Humanitarian Visas
How Long Does It Take USCIS To Process Asylum and Asylum Work Permit Applications?
Written by ImmigrationHelp News Team. Legally reviewed by Jonathan Petts
Updated December 11, 2023
Currently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not release data on the process time for Form I-589, which is the application for asylum status. USCIS does release data about Form I-765, application for a work permit based on asylum. - It's currently taking USCIS 5.5 to 15 months to process work permit applications (Form I-765) for individuals with approved asylum status. - It's taking USCIS an average of 1 months to process Form I-765 for individuals with a pending initial asylum application. - It's taking USCIS 16 months to process Form I-765 for individuals applying to renew or replace their asylum status.
Read More →What Is Asylum and How Does It Work?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated September 26, 2023
If you are in the U.S. and you can show you’ll be persecuted if you return to your home country, you can ask to remain in the United States by requesting asylum. This requires you, the asylum seeker, to show that you meet the definition of a refugee. There are three ways to apply for asylum: affirmatively, defensively (during a deportation proceeding), or with an Asylum Merits Interview after a positive credible fear determination.
Read More →How To Apply for Refugee Status in the United States
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated September 26, 2023
As part of humanitarian provisions under U.S. immigration law, thousands of refugees come into the United States every year. These are people fleeing persecution in various forms from all around the world. This article explains what the legal definition of a refugee is, who is eligible for U.S. refugee status, and how to submit a refugee application to the United States.
Read More →What Is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated September 18, 2023
The secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to some foreigners whose home countries are not safe for their return. This article gives an overview of TPS, including its history and benefits for those eligible. The article also covers which countries have TPS, TPS eligibility requirements and application process.
Read More →How To Get a Green Card Using TPS Adjustment of Status
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated March 30, 2023
While temporary protected status (TPS) allows certain immigrants to live and work in the U.S., this status is not permanent. One of the easiest ways to remain in the U.S. is by using the TPS adjustment of status process to get a green card. Once you have your green card, you’ll no longer need to fear deportation if your TPS status changes or expires because you’ll be a permanent U.S. resident. This article explains the requirements for successfully changing from temporary protected status to permanent U.S. residency.
Read More →What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Transferred” Mean for My VAWA Application?
Written by ImmigrationHelp Team.
Written February 8, 2023
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) case status “Case Was Transferred And A New Office Has Jurisdiction” means that USCIS moved your case to a different service center or field office. The new office will continue processing your case from there. USCIS may choose to transfer your Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) case for several reasons, including staffing shortages or processing delays. Cases may also be transferred if you, the applicant, move and are now in a new jurisdiction. If USCIS transfers your case, it will notify you via your online account and mail you a transfer notice. You don’t need to do anything, but take note that any future additional documentation for your case and any questions you have about your case will need to be directed to the new office.
Read More →What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Was Denied” Mean for My VAWA Application?
Written by ImmigrationHelp Team.
Written February 8, 2023
If you see “Case Was Denied” as your USCIS case status online, it means that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received and reviewed your Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) application and decided not to grant you a green card. If USCIS denies your VAWA case, it will send you a denial notice in the mail explaining why. It can be disheartening to go through months of processing for a VAWA green card only to have your case denied. If this happens, you may want to get legal advice about the next steps.
Read More →What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Was Received” Mean for My VAWA Application?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Written February 2, 2023
When you see the case status “Case Was Received” from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it means USCIS is acknowledging that it received your immigration application packet. This is just the start of USCIS processing your application. It hasn’t yet reviewed your application materials or determined your eligibility. Once you see this status, you’ll want to keep an eye on future status changes and respond to anything that requires your attention, such as a request for evidence. This article explains the “Case Received” USCIS status and what to do when your application is in this status.
Read More →What Does the USCIS Case Status “Case Rejected” Mean for My VAWA Application?
Written by ImmigrationHelp Team.
