The Asylumist is about political asylum in the United States -- a forum for discussion about the law, policy, and politics of asylum.
(15)
The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 and #Asylum
The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 is finally here. In this post, we'll discuss the provisions of the bill that will most directly affect asylum seekers. http://www.asylumist.com/2021/02/24/the-u-s-citizenship-act-of-2021-and-asylum/
Fixing #Asylum Part 5: Benefits
There are different types of benefits available to people seeking asylum and people who have been granted asylum. Here we will discuss certain “benefits” – such as work permits, travel documents, and Green Cards – available to asylum seekers and asylees, and how these benefits can be improved. http://www.asylumist.com/2021/02/17/fixing-asylum-part-5-benefits/
President Biden’s Executive Orders on Immigration
Last week, President #Biden issued several Executive Orders (EOs) related to immigration. Here, we’ll review the new EOs and discuss how they might affect #asylum seekers. http://www.asylumist.com/2021/02/10/president-bidens-executive-orders-on-immigration/
Torture Survivors Seeking Asylum Must be a Priority in Immigration Overhaul
Andrea Barron argues that the #Biden Administration must not forget #torture survivors and other affirmative #asylum seekers as it seeks to reform the immigration system: http://www.asylumist.com/2021/02/03/torture-survivors-seeking-asylum-must-be-a-priority-in-immigration-overhaul/
President Biden’s Immigration Bill
President #Biden has proposed a comprehensive immigration reform #bill, called the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. What does this proposal mean for #asylum seekers? Who is included? When–if ever–will it go into effect? http://www.asylumist.com/2021/01/27/president-bidens-immigration-bill/
#Teshuvah and the New Administration
There’s a concept in Judaism known as “teshuvah,” which means “returning.” The term implies a return to righteousness, and repenting for past sins. This is what I am thinking about as we inaugurate the Biden-Harris Administration: http://www.asylumist.com/2021/01/20/teshuvah-and-the-new-administration/
Fixing #Asylum Part 4: Immigration Court
There are currently over 1.2 million cases pending before our nation’s Immigration Courts. The average wait time for a case is 849 days. What has caused this large backlog, and what can be done to alleviate the long waits in Immigration Court? http://www.asylumist.com/2021/01/13/fixing-asylum-part-4-immigration-court/
Fixing #Asylum Part 3: The Asylum Office
Some suggestions for improving affirmative asylum, including making interviews more efficient, expediting, premium processing, and more: http://www.asylumist.com/2021/01/04/fixing-asylum-part-3-the-asylum-office/
Fixing #Asylum Part 2: USCIS Forms
#USCIS forms are poorly designed, confusing, inconsistent, culturally insensitive, and inefficient. Read more here: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/12/22/fixing-asylum-part-2-uscis-forms/
#USCIS Receipt Delays – An Update
If you’ve filed an application or petition with USCIS lately, you’ve probably noticed that receipts have been substantially delayed. For more information, and for some tips on filing, see: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/12/18/uscis-receipt-delays-an-update/
Attention #Asylum Seekers! File Your Case Before January 11, 2021
New rules go into effect soon, which will make it more difficult for asylum seekers fleeing harm from non-government actors and gender-based violence, as well as individuals who have spent time in a third country before coming to the U.S. http://www.asylumist.com/2020/12/16/attention-asylum-seekers-file-your-case-before-january-11-2021/
Fixing #Asylum Part 1: Politics
In this series of posts, I hope to set forth my ideas for reforming and improving our nation’s asylum system. But before we get to that, I want to talk politics, since any reform will take place in the context of the current political crisis: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/12/09/fixing-asylum-part-1-politics/
U.S. #Citizenship for #Asylees
The final step in the #asylum journey is U.S. citizenship. When an asylee applies for citizenship, there are some unique issues to be aware of. Read more here: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/12/02/u-s-citizenship-for-asylees/
On Appeal at the #BIA
What happens when you appeal a case to the Board of Immigration Appeals? http://www.asylumist.com/2020/11/25/on-appeal-at-the-bia/
Book Review: My Trials by Judge Paul #Grussendorf
My Trials: Inside America’s Deportation Factories discusses Judge Grussendorf's time as an #asylum advocate and adjudicator and gives an insider’s perspective on our nation’s very dysfunctional immigration system: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/11/18/book-review-my-trials-by-judge-paul-grussendorf/
How Much More Damage Can the #Trump Administration Do?
