WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR IMMIGRATION ASYLUM INTERVIEW

Many asylum applicants are very surprised when they come to their asylum interview
because they have little idea what to expect. Here is some information that will help to prepare
you for the interview experience.

1. Most applicants sit in a waiting for an extended time before being called for an interview.
When an applicant is called, the announcement utilizes a file number, rather than the applicant’s name.

2. Asylum officers are not typical government bureaucrats. They are very intelligent and well-educated. Many are attorneys. They are very effective in conducting research. As a result,
before the interview starts, they are well-prepared and have developed a strong understanding
of circumstances of your country and your situation. Every interview is unique.

3. Asylum interviews are non-adversarial. Unlike court hearings, asylum interviews are more
conversational and feel like a dialogue, not an argument. Asylum officers are genuinely interested in hearing what applicants have to say. It is not uncommon for asylum interviews to last for two hours or more.

4. Asylum officers need to determine whether applicants are credible. They ask many questions to make such a determination. If an applicant is found to be not credible, he or she will probably be found not eligible for asylum approval. Often, such questions may be directed to areas not
expected by the applicant. There is no way to predict what questions will be asked, and it is not
productive to attempt to memorize answers to random questions.

5. You can be expected to be asked detailed questions regarding the information contained in the declaration submitted with your asylum application. Every significant aspect is prone to be questioned during your interview.

6. Any document included with your application may be questioned. It is important to be familiar with the contents of documents submitted with your application, and to know relevant details about the documents themselves (how they were produced, how they were obtained, and
for what purpose they were utilized.

7. Interviews are long and arduous. Many applicants expect an interview to be less than 30 minutes in duration. In fact, the average interview lasts about 2 hours. However, some last
much longer. Most applicants are not accustomed to remaining focused on asylum eligibility topics for such an extended period.

8. Applicants may be evaluated based on non-verbal communication. As a result of the
Real ID Act, asylum officers are allowed to consider attitude, demeanor, responsiveness,
eye contact, tone of voice, and other similar factors.

9. You need to clearly understand why you are applying for asylum and why you believe that you are eligible. This can involve not only the factual issues pertaining to your claim, but the
legal aspects of eligibility. Lack of understanding can be very costly.

10. Fatigue and hunger are serious problems that applicants face every day at their asylum
interviews. Lack of sleep and insufficient food impact concentration which directly affects the way the interview evolves. Applicants who cannot stay focused and maintain acuity throughout the process often suffer the consequences.

The best possible result depends upon meticulous preparation and attention to detail. Only a
qualified, experienced, specialized attorney can provide you with the greatest advantage in
evaluating and presenting your case the best way possible. Learning at your own expense
is the most expensive, and not an option that you can afford.

As an experienced Immigration Attorney, and a former Supervisor for the USCIS Asylum Office,
I have seen on a daily basis the need for careful evaluation and preparation in each case. Too often, totally qualified applicants are unsuccessful because they lacked crucial documents, or did not present themselves well. If you are a qualified asylum applicant, don’t let these problems happen to you.