From the Desk of the Han Yin, Manager
May 7, 2026
Recently, asylum officers have been asking a wider range of questions during interviews.
These questions are not only about what happened in the applicant’s home country, but also
about their life, behavior, and connections in the United States.
Some of the questions applicants may hear include:
- Do you have family members in the United States? Who? What is each person’s
immigration status? Do any of them have chronic diseases? - Do you do any volunteer work? Do you contribute to society? Do you pay taxes?
- Are you a member of a religious institution? What do you do there?
- Do you or your family members hold anti-Jewish or anti-Israel opinions? Have you
expressed those opinions on social media or elsewhere? - Do you hold anti-American views?
- Do you own a home or property in the United States?
- What have you posted on social media?
- Have you been arrested for crimes in the United States? Did you pay your parking
tickets?
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Moral of the story:
Take time to review your history, think about your answers, and be ready to talk about your
life openly. It is important to be honest, clear, and consistent. Even small details can matter,
and being prepared can make the interview process much less stressful.