Friend got asylum, WTF...

He went to this lawyer who basically told him to lie that he was beaten up in his home country, eventually had an interview with immigration, then one month and $6K later he got his EAD. Soon he's getting his SSN. This woman I know also got the same deal years ago from the same lawyer.

Can you really game the system so easily if you live in area without many immigrants? Or maybe there's corruption involved? I was under the impression that the waiting time is much greater; also that you couldn't deceive officials so easily.

It is basically a fraudulent claim of asylum.Lawyers looking for quick cash and undocumented quick benefits will always try this.....but it won't work.An EAD is NOT confirmation of any immigrant status in the US but it can showcase you have a pending case and basically this is what is happening here with their asylum case.

The bottomline is that they are taking advantage of the 120 day rule that allows one to apply for an EAD while asylum is processing.You should ask yourself this,why does one require an EAD to showcase US permanent residency which is showcased by a Green card ?

I thought if you've already appeared in front of immigration and the judge and weren't deported you're practically guaranteed asylum, or is that not the case?

Also, can you really apply for a social and license with just EAD and no visa? The woman I mentioned earlier has had both for years while supposedly waiting for a green card, but she has to go out of state to renew her license which makes me very suspicious of the whole situation (although the EAD gets renewed each year, which is typical from what I read)

I'm just curious about what's really going on. I obviously can't apply for asylum myself :P

yeah and if you get caught with fraud expect a very possible deportation hearing.

That is not the case at all,nothing is guaranteed at all without solid proof of persecution both in the past and that it could possibly happen if forcibly returned in one's home country.As mentioned,it is just a delay tactic on the part of the person whom applied either for temporary benefits if they lied about their case.No one is guaranteed anything when it comes to immigration benefits,everything is based solely upon the evidence submitted that it meets or exceeds the requirements needed for said benefit.

Yes,all one requires is an EAD to acquire an SSN but IF it is also on the State's documentary requirements for meeting Real ID then they may apply for a License or ID in that State as well or wherever for that matter if accepted.Yes,it is also atypical to renew the EAD when the case is pending as mentioned.The EAD is based solely on the pending asylum claim so as to give the applicant in question a normal life to support themselves.....nothing more !!!!!