Asylum

St. Cloud Asylum Lawyer

Helping Asylum Seekers Flee Persecution

If you recently came to the United States because you feared persecution in your home country, you may be eligible to seek asylum. This immigration status is available to refugees who can prove they would be unsafe in their country of origin and, therefore, need to remain in the U.S. Of course, U.S. immigration law is complicated, so it’s best to get legal advice from St. Cloud asylum lawyers before you begin the application process.

At SRR Law Group, we realize how critical it is for you to remain in the U.S. for your safety, so we’ll work hard to give you the best chance of being granted asylum. If you’re ready to discuss your immigration options with a trusted St. Cloud asylum attorney, call our office today to schedule an initial consultation.

What Is Asylum?

Asylum is a type of legal status that allows immigrants to stay in the U.S. after they prove they’d be persecuted if they had to return to the country they came from. However, they must meet specific strict eligibility requirements to be granted asylum.

For example, they must be able to prove they were persecuted in the past or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country due to their:

  • Religion
  • Race
  • Social group
  • Political opinion
  • Nationality

If you and your St. Cloud asylum lawyers can prove that you need to escape persecution based on one or more of these factors, you’ll likely meet the definition of a refugee who can seek asylum in the United States.

Note that you must already be present in this country to seek asylum, and you must apply for asylum within one year of your arrival unless you meet one of the few exceptions. Based on the details in your application, the federal government will decide if you qualify for refugee status and then determine whether to approve or deny your asylum petition. This is in contrast to the refugee program, in which applicants petition for refugee status from outside of the U.S. and can only enter the country once they’re approved as refugees.

It is crucial to get legal assistance from St. Cloud asylum attorneys before you apply to ensure your application isn’t delayed. Our experienced immigration attorney can advise you throughout your asylum case, so call our Minnesota immigration law firm today.

What Happens If You’re Granted Asylum in the United States?

There are many benefits to look forward to if your asylum petition is approved. First, you won’t have to return to the country you fled since you’ll be legally permitted to stay in the U.S. You’ll be granted work authorization so you can support yourself financially, though you may have access to certain government benefits if you need them. In addition, you can apply for a Social Security card as soon as you’re alerted that you’ve received asylum status.

You can also apply for asylum for certain close family members within two years of being approved for asylum. More specifically, you can request asylum for your spouse and your children as long as they’re unmarried and under 21.

Finally, you can apply for a green card one year after being approved for asylum. This means you’ll be a permanent resident who can stay in the U.S. indefinitely and even apply for U.S. citizenship five years after the grant of asylum. If these benefits appeal to you, contact our St. Cloud asylum attorney for assistance seeking the lawful status you have in mind.

How Can You Apply for Asylum in the U.S.?

If you’re already in the U.S. and need to petition for asylum, your first step should be to contact an experienced attorney who will work hard to get you a successful outcome on your application. Skilled attorneys know what it takes to prove their clients have suffered past persecution or have reason to believe they’re at risk of future persecution if they must return home.

Note that the immigration court defines persecution as severe mistreatment due to your religion, race, political opinion, national origin, or social group. Mistreatment can be at the hands of your country’s government or a powerful group, and your government cannot protect you from harm.

In many cases, the persecution you face in your country might involve physical abuse, such as beatings, sexual assault, torture, female genital mutilation (FGM), or forced labor. But it can also be mental or emotional, such as intimidation, unlawful imprisonment, or threats of severe harm to you and your family. Being denied fundamental human rights and needs, such as food and housing, is also considered persecution.

Your St. Cloud attorney can gather evidence to prove that you suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution if you go home. As you work together to prepare your application by the one-year filing deadline, note that there are two kinds of asylum applications: affirmative and defensive.

Affirmative asylum means you’re not facing removal proceedings against you when you submit a petition for asylum with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will get an interview with an officer to determine if you should get asylum. If your affirmative asylum application is denied, your case will go to the immigration court, which might initiate removal proceedings against you. At that point, you can apply for defensive asylum with an immigration judge for a chance to cancel the removal proceedings and ultimately avoid deportation.

Affirmative and defensive asylum applications differ from each other in many ways, so it’s essential to have an experienced asylum attorney by your side to guide you through your case. At our Minnesota immigration law office, we’ve helped numerous clients avoid persecution in their home countries by successfully submitting affirmative and defensive applications as needed, so we’re confident we can assist with your case.

Why Should You Call a St. Cloud Asylum Lawyer?

If you want to know more about how to receive asylum in the U.S., you should reach out to our Minnesota law firm for legal guidance through your case. We understand how much is at stake when it comes to your immigration matter, as protecting yourself and your family from persecution is critical. That’s why you can trust us to use our years of experience in the legal field to get the best possible outcome on your case.

Whether you want to know if affirmative or defensive asylum is right for you or if you have questions about an upcoming filing deadline, we’re eager to provide the answers you need. We want to ensure you know what to expect from both the application process and your life in the U.S. as a legal immigrant, so we’ll provide you with information about obtaining a work permit, green card, government benefits, and any other options available to you. If you’re ready to discuss your immigration needs with a knowledgeable lawyer, call our Minnesota law office at 507-580-7374 for a consultation.