Complete Guide to USCIS Form I-589

Completing Form I-589 can be complicated. If you are looking for a guide to help with the complete process, then you are at the right place. You’ll learn about Form I-589’s purpose, the sections it contains, the fee and filing process, the service centers where you must file the form, and vital advice to help you along the way.

What is Form I-589?

If you want to petition for asylum in the United States, you must fill out and submit Form I-589. Even if you are not yet a citizen, you can apply for asylum in the United States.

Eligibility for Asylum and Withholding of Removal

Asylum offers protection to individuals unable or unwilling to return to their home countries due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution stemming from their race, religion, nationality, membership in a specific social group, or political stance.

A related protection, “withholding of removal,” demands a stronger burden of proof than asylum. Individuals qualify for this if they can convincingly demonstrate a high likelihood of facing persecution or torture upon returning to their home country. This protection ensures they are not deported from the U.S. to such dangerous environments.

To seek asylum or withholding of removal, one should file Form I-589 when present at a U.S. port of entry or after having entered the U.S. Typically, the form must be filed within a year of arrival; otherwise, the applicant might be deemed ineligible for asylum.

Cost for Form I-589

Currently, there’s no fee associated with filing Form I-589. Additionally, if biometrics services are required by USCIS, asylum applicants are not charged.

Processing Time of Form I-589

On average, USCIS aims to make a decision or provide further instructions on an asylum application within 180 days from the submission date, barring any unusual circumstances. For a comprehensive understanding of the asylum application process, see the detailed section below.

How to Complete Form I-589

Form I-589 is divided into various sections, each dealing with a specific type of information. Here’s a breakdown:

Section A: Your Personal Information

This section gathers details about you.

• Question 1: Enter your Alien Registration Number. You’ll have this if you’ve applied to USCIS before or have faced removal proceedings.
• Question 2: Provide your Social Security Number.
• Question 3: If you’ve used the online platform for specific USCIS applications, list your USCIS Online Account Number.
• Question 4-9: Cover basic personal details like your name.
• Question 10: Specify your gender.
• Question 11-17: Give details on your marital status, date of birth, nationality, ethnicity, religion, etc.
• Question 18: Discusses any Immigration Court Proceedings you may have been a part of.
• Question 19-22: Relate to your US entry, visa, and passport details.
• Questions 23-25: Describe your language skills. Make sure to accurately represent your English proficiency.

Sub-sections within Section A:

1. Your Spouse’s Information: State if you’re married. If yes, answer questions 1-24 about your spouse.
2. Your Children’s Information: Fill out questions 1-21 for each child, regardless of their age.
3. Your Background Information:
   • Question 1: Mention your last address before moving to the US.
   • Question 2: Detail your residences over the past five years.
   • Question 3-4: Share information on your employment and education history.
   • Question 5: Provide details about your parents and siblings.

Section B: Details About Your Asylum Application

This section assesses your eligibility for asylum. Ensure you provide accurate and relevant details.

• Question 1: State the reasons you’re seeking asylum.
• Question 2: Disclose any criminal activities you may have participated in outside the US.
• Question 3: Discuss any affiliations with groups or organizations for you and your family.
• Question 4: Describe any fears of torture you may have.

Section C: Further Details About Your Asylum Application

• Question 1: State if you’ve previously applied for asylum.
• Question 2: Detail any past travel or stays in foreign countries.
• Question 3: Confirm you haven’t engaged in any persecutory behaviors.
• Question 4: Declare if you’ve ever left and then returned to your home country.
• Question 5: Note that you can only apply for asylum a year after arriving in the US.
• Question 6: Provide details affirming your lawful behavior in the US.

Section D: Signature Requirement

Ensure you print your name in both English and your native language. Also, list anyone who assisted in filling out the form.

Section E: Form Preparer’s Declaration

This is specifically for the individual who helped you prepare Form I-589.

Section F: Completion at Asylum Interview

Refrain from filling this out before your scheduled asylum interview at a USCIS office.

