Starting from May 9, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept asylum applications that are incorrectly filed at service centers.
Instead, applicants must submit their applications to the designated lockbox based on their residence.
This change was announced on May 31, 2023, and finalized on September 5, 2023, with updates made to Form I-589, Application for Asylum, and Withholding of Removal.
The goal of this change is to make the asylum process more efficient by moving towards digital filing systems.
Certain groups, like unaccompanied children in immigration court proceedings, have specific instructions for where to mail their applications. Online filing options are also available for asylum seekers not in court proceedings.
For detailed filing instructions and to find out where to submit your application, visit the USCIS website’s Form I-589 webpage or use their Filing Instructions Tool.
USCIS emphasizes its commitment to providing accurate and timely immigration information to the public.
