Ellicott City Asylum Attorneys

For some people, immigrating to the United States is not just an opportunity to start a new life, but to escape real danger in their country of origin. Applying for asylum can provide legal protection for these immigrants; however, the process is not easy, and small mistakes can have serious consequences. For legal help and guidance, be sure to work with an Ellicott City, Maryland asylum attorney.

You do not have to manage your asylum case by yourself. At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we are fluent in English and Spanish, and we can help explain your situation to immigration authorities.

What Kinds of Protection Can You Get Through Asylum?

Asylum is a form of humanitarian protection that allows people who face persecution in their home country to stay in the United States. A person granted asylum, called an asylee, cannot be returned to the country they fled as long as their status remains in place. For many families, this protection offers safety after years of threats or violence.

Asylum also comes with practical benefits. Asylees can work legally, apply for a Social Security card, and request a refugee travel document for trips abroad. One year after receiving asylum and physically staying in the United States, an asylee can apply for a Green Card, which can later provide a path to citizenship.

Family members may share in this protection as well. A spouse and unmarried children under 21 can be included in the original application or petitioned for within two years of the grant.

We Help With Asylum Applications

What Are the Grounds for Asylum in Ellicott City?

The grounds for asylum come from federal law and are the same for applicants in Ellicott City and across the country. An applicant must show past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on at least one of the following protected categories:

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political opinion
• Membership in a particular social group

The protected category must be at least one central reason for the danger. Persecution generally involves serious harm, such as threats to life, physical violence, imprisonment, or torture, while general crime or economic hardship usually is not enough on its own. The harm must come from the government or from a group the government is unable or unwilling to stop, such as a gang, militia, or extremist organization.

Certain people are barred from asylum even if they fear harm. These bars can apply to someone who persecuted others, committed a serious crime, or firmly resettled in another country before coming to the United States.

Asylum Applications in Deportation Cases

Asylum can be requested as a defense when the government seeks to remove someone from the United States. This is known as defensive asylum, and the application goes before an immigration judge rather than USCIS. People can enter this process in several ways, including after being placed in removal proceedings at the border or having an affirmative application referred to the court by an asylum officer.

In court, the applicant testifies about their experiences and answers questions from a government attorney. The judge weighs that testimony alongside the written evidence. If asylum is denied, the applicant may still be able to get protection through the Convention Against Torture, and an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals generally must be filed within 30 days.

Deadlines to Apply for Asylum in Ellicott City, MD

The deadline to apply for asylum is typically one year from the applicant's last arrival in the United States. This rule applies whether the person files with USCIS or in immigration court. Missing the deadline can prevent someone from receiving asylum, even when the underlying claim is strong.

The law recognizes two exceptions. Changed circumstances, such as new political violence in the home country, can allow a late filing. Extraordinary circumstances, such as serious illness, legal disability, or maintaining lawful status until shortly before filing, may also excuse a delay. In either case, the application must be filed within a reasonable time after the circumstances arise. The earlier you get in contact with an attorney, the more time you have to file an asylum application within the deadlines.

Contact Our Ellicott City Asylum Lawyers Today

Seeking asylum often means sharing the hardest moments of your life with an unfamiliar government, and the outcome can determine whether you are able to live without fear. At Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC, we give each asylum case careful attention. Contact our Ellicott City, MD asylum attorneys or call 571-441-2233 to schedule a consultation.