In recent weeks, NIJC has received multiple interview notices from the Chicago Asylum Office for cases filed prior to 2018, including applications filed in 2015 and 2016.  While it is too early to know whether this is a new scheduling trend, pro bono attorneys representing clients who filed for asylum with USCIS/the asylum office prior to 2018 should be prepared to receive an interview notice at any time. 

Remember: the Asylum Office only provides about two-three weeks notice of an interview and all supporting materials should be filed on the Thursday or Friday in the week before the interview.  NIJC strongly encourages pro bono attorneys to send their affidavits and legal memoranda to NIJC for review prior to filing at the asylum office (and generally needs at least one week to review and return comments to pro bono counsel). 

For more information about the asylum office process, please review NIJC's Asylum Manual here: https://immigrantjustice.org/for-attorneys/legal-resources/topic/nijc-procedural-manual-asylum-representation.