Refugee and Asylum Applications

A refugee is someone who is unable or unwilling to return to and avail himself or herself of the protection of his or her home country or, if stateless, country of last habitual residence 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.

Asylum is relief for a foreign national to remain in the U.S. under legal status because the foreign national has suffered past persecution in his home country or country of last habitual residence, or because the foreign national has a well founded fear of future persecution in his home country or country of last habitual residence and such persecution is based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.

Eligibility Criteria

If you are a refugee, you must apply for a green card 1 year after you are admitted to the United States as a refugee if you:

You are ineligible for refugee status in the U.S. if you:

If you are an asylee, you may apply for a green card 1 year after being granted asylum if you:

You are ineligible to apply for Asylum under section 208(a)(2) of the INA if you:

For more information about applying for refugee and asylum status, or to determine the best course of action in your individual case, please contact our office to schedule a free consultation.