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Serving Bucks County, Northeast Philadelphia, and Montgomery County

It remains an unfortunate reality that not all nations possess the level of freedom that the United States does. However, many of those who face oppression in their home country may be able to find refuge in the United States on that account. This country was in no small part founded by people seeking escape from mistreatment in their homeland, often based on religion or political opinion, so it is only natural that the United States would extend this same right to people worldwide.

Asylum is a basis for lawful permanent residency founded on the reasonable fear that the asylum-seeker would be persecuted or face violence in his or her home country based on one or more of these protected grounds:

  • Race,
  • Religion,
  • Nationality,
  • Political Opinion, or
  • Membership in a particular social group.

There are no rigid standards for what constitutes "persecution." Instead, it is used here as an umbrella term meant to encompass a broad range of potential situations. It can include direct actions of a government or can be perpetrated by non-governmental persons or organizations who the government either cannot or will not control.

It may consist of physical, financial, or mental harm caused by them or the threat of such harm. However, if the harm could be prevented by moving to other parts of the country, then the right to asylum no longer applies.

Applications for asylum may be either affirmative. The applicant seeks asylum on his or her own initiative or defensive, where asylum is given as a defense to removal proceedings that are already underway. Additionally, some applicants who do not meet the criteria for asylum but fear that they may be tortured in their home country may instead be able to seek relief under the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

It is critical to have the assistance of a skilled immigration lawyer to prove your case to either the United States Immigration Judge or Asylum Officer with the Department of Homeland Security and to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible. Evidence that the applicant has a reasonable fear of persecution is not always straightforward, and so having an asylum attorney with the knowledge of current events and legal precedents to help demonstrate reasonable fear is an invaluable asset.

Keep in mind that asylum applications are time-sensitive and must generally be filed within one year of entering the United States. Suppose you fail to file your application before the one-year deadline expires. In that case, it may still be possible for you to obtain asylum status if you can demonstrate that either the situation in your home country has changed in a way relevant to your basis for Asylum or that you underwent extraordinary circumstances which prevented the filing of a timely application.

In either case, you must also demonstrate that your application was filed within a reasonable period after the situation or circumstances of your application changed.  

Immigration Lawyer For Asylum

Though the process of an asylum application may seem complex and daunting when you are first faced with it, having a dedicated asylum lawyer walk you through every step of the process can make all the difference. With over 75 years of combined experience, the Immigration Attorneys at Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson, LLC, have what it takes to give you the best chance to file for asylum.

You can be free from fear and begin your new life here in peace. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients, so don't hesitate to call us at (215) 969-3004 or contact us by Email to start your path to lawful permanent residency in the United States today.

Asylum Lawyer

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