A country’s government can grant political asylum to people who fear persecution in their home countries for religious, political, or other reasons. The United States has a long tradition of welcoming people seeking asylum, but the process is complicated and lengthy. Getting the help of an experienced immigration attorney can maximize your chances of success.
If the government finds you meet this burden, they will conduct a threshold screening interview (TSI). In this interview, an asylum officer will review your personal statement and other supporting documentation and will ask you questions about your background and persecution history. The interview can take several hours. If you do not understand English or have difficulty communicating in English, it is important to bring an interpreter who is certified by the Department of Justice to provide immigration agency-certified translations.
Then, they will decide whether you have a credible fear of returning to your home country and will determine whether you qualify for asylum, withholding of removal, or protection under the Convention Against Torture. The process can be very complicated, but an experienced lawyer can help you get the best possible result.
Children can be included as derivatives on an asylum application when they are under age 21, if they live with the main applicant and are legally related to them. If they are not, they must file a separate application with USCIS. Filing for asylum legally “freezes” a child’s age, so they will not be required to undergo an individual hearing in immigration court to establish their eligibility for derivative asylee status.
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