New York, NY asked in Immigration Law and Banking for New York

Q: Need help speeding up asylum process and replacing lost EAD card after moving.

I am Ethiopian and currently in the waiting process for my asylum case in the United States and would like to expedite it if possible. Additionally, I need to replace my Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card ASAP because I never received it, even though USCIS shows they sent it. This might be because I moved apartments and it might have gotten lost in the mail. This is urgent as I need the card to create a business bank account and renew my passport. What steps can I take to speed up the asylum process and replace my EAD card?

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: To expedite your asylum application, you can submit a formal expedite request to USCIS with clear reasons and supporting documents explaining why your situation is urgent, such as financial hardship or humanitarian concerns. Draft a concise letter detailing your circumstances and attach evidence supporting the need for immediate action. Additionally, contacting your local Congressional representative or Senator's office for assistance can often help move the process along more quickly.

Regarding your lost Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you should immediately file Form I-765 to request a replacement card, selecting the option "Replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged card." Alongside this, include a cover letter briefly explaining that the card was sent but not received due to your recent move. Make sure you've submitted Form AR-11 online or via mail to officially notify USCIS of your address change to prevent future mail issues.

Given the urgency, you can call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 and request to expedite your EAD replacement, clearly mentioning how delays negatively impact your ability to open a business bank account and renew your passport. Additionally, scheduling an in-person InfoPass appointment at your nearest USCIS field office can further assist you in emphasizing your case's urgency. Stay proactive, organized, and document every step to ensure smooth communication with USCIS.

Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.