How Do You Prepare for the Most Important Questions?
At the asylum office, your interview is an essential part of the application; therefore, it is important to be prepared. Talk to your attorney and go over some of the most important questions for an asylum interview that could be asked. Practice how to answer asylum interview questions. This helps you get prepared.
What Type of Asylum Claims Are Typical From India?
Most asylum claims from India are made by Sikhs who say they have been persecuted or fear persecution by the Indian government on account of their Sikh religion or their political opinion.
The height of violence against Sikhs in India occurred in 1984, when thousands of Sikhs were killed after an incident involving the Golden Temple, a Sikh holy place (retribution for the murder of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards). Thirty-some years later, Sikhs still leave India claiming to have been persecuted by the government. Most claim to be part of the Akali Dal Mann, a separatist group that advocates for a Sikh homeland in Punjab.
Many other Indian asylum-seekers come from Jammu and Kashmir, alleging political repression and persecution by security forces attempting to suppress independence efforts there. People of Gujarat have also claimed asylum for having been persecuted” because of their native language and other forms of identity.
And asylum seekers from the LGBTQ community, alleging persecution owing to their sexual or gender identity, are not uncommon, either.
Can You Reschedule Your Affirmative Asylum Interview?
Yes, you can. Suppose there is a need for you to reschedule your affirmative asylum interview. In that case, you must send a letter to the asylum office where your interview is to be held or directly go to the office and fill out a Request to Reschedule Asylum interview.
The request must include reasons you want to reschedule and evidence to support your claim. After reviewing the request and if it is the applicant’s first rescheduling request, the asylum officer will reschedule the interview.
Bringing a Qualitative Representative to Your Interview
Bringing an attorney or a legal representative to your interview is one of the best ways to prepare for the interview. They will help you prepare for the interview, what to expect, and questions that might be asked.
Also, the attorney ensures that your interview is performed appropriately and that any potential legal questions that may arise are clarified.
The presence of an attorney during your interview reduces the likelihood of your application being rejected and referred to an immigration court for removal proceedings.
Failure to Appear for Your Affirmative Asylum Interview
Without legal status in the U.S. and the asylum interview office of USCIS does not receive an explanation from you within 45 days of the scheduled interview date in the form of a written note stating the reason for your absence, your case will be referred to the immigration court.
Once you enter the asylum interview office, the asylum officer will greet you and ask you to stand and raise your right hand. The asylum officer will then swear you in. You will then take a seat and the asylum officer will begin asking you questions. If you don’t understand a question, say “can you please repeat the question” and if you still don’t understand the question, you can say “I am sorry but I don’t understand the question.” If you get emotional during the interview, that is absolutely fine. However, your interview is not the time to hide or be shy about telling your story.
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Contact one of our experienced immigration lawyers in New York today at (718) 407-0871 or online at https://www.prizant-law.com if you need help with Asylum Interview or any other solutions to your immigration problems.
Each asylum officer has a different style of interviewing, but generally, the below questions will likely be asked.
The asylum interview can be the most important part of the asylum application process. It is your opportunity to tell your story in your own way.