Take action · The asylum interview rule
Speak up on the asylum interview rule
A new DHS rule lets USCIS send affirmative asylum seekers to immigration court without ever conducting an interview. It took effect on publication, but the public comment period is open. This is the moment to put your objection on the record, and it takes about two minutes.
Last updated July 27, 2026
Take action
Two ways to make your voice count
The rule is already in effect, so what shapes the final version, and the litigation that may follow, is the public record. Add your voice with our guided tool, or file a formal comment directly on the federal docket.
Add your voice
Use our guided tool to send your message in about two minutes. Enter your information and we will help you put your objection on the record.
Add your voice ↓Comment on the federal docket
File a formal comment directly on regulations.gov. DHS must review every comment before it issues a final rule, and comments become part of the public record.
Comment on the docket →Add your voice
Send your message
Enter your information below and our tool will guide you through putting your objection to the asylum interview rule on the record.
What's at stake
Why this rule matters for Afghan allies
The non-adversarial asylum interview is where a strong claim with a complicated filing history gets explained to a trained officer before the government moves to remove anyone. Afghans the United States evacuated are the textbook case.
The interview is no longer guaranteed
USCIS can now refer an affirmative asylum case to immigration court on the paper record alone, with no asylum-office interview first.
The one-year deadline is the pressure point
Most Afghans paroled in after 2021 rely on an exception to the filing deadline. This rule lets USCIS reject that exception on paper, without hearing the person explain it.
Asylum is not eliminated, but the road is harder
A referred applicant can still seek relief before a judge, but now faces an adversarial court, a years-long backlog, and the immediate risk of a removal order.
Know what you're commenting on
Want the full picture before you act? Here is our section-by-section explainer, the rule itself, and the official docket.
A note on this tool. AfghanEvac is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Commenting on a federal rule and contacting your elected officials are civic actions available to everyone, and this tool helps you submit your message.
Not legal advice. This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you or someone you know has a pending asylum application, consult a qualified immigration attorney or contact AfghanEvac.