Mission and Values
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) believes that asylum seekers can make great change by standing together. We provide our membership of asylum seekers with legal and community support. And we work with our members — over 450,000 asylum seekers — to build a more welcoming United States. ASAP members come from more than 175 countries and live in every U.S. state and territory.
Asylum seekers travel thousands of miles, often braving dangerous terrain, to bring their families to safety. We recognize their strength and provide them with the tools they need to keep their families safe. We are creative, collaborative, and nonpartisan. And we believe all asylum seekers deserve to find safe haven in the United States.
What We Do
- Digital Community – ASAP harnesses the power of technology to build the largest community of asylum seekers in U.S. history.
- Legal Resources – ASAP creates resources that help asylum seekers navigate the legal system, stay up-to-date on critical news, and succeed in their cases.
- Member-Led Advocacy – ASAP works with members to set advocacy goals and fight for a United States that welcomes asylum seekers, through litigation, press, and policy.
Annual Reports
ASAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Below are our most recent annual reports.
- 2021-2022 ASAP Annual Report
- 2020-2021 ASAP Annual Report
- 2019-2020 ASAP Annual Report
- 2018-2019 ASAP Annual Report
- 2017-2018 ASAP Annual Report
- 2016-2017 ASAP Annual Report
Get Involved
- Become a Member
- Sign up for ASAP’s email list
- Follow ASAP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- Jobs and Internships
- Donate
Learn More
Latest News
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Evelyn
We are so excited to spotlight Evelyn Núñez, ASAP’s Online Community Manager! The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Evelyn grew up...
5 Ways to Change the Asylum Process
ASAP is the largest community of asylum seekers in U.S. history. We ask all ASAP members an optional question: “What...
ASAP Member Spotlight: Wendi
Wendi, a single mother seeking asylum from Guatemala, played a central role in ASAP’s CASA v. Mayorkas lawsuit that led...
ASAP Reaches 350,000 Members!
Dear ASAP members, ASAP has reached 350,000 members! We are so excited to share this news with you. With over...
The CASA Lawsuit
WORK PERMITS MAIN PAGE HERE. “We should all have the ability to work honorably while we wait for our asylum...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Emeizmi
We are so excited to spotlight Emeizmi Mandagi! Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Emeizmi immigrated to the United States with her...
ASAP Members Win Work Permit Reforms
May 4, 2022 update for ASAP members: Great news! Work permits for many asylum seekers are now valid for 540...
ASAP Staff Recognized with Fellowships
We are so excited to announce that several staff members of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) have received national...
ASAP Seeks Justice for Separated Families
In the summer of 2018, members of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) were appalled to learn that the government...
150,000 Members Receive Work Permits
In the past year, over 150,000 asylum seekers have received their work permits and Social Security numbers since becoming members...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Ngan
We are so excited to spotlight Ngan Tran, ASAP’s Software Engineer! Ngan joined the ASAP team in 2021 as our...
ASAP Comments on Asylum Proposal
Recently, the U.S. government proposed several changes to the asylum system — some good, and some bad. On October 19,...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Leidy
We are excited to spotlight Leidy Perez-Davis, ASAP’s Policy Director! When Leidy was six years old, she moved from her...
Members Speak About Renewal Delays
ASAP members are speaking out against the long delays in processing of their renewal work permit applications and demanding the...
Common Questions about Work Permits
WORK PERMITS MAIN PAGE HERE. February 2022 Update: Good news! On February 7, 2022, a judge ruled that the Trump...
Families Meet With Sec. Mayorkas
On Friday, August 20, the Secretary of Homeland Security, who oversees ICE and Border Patrol, met face-to-face with separated families...
ASAP Reaches 150,000 Members
Dear ASAP members, ASAP has reached 150,000 members! We are so excited to share this achievement with you. ASAP’s membership...
Members Access ASAP Resources
Over the last quarter, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has shared critical immigration resources with tens of thousands of...
