post-interview days

little bee

Registered Users (C)
For someone legally in the US, what is a likely time to hear back on asylum interview decision??

In the case it helps to someone -

I filed on 13th of November, 2009
Got fingerprint notices for Dec 17th, 2009
Had Interview on Jan 12th, 2010.

Now waiting to hear back, but in few days, it will be a whole month since the interview. Is that common?
 
I don't know now ,when i had my interview done ,they told me to get the decision letter in two weeks.
 
Hi little bee,

Were u in valid status when u were interviewed by the asylum officer? If so, you most likely get the decision more than the normal 2 weeks, like in a few months time or more. If you were illegal at the time of interview, you will get your decision in 2 weeks time normally. I guess thats the only good thing about being out of status as you get to know the decision in 2 weeks normally.

What did the AO tell about the pickup decision at the end of the interview? Did AO tell u to wait for the decision in the mail?
 
Yes, I am in legal status, and will be until November 2011. I have just entered the US when I applied for the asylum, and my status, as I said, is well until Nov 2011. The AO said that the decision will be mailed out to me.

I was afraid of that, that being that it could take a month or two, but now when you, asilum, said "monthS", I kind of got disappointed... :( Could it be like 4-5 months or more given that I can stay in this country till Nov 2011?

Thank you for letting me know!
 
I guess I have answered my own question by googling around DHS website.

It does say there that asylum through affirmative process (in status and not in the middle of removal proceedings, etc.) is usually granted/denied within 60 days, and a bit longer if security checks are pending, the interview was at a field office, or the applicant is in valid status. I wonder why is that - because they are in no hurry to decide or...?

I can't post link since I don't have 15 or more posts in this forum, but on DHS website there is "The Affirmative Asylum Process" that answered my question. someone might find it useful.
 
I am not sure how many months you will receive your decision since u are in legal status. It all depends on the AO. By reading the posts in the forum, it could take 3-6 months or even more to get the decision. Good luck.
Btw, im just wondering why did u apply for asylum now and not when you are out of status?
 
I entered the US in September, so I wanted to file within the 1 year time frame. I just want to move on with my life and I wanted to do it as soon as possible. I didn't know about the processing time for affirmative cases of course, but staying here legally until the end of 2011, but not being able to return to my home country due to safety issues would have put me out of the 1 year time frame that they require for asylum filing, so... I filed in Nov 2009.
 
Hi There ,i have similar problem .I was in US under b2 visa which got expired on 11/4.I filed asylum on 12/4 .I was interviewed on jan 5 th and had aksed to collect the decesion on 1/20 but when i went to get decesion they have asked me to come on 1/26th for re interview.I appeared there as asked and the IO asked me some additional question .Since then i am awaiting for decesion but there is no sign so far !! Does some has any experience like this..? I want to know how long it gonna take for me .I read somewhere that it takes maximum 60 days from the date they recd my application.They did recd it on 12/8 which means it already passed 60 days.I am very much stressed due to this uncertainity..Please help me.
 
What kind of additional questions did the AO ask during the re interview? Did the AO (or you asked AO) tell you when and how to pick up the decision?
 
She asked some questions about the political party which i am associated to , few of them was-
Is there any armed force in your party?
Is any party member is involved in human rights abusement,Girls traficking .
Is yr party ever involve in any violance etc etc.She didn't ask any question about my declaration or any confussion she may have to clarify from the previous interview.She didn't tell me anything as how and when i will get the decesion.
 
It already passed 75 days that they recd my application.I need help if anyone knows the timeline to get decesion in such case.Please share yr experience.thanks
 
I myself am a lawyer, so I didn't use legal services to file for an asylum, but have put the packet together myself, and just consulted on questions I had. But, if I get NOID, I will definitively use an attorney. I filed asylum with the NJ office, since they have jurisdiction over my state, but the interview itself was held in Boston, Mass.
 
It already passed 75 days that they recd my application.I need help if anyone knows the timeline to get decesion in such case.Please share yr experience.thanks

I received the initial decision almost 6 months after the interview and I am still waiting for the background check.

