The information in this blog post is current as of March 24, 2026.
CILA wishes to alert advocates that the filing location for child derivatives filing as principal applicants for asylum has recently changed. Please note that USCIS guidance and requirements may continue to change over time.
Previously, child derivatives who were simultaneously or subsequently filing as principal applicants were required to file their applications at the asylum vetting center in Atlanta, Georgia.
On July 22, 2025, USCIS changed the filing location for these applicants from the asylum vetting center to the asylum intake unit. Then, on February 20, 2026, USCIS again changed the filing location from the asylum intake unit to the USCIS Dallas and Chicago lockboxes based on where the applicant lives. This means that these applications are now filed at the same locations as all other unaccompanied children’s affirmative asylum applications. Note that there are still two categories of applicants that must file at the asylum intake center: 1) those who are currently a derivative asylee but are unable to adjust status to lawful permanent resident due to a loss of derivative relationship, and 2) those who previously filed an I-589 but now may be eligible to file a new, affirmative I-589.
Applicants who live in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas should file their applications at the Dallas lockbox. For all other lockbox, they should file their applications with the Chicago lockbox. Advocates should always check USCIS’s “I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal” webpage for up-to-date filing instructions, including filing locations.
This legal update does not constitute legal advice and is for the purpose of highlighting key information and considerations about filing principal applications for derivative unaccompanied children. For case specific technical advice, please reach out to CILA via our website, https://cilacademy.org/request-assistance/.