Past Updates for ASAP Members
ASAP members: This page has links to resources from previous ASAP member updates. For our most recent updates, visit this page.
August 16, 2023
- Learn how to apply for a work permit online.
- A new school year is starting! Many children can go to school for free.
- Have you moved? Learn how to update your address with the government.
- Businesses are asking for faster work permits for asylum seekers.
July 19, 2023
- Learn how to get updates about your asylum case.
- The CASA lawsuit is over. Learn what ASAP is doing next.
- Read about immigration options other than asylum.
- ASAP members are trying to improve work permit laws.
June 12, 2023
- The CASA v. Mayorkas lawsuit has ended! Thanks to the work of ASAP members, asylum seekers are now getting their work permits much faster.
- Watch a video about how to apply for a work permit as an asylum seeker.
- Watch a video about how to apply for asylum.
- USCIS responded to a letter from more than 50 cities and promised faster work permits.
May 11, 2023
- Learn about seeking asylum in immigration court.
- Learn about seeking asylum with USCIS.
- See samples of immigration documents you might receive.
- ASAP advocates for faster work permits in Congress!
April 26, 2023
- Have questions about work permits? Find answers here.
- Members often ask how to access services for themselves and their families. Click to learn more about:
- Who are ASAP’s 510,000+ members? Learn more here.
- More than 50 cities want asylum seekers to get work permits more quickly!
March 29, 2023
- Learn how to apply for a work permit online.
- ASAP members convinced USCIS to fix problems with online work permit receipts!
- Some people can now apply for asylum online — learn how.
- ASAP’s YouTube videos have 1 million views! Watch them here.
February 7, 2023
- ASAP members won the ability for asylum seekers to submit work permit applications online!
- See samples of immigration documents you might receive and learn what they mean.
- After meeting with ASAP, the government is taking action on USCIS delays.
- ASAP member Daniel was separated from his daughter at the border. He met with government officials to fight for family separation to never happen again.
January 12, 2023
- Did you move recently? Learn how to change your address with the government.
- What is the asylum clock? Watch this video and learn when to apply for a work permit.
- ASAP members wrote a petition asking USCIS to reduce processing times — sign your name if you agree!
- 112 other organizations joined ASAP’s fight against work permit delays!
December 8, 2022
- Some people can now file their USCIS asylum applications online and get receipts faster!
- Learn how to check the status of your case.
- New government data confirms that there are still long delays with initial work permits. ASAP is continuing to fight back.
- Watch Helen tell her story about waiting for a work permit and finding support from ASAP.
November 4, 2022
- Read answers to questions about work permits we have heard from ASAP members.
- Learn about changes that impact Venezuelans hoping to come to the United States.
- ASAP is fighting back against delays in work permits and asylum application receipts.
- Watch ASAP’s Co-Executive Director Conchita Cruz speak to CNN about work permits.
October 13, 2022
- USCIS has changed the work permit application. Watch our new video about how to fill it out.
- ASAP is fighting for asylum seekers to receive initial work permits within 30 days.
- Asylum seekers have been sent on buses to new cities, and ASAP is responding.
- Learn about temporary protected status (TPS), including important deadlines next month for immigrants with TPS from Venezuela and Burma.
September 8, 2022
- Read ideas from 79,000 ASAP members about how to change the asylum process!
- See samples of immigration documents you might receive and learn what they mean.
- USCIS is scheduling interviews for some people who applied for asylum before 2016.
- Learn about the new work permit application and read about ASAP’s efforts to end work permit delays.
- Two ASAP members spoke to the news about how hard it is to survive without a work permit.
August 3, 2022
- From August 5 through August 8, ASAP is closing our membership application and card search systems to improve our technology. Search for your ASAP card before Friday to avoid delays.
- Learn about seeking asylum in immigration court.
- Learn about seeking asylum with USCIS.
- Watch our video about how to send documents through the U.S. mail system.
- Read updates about the CASA lawsuit and ASAP’s efforts to end work permit delays.
July 22, 2022
- Learn how to check the status of your asylum case.
- My immigration court case was “dismissed.” What will happen now?
- There are new work permit delays, and ASAP is fighting back in the CASA lawsuit.
- 200 ASAP members told USCIS how to improve work permit extensions!
- ASAP member Wendi spoke out to help 150,000 asylum seekers get work permits!
June 16, 2022
- What is the asylum clock? Watch this video and learn when to apply for a work permit.
- Tell the government what you think about work permit extensions!
- Read common questions and answers about the asylum application.
- ASAP’s first 300,000 members are asylum seekers from all over the world!
- ASAP is advocating for faster work permits and shorter application forms.
May 4, 2022
- Starting today, many asylum seekers can still use their work permits for 540 days after the original expiration date! Thank you to the ASAP members who fought for this change!
- Social Security offices are open again. You can visit in person if you have questions about your social security card.
- Did you move recently? Learn how to update your address with the government.
