Understanding the 政治庇护 Process in the United States

People immigrate to the United States for a variety of reasons, but almost all come seeking an opportunity for a better life and the ability to pursue their dreams. If persecution for your religious or political beliefs jeopardizes your safety and well-being in your native country, you may be granted 政治庇护 status within the United States.

Each year, the U.S. grants a specific number of applicants asylum status. An applicant must demonstrate that he or she would face persecution if he or she were to return to the country of origin. This persecution must fall under a protected ground in order to qualify the applicant for asylum; the protected grounds are race, religion, nationality, political opinion, and social group. It is also necessary for the asylum applicant to prove that his or her native country’s government is either part of the persecution or is unable to control those participating in the persecution.

Individuals may apply for asylum while they are still in their country of residence or once they are already in the United States. Having an experienced immigration attorney to assist with your asylum application is crucial to the success of your case. Asylum cases have a high rejection rate, but working with a knowledgeable asylum lawyer will greatly increase your chances of having your application approved as soon as possible. The immigration attorney will know which parts of your application to highlight in the interview process and can help walk you through what to expect as you go into your asylum interview. If a decision in your favor is made after the first interview, you will be granted asylum and the legal right to work immediately. If your case is not approved after the interview, you will be referred to an immigration court. It is important to have an immigration attorney involved with your asylum application, as the court process is often a tricky and lengthy one to navigate.

You are eligible to apply for permanent residency in the United States (also known as a green card) one year after your asylum status has been approved. A lawful permanent resident who obtained this status through asylum will be eligible to apply for citizenship after four years. There are many intricacies involved with the legal aspect of moving from asylum status to permanent residency to citizenship, so it is important to have proper guidance from an experienced asylum lawyer.