Members Fight Family Separation
In the summer of 2018, ASAP members chose to devote ASAP’s resources and advocacy efforts to supporting separated families, even...
Members Propose Changes to USCIS
In April of 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (a government agency also known as “USCIS” that decides immigration applications,...
Bill Would Help Separated Families
ASAP is proud to support the Families Belong Together Act (H.R. 2766, S.1375), sponsored by Senator Blumenthal and Representative Castro!...
Members Fight Work Permit Delays
This quarter, thousands of ASAP members successfully defended their ability to work legally in the U.S.! Thanks to their leadership,...
ASAP Reaches 75,000 Members
We are excited to share that the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) now has 75,000 members! We have also scaled...
W.L. Receives Her Work Permit
ASAP member W.L., whose advocacy played a critical role in the lawsuit CASA v. Wolf, has received her work permit...
Judge Blocks New Asylum Rule
BREAKING NEWS: On January 8, 2021, a federal judge decided that the government cannot change the asylum process as it...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Anne
We are excited to spotlight Anne Recinos, Co-Legal Director at the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP). Anne is the daughter...
ASAP Grows Membership
We are excited to share updates about how the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has grown in response to our...
Summer Reflections
This summer ASAP was lucky to host legal interns Andrea Barrientos and Daniel Ocampo and legal fellow Clare Kane. Andrea,...
Sullivan’s Photo Story
We are excited to share a photo story from Sullivan, a member of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP). “It...
Work Permits for Non-ASAP Members
Last updated on September 14, 2020. ASAP is currently challenging two new rules designed to prevent many asylum seekers from...
ASAP Fights Biased Courts
ASAP’s federal lawsuit challenging bias in the immigration court system will move forward, thanks to the recent ruling of a...
New Asylum Application Toolkit
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released a new toolkit for advocates to help asylum seekers prepare their applications...
270 Damages Cases Placed
ASAP connected over 270 asylum seekers with pro bono attorneys to help them file monetary damages claims against the government...
Challenges During COVID-19
For asylum seekers like Katherine, COVID-19 has made our immigration system even harder. Katherine was pregnant with twins when she...
Eleven New Infographics
ASAP has released 11 new infographics on the asylum process in Spanish! On topics ranging from how to check your case...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Dennise
We are excited to highlight Dennise Moreno, one of our newest staff attorneys in ASAP’s Legal Emergency Department. Dennise joined...
Remote Trainings During COVID-19
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has facilitated remote legal aid trainings for hundreds of attorneys and advocates during the...
COVID-19 Resources
Over the past several weeks, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) staff have been working to share information and resources related...
Mom Takes Control of Her Case
Alejandra got her asylum case on track after joining one of ASAP’s online communities and accessing our resources and legal...
How to provide legal aid remotely
During these turbulent times, ASAP is continuing to work on behalf of asylum seekers and helping other organizations and legal...
Training 200+ Pro Bono Attorneys
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has trained over 200 pro bono attorneys to help separated families sue the government...
A Deportation Prevented
With ASAP’s help, Claudia was able to focus on childbirth rather than worry about missing her immigration hearing. Read more...
ASAP Fights for Work Permits
ASAP is fighting back as this administration tries to make it virtually impossible for asylum seekers to work legally. Since...
Guest Post: Applying for Asylum
Macy is a member of our online community for asylum-seeking mothers. She wrote this post to share with other mothers...
Guest Post: Volunteering in Texas
Hannah Duncan is an ASAP volunteer and a student at Yale Law School. Hannah and other students traveled to San...
Immigration Court Video Series
ASAP has released a four part video series about how to navigate the immigration court process. The Spanish-language videos are...
Guest Post: Getting a Work Permit
Mirna is a member of our online community for asylum-seeking mothers. She wrote this post to share with other mothers...
Family Wins 4-Year Legal Battle
Yolanda and her son are no longer living in fear of imminent deportation, after reversing their deportation order with the...
