ASYLUM OFFICER
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the nation's lawful immigration system, safeguarding its integrity and promise by efficiently and fairly adjudicating requests for immigration benefits while protecting Americans, securing the homeland, and honoring our values. Visit us here for more information.
The Asylum Division within USCIS is responsible for making determinations that impact the lives of those seeking asylum in the United States to escape persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. These determinations are made while protecting national security, combating fraud, and protecting the legal immigration system through careful screening, vigilant interviews, and sound adjudications. Every day, Asylum Officers change lives while ensuring the integrity of our country's immigration system.
This position of ASYLUM OFFICER starts at a salary of $52,905.00 (GS-09 grade level, step 01), to $121,668.00 (GS-12 grade level, step 10), with promotion potential to GS-12 grade level.
THE ACTUAL SALARY MAY VARY BASED ON LOCALITY. To view the 2020 Locality Pay Charts click here.
There are many vacancies in the following locations:
- San Francisco, CA
- Tustin, CA
- Miami, FL
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Boston, MA
- Lyndhurst, NJ
- Bethpage, NY
- Houston, TX
- Arlington, VA
Veterans and law enforcement professionals are encouraged to apply for an exciting career with USCIS.
Job Description
Every day, our Asylum Officers adjudicate asylum applications, conduct credible/reasonable fear screenings, and adjudicate other benefit applications managed by the asylum program, including motions to reopen and reconsider.
As an Asylum Officer you are a crucial member of the Department of Homeland Security team tasked with defending our nation's citizenship and immigration system. Typical assignments include:
- Adjudicating complex and highly sensitive immigration benefits, asylum applications, other benefit applications managed by the asylum program, including motions to reopen and reconsider, and conducting credible/reasonable fear screenings.
- Reviewing applications and supporting evidence, conducting interviews, and researching appropriate information provided by the Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate, the Department of State, and other sources.
- Interpreting and applying appropriate policy, regulations, statutes, and precedent decisions to make eligibility determinations.
- Producing written assessments supporting asylum, NACARA, credible fear and reasonable fear decisions.
- Establishing and maintaining liaison with external federal agencies and non-governmental organizations, and/or private sector stakeholders involved in asylum benefits.
Qualifications
Ideal Asylum Officer candidates have strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as a steadfast commitment to administer and uphold laws and regulations.
The GS-09 is the starting grade level for this position.
GS-09: You qualify at the GS-09 level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience, equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal government, which has equipped you with the skills needed to successfully perform the duties of the position. You must have experience performing at least 2 or more of the following:
Interviewing various individuals to elicit and clarify information of a critical nature (for example: interviewing applicants requesting immigration benefits, interviewing individuals seeking entrance into the U.S.);
- Recommending individuals for further investigation based on findings during the research and investigative phase (for example: refer individuals suspected of criminal activity or immigration fraud to the appropriate investigative office);
- Developing formal reports and documents for use in supporting final determinations (for example: developing investigation records, providing information for entry into law enforcement databases, developing applicant records, or for use in granting asylum or determining immigration benefits);
- Analyzing information obtained to determine fraud or to identify individuals that may pose a threat to national security or public safety.
OR
- You may substitute a Master's or equivalent degree, or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a J.D. or L.L.B degree for experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Such education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.
The requirements to be found qualified at the GS-11 and GS-12 levels are listed in the online job opportunity announcements.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.