Immigrants come to Florida for many reasons. Often, they want to secure employment, get an education or be near family members. For some, it is a matter of safety. There are places around the world where people are persecuted for various reasons. To try and find a safe place to live and avoid the consequences of persecution, many will want to be granted asylum to the United States.
Once a person is granted asylum, they are also concerned about their family members. In some instances, family members are in just as much jeopardy as the asylee was when they fled to come to the United States.
Family members can be brought to the United States
A person who was in danger in their home country because of their race, religion, political beliefs, nationality or because they were members of a specific group and were facing persecution because of it can strive to come to the United States for asylum. They can do this once they are physically in the country. For those who did so within the past two years, it is possible to file a petition to bring family members to the United States so they too can become asylees.
This applies to a spouse or a child who is unmarried and under the age of 21 at the time the person applied for asylum. To be eligible, in addition to the two-year requirement, the petitioner must have been granted asylum on their own and not received it through a relative. They must still be a refugee or been granted status as a permanent resident and received their Green Card.
They must have been related to the person prior to coming to the United States. For example, they cannot get married after they have been granted asylum; they must have been married before entering the United States or being granted asylum. For children, the child must have been conceived or been born prior to being granted asylum.
Asylum can extend to family members
People are undoubtedly relieved when they flee a difficult and risky situation in their home country and are granted asylum to remain in the U.S. Still, they will inevitably be fearful as to what might happen to family members who have not yet gotten out and want to come to the United States.
