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Union City Asylum Lawyer

Applying for asylum through immigration allows individuals who are already in the United States to apply for legal protections that will allow them to remain in the country and protect them from persecution in their home country. However, the requirements for applying for asylum can be complicated and more complex than you expected, as the rules are constantly changing. A Union City asylum lawyer can guide you through the process and help you obtain status in the United States. An immigration attorney from our firm is here to help.

Eligibility for Asylum

In order to apply for asylum, potential immigrants must meet several criteria. Not only must they be physically present in the United States, but they also need to apply for asylum within one year of entering the U.S.

Threat of Persecution

Individuals applying for asylum will need to show that they have a reasonably well-founded fear of persecution. Persecution may include a serious threat to life or freedom as well as human rights violations.

Protected Grounds

In order to qualify for asylum, immigrants must demonstrate that their fear of persecution is based on protected status: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a specific social group–and their country is unable or unwilling to protect them from that harm. Persecution for reasons outside these grounds may not grant asylum within the United States.

Exceptions to the 1-Year Rule

While most people need to show they have applied for asylum before being in the United States for a full year, several exceptions apply that can extend the time needed to seek that protection. That may include changed circumstances, such as a shifting political climate in the immigrant’s home country, or extraordinary circumstances that prevented the immigrant from applying within that time period. A Union City lawyer can help immigrants determine whether they have the right to apply for asylum even after the initial deadline has passed and fight to protect their freedoms.

Bars to Asylum

While immigrants who fear persecution in their home country have the right to apply for asylum, under some circumstances, the immigrant may be barred, or prevented, from that status. Those include:

  • Conviction of serious crimes
  • National security risks
  • Resettlement in another country
  • Previous asylum application denial

A Union City asylum lawyer can be instrumental in assessing these circumstances and determining whether the individual has the right to pursue asylum.

Additional Protections

In addition to applying for asylum, the United States offers several options that may provide protection for an immigrant who has reason to expect danger in their home country. An asylum attorney in Union City can help them assess their options, including protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT) or Withholding of Removal. Selecting the right defense can help individuals pursue the best means to stay in the country.

Contact a Union City Asylum Attorney as Soon as Possible

Navigating the complexities of an application for asylum is incredibly complicated. A Union City asylum lawyer can provide the support you need to successfully navigate those challenges and receive the protections you need. At the Law Offices of Lloyd E. Bennett Esq., P.C., we offer help with evidence collection, filling out applications, and preparing for interviews as you move toward a protected status that will help you remain in the United States and avoid the persecution you might face in your home country. In addition, we can help immigrants facing deportation establish their status based on asylum protections. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve your goals.