Asylum Eligibility in Boston

When refugees must flee their homeland for their safety due to violence, war, and persecution based on qualifying protected grounds, they may be eligible to apply for asylum status. Approval under the statute allows you to live and work within the United States without threat of deportation. 

While you may qualify, the process can often be confusing and frustrating. A compassionate lawyer knowledgeable about Asylum eligibility in Boston could provide legal guidance and help you throughout. Reach out soon to discuss your case with a deportation and asylum attorney and schedule an appointment to review your options. 

What Is Asylum?

Asylum seekers are people who face persecution and human rights violations if they should return to their country of residence. The federal government offers protection to some who face a genuine threat of violence in their home country because of specific protected grounds. If approved, they may legally stay in the U.S. and apply to bring family members to join them. 

Boston asylum seekers must submit an application and other information for review to determine eligibility. This process includes completing Form I-589 and submitting it with supporting documentation for processing at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. After being granted asylum, you are eligible to find employment immediately. 

Federal immigration laws provide refugees seeking protection from persecution based on one or more of the qualifying grounds. Once the government grants them status, they can live and work in the U.S., and after one year, they begin approving a green card if they choose. 

Asylum for Family

Those granted asylum may also wish to bring their family to join them. To stay in the country, they must submit the necessary forms and paperwork to the USCIS within two years of approval. 

Eligibility Requirements

Anyone applying for asylum in Boston will only be eligible for this status if they apply for asylum within the first year of their arrival. The applicant must also have an affidavit to provide information supporting the persecution they face if they return home. Persecution may be due to race, nationality, religion, political affiliation or opinion, or membership in a different persecuted social group. For example, those facing persecution for sexual orientation may also qualify. Similarly, transgender persons may be able to assert a claim based on sex, gender, or membership in the trans social group. 

After filing for asylum status, you will likely receive a date and time to meet with an asylum officer to provide additional information. That includes background specifics and evidence to support your need for approval to stay in the U.S. for safety. A lawyer qualified with these cases could help prepare your paperwork and for any required interviews. 

What if I missed the one-year deadline? If more than one year has gone by since you entered the United States, you may be eligible to apply for asylum based on an exception to the one-year rule. Similarly, if no exception to the one-year rule applies, you may be able to apply for a similar form of protection called “withholding of removal.” For more information, please see our Withholding of Removal resources.

Supporting Documentation

Asylum seekers must submit specific documentation with their application, including: 

• Copy of passport 
• Passport-size photographs 
• Birth Certificate or other form of government-issued identification 
• If they are applying for children under 21 to join them, they must include evidence of a relationship 
• An affidavit providing specifics of the reason they cannot return home and why they fear for their safety 

The application must have all the necessary documents and information to verify your identity, current status, and reasons you face violence if you return home. An attorney could review your case and help determine if you meet the requirements. 

Temporary Benefits to Filing the Asylum Application

There are two important temporary benefits to filing the asylum application: the ability to remain in the United States while the application is pending and the ability to apply for work authorization 150 days after filing the application. The US Asylum Office recognizes the appeal of these temporary benefits and puts strict rules in place to deter abuse of the asylum process.

Schedule to Meet with a Boston Asylum Eligibility Attorney

You could be eligible to obtain asylum status if you cannot return to your home because of a legitimate threat to your safety for reasons meeting the qualifications. Applying promptly to initiate the procedure is crucial so you meet the deadline one year after entering the U.S. Asylum status, which provides many benefits. 

One advantage is eligibility to seek approval as a permanent resident one year after receiving asylum status. Call today to schedule an appointment with an understanding and qualified lawyer to learn more about asylum eligibility in Boston.