Short Hills Asylum Consultants
Experienced and Capable Guidance
Individuals who have faced past persecution on protected grounds or fear
future persecution have the right to seek asylum in the United States.
Obtaining asylum status, which can lead to lawful permanent residency
and even permanent
citizenship, is often extremely difficult.
Our Short Hills asylum consultants at
Worldwide Legal Services can help qualifying individuals seek formal and powerful protections in
the United States.
We have assisted with over 10,000 cases and have over 50 years of combined
professional experience. The process for seeking asylum status can be
punishingly convoluted, but our team has the knowledge and resources to
protect your safety and fight for your rights.
We never give up and will stop at nothing to secure you the protection
you need. Call
(908) 948-8909 or
contact us online to discuss your situation with us.
Who Is Eligible for Asylum in the United States?
An individual may qualify for asylum status in the United States if they
have previously been persecuted in your home country or your previous
country of residence.
You may also be eligible if you can establish you have a “well-founded
fear” of future persecution if you return to your home country or
previous country of residence.
To potentially qualify for asylum status, the persecution must be on the
basis of at least one of the following protected grounds:
- Race
- Nationality
- Religion
- Political Opinion
- Membership in a Particular Social Group
Though gender or sex are not explicitly named as a protected ground, applicants
have historically been granted asylum status for situations involving:
- Forced marriages
- Female genital mutilation
- And other forms of gendered violence
“Membership in a particular social group” can also be a broad
and flexible category that can sometimes include those fleeing persecution
on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The past or feared persecution does not have to necessarily come from a
country’s official government. Persecution from any group that the
government is unable or willing to control can qualify for purposes of asylum.
How To Seek Asylum in the United States
In most circumstances, you will need to apply for asylum within 1 year
of entering the United States. United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) has historically rejected many applications for asylum
on the basis of missing this deadline.
Individuals can apply for asylum “affirmatively” or “defensively.”
To apply for asylum affirmatively, you must proactively submit the appropriate
documentation to USCIS while already being present in the United States.
Applying for asylum affirmatively can be extremely risky if you do not
have legal status: Should USCIS reject your application, you will likely
be targeted for removal proceedings.
Individuals applying for asylum defensively will typically do so at the
border or when in removal proceedings. In these situations, seeking asylum
acts as a “defense” to removal. The case will generally be
adjudicated by an immigration judge. Note that immigration courts are
not obligated to provide legal representation to asylum seekers.
You may also be detained if you are seeking asylum defensively, especially
if you are doing so at a U.S. port of entry. Those seeking asylum affirmatively
will generally not be detained unless their application is rejected, and
they are without lawful status. We can help you fight for your right to
a bond hearing.
To receive asylum status, you will need to prove past or feared persecution
is directly linked to at least one of the protected grounds. Providing
sufficient evidence to make this connection can often be extraordinarily
challenging. Our Short Hills asylum consultants are experienced with these
matters and can work to build a compelling case.
We never give up and will stop at nothing to secure you the protection
you need. Call
(908) 948-8909 or
contact us online to discuss your situation with us.
