Client Alert!
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds affirmative asylum applicants that, starting September 13, 2023, they must bring an interpreter to their asylum interview if they are not fluent in English or wish to proceed with their interview in a language other than English.
If you need an interpreter and do not bring one, or if your interpreter is not fluent in English and a language you speak, and you do not establish good cause, USCIS may consider this a failure to appear for the interview, and USCIS may dismiss the asylum application or refer the asylum application to an immigration judge. USCIS will determine good cause on a case-by-case basis.
The interpreter must be fluent in English and a language you speak fluently and at least 18 years old. The interpreter must not be:
- Your attorney or accredited representative;
- A witness testifying on your behalf;
- A representative or employee of the government of your country of nationality (or, if you are stateless, your country of last habitual residence); or
- An individual with a pending asylum application who has not yet been interviewed.
Click the link for more information.
