USCIS Interviews of
Burmese Iowans
Last week, the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
was notified by members of the faith community that Burmese in Iowa are
receiving letters from the US
Customs and Immigration Service – an agency under the US Department of
Homeland Security – asking they attend
an interview at a set day and time in a specified district USCIS office.
At the
interview, no interpreter will be provided, and legal representation is
permitted. The spouse of the letter recipient is also required to attend. Interviews
can last up to four hours.
USCIS will grant a request to change the location of a scheduled interview to a local office via this email address: uscis.mfi@uscis.dhs.gov
Several versions of the letter were sent, and the Office of
Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs is advising Burmese in receipt of a letter
to consult a reputable immigration attorney prior to the interview to understand
their legal standing and due process afforded to them as a refugee, legal permanent
resident or US citizen.
Due to the varying letters and the nuances contained in them,
consulting with an attorney will ensure better and more informed choices
presented on the day of the interview.
For many refugees, the cost of a quality attorney is a
significant hurdle. Time-off from work when both heads of household are
summoned to the same meeting is an added, undue burden.
Both interpreters and immigration attorneys may be sought by
contacting this Iowa non-profit - Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy &
Resource Center (EMBARC), with locations in Des Moines, Waterloo and local
community-based partnerships in other parts of Iowa.
Together with the Community Attorneys of Iowa,
Justice for Our Neighbors and other
reliable legal advocates with immigration law expertise, EMBARC is helping to
facilitate all requests from Burmese community members seeking legal
representation and an interpreter.
Wondering if you can help? Please contact EMBARC or sign up to volunteer. Those
willing to lend their immigration law expertise or wondering how they can
support Burmese refugees are also urged to contact EMBARC at their Des Moines
or Waterloo offices.
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