Asylum

You built a restaurant from scratch, survived a pandemic, and took out a $150,000 personal loan — because the government said your immigration status wasn't good enough for federal relief. That is exactly what Bimala Shrestha did. Her story shows how Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can leave immigrants in a legal gray zone even after years of building a life in the US.

Immigration judges can tell when asylum testimony is scripted, not lived — and the consequences are severe. Learn what red flags trigger suspicion and how to protect your case.

If your stories at the border, asylum office, and immigration court don't match, the consequences can range from fraud findings to losing all immigration benefits forever. Attorney Ilya Fishkin explains why every word you say is recorded — and how it can be used against you.

Husband joining wife's asylum case or filing separately? The right choice depends on how similar their stories are — and getting it wrong can trigger serious legal problems, including one-year filing deadline issues.

Asylum cases in the US can be dismissed before a full hearing — sometimes with no explanation and a 30-day deadline to act. Immigration attorney Ilya Fishkin explains how it happens and what you must do immediately to avoid a deportation order.

One bad police encounter may not be enough to win asylum — US courts expect proof of systemic failure, not just a single incident. Learn what the Second Circuit actually requires and how to document your case properly.

Losing your asylum case in immigration court isn't the end — appeals to the BIA and federal courts remain options. Attorney Ilya Fishkin explains what comes next and why federal court, though costly, may be where real justice is found.

If your asylum judge's approval rate has dropped, can you delay the hearing and get a better outcome? Immigration attorney Ilya Fishkin explains why postponement is rarely the answer — and what actually works.

A fatal traffic accident can cost you asylum in the US — even if your underlying claim is strong. Learn how criminal convictions trigger the particularly serious crime bar and why full disclosure to your attorney is critical.

On July 1, 2026, about 450,000 New Yorkers woke up without health insurance — and many did not know it yet. Federal cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill slashed Essential Plan eligibility, hitting DACA recipients especially hard. If you have not checked your coverage status, now is the time.

Every officer inside USCIS's main anti-fraud unit has been reassigned away from asylum work, according to internal correspondence obtained by the Guardian. The unit — responsible for catching fraud in asylum and other immigration applications — is now focused entirely on screening South African refugees and alleged unlawful voters. For the hundreds of thousands of people waiting on asylum decisions in the US, the consequences could be significant.

Immigration attorney Ilya Fishkin explains who provides an interpreter at asylum hearings and whether you need to arrange one in advance.

Immigration attorney Ilya Fishkin explains what a master hearing is, what to expect, and whether you need a lawyer to prepare for it.

Immigration attorney Ilya Fishkin explains how to add a spouse to a pending asylum case and what to do when USCIS is stalled.

Immigration attorney explains what happens to your asylum case when your husband was the primary applicant and gets deported — and what you should do next.