Written February 2, 2023
The USCIS case status “Case Rejected” means that you didn't file your immigration paperwork correctly, so USCIS did not review your case. If USCIS rejects your VAWA case, you’ll need to fix the issue that caused the rejection so the agency will continue processing your application. Common issues that lead to rejection include filing the incorrect form version, sending your form to the wrong address, and not signing a form. If you see the “Case Rejected” status on your USCIS account, you’ll need to refile your application to move forward with your immigration application. If you aren’t sure how to correct the mistake after reading this article, you may want to contact an attorney for help with your case.
Read More →What Does the USCIS Case Status “Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent” Mean for My VAWA Application?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Written February 2, 2023
If you log in to your USCIS account online and see the case status “Request for Additional Evidence Was Sent,” it means that USCIS needs more information from you to process your case and ensure you’re eligible for the immigration benefit you applied for. USCIS will mail a Form I-797E: Notice of Action that outlines exactly what additional evidence is needed and why. The notice will also include a deadline for submitting the requested information. It’s important to submit the requested information before the deadline to ensure USCIS continues processing your application without too much delay.
Read More →What Is a Certificate of Disposition (Certified Disposition)?
Written by Paige Hooper.
Written February 2, 2023
When applying for certain immigration benefits — such as an asylum work permit or DACA status — you may need to disclose whether you have a criminal history. Having a criminal history doesn’t automatically make you ineligible for the benefit you’re requesting. But you’ll have to provide a certified disposition telling the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) how the criminal matter was resolved. This article explains what a certified disposition is, why you might need one, and how to get one.
Read More →How To Find Help With Your Immigration Application When You Need Some Extra Help
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated December 13, 2022
With DACA, you can access immigration benefits like work authorization and protection from deportation. In this article, we explainresources you can turn to when you need a bit more help to prepare your DACA application.
Read More →How To Get or Renew a U.S. Asylum Work Permit
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated December 7, 2022
Asylum is a part of U.S. immigration law that allows people fleeing persecution or violence in their home country to live and work in the United States. If you have applied for asylum and your application has been in process for more than 150 days, you can apply for a work permit. This work permit allows you to work in the U.S. while you wait for a decision on your asylum case. You may hear a work permit called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or an employment authorization card. You cannot work without one. After you receive an initial work permit, you can apply to renew your asylum work permit at any time. Once you apply for renewal, USCIS will extend your expiration date by 540 days. This article contains everything you need to know to apply for a U.S. work permit as an asylee and how to renew your asylum work permit.
Read More →All You Need To Know About Form I-589: Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated November 1, 2022
If you want to apply for asylum in the United States, you must submit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Form I-589 within one year of arriving in the United States. You’ll also need to submit documents to support your application. This article will help you understand how to fill out form I-589 and what supporting documentation you’ll need to provide. It will also cover some tips to help ensure your application has the best chance of success.
Read More →What Is Form I-730?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated October 24, 2022
Once U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approves your asylum application, you can apply for your immediate relatives to join you in the United States. To do that, you will have to file a Form I-730 petition on their behalf. This article explains Form I-730, including who can file it and when, which relatives qualify for it, and how to file a Form I-730 petition.
Read More →How To Get a TPS Work Permit
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated October 10, 2022
Temporary Protected Status or TPS is a kind of humanitarian relief issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to citizens of countries affected by political, social, or environmental instability. While in Temporary Protected Status, you may be granted U.S. work authorization. This article explains how to get a TPS work permit and how long you may hold a valid work permit as part of your TPS.
Read More →Immigration Weekly News Roundup: September 30, 2022
Written by ImmigrationHelp News Team.
Updated October 9, 2022
The ever-changing immigration landscape can be difficult to navigate. As we enter the final months of 2022, there’s some good news. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that will make it easier for people with limited income to get legal permanent residency (green card). The department has also extended Temporary Protected Status for people from Myanmar. Finally, the U.S. will resume visa processing for Cubans who want to visit or migrate legally. Let’s take a closer look at recent announcements.