Joe Biden has won the popular vote and the majority of the electoral college vote. Whether he will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States, however, remains to be seen. Even assuming the Trump Administration leaves peacefully, what can it do during the remaining 70-some days before Mr. Biden takes office? Can it make changes that outlast the Trump Presidency and are difficult for Mr. Biden to reverse? http://www.asylumist.com/2020/11/11/how-much-more-damage-can-the-trump-administration-do/
A Reflection on the #Election
As I write, we still have no decision, and the election rests on the edge of knife. Perhaps Joe Biden will manage to pull out a win, but I am personally feeling deeply pessimistic. There will be time later to analyze what happened. Here I want to reflect on a few more personal notes: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/11/04/a-reflection-on-the-election/
Whatever the #Election Results, There Is Work to Be Done
Next week is the election (in case you haven’t heard) and hopefully soon after, we will have a result. Whether the victor is Joe #Biden or Donald #Trump, #immigration advocates have their work cut out for them: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/10/28/whatever-the-election-results-there-is-work-to-be-done/
New #Bars to #Asylum for Criminals and Almost Criminals
In the ongoing saga of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle our humanitarian immigration law, the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security published a new rule imposing mandatory bars that prevent “convicted felons, drunk drivers, gang members, and other criminal aliens from receiving asylum.” Read more: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/10/21/new-bars-to-asylum-for-criminals-and-almost-criminals/
Expert Reports in #Asylum Cases
One piece of evidence that can be helpful in an asylum case is a report from an expert witness. Here, we’ll discuss the different types of expert reports and how they can help your case: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/10/14/expert-reports-in-asylum-cases/
What to Do If You Are Stopped by #ICE
In order to “amplify” the President’s tough-on-immigrants campaign message, the Trump Administration is planning on conducting a series of ICE #raids in #sanctuary jurisdictions, such as California, Denver, and Philadelphia. What should you do if ICE comes looking for you? http://www.asylumist.com/2020/10/07/what-to-do-if-you-are-stopped-by-ice/
Below is some info from USCIS about the Preliminary Injunction blocking the fee increase from USCIS--
On Sept. 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, in Immigration Legal Resource Center et al., v. Wolf, et al., 20-cv-05883-JWS, preliminarily enjoined DHS from implementing or enforcing any part of the USCIS Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements rule.
While the rule is preliminarily enjoined, we will continue to:
Accept USCIS forms with the current editions and current fees; and
Use the regulations and guidance currently in place to adjudicate applications and petitions. This includes accepting and adjudicating fee waiver requests as provided under Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM) Chapters 10.9 and 10.10.
A New Rule for #Interpreters at the #Asylum Office (+ an Update on the #Backlog)
Last week, #USCIS announced a new rule for interpreters at Asylum Office interviews. USCIS will now provide an interpreter by telephone for most languages. Here, I want to discuss some statistics mentioned in the new rule, as well as the effect of the rule. Also, we have some tips on working with telephonic interpreters: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/09/30/a-new-rule-for-interpreters-at-the-asylum-office-an-update-on-the-backlog/
A federal court has just blocked the USCIS fee increase, which had been scheduled for October 2, 2020. Great work #AILA! Read more here: https://www.aila.org/infonet/ilrc-et-al-v-wolf-et-al-9-29-20
The error message that appears when a user tries to access a part of the site that requires log in. DO NOT CHANGE NAMED URL.
Former Immigration Judge Paul Grussendorf is raising money to publish his memoir. Books like this are very helpful for the public to understand the Immigration Court system. J. Grussendorf is terrific, and I look forward to reading his book. Below is a statement from him, and a link to his Go Fund Me page to help him get the book published (if you donate $25 or more, you get a copy of the book!).
I am a lawyer specializing in asylum and refugee law. I have taught refugee law at George Washington University, University of San Francisco and Howard University. I have worked with the U.S. government and the UN Refugee Agency in refugee resettlement all over the world, most recently in Rwanda until COVID shut down our interviews.
In 2011 I self-published my legal memoir, My Trials: Inside America's Deportation Factories, focusing upon the deportation system and my time as an immigration judge. It is time to update the book, given all the changes and destructive policies that have occured in recent years to our asylum system. The book received great reviews: "My Trials is both a scathing indictment of a broken immigration system that sends vulnerable immigrants back to perilous situations from which they fled, and a heartfelt call for a return to the values upon which our nation was founded." American Immigration Lawyers Association. It was endorsed by renowned criminal defense attorney Gerry Spence.
The budget will include $2000 for editing and formatting, and $3000 for a limited publicity campaign. I am currently working with an editor to make the book available on Amazon by first week of October, so funds are essential now. It will be available on all other platforms mid-October.
