Asylum is a form of protection available to people already present in the U.S. who are afraid of returning to their home country because of actual persecution, or who have a well- founded fear of actual persecution because of their:

• Race;
• Religion;
• National origin;
• Membership in a particular social group; or,
• Political views.

If you are still in your home country, and the above applies to you, you may be able to get refugee status, instead of asylee status. In other words, a “refugee” is a person who is living outside the U.S. and intends to enter the U.S. because he or she fears persecution in his or her home country, due to the above-mentioned grounds. Those eligible for political asylum or refugee status can become lawful permanent residents after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the Immigration Judge approves their cases.

Individuals of any nationality must request political asylum at a U.S. port of entry (airport, seaport, or border crossing), or file for it within one (1) year of arriving in the U.S. You will not be eligible for asylum if you participated in the persecution of others or if you have “firmly resettled” in another country.

Generally, you must apply for asylum within one (1) year of your last arrival into the U.S. Exceptions may apply, such as: (1) changed circumstances in your home country that affect your eligibility, or (2) extraordinary circumstances related to your lateness in the filing. Ask your question now and get asylum information on Immigration Question!

Yes. You can apply for political asylum, even if you are in the U.S. illegally. For example, if you have entered the U.S. using a fraudulent visa or have crossed the border, you may still apply for political asylum within one (1) year of your last arrival. You may file after the one (1) year mark, but only if you are able to demonstrate that you are eligible for an exception to the one (1) year rule. Get Asylum Information on Immigration Question!