Read More →What Countries Qualify for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated September 1, 2022
Temporary protected status (TPS) is given to immigrants in the U.S. who come from countries with armed conflict, environmental disaster, or terrible, ongoing conditions. As of June 2022, 15 countries qualify for TPS. If you are in the U.S. and come from one of these countries, you may be eligible for TPS status and benefits.
Read More →How To Prove Your VAWA Case to USCIS
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated September 1, 2022
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) allows certain immigrants who are abused by their U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) spouses, former spouses, parents, or children to apply for permanent U.S. residence without the knowledge of the abusive family member. Some applicants face challenges applying for a VAWA green card or proving their case. This article will review who is eligible for permanent U.S. residence under VAWA, how to prove your case to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS, and common challenges VAWA applicants may face.
Read More →How To Get VAWA Self-Petitioner Status
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated August 15, 2022
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a U.S. immigration law that protects noncitizen abuse victims in the United States. This article explains what it means to self-petition under VAWA, including the eligibility requirements and the application process. The article also answers frequently asked questions about the VAWA self-petition, including whether your abusive relative will know about your petition.
Read More →Everything You Need To Know About TPS Travel Authorization and How To Apply for It
Written by ImmigrationHelp Team.
Updated August 15, 2022
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status granted to people in the U.S. who come from certain countries they can’t return to. If you have TPS or have applied for TPS and you want to travel outside of the United States, you need to apply for travel authorization. Getting travel authorization allows you to return to the U.S. after leaving without having your immigration status revoked. Applying for travel authorization can take up to five months, so it’s important to plan ahead.
Read More →TPS vs. Asylum: How Do They Compare?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated August 7, 2022
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and asylum are both humanitarian provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), but they are not the same thing. Sometimes one status works better than the other for your situation. This article compares the two immigration statuses so you can have a better understanding of which may be most suitable for your purposes.
Read More →Can You Adjust Status From TPS to a Green Card?
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Updated July 17, 2022
People with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) have permission from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to remain in the United States temporarily while their home countries are unsafe for them to return to for different reasons. If you are in the U.S. and have TPS, you may be able to get a green card and be on the path to U.S. citizenship. This article explains how to adjust your status from TPS to lawful permanent residence.
Read More →How To Get an Asylum Green Card — Permanent Residence for Asylees
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Written May 25, 2022
You can apply for an asylum green card one year after the U.S. government grants your request for asylum. When you apply for an asylum green card, you can also apply for green cards for your spouse and children if they received “derivative” asylum with you. You and your family are only eligible to adjust status to asylum green cards if you have been physically present in the United States for at least one year since you received asylum status. This article explains the eligibility requirements for asylum green cards and shows you the step-by-step process to apply.
Read More →Weekly Immigration News Roundup: November 4, 2022
Written by ImmigrationHelp News Team.
This week brings a lot of good news: Citizenship waivers for disabled immigrants have been restored, and the ACLU and other organizations unite to limit the detention of pregnant migrants. Additionally, attorneys for TPS recipients from El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Nepal will return to a federal court and continue talks to help their clients retain their status. As midterm elections come up, both Latino voters and voters in the agricultural sector bring up their immigration concerns. Let’s read!
Read More →Weekly Immigration News Roundup: October 28, 2022 (Archive)
Written by ImmigrationHelp News Team.
This week DHS announced that Ethiopians will be able to apply for temporary protected status (TPS). Also, USCIS says certain CW-1 petitions will be considered on time and Venezuelans will be able to take advantage of a new process so they can enter the U.S. Finally, Cubans detained in Florida will be released, and a new study reveals that immigrants help alleviate tax burdens in the U.S. Let’s dive in!
Read More →What You Need To Know About Re-Registering for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Written by Jonathan Petts.
Temporary protected status (TPS) allows certain immigrants to live and work in the U.S., but it is not permanent. If you have TPS, you must renew your status during each re-registration period. If you fail to re-register, you can lose the essential benefits of TPS. For example, you can’t adjust your TPS status if your TPS has expired. TPS adjustment of status is one of the easiest ways to get a green card. This article helps you understand how and when to re-register.
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