Houston Asylum Lawyer

Helping Clients Seeking Asylum in the United States

Refugees and asylees across the world look to the United States for safety and peace amid a life of uncertainty and persecution. However, obtaining asylum and refugee status is not easy. Individuals and families seeking asylum in the U.S. must undergo a rigorous application to prove they are part of a particular social group that is being persecuted in their home country. An immigration judge may hear some cases, which can add to the stress of the situation.

If you and your loved ones are starting the asylum application process, or if you were denied and need legal services to help get asylum status, please reach out to our law firm right away. We have helped countless individuals with various immigration services, including the asylum application. We understand how critical it is to get your application approved and through the process quickly so you can find peace and security for your family.

If you have any questions about immigration law, please contact Attorney Aaron G. Christensen right away. Unlike other law firms, we take the time to meet face-to-face with our clients and develop a plan of action that meets their unique needs. From your first visit, you will feel the difference at our caring, compassionate law firm. Call 346-423-2375 to schedule your free consultation with our legal team.

Who Qualifies for Asylum Under U.S. Immigration Law?

United States immigration law allows individuals living in fear of persecution in their country to apply for asylum and live legally in the U.S. However, the application process can be complicated and requires proving you have a well-grounded fear of persecution. To be eligible for asylum, the persecution must be based on race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. You must also prove that the government in your home country cannot or will not protect you from persecution.

Some other criteria for obtaining asylum include:

• Having a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country
• Applying for asylum within one year of arriving in the United States
• Not having a previously rejected applicating for asylum status (although some people may appeal in certain circumstances)
• Attending and passing an interview with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

Please note that asylum differs from refugee status. A person may apply for asylum if they are currently in the United States. If you are in a foreign country, you must seek refugee status. Please call a trusted Houston asylum attorney for help understanding your rights and starting the application process.

How Is Persecution Defined?

Some people wonder if they qualify for asylum. Some brief guidelines can help you determine whether your particular social group is the victim of persecution.

Some examples of persecution according to United States immigration law include:

• Genocide
• Physical torture
• Mental abuse of a social group
• Sterilization and genital mutilation
• Sexual assault
• Imprisonment without due process or unlawful imprisonment
• Denial of food, housing, or employment
• Threatening to harm

If you have been harmed or are living under fear of harm because of your race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or social group, you may be eligible for asylum or refugee status. Your spouse and children may also be eligible for asylum if they fulfill eligibility requirements. Our lawyers can help stop your removal proceedings and get you the protection you deserve from political persecution. Call right away to learn more.

How Can Obtaining Asylum Status Help Me?

Individuals who have their asylum application approved may live and work legally in the United States for one year. After that time, they may be eligible to apply for a green card, also known as lawful permanent residence. Approval may depend on maintaining eligibility by showing good moral character. Getting a green card can open the door for even more opportunities, including the ability to sponsor a spouse and children to come into the country.

Some other benefits of being granted asylum in the U.S. include:

• A social security card
• Employment assistance
• Eligibility for medical assistance
• Refugee travel documents

Please remember that certain circumstances could cause you to lose your asylum status. For example, if you travel to your home country, USCIS may believe that you no longer fear persecution and may remove your immigration status. If conditions in your country change or if you get protection from other countries, this could also lead to the removal of your status.

What Are the Steps in the Asylum Process?

Applying for asylum can bring many benefits, but the process can seem complicated and confusing. This is why it’s essential to seek counsel from an experienced Houston asylum lawyer who will stand by your side throughout the whole process. Immigrants seeking asylum should consider hiring an attorney to assist with submitting forms so the process goes quicker and smoother.

Some of the basic steps when you apply for asylum in the U.S. are:

• Ensuring asylum is the proper path for you (you must already reside in the United States, or you will need to seek refugee status)
• Filing Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal
• Including your spouse and children as dependents on your form to ensure your whole family is granted asylum
• Submitting to fingerprint, photo, and signature requirements
• Attending an interview to determine whether your asylum is warranted
• Filing Form I-94 if you wish to remain in the United States and be approved for employment authorization
• Avoiding actions that could put your asylum status at risk, including traveling to your home country

For help staying in the United States to avoid persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion, please reach out to an asylum lawyer like Attorney Christensen right away.

Should You Hire Our Houston Asylum Lawyer?

Choosing an immigration attorney can be overwhelming, given the many options available in the Houston area. You need a law firm with a great deal of experience that can help you and your family find peace on American soil. Our legal team is standing by to offer you hope and comfort at this difficult time. We promise to use our knowledge, integrity, and experience to get the best results possible as you seek asylum in the U.S.

Whether you need affirmative asylum because you are applying from abroad, or if you already live in the U.S. and are applying for defensive asylum, we can help. We will listen carefully to your concerns and answer your questions in terms you can understand.

Please don’t feel that you and your family must go through this challenging time alone. Call Aaron G. Christensen, Attorney at Law, PLLC for a firm that will stand by your side and fight for your family. You can reach us by calling 346-423-2375 to schedule your free consultation. For a small fee, we will handle your consultation by phone. However, we waive the phone fee for those who live out of state.