Seeking asylum: What to know

 Posted on June 15, 2020 in Immigration

Immigration law continues to be a fascinating and interesting topic of conversation in our country. It is volatile and complex and one of the many questions that arise are typically linked to issues on asylum. This particular area of immigration law has many layered and detailed nuances that might confuse asylum seekers and it is important to know them to better see if any potential candidates can apply to it or not.

Understanding asylum

Each year, there are thousands of foreigners who choose to enter into the United States seeking asylum from their home countries. Asylum is the protection that a country can grant unto a person who is classified as a refugee.

A refugee is a person who is being persecuted or will be persecuted from his or her home country and is seeking the protection of another.

How to qualify

There are various ways that a person can qualify for asylum and the applicant must qualify in one out of the five following categories. The person must be persecuted or in danger of being persecuted due to his or her race, religion, nationality, membership to a particular social group, and/or political opinion.

To apply for asylum, the applicant must begin the process in the port of entry. To do so, the applicant must prove through evidence that he or she meets the criteria of a person who is being persecuted or could be persecuted in his or her home country.

The process in and of itself can be more complicated than it seems, and that is why it is recommended that the applicant seeks an immigration attorney when starting out with the asylum process.