Political Asylum

The political Asylum lawyers at the Rivas Immigration Law Firm in Orlando are ready to help Asylum seekers get work authorizations, Green Cards, permanent residency, and complete their path to U.S. citizenship. As someone who came to the United States to establish himself as a successful attorney and entrepreneur, the firm’s founder, Jose Rivas, has a unique understanding of your situation and American immigration laws. For help in determining if you qualify to petition for Asylum, call 407-644-2466 to speak with a Central Florida Immigration Attorney.

First Step: Do I Qualify for Asylum?

According to immigration law, a non-citizen who is in the United States – or seeking entry into the U.S. at a port of entry – has the right to petition for Asylum. It’s a form of protection that the U.S. government provides to people from other countries if there is a “significant possibility that you can establish in a hearing before an Immigration Judge that you have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of persecution on account of your race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion if returned to your country.” In other words, Asylum is granted to people who are being singled out and oppressed for political or religious beliefs or actively discriminated against for their race or social position. It is not available to those who leave their country for economic reasons.

There are other conditions as well, so Asylum seekers may find it helpful to consult an Immigration Attorney.

To qualify for Asylum, you must establish that you are a refugee who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality, because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 

If you are already in the United States, you will follow the Affirmative Asylum Process. You are allowed to apply for Asylum regardless of your current immigration status or how you entered the country. Unless you can demonstrate a good reason for the delay, Asylum seekers must apply within one year of their latest entry into the U.S.

How do I apply for Asylum?

Information is available at your local U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services office. Of course, you must file the proper forms on time and follow established procedures. That’s why it’s important to work with a qualified political Asylum lawyer. You will need to undergo security and background checks, which involve fingerprinting. The office will send you a notice to appear for an interview. The interview should last about an hour, and you need be prepared. The Asylum office will notify you of its decision in as little as two weeks. You may need to bring an interpreter. You are allowed to bring your Immigration Lawyer to your hearing. 

Asylum can be complicated. Asylum seekers can call 407-644-2466 to talk with an Orlando Immigration Attorney at the Rivas Law Firm.