No ACID record found v1.00

35 - No ACID record found v1.00

purpose

This instruction tells Validation and Case tracking how to Validate cases where no ACID record can be found. It has effect from 6 November 2000.

Background

Validation are unable to find ACID records for approximately 200 applications each week. These cases are currently progressed in the normal way with the asylum claim recorded on ASYS as Unknown. In many of these cases evidence of an asylum claim has been submitted.

Validation

Any otherwise valid application where an ACID record cannot be found must be passed to the case-tracking team. The rest of the validation process should be completed on the normal way. If a case is not valid for any other reason validation should proceed with their action. The asylum claim should be recorded as unknown.

Case Tracking

The case-tracking team must examine any documentary evidence that an asylum claim has been submitted. Copies of various documents may be submitted. A SAL (Standard Acknowledgement Letter) is the best evidence of an asylum claim. Port or Local Enforcement Office cases (ie Immigration Service cases) may submit an IS 96 (Temporary admission) or an IS 151. Postal applicants will probably submit copies of correspondence sent to the ICD. In the latter case an address must have been given otherwise the ICD will not record a claim. Only documents that specifically mention asylum should be accepted as proof of a claim.

Satisfactory Evidence

Where satisfactory evidence of an asylum claim has been submitted the ASYS record should be updated to read Asylum claim Yes - ACID record not found. The file may then be passed to Assessment. A copy of the evidence submitted with the NASS reference clearly marked on it must be sent to John Neil whenever it is received.

Lack Of Evidence (IS cases)

Where a person who has applied for support and claims to have sought asylum on entry or from IS enforcement but has not submitted satisfactory evidence case tracking must contact them or the Reception Assistant immediately, by fax or telephone, and request evidence. 24 hours should be allowed for submission. Where there is no reply or the evidence remains unsatisfactory ACID should be checked again. If there is still no record the ASYS record should be amended to Asylum claim No. The file should then be passed to Assessment for refusal.

Where evidence is forthcoming or the second ACID check finds a record ASYS should be amended accordingly and the file sent to Assessment.

Lack Of Evidence (postal applications/asu )

Where a person who has applied for support and claims to have sought asylum by post or in ASU but has not submitted satisfactory evidence case tracking must contact them or the Reception Assistant immediately, by fax or phone, and request evidence. 24 hours should be allowed for submission. Where there is no reply or the evidence remains unsatisfactory ACID should be checked again. If there is still no record the ASYS record should be amended to Asylum claim No. The file should then be passed to Assessment for refusal.

Where evidence is forthcoming or the second ACID check finds a record ASYS should be amended accordingly and the file sent to Assessment.

Acid team

The applications requiring attention report is forwarded to John Neil’s team daily. The ACID team will respond with any of the previous day’s unknowns that they are able to trace. This report will be sent to the head of the Case tracking. ASYS must then be updated and the case sent to Assessment.

Acid Record Not Found

ASYS will generate reports that identify all cases where the asylum case status is recorded as ACID record not found. These will be forwarded to John Neil’s team for investigation.