I think the background process for asylum applications has become so slow after June 2009 becaues USCIS give N400 and I485 high priority when processing name checks. This might affect the timeframe for asylum applications.
 
What is initial decision..? How they do back ground checking..?Then do it in my country or USA .
It's been about 1 month of my interview and according to you i may need to wait more 5 months .
Someone advised me that i can go to asylum office and can check for my case status.Did you do this while waiting for decision .?Should i go there to check it out..?Please reply asap.


I received the initial decision almost 6 months after the interview and I am still waiting for the background check.

I think the background process for asylum applications has become so slow after June 2009 becaues USCIS give N400 and I485 high priority when processing name checks. This might affect the timeframe for asylum applications.
 
What is initial decision..? How they do back ground checking..?Then do it in my country or USA .
It's been about 1 month of my interview and according to you i may need to wait more 5 months .
Someone advised me that i can go to asylum office and can check for my case status.Did you do this while waiting for decision .?Should i go there to check it out..?Please reply asap.

I was in your situation for almost 6 months and thank God that the officer decided to open my file and issue the initial decision. I am so grateful to God and the officer that they did not let me wait for years to get the initial decision.

The initial decision is the decision that the officer makes before receiving the name check results from the FBI. The initial decision might be (intent to deny, recommened approval, or referral to court).

If the officer and the supervisor approve your case before receiving the name check results from the FBI, then you might receive a recommended approval. The asylum office has to wait for the FBI to complete your name check before issuing the final approval.

If they deny your case, then they don't have to wait for the name check results. They will issue the negative decision without having to wait for the FBI name check results.

To get an idea of how much time it takes to issue the initial decision. visit this site
http://www.rmscdenver.org/aobtc/CorpsValues.pdf
 
little bee: If I were u, I would apply for asylum in NY or SF. The IJs in those states have the highest grant rate nationally. Btw, if u maintain ur lawful nonimmigrant status, you are eligible for the exception to the 1 year filing deadline under extraordinary circumstance. If so, u can apply for asylum within reasonable period after expiration or termination of lawful status

arjel: Did those additional questions ask by AO during the re interview was ever asked during your first interview? The questions posted by AO seem to determine whether you are barred for asylum in US. If you have ever assisted in persecution of others or terrorist activities, you will most likely get your asylum denied. Again this is just my opinion and nothing is taken for granted. I think if AO had asked whether you had persecuted others (there were questions on I-589) in your first interview and asked those similar questions again in second interview, you have higher chance of being granted asylum. Just my opinion.

assylum: What was your initial decision, if u don't mind sharing?
 
Assylum :Thanks for the detailed info.I really couldn't understand the procedure for name check.How do they complete it so fast for those applicant who gets decision in 2 weeks and why so huge time line for some applicants like us.If AO taking long time to send me decision ,does that mean i probably will receive positive reply ? Since they wouldn't have to wait for NAME CHECK if they need to refer to court ,right..? Do you know any other reason (apart from Name check )to hold the decision or it is due to NAME CHECK only..??Thanks.

Asilum:1st time the AO interviewed me for 2 hours and i was almost drilled .There was nothing left to ask in 2nd interview.She didn't ask anything from my declaration where she may have confusion and need any other info .As you mentioned it she just wanted to be make sure that the political party i am associated to is not involved in anykind on "Human rights violation" And not involved in any kind of other violatation and armed-movement .By your opinion now i am really optimist and hopefully i will get positive reply but dunno when.Thank you guys for great sharing and making me relieved in some extent .
 
Do you know any other reason (apart from Name check )to hold the decision or it is due to NAME CHECK only..??Thanks..

There could be a lot of other reasons. Officer might be waiting for a supervisor signature or the officer need more time to review your case because the case is complicated.
Second interview is usually a good sign. They won't waste their time to interview you twice if your case is weak.
Be optimistic. Pray and you will be fine. God bless you.
 
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