has offered you and/or your family temporary or permanent residence status or
citizenship.

4. IfyouarebeinginterviewedattheAnaheimAsylumOfficeyoushouldexpecttowait25hoursfrom
thetimeofyourscheduledinterviewbeforeyourcaseiscalled.Allotherasylumofficelocationsare
only about an hour wait. You should get to the asylum office at least thirty minutes before your
scheduledappointmenttime,orearlierifsoinstructedbyyourattorney.

5. If you have very young children and your spouse is not with you at the asylum interview, you will
needababysittertowatchthechildrenwhileyouarebeinginterviewed.

6. Nofoodordrinkexceptforwaterandbabyfoodisallowedintotheasylumoffice.

7. Cellphones,laptops,IPads,etc.areallowedbutshouldbeturnedoffnoringerandnovibration.

REVIEWINGANDPREPARINGFORINTERVIEW

Whenreviewingyourapplicationpleasedosoinconjunctionwiththesampleinterviewquestionslisted
below,mostofwhichyouwillbelikelybeaskedduringyourinterview.

1. Whyareyouapplyingforasylum?BecauseIamafraidofbeingharmedorkilledinmycountry.

2. Whoareyouafraidwillharmorkillyou?

3. Whywouldthesepeople/groups/governmentwanttoharmyou?

4. Haveyoubeenharmedorthreatenedinthepast?

IfNO,thenskiptoquestion#12.

5. IfYES,whoharmedorthreatenedyou,andhowdoyouknowwhoitwasthatharmedor
threatenedyou?

6. Whenwereyouthreatenedorharmed?

7. Pleasedescribewhathappened?

8. Doyouknowwhyyouwerethreatenedorharmed?Ifyes,howdoyouknow?

9. Did you report the threats or incidents of harm, if any, to the police or security forces of your
country?Ifno,whynot?

10. Whatprecautions,ifany,didyoutakeafterbeingthreatenedorharmed?

11. Didyouleavethecountryimmediatelyafterthethreatorincidentofharm?Ifnot,whynot?

12. Do you know anyone (relatives, friends, colleagues, etc.) who was threatened or harmed in a
similarmanner?Ifso,whathappened,when,andwhy?

13. DidyouapplyforasyluminanycountrybeforecomingtotheUnitedStates?Whyorwhynot?

14. Have you registered as a refugee in any country prior to coming to the United States? Why or
whynot?

15. Hasanycountryintheworldofferedyouanyformofpermanentresidenceand/orcitizenshipin
thepast?

16. Haveyouappliedforanyformoftemporaryresidencestatusinanycountryatanytime?Ifyes,
describethelengthoftheresidence,thelimitationsandrestrictions,thepossibilityofrenewal,
andtheriskoftermination.

17. Afterleavingthecountrywhereyouwereharmedorfearharm,didyoureturntothiscountry?
Ifso,whyandforhowlong?Wereyouharmeduponyourreturn?Whatprecautions,ifany,did
youtakeduringsuchreturn?

18. Any relatives remaining in your home country? Have they been harmed? Why have they not
left?Havetheysufferedsimilarharmtoyou?

19. Any relatives in foreign countries? When and why did they leave? Whats their immigration
statusthere?Haveyouvisitedthem?Haveyouappliedforstatusinthosecountries?Ifnot,why
not?

20. Areyouafraidtoreturntoyourcountry?

21. Whatareyouafraidwillhappentoyou?Iamafraidofbeingharmedorkilledinmycountry.

22. Whatkindofharmdoyoufear?

23. Whowouldharmorkillyou?

24. Whywouldtheyharmorkillyou?

25. Canyouliveinanotherpartofyourcountryandbesafe?Whyorwhynot?

26. Howcanyoubeidentifiedasmemberorsomeoneadheringtoaspecificreligion,denomination,
politicalopinion,and/orrace?

27. Canyoufreelypracticeyourreligioninyourcountry?

28. Do any family members, relatives, or similarly situated persons remain in your country? If so,
havetheybeenthreatenedorharmed?Ifnot,thenwhydoyoubelieveyouwouldbeharmed?
Andiftheyarelivinginfearordanger,whyhavetheynotsoughttoleavethecountry.

29. Did you lie or make any misrepresentation to the U.S. Embassy to gain entry into the United
States?Ifyes,whatdidyoumisrepresentandwhy?

30. Howdidyouhearaboutasylum?

31. What was your intention when you applied for a visa to the U.S.? Did you intend to apply for
asylumwhenyouappliedforavisa?Didtheintentionariseafterthevisawasissuedbutbefore
youenteredtheU.S.?OrdidtheintentionariseafterarrivingintheU.S.?