Section G: For Removal Hearings Only

This section is filled out in immigration court. Do not complete it beforehand.

Tips For Filling Out Form I-589

Below are some tips to help make completing Form I-589 easier:

• Remember, there’s a one-year deadline for submission. Be prompt in your application process, and avoid delays. Overstaying a visa could lead to legal consequences, further complicating the procedure.
• Always provide truthful and verifiable information. Providing false information could not only jeopardize this application but might also disqualify you from future US immigration opportunities.
• Ensure consistency in the information across all documents you submit to USCIS.
• If you spot any discrepancies, be prepared with a valid explanation and supporting evidence if necessary.
• Be precise and clear, especially with dates and other critical details.
• If needed, utilize additional space or pages beyond what’s given in the form.
• Including a cover letter can be beneficial when revisiting your form later.
• If in doubt, consider consulting an attorney or an accredited expert. Many agencies can guide you through this process.

Where to File Form I-589

It’s essential to send your Form I-589 to the correct service center based on your location. Here’s a simplified guide:

Send to USCIS TSC:

USCIS TSC

Attn: I-589

6046 N Belt Line Rd. STE 589

Irving, TX 75038-0018

If you reside in:

• States: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, US Virgin Islands, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wyoming.
• Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Send to California Service Center:

California Service Center

PO Box 10881

Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0881

If you reside in:

• Arizona.
• California counties: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura.
• Hawaii.
• Nevada counties: Clark, Esmerelda, Nye, and Lincoln.
• Guam.

For further guidance and updates, it’s recommended to check the USCIS website.

Read More

• Can I Apply for a Green Card While My Asylum Case is Pending?
• What Benefits Do Asylum Seekers Get in the U.S.?
• What You Need to Know About Form I-730
• Can You Apply for Asylum Outside the U.S.?
• How to Do an Asylum Application Status Check
• What Is a Refugee Travel Document?
• VAWA Requirements: What You Need to Know
• What Is an Asylee?

Final Thoughts

Check to see if you’re submitting with the appropriate service center and that you’ve provided valid information. If you don’t, your Form I-589 may be denied. If you become lost or confused at any point along the way, it is highly recommended to seek professional assistance from an attorney or a consultancy.

USCIS Form I-589 FAQ

Below, you will find some common questions about USCIS Form I-589 and their answers.

How do asylum and withholding of removal differ?

• Asylum: A discretionary protection allowing individuals to stay in the U.S. and potentially seek permanent residency.
• Withholding of Removal: A mandatory protection ensuring individuals aren’t deported to countries where they risk persecution or torture. The proof requirement for this is stricter than for asylum.

Can I work in the U.S. while my asylum application (Form I-589) is under review?

Yes, after your asylum application has been pending for at least 150 days, you can typically request an employment authorization document (EAD) to work legally in the U.S.

What if my asylum application gets rejected?

Should USCIS deny your application, it might be forwarded to an immigration court. There, you’ll have another chance to present your case to an immigration judge, potentially securing relief from removal.

Can I add my family to my asylum application?

Absolutely. Your spouse and unmarried children (under 21) can usually be included in your application. Alternatively, if they qualify, they can file their own individual applications.

Is traveling outside the U.S. safe while my application is being processed?

Traveling abroad while your Form I-589 is under review is generally discouraged. Doing so might be seen as forgoing your asylum request. However, for pressing or emergency situations, you could be eligible for an advance parole travel document.

How Much Is the I-589 Fee?

There is no filing fee for a Form I-589 asylum application. If you are required to take a biometrics exam, you will not have to pay for that either. In total, the filing fee for Form I-589 is $0.

What Do I Do If My Application Is Pending?

You are allowed to stay in the United States if you have a pending application. If you have not been granted asylum, then your case will be moved to an immigration court. If this happens, speak with your immigration attorney right away to discuss next steps.

Can I Work While My Form I-589 Is Pending?

You can only apply for employment if your Form I-589 has been accepted by USCIS and remains pending for one whole calendar year (365 days).

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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