When most people think about immigration, they imagine people sneaking in from other countries or trying to hide from criminal charges. What most people don't realize about immigration, however, is how difficult it is to live other places. In my native homeland, I had a difficult time feeding my kids on a shoestring budget, and I worried about safety on a daily basis. I needed an immigration attorney to make my dreams of a peaceful existence possible. I created this blog to help you to see how much of a difference the right legal counsel can make, so that you don't have to worry about the future.
Are you a citizen of another country who is seeking asylum in the United States? If so, you should know as much as possible about this lengthy, sometimes complex, process before starting. This article examines some of the most salient facts about being granted asylum in the U.S.
Asylum and Refugee
Asylum status and refugee status often need clarification. Asylum applies to those in this country without legal residency who want to stay in the U.S. To claim asylum, you must already be in the U.S. and have a legitimate fear of persecution in your home country. If you are outside of the U.S. and have a legitimate fear of persecution, you must apply for refugee status, a separate category. In addition, the persecution you fear must be based on your race, religion, nationality, politics, or social group.
Application
Those seeking asylum often ask for asylum status at the border of the U.S. or an entry point. In this case, you will have an interview with an immigration official who will determine if you can proceed with the asylum process. The interviewer will decide whether you have a " credible fear" of persecution if you are returned to your native country.
If the immigration official believes that you have a credible fear of persecution then you will be allowed to stay in the U.S. and file a formal application for asylum. If the official does not decide the issue in your favor, then you will be removed from the U.S. and returned to your home country.
Filing
If you are successful in remaining in the country, then you have one year after your entry into the U.S. to file your application. In addition to the application form itself, you should also include any other documents that support your claim of legitimate persecution from your native country, such as medical records or newspaper articles showing the persecution of yourself or a group to which you belong. Sometimes after filing your application, you will go to a United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) office for another interview. If the USCIS office accepts your application, you may legally stay in the country as an asylee. If not, you can appeal to an immigration court.
Citizenship
If you are granted asylum, you may want to proceed to seek U.S. citizenship. The law allows you to apply for citizenship as an asylee after you have been in the country for five years, with certain exceptions. A key point to note is that going back to your home country during the waiting period could jeopardize your citizenship eligibility.
The asylum process is both lengthy and complicated. To find out more, talk with an immigration attorney.
Share12 April 2023
