Some undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for many years have valid social security numbers because, ten or more years ago, it was relatively easy for anyone who applied to obtain a Social Security number. Such a situation may arise, for example, if the applicant was in the United States on a student visa and had employment authorization. If the applicant does possess a valid social security number, then this number must be entered in this space. If so, the correct answer is “None,” since the application asks only for the applicant’s social security number. Most foreign nationals seeking asylum will not have a valid social security number in their name. If the applicant does not have an A-Number, the correct answer here is “None.” 2. Most applicants applying for asylum for the first time will not have an A-Number at the time the application is filed. The A-Number is nine digit number (some older A-Numbers have eight digits, but are now rendered as nine-digit numbers with a zero at the beginning). Alien Registration Number (A-Number, or A#)Īn “A-Number” is assigned to people who have ever filed an application with the legacy INS or CIS, or who have had a case in Immigration Court. If an applicant fails to answer a question, the Service Center may reject and return the entire application. Wherever the question asks for information that does not apply to the applicant or for which there is no answer you must write “not applicable” “N/A” or “none.” All questions on the Form I-589 must be answered. As with every part of the application, you must be careful to answer these questions correctly. This section collects information that may form an important part of the applicant’s claim. The first part of the application requests biographical information about the applicant. In almost all cases, it is best to check the box at the top of page 1, as this helps to preserve CAT eligibility if the applicant’s case is referred to immigration court. You can also print the form and type or handwrite the answers. While the data on web-based fillable forms cannot be saved electronically, you can write out the answers in Word or Wordperfect and cut and paste them into the fillable form. It is also possible to find free fillable versions of the I-589 online on private attorneys’ websites by doing a google search such as “I-589 fillable.” If you use one of these sites, make sure that the revised date on the lower right hand corner of the form matches the most recent version on the CIS website. There are commercial companies which offer fillable and saveable immigration forms on cd disks to immigration practitioners. Unfortunately, this is not a “fillable” form as some CIS forms are. The purpose of this chapter is to guide the asylum applicant’s representative in the preparation of the application form itself. 15.1 Filling out the I-589 Asylum Application Form In all cases, you can file the I-589 initially, and submit all supporting documentation at a later date. ![]() Thus, it is the date that the application is received by the Service Center or that the application is filed in Immigration Court that marks the filing date for purposes of determining whether or not an applicant has met the one year filing deadline. » Practice Pointer: It is the filing of the I-589 itself that initiates the asylum application process. The same form is used to submit applications for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture, although Asylum Officers are only authorized to adjudicate the asylum claim (the other claims will be adjudicated only if the claim is referred by the Asylum Office to the immigration court). If you are filing the application affirmatively, your filing will (if timely) meet the one-year filing deadline, get the client a spot in line for an asylum interview (which will, sadly, take place long after the statutory, 45-day timeframe has elapsed) 1, and start a 180-day clock ticking toward eligibility for a work permit. In any event, guidance on how to fill in the form should still be useful.Īlso at that link are extensive instructions on how to complete the I-589-and on which Regional Service Center you should file it with when complete. Please make sure that the most current version of the form online is the same as the one discussed herein. The form is available on the CIS website at. Please note that Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) revises this form from time to time. The information in this chapter refers to the most recent version of the Form I-589 application form (often simply called the “I-589”), which was revised on 12/29/14. You should always consult an attorney regarding your matter. ![]() The information contained herein is for reference only and may not be up to date.
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