There are millions of people who immigrate to the US each year in search of citizenship and the opportunity to live a better life. There are many means of immigrating to the US – you can call on family status, investment dealings, employment and schooling. However, there is another reason why people immigrate and that is because they are seeking asylum. Typically those who seek asylum are doing so because they fear what may happen to them in their home countries. Persecution occurs in many countries and can be based on gender, race, nationality or religion.
Meeting the Qualifications
Not just anyone can immigrate to the US under the cover of asylum. There are stringent qualifications that you must meet in order to be considered under this blanket. There are two ways in which you can petition for asylum:
- If you are still residing in your home country, or have recently fled to a neighboring country, you can contact a refugee official at the United Nations.
- If you are coming into the US – by way of airport or at the border – you can petition and make your request with the officials at this time.
It is not enough to be here in the United States, you must also be preparing to file for your green card during this time. Here are the guidelines for filing for asylum after you are already in the US.
- You have only a year to apply for asylum so it is in your best interest to get the paperwork started as soon as possible.
- If you have exceeded the one year time frame, you may still qualify but you should definitely contact a green card attorney to help you understand whether or not you qualify and get the paperwork in process. It is a time sensitive opportunity.
If your request for asylum is not approved, the deportation proceedings usually start immediately – this is especially true in cases where you are in the United States illegally.
Seeking out the Help of a Green Card Attorney
In order to successfully petition for a green card on the basis of seeking asylum, it is advisable that you speak with a qualified green card attorney. They are extremely familiar with the laws that surround asylum and will be able to help you fight your case for petitioning for a green card and thus, US Citizenship.
If your request is denied, your green card or immigration attorney can still be of immense help. If you have been put into deportation proceedings your attorney will be able to help you administer your case and fight it in front of an immigration judge.
The important thing to know about filing for refugee status is that there is no limitations on the amount of people that are able to apply. Give us a call today at San Diego Immigration Law Center and see how we can help you fight for your right to be free from a life of persecution. Give us a call at (619) 827-8777 or visit us online at www.sandiegoimmigrationlawcenter.com.