Phoenix Asylum & Refugee Lawyer

Immigration Protection for Asylum Seekers in Arizona

Many people who come to the United States do so seeking protection from persecution. In many cases, they will be granted asylum, which is a type of protection available to immigrants who are fleeing their home countries because they fear being persecuted on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. An asylum seeker will be granted asylum status, which allows them to remain in the United States.

If you are an immigrant who is seeking asylum or refugee status in the United States, you will need the help of an experienced attorney who can guide you through the process. The team at MayesTelles PLLC can provide you with the legal counsel you need to obtain the protection you deserve.

If you are seeking asylum or refugee status, call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation with our Arizona Asylum & Refugee lawyer.

What Is Asylum?

The United States grants asylum to those who are fleeing their home country because they fear being persecuted. Asylum is different from refugee status in that refugees are fleeing their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution. The United States offers refugee status to those who are seeking protection from persecution.

The difference between asylum and refugee status is that an asylum seeker will be granted asylum status, which allows them to remain in the United States. A refugee is granted refugee status, which allows them to stay in the United States temporarily until their home country is safe to return to.

An asylum seeker will be granted protection from deportation and can live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to their home country. Asylum seekers can also bring their spouse and children under the age of 21 to the United States. Asylum seekers cannot be granted permanent legal status and cannot apply for a green card until 10 years after being granted asylum.

An asylum seeker can also apply for a green card after one year if their asylum application is denied or if they are granted withholding of removal. Withholding of removal is similar to asylum, but it is granted to those who cannot prove their fear of persecution is based on race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Withholding of removal is also different from asylum in that it does not allow the applicant to live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to their home country.

How Do I Know If I Qualify for Asylum?

You will need to meet the specific criteria for asylum in order to qualify. You must prove that you have a well-founded fear of persecution because of your race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. You must also prove that the government of your home country is unwilling or unable to protect you from this persecution.

 Asylum seekers who fear future persecution must also provide documentation that proves the government of their home country is unwilling or unable to protect them from this persecution. Asylum seekers who fear persecution based on their membership in a particular social group must prove that their fear is reasonable by providing documentation of past incidents of persecution against their group.

You must also be present in the United States to apply for asylum. You cannot apply for asylum if you have been removed from the United States.

What Is the Asylum Process?

The asylum process is complex and it can be difficult to navigate without the help of an experienced immigration attorney. The Asylum Office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review your application and determine whether or not you qualify for asylum. If you are granted asylum, you will be granted a work permit and can live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to your home country.

If your asylum application is denied, you can appeal the decision. You will need to reapply for asylum and provide new evidence to support your claim. If your appeal is denied, you can appeal again.

If you are granted withholding of removal, you will not be granted a work permit. You can live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to your home country.

You can also apply for a green card after one year if your asylum application is denied or if you are granted withholding of removal. Withholding of removal is similar to asylum, but it is granted to those who cannot prove their fear of persecution is based on race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Withholding of removal is also different from asylum in that it does not allow the applicant to live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to their home country.

If you are seeking asylum or refugee status, call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation with our Arizona Asylum & Refugee lawyer.