If you are presently in the United States and have suffered past harm, or fear that you will suffer future harm upon return to your home country, you may be eligible for asylum, withholding of removal, or relief under the Convention Against Torture. If you think you might qualify, consult with an attorney right away. Subject to a few exceptions, asylum applications are extremely time-sensitive because the application must be filed within one year of the applicant’s last entry to the U.S., unless “extraordinary circumstances” can be established. Applicants must show that the harm they suffered or fear they will suffer rises to the level of “persecution” and that harm must be on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or (actual or imputed) political opinion. The harm must be inflicted by a governmental actor or by a non-governmental actor that the government is unwilling or unable to control. These factual and legal issues are complicated and require the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer. Our attorneys have extensive experience in complicated asylum cases and have successfully represented both detained and non-detained individuals.
People who have been granted asylum can:
- Legally work in the U.S.
- Petition to bring their family to the U.S., with some limitations
- File for lawful permanent residency and naturalization, if certain conditions are met
Contact the immigration attorneys at Becker & Lee LLP to learn more.