Lessons from the Mexico-U.S. Border
Earlier this month, ASAP’s Legal Emergency Room (Legal ER) team – Dennise Moreno, Nicole Tan, and Liz Willis – traveled...
ASAP Fights Proposed DHS Rule
ASAP is fighting government efforts to make it impossible for asylum seekers to work in the United States. The Asylum...
Family Closer to Reunification
This summer, ASAP took on the challenge of bringing Leticia back from Guatemala and reuniting her with her son. Leticia...
ASAP Becomes Standalone Nonprofit
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that we are now an independent nonprofit organization! In July...
Mother Overturns Deportation Order
Naomi and her children are no longer living in fear of detention and imminent deportation. Now they can present their...
ASAP Staff Retreat in Alabama
Last week the ASAP team traveled to Alabama for a wonderful staff retreat. During the retreat, we spent quality time...
Hearings in Two States in Same Week
The government expected Luz to appear in two different immigration courts thousands of miles apart – in the same week....
ASAP Grows Systemic Reform Team
ASAP has expanded its Systemic Reform department, welcoming two new staff members to our team: Litigation Paralegal Marilyn E. Alvarado...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Daniela
We are excited to introduce Daniela Rodriguez as ASAP’s Executive Assistant! Daniela migrated to the United States from Ecuador when...
Victory in Legal ER
Zulema accessed emergency legal aid and averted deportation for herself and her family. We met Zulema in our online community...
Response to Threat of Raids
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) responded to the threat of immigration raids on asylum seekers this summer. ASAP quickly...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Marilyn
We are excited to introduce Marilyn E. Alvarado, ASAP’s new litigation paralegal! Marilyn is a native New Yorker who has...
ASAP Sues to Stop Deportations
ASAP joined with three other legal services organizations in suing the government to stop the deportations of thousands of asylum...
ASAP Launches New Online Community
ASAP is excited to announce the launch of a new online community for all Spanish-speaking adults who are seeking asylum...
ASAP Intern Spotlight: Edith
This summer ASAP has been very grateful to host Legal Intern Edith Lerner, whose work has played in key role...
Victory for Family Suing ICE and CBP
ASAP clients Suny Rodríguez and her minor son settled a first-of-its-kind federal lawsuit against U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)...
Lawsuit for Reunited Families
For families separated at the border, reunification was only the first step towards safety and justice. These families now face...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: Jasmina
We are very excited to introduce Jasmina Nogo, ASAP’s newest Staff Attorney! Jasmina came to the United States as a...
Winning Asylum Against the Odds
ASAP represented Andrea in reopening her asylum case, after she received a deportation order. When Andrea first contacted ASAP in...
Mom Represents Herself And Wins
Last month, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) helped Emily prepare a motion to move her case from Atlanta immigration...
ASAP Staff Retreat in Chicago
The ASAP team convened in Chicago last week for an action-packed staff retreat. After a few in-person meetings and strategy...
IRAP Litigation Partnership
ASAP and the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) are excited to announce our partnership to bring litigation on behalf of...
ASAP Staff Spotlight: William
Communications and Development Associate William Montgomery says: “I feel so lucky to be a part of this team and to...
ASAP Featured in Legal Journal
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to be featured in Professor Lindsay Harris’s recent article in Clinical Law...
Victory in Legal ER
Zulema accessed emergency legal aid and averted deportation for herself and her family. We met Zulema through our online community...
ASAP Partner Spotlight: MSHRP
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is proud to partner with the Mount Sinai Human Rights Program (MSHRP), a program...
A Volunteer’s Week in Dilley
ASAP at Yale member, Hannah Duncan, traveled to the Mexico-U.S. border to provide assistance to families at the SouthTexas Family...
Deportation Reversed for Family
After working with the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) to successfully reverse her deportation order, Maria shared: “I feel at...
ASAP’s Second Annual Report
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released our second Annual Report! ASAP’s online community member, Libia shared: “When I...
ASAP Condemns New Border Rule
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) condemns the new interim final rule limiting the ways families fleeing violence can seek...
