HOW TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM - The Florence Project

apply for asylum if you are applying more than one year after your last arrival in the U.S. As we explained
before, you have to show “important changes” or “extraordinary circumstances” in order to apply for asylum
after the one-year deadline. If you cannot, you can still apply for withholding, if you are eligible.
Question C. 6. You must include any criminal problems you (or any family member included in the
application) have had in the United States. You must include all arrests or convictions. If you do not, DHS most
likely has this information and will ask you about it in your hearing. If you do not put these things on your
application, the judge will think you are trying to hide things. Even if you were innocent, you should list any
arrests or charges filed against you. Also, you should include the fact that you have been or continue to be
detained in the U.S. by DHS.
Part E
If someone else helps you prepare the form I-589 or translates it into English for you, that person must sign in
this section, and give his or her address and phone number. Even if this person was someone else in custody
like you, he or she should fill out Part E. The form also says that the person must read the whole application to
you (including your declaration, if you included one) in your own native language (your original or first
language) before you sign it. You may not be able to find anyone who speaks both your native language and
English. If someone helps you complete the form by speaking to you in another language that you also
understand, we recommend that the person cross out the words “in his or her native language” and instead say
what language he or she used to help you. This could be important if it turns out that your helper made some
mistakes in translating your answers.
Do not sign this part until your court hearing.
Part F
Other Papers
It is hard to win your case by simply filling out the form and explaining your case to the judge on the day of
your hearing. If possible, you should try to get other papers or witnesses to support your case. Often, the most
persuasive evidence is an expert witness who can testify in support of your specific claims. If you cannot get
an expert witness you should at least get supporting documents, such as letters from family members or others
who know about your situation in your country, newspaper articles, human rights reports, photos, or other
things that have to do with the situation in your country or with you, your group, your family, or an important
event. If you do not file any papers other than your application form, you must explain in Supplement B of the
Form I-589 why you have not submitted such documents. Without other evidence to support your claims, the
judge will be less likely to approve your case.
If you can, get letters and other documents to help prove your case.
Here are some other examples of papers you may want to give to the judge. Suppose you left your country
because you received a threatening letter from a group that opposes the government. It is likely that you do not
have this letter, but if you do, you should file it with the Court.
Also, if your family members did not leave with you, they may have news of what is happening in your
country. For example, suppose some men from the group that threatened you went to your house after you left.
If you found out about this through a letter you got from your family, you should file this letter as well. You can
also write to your friends or family asking them for more details about what has happened since you left. These
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FIRRP- last update June 2007