Asylum
Asylum is a protective status that allows a person to remain in the United States legally because they would be at risk of serious harm if they had to return to their home country.
Asylum Eligibility
Asylum is a type of protection that allows individuals who are already in the United States to remain here. In order to obtain asylum, you must demonstrate to the United States government that you fear persecution in your native country based upon one or more of the following:
- Race,
- Religion,
- Nationality,
- Membership in a social group, or
- Political opinion
When to File for Asylum
You can file an asylum application if you are at a port of entry or in the United States. You must do so within one year of your arrival to the United States.
You will not be eligible to file an asylum application if you have been in the United States for more than one year. However, you may qualify for an exception to this law if you show:
- Changed circumstances materially affecting your asylum eligibility for asylum; or
- Extraordinary circumstances relating to your delay in filing.
You must still file your asylum application within a reasonable time to qualify for an exception.
We Can Help
Our immigration lawyer can prepare your asylum application and help you write a clear and detailed supporting statement. We also compile and summarize news articles, human rights reports, affidavits, statements and other original documents to support your asylum claim. Our immigration attorney will also prepare you for the interview with the Asylum Officer and be present at the interview to address any legal issues and provide a legal summary for the interviewer.
We represent clients before the Houston Asylum Office, which serves individuals in the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Contact us today to determine whether you are eligible to apply for asylum in the United States.
