Filling I-589 Asylum Online
USCIS announced that Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is available to file online for certain affirmative asylum applicants. USCIS will continue to accept the latest paper version of this form by mail. To file online, the applicant must first review the instructions on the USCIS website to determine whether their application may be submitted electronically.
Immigrants deported on cannabis charges.
President Joe Biden recently announced pardons for nearly 6,500 Americans convicted on federal marijuana possession charges as part of an executive order to eventually decriminalize simple marijuana possession.
Immigration advocates argue the pardons should also be granted to undocumented immigrants that were incarcerated and some deported for marijuana charges after spending most of their lives living and working in the United States.
More than 130 immigration advocacy groups plan on sending a letter to Biden, requesting an inclusion of refugees, asylum seekers and visa holders with marijuana convictions.
Important update from USCIS Re Filling Deadlines
USCIS is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Jan. 24, 2023. This extension is aimed to help applicants, petitioners, and requesters. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in specific requests or notices listed by the agency, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2023.
This includes, Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request Evidence; Notices of Intent to Deny; Notices of Intent to Revoke; Notices of Intent to Rescind; Notices of Intent to Terminate regional centers; Notices of Intent to withdraw Temporary Protected Status; and Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5.
