People who are “unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm” are generally considered to be refugees and can apply from abroad for entry into the U.S. under such status.
Also, there are two categories in which migrants seeking asylum fall under – defensive: meaning they are already undergoing removal proceedings in immigration court and make a claim for asylum; and affirmative: meaning they present themselves to an immigration officer upon entering the U.S. and request asylum.
You may want to know a few things before applying for asylum here in the United States, that’s why we’ll tell you some useful facts you should remember.
You’re not the only refugee looking for help
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services holds quarterly meetings to review monthly Affirmative Asylum Statistics. Thousands of applications for asylum are filed each month. Just in June 2017, more than 11,000 applications were submitted, and in March 2018, there were more than 8,000.
Applying for asylum within one year of entry into the U.S.
In order to affirmatively apply for asylum, you must do so within one year of entry into the U.S. In addition to filing Form I-589.
You should provide corroborating evidence, a detailed personal declaration, and demonstrate any relevant country conditions that would make it unsafe for you to return.
You must prepare yourself for a “credible fear” interview
When you make a claim for asylum, you must first undergo a “credible fear” interview with a U.S. asylum officer, who makes a recommendation to an immigration judge about whether the asylum-seeker qualifies.
Then you must go before the judge, who will rule whether you have a well-founded fear of persecution. If the judge rules that you don’t have a credible fear and appeals are rejected, you can be deported.
There are different grounds of persecution
You must show that you have been persecuted or will be persecuted upon return to your native country. The grounds upon which you may base your claim are: persecution based on race, on religion, on nationality, on political opinion, and membership in a particular social group.
There are agencies that helps refugees
Numerous agencies (about 18) collaborate with the Office of Refugee Resettlement to aid in a settlement, assisting with health, employment, integration and other services. The budget in 2016 for these services, plus the travel-related costs, is estimated between $1 and $2 billion, though some say the budget does not reflect true settlement costs.
From applying for Asylum to having Green Card
After a year of asylee status, you may apply for permanent residence through the adjustment of status process. Additionally, upon a grant of asylum, you may apply for your dependents to accompany you here in the US as asylee derivatives.
Do you want to know more about the application process for Asylum? Contact us and we’ll be honored to help you!