32. WhydidyouapplyforasylumintheUnitedStatesandnotelsewhere?

33. Any close relatives in the United States? Whats your relation to them and what is their
immigrationstatus?

*Please note the following questions will be asked of you, your spouse, and all children between 14
and20yearsold:

34. Has any country in the world offered you or your family citizenship, permanent residence,
asylum,ortemporaryresidence?

35. Ifyestotemporaryresidence,onwhatbasiswasitgranted,whatisitsvalidityperiod,andwhat
rights does it grant its holder? For example, does it allow you to travel in and out of the
country?Canyouworkorownpropertywithit?Canyougotoschoolandreceivegovernment
benefits?

36. Have you joined the police or military of your country or any other country? If yes, explain in
detail your time of service, including location(s), rank, duties, etc.? And was such service
mandatoryorvoluntary?

37. Whatcountries,ifany,haveyouvisitedinyourlife,andespeciallyinthelast fiveyears?When

didyoutravelthere,forhowlong,withwhom,andforwhatpurpose?

38. Have you ever belonged to, or been associated with, any political, social, student, religious, or
professionalorganizations?Ifyes,wasitbychoice,pressure,orunderthreatofviolence?

39. Haveyouevergivenmoney,food,orsheltertoanygroupthatusesviolencetofurtheritscause,
whethervoluntaryoragainstyourwill?Ifso,whichgroups,whatwasgiven,andhowmuch.

40. Haveyoueverbeenarrestedand/orconvictedforanycrimesanywhereintheworld?

41. DoyouoryourfamilymembersposeathreattothesecurityoftheUnitedStates?

42. Haveyoureceivedanymilitarytraininginthepast?

43. Have you ever harmed anyone because of his or her race, religion, ethnicity, membership in a
socialgroup,orpoliticalopinion?

THEASYLUMINTERVIEW

The Asylum Interview consists of several parts and the Asylum Officer (AO) will almost always go
throughthesepartsinchronologicalorder.

PartI:Introduction

TheAOwillintroducehimorherselfandexplainthepurposeoftheinterview.Theywillremindyouthat
everything you say is confidential and will not be shared with anyone outside the United States
government.Theywillaskyoutotakeanoathtotellthetruth.Theywillaskyouwhopreparedorfilled
outyourasylumapplicationanddeclaration.Manyclientsareconfusedbythisquestionandincorrectly
respondthattheythemselvesfilledouttheasylumapplicationandwrotetheirdeclaration,wheninfact
the attorney did so. There is nothing wrong with your attorney preparing the application and
declarationforyousolongastheinformationistruthfulandprovidedbyyou.SinceItypicallyprepare
everything for you, you should answer that your attorney was responsible for preparing the asylum
applicationandsworndeclarationonyourbehalf,unlessofcoursethatisnotthecase.

IfyouarenotfluentinEnglishyouwillfurtherbeaskedwhethertheapplicationwastranslatedorread
backtoyouinalanguagethatyouunderstandtheAOsimplywantstomakesureyouarefamiliarwith
thecontentsofyourapplicationsinceitisinaforeignlanguage.

You will also be asked if the contents of your asylum application and sworn declaration are true and
correcttothebestofyourknowledge.

Youwillthenreceiveawarningaboutthepenalties(finesand/orimprisonment)forknowinglyfilingan
asylum application that contains lies, falsehoods, and/or forgeries. This does not mean you will be
penalized if an AO does not believe you. The AO must have hard evidence that you are intentionally
providingfalseinformation.Ifyourtestimonyisinconsistentwithyourasylumapplicationorifyougive
incorrectdatesforcertainevents,thisdoesNOTmeanyouwillbepenalized.Itcouldleadtheofficerto
conclude you are not credible, but that is not the same thing as lying. The determination that you are
not credible means the AO is not convinced you are telling the truth and may deny your asylum
application.Butnootherpenaltieswouldapply.

You will also be asked to sign a document stating that you understand the importance of telling the
truthandthepenaltiesimposedifitisdiscoveredyouliedorpresentedfalsedocuments.
Part2:TheAsylumApplication

Here,theAOwillgothroughyourasylumapplication(FormI589)linebylineforpages14tomakesure
itisuptodateandaccurate. Thisis notatestandtheAO isnottryingtotrickor confuseyou.Ifyou
havereviewedtheasylumapplicationthoroughlyyoushouldhavenoproblemansweringthequestions.
It is best to have this information memorized to the best of your ability so that the interview flows
smoothly. If you simply cannot memorize the information, especially certain dates, let your attorney
knowsowecoulddiscussanalternativeapproach.

