USCIS announced that it would extend the temporary final rule (TFR) that requires certain asylum applicants to use their contract telephonic interpreters instead of bringing their own interpreters to their affirmative asylum interview. The TFR extends the requirement through March 16, 2023. In limited circumstances, if a USCIS interpreter is not available, USCIS will either reschedule the affirmative asylum interview or, at their discretion, allow the applicant to provide an interpreter.
USCIS contract interpreters are available in 47 languages, listed on the TFR webpage. There is no fee to use a government-provided interpreter.
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