Asylum

Asylum Lawyer in St. Cloud, MN

Helping Asylum Seekers Flee Persecution

If you came to the United States because you feared persecution in your home country, you may be eligible to seek asylum. This status is available to victims and refugees who can prove they would be unsafe in their country of origin and, therefore, need to remain in the U.S. Of course, immigrating to the U.S. is a complicated proceedure, so it’s best to get advice from a St. Cloud asylum lawyer before you begin the application process.

At SRR Law Group, we realize how critical it is for you to remain in the U.S. for your safety. We will work hard to give you the best chance of being granted asylum.

If you’re ready to discuss your options with a trusted St. Cloud asylum attorney, call our law firm today to schedule an initial consultation.

What Is Asylum?

Asylum is a type of legal status that allows immigrants to stay in the U.S. if they are unsafe in their home location. However, a person must meet specific strict eligibility requirements to be granted asylum.

For example, they must be able to prove they were persecuted in the past or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their country due to their:

  • Religion
  • Race
  • Social group
  • Political opinion
  • Nationality

If you and your St. Cloud asylum lawyer can prove that you need to escape persecution based on one or more of these factors, you’ll likely meet the definition of a refugee who can seek asylum protections in the United States.

Note that you must already be present in the United States to seek asylum, and you must apply within one year of your arrival unless you meet one of the few exceptions. Based on the details in your application, the federal government will decide if you qualify as a refugee and then determine whether to approve or deny your petition forms. This is in contrast to the refugee program, in which applicants petition for this status from outside of the U.S. and can only be allowed entry to the country once they’re approved as refugees.

It is crucial to get assistance from a St. Cloud asylum lawyer before you apply to ensure your application isn’t delayed. Our experienced immigration attorney can advise you throughout your asylum case, so call our St. Cloud, MN office today.

What Happens If You’re Granted Asylum in the United States?

There are many benefits to look forward to if your asylum petition is approved. First, you won’t have to return to the area you fled since you’ll be legally permitted to stay in the U.S. You’ll be granted work authorization so you can support yourself financially, though you may have access to certain government benefits if you need them. In addition, you can apply for a Social Security card as soon as you’re alerted that you’ve received asylum status.

You can also apply for asylum for certain close family members within two years of being approved. More specifically, you can request asylum for your spouse and your children as long as they’re unmarried and under 21.

Finally, you can apply for a green card one year after being approved for asylum. This means you’ll be a permanent resident who can stay in the U.S. indefinitely, and are even eligible to apply as a U.S. citizen five years after the grant of asylum. If these benefits appeal to you, our team will advocate for the lawful status you have in mind.

How To Apply for Asylum in the U.S.?

If you’re already in the U.S. and need to petition for asylum, your first step should be to contact an experienced lawyer. Our skilled asylum attorneys know what it takes to prove our clients have suffered past persecution, or have reason to believe they’re at risk of future persecution if they must return home.

Note that the court defines persecution as severe mistreatment due to your religion, race, political opinion, national origin, or social group. Mistreatment can be at the hands of your country’s government or a powerful group, and your government cannot protect you from harm.

In many cases, the persecution you face in your home country might involve physical abuse, such as beatings, sexual assault, torture, female genital mutilation (FGM), or forced labor. But it can also be mental or emotional, such as intimidation, unlawful imprisonment, or threats of severe harm to you and your family. Being denied fundamental human rights and needs, such as food and housing, is also considered mistreatment.

Your St. Cloud asylum lawyer can gather evidence to prove that you suffered mistreatment or have a well-founded fear of future persecution if you go home. As you work together to prepare your application by the one-year filing deadline, note that there are two kinds of asylum applications: affirmative and defensive.

Affirmative asylum means you’re not facing removal proceedings against you when you submit a petition for asylum with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will get an interview with an officer to determine if you should get asylum. If your affirmative asylum application is denied, your case will go to court, which might initiate removal proceedings against you. At that point, you can apply for defensive asylum with a judge for a chance to cancel the removal proceedings and ultimately avoid deportation.

Affirmative and defensive asylum applications differ from each other in many ways, so it’s essential to have an experienced asylum lawyer by your side to guide you through your case. At our Minnesota law office, we’ve helped numerous clients avoid persecution in their place of origin by successfully submitting affirmative and defensive applications as needed, so we’re confident we can assist with your case.

Why Should You Call a St. Cloud Asylum Attorney?

To learn more about how to receive asylum in the U.S., you should reach out to our Minnesota law firm for guidance through your case. We understand how much is at stake when it comes to seeking asylum, as persecution protection for you and your family is critical. You can trust our years of experience in the legal field to get the best possible outcome on your case.

If you have questions regarding your immigration matters, we’re eager to provide the answers you need. We want to ensure you know what to expect from both the application process and your life in the U.S. as a legal immigrant, so we’ll provide you with information about obtaining a work permit, green card, benefits, and any other options available to you.

Contact Our Immigration Law Firm Today

If you’re ready to talk through your asylum needs with a knowledgeable lawyer, contact our Minnesota law firm at 507-580-7374 for a consultation.