04/09/2026 A practical question that often arises for applicants is whether there are effective ways to speed up an asylum interview with USCIS. General acceleration mechanisms Within USCIS, there is a possibility to submit an expedite request. Such requests must be strongly justified. Typically, the following grounds are considered: • serious medical issues • humanitarian reasons • other exceptional circumstances It is important to understand: expedite is not a right and is granted solely at USCIS discretion. ❗️In practice, at the San Francisco Asylum Office, such requests are rarely approved, and accelerating an interview through an expedite request is very difficult. Standby List as a separate mechanism Against this background, the Los Angeles Asylum Office uses a different practice known as the Standby List. The Standby List is not a procedural right. According to asylum office rules: • maintaining such a list is not mandatory • inclusion is discretionary • denial is not subject to appeal • a case may be removed at any time, even without notice Participation does not create legal guarantees and depends entirely on the office’s discretion. Purpose of the mechanism The purpose is to fill last-minute openings in the interview schedule. For applicants, this means a chance to receive an interview earlier than the standard queue. However, applicants must be ready to appear with as little as 24 hours’ notice. There is no guaranteed interview date, no legal priority, and removal from the list does not affect regular processing. Participation requirements Applicants must: • be consistently reachable during business hours • answer calls or promptly return messages • maintain up-to-date contact information • be ready to attend an interview on short notice Failure to meet these requirements may result in removal. Case requirements To be added to the Standby List, the case must be fully prepared: • A-number assigned • Form G-28 filed (if represented) • confirmed address • valid phone number • signed consent • Form I-589 submitted • supporting documents ready Grounds for removal A case may be removed if: • the applicant declines an interview date • fails to appear • cannot be reached • provides outdated contact info • misses biometrics • changes jurisdiction • requests rescheduling • attempts to modify the case The office may also remove a case without explanation. Conclusion The Standby List is not a legal expedited procedure-it is a queue management tool. It offers a chance for earlier scheduling but does not guarantee results. Participation is only advisable if the case is fully prepared and the applicant is consistently available. Otherwise, the risk of removal outweighs the potential benefit. This information is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.