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Ann Arbor Immigration Attorney

Seeking Asylum in the United States


Many people in the United States today believe we have a problem with immigration. They feel that too many people are coming to America and using our resources and taking jobs away from citizens. However, a key factor in immigration that many people overlook is asylum.

Asylum is actually an idea that has been around since ancient times. It is when a person who is persecuted for religious or political beliefs seeks protection from another sovereign country or power. In medieval times, churches often gave asylum to criminals, or anyone else who asked, giving them the chance to confess their sins. In modern times, asylum is a little more complicated.

There are two ways an immigrant can obtain asylum in the United States. The first is to physically be on American soil, and request asylum. This has been a common practice with many illegal immigrants, some doing practically anything they can just to get onto U.S. land. There is no guarantee that an immigrant will be able to obtain asylum, however. They must have a valid claim for asylum to be accepted. If they were to be killed or punished for going back to their country, this would be a valid claim. Because of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, passed in 1996, illegal immigrants now only have one year to apply for asylum, or else be barred from being able to in the future. If you are an illegal immigrant you should speak to your Ann Arbor immigration attorney immediately to discuss your options. If it has been less than a year, your Ann Arbor immigration attorney will help you through the paperwork and process of applying for asylum in the United States.

The second way to gain asylum in the United States is to apply for refugee status at U.S. embassies from within your home country. There are three priority levels for resettlement into the United States. The first is for those in direct and immediate danger, persons who need medical treatment not available in their country, women-at-risk, and other serious concerns. The second priority level is for specific groups designated by the United States, such as those from Burma, Vietnam, the former Soviet Union, Cuba, etc. The third level is reserved for family reunification purposes. Refugees abroad can be brought to the United States if they have a close family member who is already a legal refugee.

The asylum process is not a difficult one, but it has many intricacies that only your Ann Arbor immigration attorney can help you with. If you are an illegal immigrant living in the United States, or if you have family abroad, contact your Ann Arbor immigration attorney: you may be able to receive asylum.