Asylum

Individuals who are in the United States and fear returning to their native countries as a result of a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group may be eligible for asylum as a “refugee.” Once they are granted political asylum or refugee status, a foreign national may then apply for permanent residence. 

Immigration protections for refugees are the true soul of immigration law. The attorneys at Knight Immigration have had the privilege of representing refugees from Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and East Asia. Every refugee has a unique story that must fit within the statutory framework for asylum, and the art of legal representation in these proceedings is framing the story using personal documents and government and NGO reports, as well as outside documents and evidence supported through precedential case law.

Absent special circumstances, it is imperative that any individual seeking asylum make their claim within one year of arriving in the United States. If you have a fear of returning home, you should seek a knowledgeable immigration attorney to handle and frame your claim. The government asylum process has been increasingly challenged by rising backlogs and shifting priorities. This delay in adjudication – sometimes years in certain jurisdictions – can make the production of relevant evidence more difficult as the claim of fear ages. Your immigration attorney should explain the processing times in your area and what difficulties that may entail as the claim proceeds.