Towson Asylum Attorneys

When conditions in an immigrant's home country become hostile or seriously unsafe for them to remain, seeking shelter in another country may be the only way to survive. Applying for asylum within the US is complicated, and an improperly filed petition can lead to deportation. To protect your rights, be sure to contact a Towson, MD asylum lawyer today.

At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we represent immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. Our attorneys have represented many clients over the years, and we are fluent in both English and Spanish. You can rely on us to help you understand your options while we work to protect your rights.

What Are the Requirements to Seek Asylum Within the United States?

Asylum protects people who cannot safely return to their home country because of persecution. To qualify, an applicant must show past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on at least one of five grounds: race, religious beliefs, national origin, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The harm must come from the government or from a group the government cannot or will not control, such as a gang, militia, or violent family member.

Some people are barred from asylum even when their fear is genuine. Applicants who took part in persecuting others, committed certain serious crimes, pose a danger to national security, or settled safely in another country before arriving here may not qualify. A person who is barred may still be eligible for other forms of protection, such as withholding of removal.

Deadline to File an Asylum Claim After Arriving in the United States

The deadline to file an asylum claim in the United States is generally one year from the date of a person's last arrival. This rule catches many applicants off guard, especially those who spent their first months here finding housing, work, and stability. Missing the deadline can end an asylum claim before a judge or officer ever hears the facts.

Two exceptions can allow a late filing. Changed circumstances, such as a new government taking power in the home country or the applicant converting to a different religion, may justify a later application. Extraordinary circumstances, such as a serious illness, can also excuse a delay. In either case, the applicant must still file within a reasonable time after the circumstances arise.

What Are the Stages of an Asylum Application?

The asylum process looks different depending on whether a person applies affirmatively or defensively. An affirmative application is filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services by someone who is not in removal proceedings. After filing Form I-589, the applicant attends a biometrics appointment for fingerprints and background checks, followed by an interview with an asylum officer.

If the officer does not grant asylum and the applicant has no other legal status, the case is usually referred to immigration court. There, the asylum claim becomes a defense against removal, and an immigration judge decides the case after a full hearing. People who are already in removal proceedings file defensively with the court from the start. Preparing testimony and evidence early gives applicants the best chance to present a clear, consistent case at every stage.

Applying for Refugee Status

Refugee status offers the same basic protection as asylum, but the application happens outside the United States. Most applicants receive a referral from the United Nations refugee agency, a U.S. embassy, or an approved humanitarian organization. They then go through interviews with U.S. officials abroad, along with medical exams and security screenings, before they can travel here.

The number of refugees admitted each year is set by the president, and that ceiling can change sharply from one year to the next. People already granted asylum or refugee status may be able to bring a spouse and unmarried children under 21 through a separate petition, which generally must be filed within two years of approval.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asylum in Towson, MD

Contact Our Towson Asylum Lawyers Today

Asking for asylum often means reliving the worst moments of a person's life in front of strangers. At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we prepare each client for that process with patience and care, building a case that tells their story clearly. Call 571-441-2233 or contact our Towson, MD asylum attorneys to schedule a consultation.