Waiting Asylum decision

[HoustonAssi]

Hi, first of all want to say THANK YOU to all people who advised to file Mandamus, I read EVERY post here from 2010 and this helped me a lot!
This is ZMI
12.2021 Applied
02.2022 Received receipt
03.2022 Fingerprints
04.2022 Interview
06.2022 applied for 1st EAD
09.2022 received EAD
Moved to LA
Married
03.2023 Tried to add spouse to my case but it was lost, I knew about this only 11 month later!
09.2023 Applied for 1st EAD for spouse
11.2023 got denial for EAD for spouse
Moved back to Miami
02.2024 Second attempt. Added spouse to whom I married while waiting for decision
03.2024 Fingerprints for spouse
03.2024 applied for 2d EAD
03.2024 applied for 1st EAD second time for my spouse
03.2024 received 2d EAD
04.2024 received 1st EAD for my spouse
07.2024 Pre-Mandamus email from Lawyer
08.2024 Got mail with interview notice
09.2024 Interview about my spouse and updates
10.2024 Second Pre-Mandamus email
11.2024 Mandamus
11.2024 Approval and EAD (A5)

Sent 4-5 requests by myself and with the help of my lawyer, went to the office several times.
Also I changed attorney because the previous one asked 7-8k for Mandamus and new one 3.5k +405 filing fee.
Requested FOIA several times where I saw assessment to grant.

I saw every update in status in case tracker

Decision was mailed (30-45 min)
Fee were waived (2 hours)
Case was updated to fingerprints were taken (2 hours)
New card is being produced (3 days)
Card was mailed to me

I could add my case in USCIS account only next day after I saw update about decision!
So first hour was scary because decision was mailed and couldn’t add my case

New EAD validity is for 5 years

The mail with approval notice came 2 days later but USPS required signature so I wasn’t at home and picked it up next day in USPS office.

EAD came to my spouse 1 week later after status update
EAD came to me 2.5 weeks later after status update

After every interview got pick up notice to come back 2 weeks later but both times got a call 1 day before pick up day and got information that decision would be mailed

Hope that this information will help a lot, if you have any questions will be happy to answer.

Also wish everybody who is waiting for decision to get approval in the nearest time.

If you wait for decision for more than 2 years, sent requests, your case is strong (and especially if you see good assessment in FOIA) and you have money then 100% file Mandamus.

what info you see in FOIA? Assessment- is it your asylum case notes or assessment?

 

[HoustonAssi]

I am trying to help a friend; wondering if anyone applied Asylum online and how was the experience? Should we prefer filing online or paper mail?

 

[pmb2144]

did you apply this june 2024? You got interview in September. Really? Ppl are waiting few years to get the interview?

My time line as below.

June 16th 2024 - asylum application submitted
Mid of July 2024 - Biometric done.
Sep 6th 2024 - interview done
After that status is decision pending and today status changed to application is pending.

Dec 2nd 2024. - I submitted I 765
Dec 15th 2024 - EAD approved
Dec 19th 2024 - card was produced

 

[pmb2144]

Hey bro. I applied in Chicago too but have yet to receive an interview notice. Would you mind sharing your timeline? (date of biometric and interview notice)

Biometric July 2024
Interview done Sep 2024
Chicago office

 

[LouisMO]

Congrats! Happy 4 you!
Do we have such rule currently to apply GC before 1 year?

Yes. This rule was implemented in Feb 2023, now my concern new administration may overturn to the original rule that you must file after 1 year. At the same time, I am hesitant to file too early to avoid denial or premature approval of GC. Per my lawyer I should file after 6 months to reduce such risk which would put me in March 1st.

 

[Infinitpending]

We applied for asylum in Feb, 2016. Had an interview on Sep 24 this year and 2 hours ago status changed from decision is pending to decision was mailed (8:30pm). Is there any chance we could still get „fees were waived”?

Which office?

 

[Alex19]

Yes. This rule was implemented in Feb 2023, now my concern new administration may overturn to the original rule that you must file after 1 year. At the same time, I am hesitant to file too early to avoid denial or premature approval of GC. Per my lawyer I should file after 6 months to reduce such risk which would put me in March 1st.

Hi, even if 1 year rule will return, why are you afraid of it? Just 6 months more and no risks

 

[Alex19]

what info you see in FOIA? Assessment- is it your asylum case notes or assessment?

All info from interview and summary 2 weeks later with assessment to grant.
But then I was waiting for 2.5 more years and only mandamus helped me

 

[LouisMO]

Hi, even if 1 year rule will return, why are you afraid of it? Just 6 months more and no risks

6 months saved time would definitely help, imagine if file after 1 year and need to wait for 1-2 more year. It's been 13.5 years I have not seen my family and I would like to see them in a third country, at the same time don't want to risk it before getting my GC. I hope now you can understand my situation.