The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has made an important announcement for people who want to apply for asylum. As of May 9, 2024, if someone needs to apply for asylum, they must send their application to a specific location called a “lockbox” depending on where they live. If you send your application to the wrong place, such as a service center, your application will not be accepted.
Immigration believes this change will help make the asylum application review process faster and better because many things will now be done digitally, that is, using computers instead of paper.
There are some exceptions. For example, there is a group of asylum seekers who must send their applications directly to a place called the Asylum Screening Center. Children who come to the country alone and are in legal proceedings also have a special place where they must send their applications. In addition, some people can send their applications online, especially if they are not involved in legal proceedings and do not have to send their documents to that Asylum Screening Center.
To find out exactly where to send your application, immigration has special instructions and an online tool that tells you the right place. This change aims to make everything more orderly and faster for people seeking safety in the United States.
If you have questions about this change in the asylum process, you can contact us.
