How to Apply for Asylum

To apply for asylum in the United States, you already must live in the U.S. The government may grant you asylum if you feel that returning to your native land will put you at risk of persecution or incarceration because of you religion, race, nationality, political opinion or membership in certain groups.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• USCIS Form I-589
• Employment Authorization Form

1. Contact an attorney that specializes in immigration and asylum law.
2. Be prepared to wait for 180 days to find out if your application for asylum is approved or denied.
3. File an Application for Asylum, called a USCIS Form I-589. You must file this document within one year of your arrival in the United States.
4. Wait 150 days and apply for an Employment Authorization, called an EAD. You have to be notified of an approval or denial to your asylum application 30 days after filing your EAD
5. Write to the USCIS filed office that is nearest to you to check the status of your asylum application.
6. Call or write to the local Congressman for your area if you are having problems getting answers or if the delays are longer than normal.

Tips & Warnings

• You can file for asylum for your family, including your spouse and your children that are under 21 years old by applying for Derivative Asylum Status. You'll need to submit form Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition, known as a USCIS Form I.
• Filing for asylum is a very complicated and serious matter. Always check to see if any of the laws and requirements have changed.
• If for any reason you have to travel out of the United States during your waiting period, you must file a USCIS Form I-131. This is for Advance Parole, and without this document, the United States will not allow you to come back into the country.

Who Can Help: