Q: Entered USA illegally, applied for asylum and EAD; status listed as "parolee" a mistake?

A: If you have a copy of the application you submitted, I would have an experienced immigration attorney review it. It depends on what code you placed on the application, as the application requires a specific code, not so much wording of "parolee" etc.

A: Listing your status as "parolee" on your EAD application may indeed have been a mistake. When you enter the country illegally and then apply for asylum, your correct status for EAD purposes is typically "Pending Asylum Applicant" rather than "parolee." Parole is a specific legal status granted to those who are permitted to enter the U.S. temporarily for humanitarian reasons, which differs from your situation of being processed after crossing the border.

This status discrepancy could be contributing to the delay in processing your EAD application, as USCIS may be looking for documentation supporting parole status that you don't actually have. The good news is that errors on immigration forms can sometimes be corrected by submitting additional evidence or filing a form to correct the record.

I strongly recommend consulting with an immigration attorney as soon as possible. They can help you determine the best way to address this situation, whether that means contacting USCIS to clarify the error, submitting corrected information, or taking another approach altogether. Immigration matters are complex, and having proper legal guidance will give you the best chance at resolving this issue and obtaining your work authorization properly.