How to properly prepare for an asylum interview?

If you ever get to Houston asylum office (or any other US-based asylum office), it is very important to know a few things. 

We don’t have to tell you how important these interviews can be. They are crucial both for individuals and families looking for shelter within US borders. If you miss this opportunity, you might be forced to go back to your country of origin accepting the full brunt of political consequences.

 In order to avoid that, it is very important to prepare for your asylum interview. While this procedure might seem intimidating at first, as long as you follow some basic rules, you will be able to get your papers. Here are some things you need to know: 

• Always rely on a capable asylumist

While US lawyer fees may be a bit high, they can pay for themselves in this particular case. There are lots of things you need to keep in mind. For example, always go with a lawyer that is specialized in this particular field of law. There are lots of small nuances that a professional has to know and lack of that knowledge can doom you during the process. Avoid lawyers who are loitering in front of Houston’s asylum office; these are usually bad lawyers who have trouble finding clients due to lack of experience or proficiency. No matter what, make sure to be honest when cooperating with a lawyer. This is the best way to prepare for any situation. 

• Make sure to prepare documents in advance.

It might be hard getting all the documents in one place especially if you’re fleeing from your home country. But, you will likely have most of them by your persona as you come to America. It is very important to hand them over (or copy them) to asylum officers as soon as possible. They will have to go through them so the sooner you give them; the sooner they can start your case. If you get some additional documents during the process, you should hand them over as well. The most important thing is to notify them promptly about any change that may occur as this will give them more time to react and prepare.

•  Think about the language.

 Most people don’t speak perfect English. That is ok. But, you will need to tell this to asylum officers. According to the law, the asylum office should provide you with a translator who will represent you during the interview. This way, you won’t have to hassle with all these potential issues. But, if you do decide to proceed without a translator, you have to keep in mind that you’re liable for any interpretation. In other words, if officers tell you something and you misinterpret it due to lack of knowledge, it will be your own fault. 

• Don’t lie.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is lying during an interview. This can only backfire so make sure to avoid it at all costs. For example, as people flee their country, they will oftentimes scramble information in their head. Sometimes, they will misrepresent information as they don’t benefit from them. When such things happen, asylum officers are really good at discovering the truth. If they figure you out, there will be consequences and you most likely will not gain access to the US. Needless to say, this is one thing you should never do. Instead of lying, it is much better to say that you don’t know or that you don’t recollect the situation. It is something that cannot be verified and even if you were wrong, it won’t necessarily have the same consequences.