Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive)
Protection for those who cannot go home — built on the one-year deadline, protected grounds, and the record.
Overview
Asylum protects people unable or unwilling to return home because of past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Affirmative cases are filed with USCIS; defensive cases are litigated before an immigration judge.
A grant brings work authorization, derivative status for family, and a green card one year later.
Who May Qualify
- Past persecution or well-founded fear on a protected ground
- Government persecution or persecutors the government cannot or will not control
- Filing within one year of arrival, or a changed/extraordinary-circumstances exception
- No statutory bars (serious crimes, firm resettlement, persecution of others)
How We Help
- I-589 preparation with declarations that hold up under questioning
- Country-conditions and expert evidence packages
- Asylum office interview representation and immigration court litigation
- Work permits at 150 days, derivative filings, and the green card one year after grant
Frequently Asked Questions
I missed the one-year deadline — is it over?
Not necessarily. Changed and extraordinary circumstances exceptions exist, and withholding and CAT have no deadline.
Can I work while my case is pending?
You may apply for a work permit after your asylum application has been pending 150 days.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific — please consult a qualified immigration attorney about your individual situation.