If you filed your asylum case with a paralegal, notary, or preparer and don’t have a copy of your application—or you’re unsure what was submitted to immigration—you’re not alone. This is more common than it seems, especially in communities like the Venezuelan one, where many trusted third parties without an attorney’s supervision.

The issue is that during your asylum interview, the immigration officer will base their decisions on what’s in your file. If you don’t remember exactly what was said, what was signed, or what evidence was submitted, you could contradict yourself, sound unreliable, or give confusing answers—even if you’re telling the truth.

The good news? You can fix this before it’s too late. How? By using a legal tool called FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). This allows you to request a full copy of your immigration file from the U.S. government.

Through a FOIA request, you can access your I-589 form, supporting letters, evidence, translations, appointment notices, and even notes from the immigration officer. Reviewing this information helps you prepare for your interview with clarity and avoid serious mistakes.

FOIA won’t harm your case, speed it up, delay it, or trigger any negative consequences. It’s a confidential and fully legal process. Anyone can request it, no matter their immigration status.

Having this information helps you and your attorney correct errors, spot inconsistencies, and avoid contradictions that can hurt your credibility.

At Benme Legal, we’ve helped many people in this same situation recover their file and prepare strategically. If you or someone you know filed with a paralegal and isn’t sure what was submitted, don’t wait until the interview to find out.

Request your FOIA and prepare with facts—not guesswork. Your story deserves to be defended with clarity and legal support.