Applying for Asylum in the United States
Applications for Asylum in the United States have been the cause of much controversy over the past few years. Here, at Pogue Law Firm, LLC, we are here to help with all of your asylum- related questions. Please fee free to contact us to schedule a consultation to discuss your immigration needs. In the meantime, please refer to the below questions for some basic information regarding applying for Asylum in the U.S.:
When should I apply for asylum in the United States?
Generally speaking, your asylum application should be submitted to USCIS no later than one year after your last arrival into the U.S. However, under certain and very specific circumstances, one may apply for an exception to submit their asylum application outside of this one-year deadline.
Who can apply for asylum in the United States?
In order to apply for asylum, one must show that they have been persecuted and/or have a well-founded fear of future persecution, for at least of the following reasons, if they were to return to their home country:
- Persecution based upon race
- Persecution based upon religion
- Persecution based upon nationality
- Persecution based upon political opinion
- Persecution based upon membership in a particular social group
- Persecution in violation of the Convention Against Torture
Can I work while my asylum case is pending?
Asylum seekers are permitted to submit Applications for Employment 150 days after their asylum applications have been accepted by USCIS. Your Receipt Notice will state the date upon which USCIS received your application.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) processing times for asylum seekers vary with some applicants receiving responses within a few weeks, while others wait months for a response from USCIS. USCIS is now accepting online EAD applications for asylum seekers. Can I travel while my asylum case is pending?
Travel within the United States is permitted while your asylum case is pending. Travel outside of the United States should occur only after one has both (1) discussed the potential consequences of traveling abroad with a pending asylum application, which include being deemed inadmissible at the border and being refused re-entry, with an attorney and (2) applied for and obtained Advanced Parole.
