What is asylum?

The UN Refugee Agency defines asylum as a form of protection that allows an individual to remain in the United States instead of being expelled or deported to the country where they fear persecution or harm. Those who flee their countries of origin for various reasons, generally related to the violation of one or more of their fundamental rights and fear persecution, may apply for asylum.

Reasons for requesting asylum

Asylum provides protection and the right to remain in or enter the United States to those who are persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, gender, sexual orientation, or political opinions, among other reasons. To apply for asylum in the U.S., you must be physically present in the U.S. or attempting to enter the U.S. through a port of entry (border or airport).

Restrictions on asylum applications

• If you missed the deadline for filing the Application for Asylum and Extension of Removal (I-589) form within a period of no more than one year from your last entry into the U.S.
• If you were previously denied an asylum application by an Immigration Judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• He committed political crimes outside the United States.
• It is a threat to the country's security.
• He lived for an extended period in another country before arriving in the United States.
• He participated in, incited, or assisted in any way in the persecution of any person.