Those who want to apply for asylum (a.k.a. Political Asylum) while remaining in the U.S. must generally file within one year after their most recent entry to the U.S. 

If you are in the United States and believe you would qualify for asylum in the U.S., you must file your asylum application within one year after arriving.

There can be an exception for changed circumstances. This is when something in the home country has changed, and the ability to return home is problematic.

Asylum seekers must be able to show that they have a legitimate fear of persecution if they are forced to return to their home country. Their fear must be based on protected grounds.  Protected grounds do not include medical problems due to a pandemic such as the Coronavirus.

Here are the protected grounds upon which to justify an asylum claim:

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Membership in a particular social group
• Political opinion

Provided the asylum claim is legitimate and not fabricated, an asylee who files for political asylum in time can eventually obtain a social security number and be issued a work permit to work in the U.S. at any job while the asylum claim remains pending.  A successful claim can also help family members remain in the U.S. or come to the U.S. once the asylum application is approved.  All can eventually obtain green cards. However, perhaps the best benefit is that successful asylum seekers do not have to return to their dangerous home country. Although, it is a difficult process.

Contact Us if you feel like you might qualify for asylum in the United States.