Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new “Last in, First Out” (LIFO) policy mean for my asylum application?
LIFO is a new initiative by asylum offices nationwide to respond to asylum applications within 21 days of receipt starting after January 29, 2018.
I filed my asylum application before LIFO; how come I don’t have an interview?
All applications filed before 01/29/2018 are considered “last priority”. First priority is rescheduled interviews; second is cases pending 21 days or less; third is all pending new filings working backwards.
I filed my asylum application one month ago; how come I don’t have any interview yet even though LIFO is in effect?
- Not all applications filed during LIFO will receive an interview immediately; e.g., if the asylum office receives 500 asylum applications tomorrow, there is no guarantee that all 500 will be interviewed this year.
- If you do not hear back from the asylum office within 6 weeks, your case has been moved to the backlog of pending asylum applications.
I got pulled over for a traffic ticket and I have to go to court to get my ticket dismissed. If I go to court, and I don’t have papers will they deport me?
The last thing you want to do is avoid court and then get an arrest warrant issued for your arrest. A municipal judge, like in this example, is not an immigration judge and they cannot order your deportation. However, they can ask about your status and warn you of potential immigration consequences due to your conviction.
How do I find my family member if he just got arrested and transferred to a detention center?
Look online on the Online Detainee Locator System. You can find them by using their A or Alien number, or by using their full name, country of birth and date of birth.
What happens after I pay my bond, do I get my money back?
The Department of Homeland Security’s agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is in charge of the conditions that are related to bonds. Once a bond is posted, they will notify the individual how and under what conditions a refund is allowed.
For more information contact our office at (713)-589-2085 to schedule a consult and speak with one of our experienced immigration lawyers and asylum attorneys.
