HOW TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM - The Florence Project
HOW TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM - The Florence Project
HOW TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM - The Florence Project
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
apply for asylum if you are applying more than one year after your last arrival in the U.S. As we explained<br />
before, you have to show “important changes” or “extraordinary circumstances” in order to apply for asylum<br />
after the one-year deadline. If you cannot, you can still apply for withholding, if you are eligible.<br />
Question C. 6. You must include any criminal problems you (or any family member included in the<br />
application) have had in the United States. You must include all arrests or convictions. If you do not, DHS most<br />
likely has this information and will ask you about it in your hearing. If you do not put these things on your<br />
application, the judge will think you are trying to hide things. Even if you were innocent, you should list any<br />
arrests or charges filed against you. Also, you should include the fact that you have been or continue to be<br />
detained in the U.S. by DHS.<br />
Part E<br />
If someone else helps you prepare the form I-589 or translates it into English for you, that person must sign in<br />
this section, and give his or her address and phone number. Even if this person was someone else in custody<br />
like you, he or she should fill out Part E. <strong>The</strong> form also says that the person must read the whole application to<br />
you (including your declaration, if you included one) in your own native language (your original or first<br />
language) before you sign it. You may not be able to find anyone who speaks both your native language and<br />
English. If someone helps you complete the form by speaking to you in another language that you also<br />
understand, we recommend that the person cross out the words “in his or her native language” and instead say<br />
what language he or she used to help you. This could be important if it turns out that your helper made some<br />
mistakes in translating your answers.<br />
Do not sign this part until your court hearing.<br />
Part F<br />
Other Papers<br />
It is hard to win your case by simply filling out the form and explaining your case to the judge on the day of<br />
your hearing. If possible, you should try to get other papers or witnesses to support your case. Often, the most<br />
persuasive evidence is an expert witness who can testify in support of your specific claims. If you cannot get<br />
an expert witness you should at least get supporting documents, such as letters from family members or others<br />
who know about your situation in your country, newspaper articles, human rights reports, photos, or other<br />
things that have to do with the situation in your country or with you, your group, your family, or an important<br />
event. If you do not file any papers other than your application form, you must explain in Supplement B of the<br />
Form I-589 why you have not submitted such documents. Without other evidence to support your claims, the<br />
judge will be less likely to approve your case.<br />
If you can, get letters and other documents to help prove your case.<br />
Here are some other examples of papers you may want to give to the judge. Suppose you left your country<br />
because you received a threatening letter from a group that opposes the government. It is likely that you do not<br />
have this letter, but if you do, you should file it with the Court.<br />
Also, if your family members did not leave with you, they may have news of what is happening in your<br />
country. For example, suppose some men from the group that threatened you went to your house after you left.<br />
If you found out about this through a letter you got from your family, you should file this letter as well. You can<br />
also write to your friends or family asking them for more details about what has happened since you left. <strong>The</strong>se<br />
Page 26 of 49<br />
FIRRP- last update June 2007