There are many important parts of the asylum application process, but we want to draw your attention to Form I-589. This is essentially the starting point of your application for asylum once you have established your eligibility, and itโs vital that you understand what it is, its contents, and how to complete it and this is what we discuss below.
What is the I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal?
Form I-589 is essentially your asylum application. This is the starting point and is what you must do first to โset the ball rollingโ. It is a US government form created, maintained, and reviewed by the USCIS, which is the primary agency you will deal with during your asylum application.
This form can either be completed online or physically โ which you can do depending on your situation. We advise using the I-589 filing instructions tool to determine whether you can complete the form online or not. A full breakdown of the different criteria and where you submit your form can be found on the Department for Homeland Security page.
In most instances, you will be able to file the form online unless you are already in asylum proceedings or are an unaccompanied minor.
Breaking Down the I-590 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal
So, what can you expect from I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal, and what information must you provide? This is a multi-stage form that will take a while to complete. As of 2024, the form includes the following sections:
- Part A.I โ Information about you.
- Part A.II โ Information about your spouse and children.
- Part A.III โ Information about your background.
- Part B โ Information about your application.
- Part C โ Additional information about your application.
- Part D โ Your signature.
- Part E โ Declaration of the person preparing the form, if other than the applicant
- Part F โ To be completed at the asylum interview
- Part G โ To be completed at the removal hearing
- List all of your children, regardless of age or martial status
- Additional information and your claim to asylum
Part A relates to your personal and family information, such as your address, gender, present nationality, and native language. Here is where you enter the details of your spouse and children if you want them as dependencies on your application.
Part B is where you explain why you are eligible for asylum. For example, you have to state which grounds you are facing persecution because of, such as race or religion. This is also the section where you explain any persecution or the fear of persecution you have faced.
Part C determines if you have applied for asylum before in other countries, your national ties and actions, and things such as prior criminal convictions.
Next comes your signature and declaration in parts D and E while parts F and G are related to the asylum interview and removal hearing, but only if either is necessary.
Lastly, you must provide the information of all your children, and there is a section at the end where you can provide the answers to any additional questions asked or information requested.
Important Considerations for Form I-589
The form might seem daunting, but remember that you can hire an asylum attorney to help with your application for asylum.
Also, providing you file the form within the time constraints, you have as much time to complete it โ itโs not something that should be rushed. To provide further insight on how to seek asylum in USA, we have outlined some important considerations for the I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal below.
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1. Your physical location
Itโs incredibly important to understand that you can only submit Form I-589 when you are physically located in US territory. If you try to complete and submit the form while still located in your home country or a staging country, it will be declined.
Get to the US first before starting your asylum application. Despite this, there is nothing wrong with gathering evidence and supporting documentation for your I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal before you arrive in the States, and indeed, this can help your chances of success.
2. Completing the form on time
Timely completion of this form is also vital. The USCIS states that you must file an I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal within 1 year of your arrival in the States. If you fail to do so, you may be ineligible to apply for asylum as per Section 208(a)(2)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Therefore, once you are in the US and have established some kind of stability, itโs important to obtain the form and complete it ASAP to meet the deadline, otherwise, you have potentially wasted time and effort and your chance at sanctuary.
3. Completing the form properly
Errors in the form are one of the main reasons why asylum applications are denied. This includes:
- Leaving required information blank.
- Providing false information.
Be prudent, be factual, and be truthful first and foremost. The information you give must be accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Also, make sure you read each section carefully before writing anything. If you make a mistake, get a new form and start from scratch. Remember that an asylum lawyer can assist in completing the form.
4. Including supporting documentation
To complete the asylum application properly, there is a range of documentation you must include with the form:
- One copy of your passport or travel documents.
- One copy of other identification documents.
- One copy of evidence of your relationships (with spouse and/or children).
- The completed and signed form.
Aside from that, you can include a range of supporting evidence (this is not required, but we advise it). Examples of the evidence types include:
- Newspaper articles.
- Affidavits.
- Medical records.
- Psychological records.
- Doctorsโ statements.
- Photographs.
- Official documents.
- Personal statements.
- Testimonials.
By including this supporting evidence, you can build a strong case and hopefully increase your chances of acceptance.
5. Using the help of an asylum lawyer
Throughout this entire process, the services of an asylum lawyer are invaluable. With their expert knowledge of the US asylum system, they can guide you through the application, help you complete the I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal, and help gather supporting evidence to give you the best chances of success.
Complete Form I-589 Correctly for the Best Chances of Success
We hope you have a clear overview of the I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal and how it works. This may seem like a daunting form to complete, but by taking your time, reading the different sections carefully, and thinking through your answers, you should be able to complete it perfectly.
Make sure that you file the form on time, that you are present in the US at the time of your asylum application, and most importantly, if you need help, seek the assistance of a qualified asylum lawyer as they can help complete I-589 application for asylum and for withholding of removal.