Having pride and devotion to your home country is common in America, but many people in the world aren’t so lucky. Some foreign nationals decide to flee their home country and come to the United States because they fear to remain where they are.
Seeking asylum is not something new, but it is a complex immigration matter that can present many challenges for those who are just seeking safety.
It is important to understand what options you have and what rights you are entitled to when applying for asylum in the United States.
What is asylum?
At Mark Citrin, P.A., our law firm understands that asylum can be a complex but essential process for many foreign nationals. As such, our legal team ensures our clients understand that process, what is required of them for eligibility and what options they have if asylum is not approved. Our goal is to provide a favorable outcome for our clients, while diligently working to provide clarity and understanding for a legal process and nation that is foreign to them.
Asylum is a process afforded to immigrants who enter the United States for safe haven, having to intention to return to their country of nationality due to the past persecutions suffered or a well-founded fear that future persecutions will occur by their nation’s government or a group of people that government is unable to or unwilling to control. These past or future persecutions must be based on at least one of five characteristics of the foreign national. This includes their race, nationality, religion, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Application process
To seek asylum in the United States, you must apply within one year from your last entry into the United States. There are specific exceptions to this one-year deadline, and it is important to understand if you qualify for them if the one-year mark has passed.
Eligibility is based on numerous factors, but there are three common situations that can make you ineligible.
First, if you have a past criminal conviction for a serious crime, you might be denied asylum. Next, asylum could be denied if it is found that you firmly resettled in a third country prior to entering the United States to seek asylum. Finally, if you voluntarily returned to your country of citizenship after suffering persecution, this may prompt a denial for asylum.
The asylum process and other immigration law matters can be confusing and complex for immigrants, making it imperative that they take the time to understand the laws that can protect them, as well as the options afforded to them to remain in the country.