- Read about temporary protection for immigrants from Afghanistan (new!), Burma, Cameroon (new!), Haiti, Hong Kong, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, and other countries.
- See ASAP’s members and staff featured in newspapers, magazines, and on TV!
April 13, 2022
- Huge victory! ASAP members won work permit extensions for asylum seekers.
- Learn how to apply for a work permit with ASAP membership.
- Read great news about ASAP’s work permit advocacy, including the work permit extension victory and the CASA lawsuit.
- If you work in healthcare or childcare, you can ask USCIS to process your work permit renewal faster.
- Meet Emeizmi Mandagi, who works at ASAP to welcome new members!
March 9, 2022
- Read answers to more than 100 questions about the asylum process.
- What are the work permit rules in place today? Read about the rules, the CASA lawsuit, and other work permit advocacy.
- The deadline to file your taxes is April 18!
- ASAP members advocated for a longer auto-extension for work permits, so that asylum seekers do not lose their jobs.
- See information about TPS and DED for Burma, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, Hong Kong, and other countries.
- The Tony N. lawsuit was dismissed. Read our last Tony N. lawsuit update here.
February 3, 2022
- If you missed the one year deadline to apply for asylum, you may still be able to apply! But you may need to take action before April 22.
- ASAP members may receive a positive decision in the CASA v. Mayorkas lawsuit soon!
- Read updates on all of ASAP’s efforts to solve work permit renewal delays, including the Tony N. lawsuit.
- If you work in healthcare, you can now ask USCIS to process your work permit renewal faster.
- Meet ASAP’s Software Engineer, Ngan Tran!
January 12, 2022
- Watch our new video series about seeking asylum with USCIS.
- Watch videos about seeking asylum in immigration court.
- If you have an immigration court hearing in January and you do not have a lawyer, your hearing will be moved to a later date.
- Unfortunately, the judge issued a negative decision in the Tony N. v. USCIS lawsuit, but ASAP will keep fighting for faster work permit renewals.
- If you work in healthcare, you can now ask USCIS to process your work permit renewal faster.
December 9, 2021
- Should I apply for asylum? Can I apply without an attorney? Learn more here.
- ASAP members are suing to end work permit renewal delays, and the first hearing is December 17.
- Members spoke to the news about how hard it is to wait for their work permits.
- Learn about biometrics appointments, where the government collects fingerprints.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is free and effective, including for children ages 5 and up.
November 9, 2021
- ASAP members are suing the government to end work permit renewal delays!
- See samples of immigration documents you might receive from the government, and learn what they mean.
- I have a pending asylum case with USCIS. Can I make my case go faster?
- The government proposed changes to the asylum process, and ASAP members responded.
October 7, 2021
- Read ideas from 34,000 members about how to change the asylum process!
- Did you move recently? Update your address with the government.
- Apply to renew your work permit at least 6 months before it expires.
- Watch videos about the immigration court process for asylum seekers.
September 14, 2021
- ASAP has 150,000 members from 175 countries!
- Learn how to check the status of your asylum case.
- See news about TPS and DED for the following countries: Burma, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
- Separated families, including ASAP member Leticia, met with a top government official.
August 10, 2021
- Watch our new video about how to fill out the I-589 asylum application.
- If you have children, you may be able to get monthly payments from the U.S. government as part of the Child Tax Credit.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is free, effective, and available regardless of immigration status!
- ASAP member Daniel wrote in Newsweek about being separated from his daughter at the border.
- Watch our new video about how to view your membership card online.
July 13, 2021
- New changes will help asylum seekers fleeing domestic violence and gang violence.
- See samples of immigration documents you might receive, and learn what they are.
- ASAP spoke out to defend asylum seekers after Vice President Harris told Guatemalans not to come to the U.S.
- Read about how members have engaged with ASAP’s online resources!
June 4, 2021
- Immigrants from Haiti, Venezuela, Burma, and Syria can now apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)!
- Read information about the COVID-19 vaccine for asylum seekers.
- ASAP members worked with Congress to introduce a bill that would reunite separated families!
- All immigration courts will start in-person hearings on July 6 — call to check your next hearing date.
- 100 ASAP members told USCIS how to improve the immigration system — read their ideas!
May 3, 2021
- Watch our new video about how to fill out your work permit application.
- Fill out this survey and tell USCIS how to fix the immigration system!
- Listen to ASAP member Suny tell her story.
- View our new resource about deciding whether to apply for asylum.
- Learn how to reschedule your USCIS appointments due to COVID-19.
April 8, 2021
- Learn about Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuela, Burma, and Syria.
- Watch ASAP member Daniel’s interview about being separated from his daughter.
- ASAP is hiring an Operations & Membership Associate!
March 5, 2021
- Learn about how and when to file taxes.
- Watch ASAP member Leticia’s interview about ending family separation.
- ASAP is hiring someone to help with fundraising!