Seeking Asylum in the United States of America

Every year, thousands of people from all over the world come to the United States seeking some sort of protection, or asylum.  These people fear that they may suffer persecution, or may have already suffered persecution, based on their race, religion, nationality, social orientation, or even political opinion.

The Asylum Application Process

Any person seeking asylum in the United States holds the burden to prove that he or she meets the criteria for such a status.  There are two specific ways in which a person may apply for asylum, affirmative process and defensive process.  Both of these processes require that the asylum-seeker be physically present in the United States.  The main difference is that affirmative asylum is for an individual who is seeking asylum and is not in removal proceedings, while defensive asylum is for an individual who is already in removal proceedings.

The Benefits of Asylum

An individual who is granted asylum can be authorized to work in the U.S., could apply for a social security card, and may even be able to petition to bring family over to the United States from their country of origin.  They also may be eligible for certain refugee benefits such as Medicaid or Refugee Medical Assistance.  After one full year, an aslyee may be eligible to apply for a green card.  Once the asylee is granted permanent resident status, he or she may have the opportunity to apply for citizenship after four years.

If you are interested in learning more about asylum, and/or if you need legal counsel to assist you in your asylum application process, please contact an experienced immigration attorney who can assess your situation and provide you with assistance.

John Sesini is an experienced immigration attorney with offices in Green Bay and Milwaukee Wisconsin. If you have any questions regarding these matters, please contact the Sesini Law Group, S.C. and obtain your initial consultation.

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