Pages58oftheasylumapplicationarenotalwaysaskedaboutduringthispartoftheinterviewbutwill
be covered in Part 3 (See below) when the basis of your asylum claim is discussed. However, some
officers will ask you to answer yes or no to the questions that appear on Pages 58. So you should be
familiarwiththecontentsofthesepagesandunderstandwhattheymean.

Part3:TheBasisforAsylum

HeretheAOwillbewritingdownyourresponses,somakesuretospeakclearlyandinshortsentences.
WaitforthequestiontobeaskedbeforeyouansweranddonotinterrupttheAOwhenheisspeaking.
For those with an interpreter, it is vital that you wait for the interpretation to be completed before
answeringthequestions.

This is the longest and most important part of the interview. You will be asked why you left your
countryandwhatproblems,ifany,youhadwhilelivingthere.Youwillalsobeaskedwhyyouareafraid
to go back this is especially important for people who have not had any serious problems in the past.
Remember,youdonthavetohavesufferedpersecutioninyourcountrytoqualifyforasylum.Youcan
be granted asylum solely on fear of future persecution if such fear is reasonable and supported by
countryconditions.Ihavepreparedadetailedsetofquestionsyouwilllikelybeaskedduringthispart
of the interview. (See Sample Interview Questions). Review these questions thoroughly; most of the
answerstothequestionsareinyoursworndeclarationandasylumapplication(FormI589).

Part4:SecurityQuestions

You will be asked questions that every Applicant is asked regardless of country, religion, or ethnicity.
These are yes/no answers. Some questions may be offensive to you, but that is not their intention.
Dont ridicule the questions or appear to be annoyed or amused. These are important questions with
thesecurityoftheUnitedStatesinmind,andassomeonewhoisseekingrefugeintheUnitedStatesthe
questions require your respect and understanding. So please, just answer yes or no, unless of course
youareaskedtoexplainorgiveadditionaldetails.

Part5:Conclusion

TheAOwillaskifyouhaveanyquestionsorifyouhaveanythingtoaddthatwasnotalreadycovered.
My recommendation is that you thank the AO for their time and refrain from saying anything
substantiveaboutyourcase,unlesstheAOforgottoaskyouaboutanimportantaspectofyourcase.As
yourattorney,Ihavetherighttocommentonyourcaseandmakeaclosingstatementonyourbehalf.I
mayalsoaskquestionsaboutyourtestimonyifIfeelitwasinsufficientlydetailedorinaccurate.

Inshort,ifIfeelsomethingwasmissingIwillintervenedirectlyandtrytofixanyproblems.Now,ifIam
notwithyouattheinterviewandyoufeelthatsomeaspectsofyourcasehavebeenmisunderstood,or
ifyoumadeanerrorthatcametoyourattentionatalatertime,thenbyallmeansdomentionitatthe
endoftheinterviewtomakesuretheAOisaware.

TheAOwilltellyouhowyouwillreceiveyourdecision.Hehastoexplainbothwhathappensifyouwin
andwhathappensifyoulose.Nodecisionwillbegivenattheinterview,sopleasedontask.Youwill
beaskedtosignadocumentthatwillstatewhetheryouhavetocomebackintwoweekstopickupthe
decisionorwhetherthedecisionwillbemailedtoyou.

InterviewMannerismTipsandHowtoWorkwithInterpreters

1. Dress appropriately neither too formal nor too casual. Please avoid distracting or flashy clothing.
Assumethattheofficerwillinterpretyourappearanceasasignofrespect,orlackthereof.Donot
wearhats/caps,shorts,orsandals/slippers.

2. Try your best to maintain eye contact with the officer when being asked and when answering a
question.Evenifyouareusinganinterpreter,youreyecontactshouldbewiththeofficer,notthe
interpreter. Also, DO NOT look to the interpreter or attorney for answers. This is your interview
andyouareresponsibleforansweringthequestionsonyourown.Ifnecessarytoclarifyapointor
clearupamisunderstandingtheattorneymayinterferetoremedythesituation,iftheattorneysees
fittodoso.

3. Answerthequestionthatisaskedofyoubylisteningcarefullytowhatisbeingasked.Dontanswer
morethanwhatthequestionasksfor.Iftheofficerwantsmore detail,hewillnothesitate toask.
The AO has already read your claim and wants answers to specific questions only. When you say
morethanwhatisbeingaskedyouriskfrustratingtheofficeroropeningupnewsubjectsthatmay
triggerfurtherquestions.

