People all around the world chose to come to the United States of America for a wide variety of reasons. For some it is for business, for others it is education or to be with other family members. Some, however, chose to leave their home country because they feel that it is no longer a safe environment for them to live in; and they are afraid to ever go back. If this is the case for you, you may have the option of filing for what the government calls asylum or refugee status in the event that your life is truly at risk. While simply being in another country may be an act of safety for you, by applying for one of these options you may be able to receive some form of legal protection because your life is in danger.

First off, it is important to understand the difference between asylum and refugee status. Essentially when coming to the United States, depending on where you are determines which one you apply for. For example, if you are still not inside the U.S. at the time you want to apply, then you would have to apply for a refugee status. Though, if you are here in the country, whether it is with your visa or illegally) you will then be able to apply for asylum with the government. Under the protection of these documents, you are actually able to stay for an indefinite amount of time in the country. This document not only acts as a means of protection for the refugee, but it also acts as a form of legal status to be in the country and work for a fair wage. If you have either document you are given the option to apply for a green card, though it must be done in the first year of your being in the states.

While this process may appear to be a piece of cake initially, it is not. Not every person who applies for asylum or refugee status is given the opportunity to obtain it. because of the many regulations in our country both from safety and immigration standpoints, there are strict requirements that must be met. First, in order to be approved you must be completely unwilling to return to your country because of persecution problems in the past or you have a dear that there will be persecution if you were to again return home. Also, if you believe that your persecution falls under your being certain: nationality, race, religion, political or social affiliation; then you may be approved for asylum.

Persecution means that a country or group is punishing, harming, harassing or otherwise causing some form of affliction to you or your family for falling under any of the above categories of race, affiliations, religion, etc. in the past the government is known to have granted asylum to individuals from a country whose government was firing arms on protesters, torturing and imprisoning political dissidents or people who fall into he undesirable category. In the event that a country is committing genocide against a specific race (a tragic example being in WWII when Hitler was killing the Jews), or in the event that a government was seeking to remove a specific religion from their political process. These, along with many others, may be what will allow the U.S. government to grant this document approval to a citizen fleeing their country.

If you believe that your life is in danger, and as an immigrant you are seeking the safety of the U.S., contact an immigration lawyer in your area today for the legal representation you need during this time! Please use our website to find one near to you!