Baltimore Asylum Attorney

Thanks to United States immigration law and the U.S. being a part of the 1967 protocol, we are legally obligated to protect individuals who qualify as refugees and those seeking asylum. 

The Refugee Act allows qualified individuals to choose between two paths to obtain refugee status. You can get refugee status in the U.S. as an asylum seeker or from abroad as a resettled refugee.

Our experienced immigration attorneys at Griffith Immigration Law can help you understand both paths and how to choose the ideal approach.

The Asylum Application Process

You can apply for asylum in the United States through the affirmative and defensive process.

Affirmative Process

The affirmative process is for individuals not in any removal (deportation) proceedings. You can apply for asylum via the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This process allows you to file if you are present in the U.S. within one year of your arrival here. The process is done by filing I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal. 

Defensive Asylum

The defensive asylum process is for individuals who are in removal proceedings. You can apply for asylum through the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Our firm can walk you through the process to give you the best chance of a positive result. 

Timeline for Asylum Applications

You must apply for asylum within one year of your most recent arrival in the United States. Asylees can use either the affirmative or defensive process to apply for asylum. Both procedures can be strenuous and lengthy, so we recommend that you work with one of our competent immigration lawyers. Missing the one-year deadline may cause the government to deny an asylum application.

What Are the Benefits of Asylum? 

As an individual granted asylum in the United States, also known as an asylee, you receive protection from your home country. You'll be authorized to work in the U.S. and may be eligible for a Social Security Card application.

You may petition the government to bring your family to the U.S. or request permission to travel abroad. You may also be eligible for government programs like Refugee Medical Assistance or Medicaid.

You can also apply for a legal permanent resident status and a green card after one year. Once you get your green card, you'll have to wait up to four years before applying for citizenship.

Asylee vs. Refugee: Understanding the Difference

While "asylee" and "refugee" are often used interchangeably, a crucial distinction differentiates the two.

An asylee is an individual who seeks asylum while already present in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry. They must prove their eligibility for asylum based on the criteria above.

On the other hand, a refugee is someone outside their home country who is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution. They apply for refugee status through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and undergo a separate vetting process before resettling in a safe country like the United States.

At our law firm, we handle both asylum cases and refugee resettlement matters, ensuring that we provide comprehensive legal support to those needing protection.