4 Things to Know When Applying for Asylum

 Posted on August 15,2024 in Immigration

People who come to the United States seeking protection from persecution in their home countries may be able to apply for asylum. Asylum is a legal process that, if followed correctly, can lead to citizenship. There are two types of asylum:

• Affirmative asylum: This means actively seeking asylum when you are in the United States.
• Defensive asylum: This is when you seek asylum because you are in the process of being deported.

To help you better understand the process, this article will discuss four things to consider when seeking asylum in the United States. The best way to protect your rights is to hire an experienced Florida asylum attorney who can guide you through the process.

You Will Be Asked About Your Family On the Application

When you go through the application process for asylum, you will be asked for a lot of information. For example, you will need to disclose where you currently live and you will be asked to provide your fingerprints.

In addition, you will be asked to provide information about any family members who are currently in the United States and where they live. While immigration officials are not known to target families of asylees, it is important to have an attorney on your side who can protect against that risk.

Beware of Filing a Frivolous Asylum Application

A major mistake to avoid is misrepresenting facts on your asylum application and testimony. If you try to mislead immigration officials your application may be seen as "frivolous," which can block you from obtaining US citizenship for life. Keep in mind that an innocent mistake is not likely to affect your application in this way. Rather, your application may be considered frivolous if you make up an important material fact about your case.

A Referral Is Not a Denial

Once you submit your application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asylum office, officials will either approve, deny, or refer your case. If they refer your case, it means they are sending it to immigration court for further proceedings. This does not mean you were denied, but it means the asylum office was not convinced that you should be granted asylum. If you are referred to immigration court, it can give you a chance to retain a skilled immigration attorney to build a strong case.

Stick to Deadlines

It is important to keep to deadlines during the asylum process. When you apply for affirmative asylum, you have one year from when you entered the United States to submit the application. If you miss this deadline, your application will be denied unless you can prove that you were prevented from submitting it on time due to extraordinary circumstances.

Contact an Orlando, FL Asylum Attorney

A critical part of your asylum application process is hiring an Orange County, FL asylum lawyer. At Vasquez Law Firm, PLLC, we are highly experienced in asylum proceedings and we will guide you through every part of the process. Schedule a free consultation with one of our excellent attorneys by calling 407-955-5000 today. Hablamos Español.