Co-Founder Grows Policy Work
We are excited to announce the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) co-founder Conchita Cruz has received a two-year fellowship from...
After Reunification, Fight Continues
Javier, an asylum-seeking father recently reunited with his child, said, “I was separated from my son who is seven years old,...
ASAP Supporters Take Action
Two weeks ago, we called on our supporters to take a stand against the inhumane detention of immigrant children. This...
ASAP Condemns Detention of Children
Last week the Trump administration proposed new regulations that would allow the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain immigrant...
A Summer Fighting for Families
Through a difficult summer filled with heart-wrenching news and attacks against asylum seekers, the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) was...
Victory for Mother and Daughter
After receiving news of a victory in her case, Libia shared her reflections about navigating the immigration system: “I used...
New Guide for Border Advocates
Access to an attorney while in detention could mean life or death for asylum-seeking families fleeing unspeakable violence. Since its...
ASAP Fights for Families
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has heightened attacks on asylum seekers and their families. In an effort to deter...
ASAP Helps Client Find New Beginning
After fighting to reverse her deportation order, our client Andrea shared this message: “I am happy and grateful for all...
ASAP Co-Founders Speak Out
In response to the Trump administration’s recent policy changes, ASAP’s staff have spoken out on various publications and broadcast programs...
ASAP Receives Outpouring of Support
In recent weeks, ASAP has been deeply grateful for the major outpouring of support. Thousands have donated, joined our mailing...
ASAP Issues Policy Report
Did you know that 85% of the more than 24,000 asylum-seeking families ordered deported from July 2014 to November 2016...
Reflections from ASAP’s Interns
Read on for our interns’ reflections from this past semester: Cindy Zhunio “Coming from a large undocumented community, I always...
Mothers Build Strength in Community
Updated June 22, 2018 Our private online community is growing! The group has expanded by nearly 100 members this past...
ASAP Welcomes New Staff
We are excited to welcome Evelyn Núñez and Nicole Tan as the newest additions to the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project...
Client Wins Challenging Appeal
Four months after refusing to grant Cristina’s appeal and reverse her deportation order, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has...
ASAP Joins Greater Sum 2018 Cohort
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that we are now members of The Greater Sum Foundation’s...
Diary from Baby Jail
Each year, law student volunteers from the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s chapter at Yale Law School travel to the...
ASAP’s First Annual Report
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has released our first ever Annual Report! ASAP client Sandra says, “As someone who did...
Tribune Op-Ed: Sessions is Wrong
Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) board member Michelle Mendez and co-founder Swapna Reddy write in the Chicago Tribune: “Last week,...
#GivingTuesday Success
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce that our #GivingTuesday campaign was a success! With your help,...
ASAP Wins J.M.K. Innovation Prize
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has been named one of ten winners of the 2017 J.M.K. Innovation Prize! Awarded...
Emergency Motions to Reopen Project
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) is excited to announce a 96% win rate for our emergency motions to reopen...
Raising Awareness in October
October has been a busy month as our co-founders presented at events and trainings for: the American Bar Association, Building...
Client Fights Fraud, Inspires Others
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s client Luna fled to the United States after her siblings were murdered and she...
Volunteer Profile: Joanne Lee
Volunteer Joanne Lee, Yale law student and Co-President of the YLS chapter of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) writes: “Near...
ASAP Welcomes New Staff
We are excited to have co-founders Dorothy Tegeler and Liz Willis officially join our staff! Dorothy is joining the Asylum...
Great Fundraising News
Thank you to the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Conant Family Foundation, and Echoing Green for supporting our work and helping...
Lawsuit Against ICE Moves Forward
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s client Suny Rodriguez sued the U.S. government for its mistreatment of her and her...
Mother and Newborn Reunited
A few months ago, a woman reached out to us through the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP)’s online community for...
Asylum Win for North Carolina Family
Sandra and her father were mayoral candidates in Central America, when her father was murdered. After his murder, Sandra began...
