The first thing to figure out is which system currently has authority over your case. That matters because USCIS and the immigration courts use different filing systems, notices, deadlines, and case-status tools.
A simple starting point is to gather every government notice you have received and put them in date order.
Signs your case may be with USCIS
If you filed Form I-589 affirmatively with USCIS and you are not in removal proceedings before an immigration judge, your case may be handled by the USCIS asylum system. USCIS asylum offices schedule interviews but do not accept applications at the office itself; applicants must follow the filing instructions for the form.
Keep your USCIS receipt notice, receipt number, interview notices, biometrics notices, requests for evidence, and any decision notices together.
Signs your case may be with EOIR immigration court
Removal proceedings begin when the Department of Homeland Security files a Notice to Appear with EOIR. Once EOIR has the case, the immigration judge handles issues in the removal proceeding and may decide an asylum application filed in court.
EOIR's Respondent Access Portal can show case information, documents, and an electronic Record of Proceeding when available.
Do not rely on one old notice
Cases can move between systems. For example, a person may begin an affirmative asylum process with USCIS and later receive an NTA that places the person into removal proceedings. The most recent official notice and current case-status system matter more than an old assumption about where the case started.
Build a one-page case-routing sheet
Write down:
- your full name exactly as shown on notices;
- your A-number, if you have one;
- every USCIS receipt number;
- whether you have received an NTA;
- the immigration court name, if one appears on a hearing notice;
- your next known appointment or hearing date; and
- the date and agency shown on the most recent notice.
This simple sheet makes it easier for an attorney or accredited representative to understand where the case is currently located.
If the systems disagree
Do not guess which filing deadline applies. Keep screenshots or printouts of the case information you see, save the notices, and ask a qualified immigration attorney or accredited representative to confirm the correct filing location and deadline.
Official starting points
- USCIS Asylum Office Locator: https://egov.uscis.gov/office-locator/asy
- EOIR Respondent Access FAQ: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/respondent-access-portal-frequently-asked-questions
- EOIR Learn About Immigration Court: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/learn-about-immigration-court
Verified against official sources: August 12, 2026.
This article provides general educational information, not legal advice.