USCIS Form I-589
Apply for asylum and for withholding of removal in the United States.
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About USCIS Form I-589
Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is used by a person who is physically present in the United States to ask for asylum and, in the alternative, for withholding of removal. It asks for biographic information about you and your family, the details of your claim, and the harm or fear that is the basis of your request. The same form can be filed with USCIS or presented in immigration court, depending on your situation.
This page is a general guide and a fillable helper, not legal or immigration advice. Always download and file the current official form from USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/i-589 and confirm the fields, filing location, and instructions match before you sign.
Who needs to complete it
- People physically present in the United States who fear persecution in their home country.
- Individuals seeking protection based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
- Applicants who wish to include a spouse or children in the same request.
- People placed in removal proceedings who want to apply for asylum before an immigration judge.
How to fill out USCIS Form I-589
- 1In Part A.I, enter your full name, other names used, address, date of birth, nationality, and identifying numbers such as your Alien Registration Number if you have one.
- 2In Part A.II, provide information about your spouse and each of your children, and indicate who you want to include in your application.
- 3In Part A.III, list your address history, education, and employment for the periods the form requests.
- 4In Part B, explain the basis of your claim, describe what happened to you or what you fear, and answer the questions about persecution and torture.
- 5In Part C, answer the additional questions about prior applications, travel, and any bars that may apply.
- 6In Part D, read the certification, then sign and date the application.
- 7If someone helped prepare the form, have them complete the preparer section in Part E.
- 8Attach supporting documents and any required additional sheets, then file with the correct USCIS office or lodge it with the immigration court as instructed.
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Frequently asked questions
Who can file Form I-589?
It is generally filed by a person who is physically present in the United States and is asking for asylum and withholding of removal. Your specific situation and any deadlines matter, so review the current USCIS instructions. This is a general guide, not immigration advice.
Can I include my family?
The form has a section to list a spouse and children and to indicate who you want included. Review the instructions to see who qualifies to be included and what documents are needed.
Do I file with USCIS or the court?
It depends on whether you are in removal proceedings. The current instructions explain where to file or lodge the form. Always confirm the correct filing location before you send anything.
Is this the official USCIS form?
This is a fillable helper to make completion easier. Always download and file the current official form from USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/i-589 and confirm the fields match.