This book has been a labor of love and education, and I have not profited from it. I will be tremendously grateful for assistance to make this updated book available at this critical junction in our nation's history. Each donation of $25 or more will receive a signed copy of the paperback book.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-paul-selfpublish-his-immigration-book?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
I am a lawyer specializing in asylum and refugee law. I have taught refug… Paul Grussendorf needs your support for Help Paul self-publish his Immigration Book
The War Over Work Permits
The Trump Administration recently implemented new rules making it more difficult for asylum seekers to get a work permit. But those rules have been challenged in court. Let’s take a look at the law, the old rules, the new rules, where things stand now, and–most importantly–how asylum seekers might still qualify for a work permit: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/09/23/the-war-over-work-permits/
The Alternate Universe of a #Trump Official
A #DHS #whistelblower alleges that Acting USCIS Director Ken #Cuccinelli ordered that intelligence reports be altered to downplay violence and corruption in Central America. What to make of this? http://www.asylumist.com/2020/09/16/the-alternate-universe-of-a-trump-official/
The #Republican Party “Platform” on #Asylum
As you’ve probably heard, the Republican Party has not adopted a new platform for 2020. Instead, they resolved that the “Republican Party has and will continue to enthusiastically support the President’s America-first agenda.” What does this mean? http://www.asylumist.com/2020/09/09/the-republican-party-platform-on-asylum/
The #Democratic Party Platform on #Asylum
The Democratic Party has released its 2020 Party Platform, which is a detailed outline of the party's goals. Here, I discuss the points that relate to asylum and immigration: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/09/02/the-democratic-party-platform-on-asylum/
Non-citizens Can Participate in the 2020 Election! Here’s How
No one has a bigger stake in this #election than #asylum seekers and other non-citizens. Here, we’ll talk about what non-U.S. citizens can and cannot do in the upcoming election: http://www.asylumist.com/2020/08/17/non-citizens-can-participate-in-the-2020-election-heres-how/
Asylum Seekers Need Pro Bono Lawyers Now More than Ever
The #asylum process today is more difficult than ever. Many applicants with valid claims will be denied and deported unless they have help from an attorney. Equally important, applicants need someone in their corner to answer questions and provide moral support. Representing an asylum seeker pro bono can help change your client’s life. It can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your legal career. Read more here: https://www.asylumist.com/2020/08/11/asylum-seekers-need-pro-bono-lawyers-now-more-than-ever/
Re-Thinking the Master Calendar Hearing in the Time of Coronavirus
Master Calendar Hearings have always been a headache and a waste of time. Now, though, as the #coronavirus pandemic continues unabated, attending an #MCH seems downright dangerous. Here are some ideas to make the MCH more efficient and safer: https://www.asylumist.com/2020/07/29/re-thinking-the-master-calendar-hearing-in-the-time-of-coronavirus/
Where’s My Green Card? Where’s My Work Permit?
Due to a budget shortfall at #USCIS, more than 125,000 people have not received Green Cards or #EADs, even though they paid for, and qualified for those documents. Read more: https://www.asylumist.com/2020/07/22/wheres-my-green-card-wheres-my-work-permit/
What do you think would happen if a client came to my office (virtually), hired me, paid me money to file a case, and then I did not file the case and refused to return the client’s money? He…
The Unbearable Lightness of BIA-ing, Ten Year Anniversary Edition
Way back in 2010, I did a blog post about the Board of Immigration Appeals, where I complained that the Board issues too few decision and does not provide enough guidance to Immigration Judges. Ten years later, things are no better. In fact, based on the available data, the Board is publishing even fewer decisions these days than it did back in the late aughts. Here, we’ll take a look at the situation in 2010, and then review where things stand now: https://www.asylumist.com/2020/07/15/the-unbearable-lightness-of-bia-ing-ten-year-anniversary-edition/
Let’s Deny #Asylum to Sick People!
Under a new proposed rule, if a person was imprisoned, beaten and raped in her country, she will be denied protection in the United States and sent home simply because she traveled through an area that is experiencing an epidemic. Even if she herself is not sick! Read more here: https://www.asylumist.com/2020/07/09/lets-deny-asylum-to-sick-people/
1900 L St NW
Washington D.C., DC
20036
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Asylumist posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Asylumist:
National Committee for Responsive Philanthrop
1900 L St NW, Ste 825The National Council on International Trade D
1901 Pensylvania Avenue, Suite 804National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC)
1900 L Street, NW, Suite 800Federal Communications Bar Association - FCBA
1020 19th St NW, Ste 325National Propane Gas Association
1899 L St NW, Suite 350Association of Defense Communities
1875 K St NW
U.S. Agency for Global Media - USAGM
330 Independence Ave SW
Agriculture Malaysia, Washington D.C.
3516 International Ct NW
The United States Air Force Tattoo
50 Duncan Ave
Kurdish Policy Research Center - KPRC
1725 I St NW, Suite 300
US Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy
2200 C St NW
International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Dr
International Office: One Metro Center 700 12th Street, NW Suite 700
