The asylum system offers foreign residents the opportunity to avoid persecution and live safely in the United States of America. Obtaining asylum status can be challenging, as many applicants are rejected each year.
In order to apply for asylum, you must be physically present in the United States. In fact, you have a year from the date you enter the country to begin the process. This is different from any other from of immigration, which usually involves applying for a visa from your home country and waiting for an answer.
Not everyone files for asylum immediately upon entering the country. Some applicants rely on something known as “defensive asylum.” Defensive asylum is the use of an asylum petition as a defense against deportation and removal. In some cases, these applications could be granted even when it has been more than a year since you entered the country.
To qualify for asylum, you must be able to show you have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country. This fear can be based on prior abuse or persecution, or it could result from reasonable concerns about how you would be treated upon your return. This persecution must be based on certain characteristics, like your political beliefs or your religion.
The team at Diamondback Legal is here to help you navigate the system. Call a Show Low asylum lawyer today to get started.