4. Never interrupt the officer or the interpreter. Speak only after the question has been asked and
interpreted.Inotherwords,oncetheofficerandtheinterpreterhavedonetheirpartandyourhear
silence,onlythenshouldyoubegintospeak.

5. Speakonlywhenspokento.Yourjobattheinterviewistoanswerthequestionsaskedofyou.As
yourattorneyIcanalwaysinterjectifIfeelitisnecessary.Icanalsoaskyouquestionsattheendof
theinterviewtoclarifyanissueorcorrectamistake.

6. Speak in a LOUD and clear voice, especially when you are using an interpreter because a phone
monitor will listen in to make sure the interpretation is accurate. The monitor needs to hear you
clearlyinordertoperformtheirfunction.

7. Speakslowlyandintently,andrespondtoquestionsinshortbutcompletesentences.TheAOhasto
write/type your responses, so if you speak too fast they will not be able to record everything and
willkeepinterruptingyoutoaskyoutoslowdown.Andifyouhaveaninterpreter,speakingtoofast
will result in an incomplete, incorrect, or inaccurate interpretation. The interpreter may put up a
handwhileyouarespeakingasawaytogetyoutostoporslowdown.

8. Ifyoudontknowtheanswertoaquestion,saysoanddontinventananswer.

9. If you dont understand a question, say so and indicate the reason for not understanding: did you
not understand the interpretation if using an interpreter or is the question unclear? If you dont
understand the AOs question, ask him to please repeat or rephrase the question. Dont answer a
questionthatyoudontunderstandorarenotsureabout.

10. If you are not certain about a date, try to approximate by saying, for example, to the best of my
recollection,approximately,oronorabout.Youcouldalsogivearange;forexample,bystating
aneventhappenedinwinterorsummer,orearly/late2011.

11. If the AO catches an inconsistency and/or contradiction between your testimony and asylum
application, you must be given an opportunity to explain such inconsistency and/or contradiction.
TheAOcannotconcludeyouarenotcredibleunlessyouaregiventhisopportunitytoexplain.You
must therefore take advantage of this opportunity and explain as best as you can. For example,
mistakesindatescanbeduetoconfusionbetweendifferentbutsimilarevents.Oryoucouldhave
misunderstood the AOs questionwhich is why I stress not answering a question unless it is
understood.

12. Respond to openended questions with a brief summary statement. For example, if you are asked
why you are applying for asylum, you should say something like: Because I am afraid of being
harmed or killed at the hands of extremist groups on account of my religion and political opinion.
ThentheAOwillaskfollowupquestionstodetailthereasonsforsuchfear.

13. DontridiculetheAOsquestionbyrespondingsarcastically.Also,iftheAOasksthesamequestion
twice, dont get frustrated and begin your response with I already told you. The AO does not
know the details of your life as good as you do, and they are not computers that remember
everythingtheyhear,sobepatientandanswerthequestioncalmlynomatterhowmanytimesitis
asked.

14. IftheAOmisstatesafactoridea,nevertelltheofficeryoudontunderstand!Simplytrytocorrect
orclarifyinarespectfulandpatientmanner.

15. Dont answer a question with a question. For example, Q: Are you afraid of returning to your
country?A:HowcanInotbeafraidofreturningtomycountry?

16. Dontreaskaquestionjusttobuytimetorespond.Forexample,ifasked:whydidyouleaveyour
country? dont respond with: why did I leave my country? Yes, the AO is talking to you and no
oneelse!ThiskindofresponseirritatestheAOandcanturnanotherwisefriendlyinterviewintoone
thatismorehostile.

17. Always vocalize your responses dont shake your head to indicate yes or no. When speaking
English,respondbysayingYesorNoasopposedtogruntingorsayingyeahorya.

18. Be alert and ready to answer questions as soon as the interview begins. Dont appear lethargic.
Rise up to the challenge from the first moment. Try to get a good nights rest the day before the
interview.

19. Trynottolookattheattorneyforapprovalordisapprovalafteransweringaquestion;itmayappear
thatyouareunsureaboutyouranswerortryingtogetnonverbalassistancefromtheattorney.

20. You cannot use any notes, documents, or your asylum application to help you answer a question,
unlessapprovedbytheAO.

21. Be aware of any nervous ticks you might have and try to minimize them during the interview,
especiallyiftheyarenoisyorobvious,likeshakingyourlegsandbangingthemagainstthechairor
desk,orcrackingyourfingersloudly.ThismayirritatetheAO.Sometimesyoucannothelpyourself
and that is understandable. Almost everyone is nervous at such interviews, and most AOs, for the
mostpart,areawareofthisfactandshowsympathy.Sojustdoyourbest.Idontwantyoutoget
nervousaboutseemingnervousandallowittonegativelyaffectyourperformance.

