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Asylum

Asylum Attorney

Helping Immigrants Seek Asylum in the United States

Asylum is a legal status that offers special legal protections to individuals who fear returning to their home country due to past persecution or have a well-founded fear or persecution due to race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a specific social group. If granted asylum, you will be allowed remain in the U.S. You are also able to apply for a green card within one year of being approved for asylum.

Asylum can provide a crucial form of protection. However, not everyone qualifies. To be eligible for asylum in the U.S., you must:

  • Submit an application for asylum within one year of your arrival to the U.S.
  • Prove that you have suffered past persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution by the government of your home country or an entity that the government can or will not control.
  • Prove that the persecution you would face in your home country is based on your religion, race, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

In some circumstances, you may apply for asylum even if you have been present in the U.S. for more than one year. This is possible if you can prove that extraordinary circumstances prevented you from submitting the application within one year of entering the U.S. or if you can show conditions in your home country have materially changed since you entered the U.S., or if your own personal circumstances have changed such that the threat you will face if you are forced to return to your home country is materially affected. However, even if you meet one of these exceptions, you still must still file within a “reasonable period of time.

How to Obtain Asylum?

There are two main ways to obtain asylum status in the U.S: 1) Affirmative asylum, or through 2) Defensive asylum:

Affirmative Asylum Application
  • A person can apply for asylum through an affirmative application directly to USCIS without being placed in removal proceedings.
  • This requires submitting an application to USCIS and then attending in an interview at your local USCIS Asylum office.
Defensive Asylum Application
  • If you have been placed in removal proceedings and you are defending against deportation from the U.S. In this case the application submitted directly to an immigration court. Once your asylum application is accepted by the immigration court, the immigration judge will set time for an individual hearing where you will defend your claim for asylum.

The process for seeking asylum is serious, complex and complicated. If you are considering filing for asylum you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can explain the process and help you make an informed decision on how to proceed.

You can schedule a free consultation at any one of our locations in Maryland, Washington, D.C., or Virginia today at (855) 954-4141.

Client testimonials

What our clients have to say about our experienced immigration attorney
  • I highly recommend this firm

    “I highly recommend this firm. They had my best interest in mind and made me feel comfortable with the entire process. Sometimes when you have to get a lawyer involved, the process is very ...”

    - Celina
  • They are very professional people.

    “I am very grateful to the lawyers at Portner & Shure and their assistants, they are very professional people. Thanks to them, we were able to obtain the Green Card even though it was a very difficult ...”

    - Former Client
  • They are excellent professionals.

    “I want to thank God and the lawyer Pablo and his assistants for the good work they did with my case even though it was very difficult but thanks to God and them we were able to obtain our Green Card. ...”

    - Former Client
  • My experience with Brandy at Portner & Shure, P.A. was amazing

    “My experience with Brandy at Portner & Shure, P.A. was amazing. She was professional at all times, updated me whenever there was a change in my case and she checked on me to make sure I was okay. ...”

    - SaQuyn
  • Infinitely grateful for the work of this great team.

    “Infinitely grateful for the work of this great team, today thanks to their hard work I have the satisfaction of receiving my permanent residence, highlighting the constant concern of the team of ...”

    - Former Client
  • They are magnificent

    “They are magnificent. I personally felt that I worked with people who understood my needs and who treated me with respect and professionalism. Plus, I obtained compensation for injuries. Thanks!”

    - Scarlett
  • I recommend this law firm to anyone.

    “Hello, I am Jorge Luis Rivero, of Cuban nationality. I am very grateful to lawyer Pablo Pérez, who helped me quickly with my immigration case, and everything went well. His treatment and that of his ...”

    - J.R.
  • Mr. Pablo and his team were very friendly and knowledgeable

    “Mr. Pablo and his team were very friendly and knowledgeable in the area of immigration legal support. I am proud to be a naturalized citizen soon and without their support it would not have been possi ...”

    - Jamie
  • Excellent at What They Do, Very Kind and Efficient

    “Excellent at what they do and everyone is very kind and efficient, especially Miss Giselle and lawyer Pablo, I couldn't choose a better firm, thank you very much!!!”

    - Nicole
  • Very Satisfied with Portner & SHURE, P.A.'s Work

    “I am very satisfied with the work of Portner & SHURE, P.A. They managed to resolve my case sooner than I expected. I recommend their service. They will give you very good results in a short time. And ...”

    - Carlos
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