Interviews for Asylum in Doraville

Applying for asylum is a monumental chapter in a person’s life. No one should have to live in fear based on who they are or their beliefs, and the United States feels the same way. Through the asylum process, individuals who have fled their country of origin could obtain legal status should they meet all the eligibility requirements. Of these requirements includes an interview with a USCIS officer.

For help with understanding the process of interviews for asylum in Doraville, be sure to schedule a consultation today.

What is an Asylum Interview?

An asylum interview is where the applicants meets with an asylum officer at USCIS office, and they will sit down with them and their attorney to review their application, make any changes, or add any updates to it. The exact USCIS office that a foreign national needs to arrive at depends on where they live. In some cases, the interview might even take place virtually; an immigrant might have a video conversation with a representative from California, Virginia, or any other state. If the meeting is in-person, it will usually be with one of the officers who flies all over the country, conducting asylum interviews.

The applicant would then have the opportunity to explain to the officer the past persecution they suffered or the persecution that they fear. The officer will also review all the evidence they have submitted, and their attorney would have the opportunity to make arguments as to why the officer should approve their application based on the law.

What is the Process for an Interview?

To receive an interview, the applicant must submit their asylum application to USCIS. They would then receive a notice in the mail giving them a certain date and time to report to their local USCIS field office to meet with the asylum officer.

Typically, the interview is completed within one sitting. However, the length of the interview will usually depend on the asylum claim. Some people have very long stories to tell, and some people have short ones. It will also depend on the officer. Some officers ask a lot of follow up questions, some ask none. The interviews typically can range from anywhere between 30 minutes to three hours or more.

In some rare cases, a second asylum interview might be necessary. For example, if a USCIS officer was not able to collect all the evidence and information they need but they still believe that the applicant is eligible, they might request that the individual gather more information about their circumstances and return for a second appointment. This does not happen frequently, but a seasoned Doraville attorney could help someone compile additional evidence and prepare for their second asylum interview.

Preparing for an Asylum Interview

The best way to prepare for an asylum interview in Doraville is to sit down with themselves or with an attorney and practice telling their story. They want to make sure that they are telling their story of what happened to them or what they fear with the most details and as many specifics as possible, that will help the asylum officer in finding them credible and getting a better understanding of the persecution.

Mitigating Language Barriers

If they do not speak English, they are required to have an interpreter present and are responsible for bringing that interpreter to the interview. The officer will typically have a language monitor on the line to make sure that the interpretation is correct, but each applicant is responsible for finding an interpreter.

Solano Law Firm is Here to Help

Interviews of any kind could cause stress and anxiety. Interviews for asylum in Doraville, however, could induce much more pressure considering what is at stake. Fortunately, we have legal professionals with years of experience handling asylum cases to help you prepare for an asylum application and interview. If you would like to learn more about preparing for interviews for asylum in Doraville, get in touch with our law offices today.