22. Remember that the AO, like anyone else, can get annoyed, frustrated, and exhausted. These AOs
hear multiple cases a day (23 on average) and the repetition and stress can make them irritable
evenfrompettythings.

AFTERYOURINTERVIEW

1. I understand how difficult it can be to wait several months or more for an asylum decision. It can
affectyoureducation,abilitytosustainyourselfintheUnitedStates,andprolongedseparationfrom
loved ones. However, the system is such that long delays are quite common. All asylum
applications undergo background security checks, processing of which varies widely on a case by
casebasis.Pleasenotethereislittlewecandotoexpediteprocessingtimes.

2. Ifyourcaseisstillpendingandyouchangeyouraddressorcontactinformationyoumustinformour
office immediately so we can update our records and inform the asylum office. If you change your
addressandmovetoanewhouseorapartment,youMUSTinformusofyournewaddresswithin5
daysofmoving.Pleasesendanemailtoammar@asmarlaw.comprovidingyournewaddressand
thedateyouwillmove.PleasemakesuretheinformationyouprovideisCOMPLETEandACCURATE.
Failure to provide us with accurate information that results in extra efforts to correct the mistake
mayresultinadditionalfeesbeingchargedtoyou.

3. If your case has concluded and you have received your decision, YOU are solely responsible for
informingUSCISofyournewaddresswithin10daysofmoving.Thechangeofaddresscanbedone
bycompletingFormAR11,whichisfoundatwww.uscis.gov.

4. YoushouldnotleavetheUnitedStatesduringthependencyofyourasylumdecisionoryouwillrisk
abandoning your asylum application. If you have to leave the U.S. because of an emergency, call
yourattorneybeforedoingsotodiscussthepossibilityofapplyingforpermissiontotravel.

5. Youarefreetoinquireaboutyourcasedirectlywiththeasylumofficewhereyouwereinterviewed.
Each office has its own procedures of inquiry, so you should always call before showing up. My
preferenceisthatyouallowmyofficetomakeanyinquiriesonyourbehalfthreemonthsafterthe
interview.Butifyoudontwanttowaitthislong,youcanmaketheinquirydirectlywiththeasylum
office.

POSTINTERVIEWISSUES
IfandwhenyoureceiveyourAsylumApprovalLetterinthemail,pleasemakesuretoreadandreview
allitscontents.Therearemanyhelpfulcontactslistedinthelettertoassistyouwithquestionsyoumay
haveregardingthestepsyouneedtofollow.

Ifandwhenyouareapprovedforasylum,youandanyfamilymembersincludedinyourapplicationwill
automatically have Employment Authorization Documents (work permits) mailed directly to your
residenceaddressabout23weeksafteryourapproval.

ADDITIONALINFORMATION

1. GettingaDriverLicense

a. You can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in your city and inquire about
having a driver license issued to you. They will require to see your passport and Admission
(I94) NumberRetrievalForm.TheI94 canbefoundandprinted onthefollowingwebsite,
by entering the required information from your passport visa page:
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/.IfyouarehavingtroubleretrievingyourI94,pleasesendane
mail to ammar@asmarlaw.com and we will provide you with directions on how to get
yourI94.

b. TheID/DriverLicenseissuedtoyouwillbevalidforthesameperiodasindicatedonyourI
94. For example, if you entered the United States with a B1/B2 visa, then your driver
Licensewillbevaliduntil6monthsfromthedateyouenteredtheUnitedStates.

2. GettingEmploymentAuthorizationDocument(EAD)

a. Ifyourcasehasbeenpendingforatleast150daysfromthefilingoftheasylumapplication,
at no fault of your own, you will be eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization
Document (EAD). This application for EAD takes anywhere from 13 months (sometimes
longer)toprocess.IfyouwouldlikeforourofficetoprepareandfiletheI765foryou,we
chargeafeeof$250foreachpersonandrequire2passportsizephotos.

b. OnceyoureceiveyourEAD,youmayusethistoapplyforanotherDriverLicenseandalsogo
toyourlocalSocialSecurityAdministrationOfficetoapplyforatemporarySocialSecurity#
soyoucanlegallywork.TheEADwillbevalidforoneyearandcanberenewedafterthatif
needed.

c. You are free to prepare and apply for Employment Authorization on your own. The
applicationisFormI765andcanbefoundatwww.uscis.gov.