We will accept your Form I-589, send it to the EOIR immigration court where your proceedings are pending, and notify you by mail. EOIR will adjudicate your Form I-589. The date USCIS receipted your Form I-589 will serve as the filing date for the purpose of the asylum one-year filing deadline.

Send your application to: California Service Center, P.O. Box 10881, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-0881 if you live in: Arizona. California counties of Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, or Ventura. Guam.

Question 18. If you have ever been before an immigration judge in removal proceedings or been arrested by immigration or border patrol authorities, see an attorney for help with your asylum application. You might not be eligible to File I-589 except via the immigration court, while in proceedings.

Use this form to apply for asylum in the United States and for withholding of removal (formerly called “withholding of deportation”). You may file for asylum if you are physically present in the United States and you are not a U.S. citizen.

If you are applying for asylum with USCIS, you may be able to complete and submit your asylum application online! However, there are exceptions: You cannot apply online if you had an immigration court case in the past and the judge dismissed (or closed) your case.

To file an online Form I-589, an individual must first create a USCIS online account, which provides a convenient and secure method to submit forms and track the status of a pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process.

To apply for asylum affirmatively or defensively, file a Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within 1 year of your arrival to the United States. Visit our Obtaining Asylum in the United States page for more information on affirmative and defensive filings.