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Seeking Asylum
December 16, 2022
Seeking Asylum
Seeking asylum can be complicated and challenging. If you, or a loved one, is seeking asylum, or wants to seek asylum, here are some frequently asked questions.
What is Asylum?
- Asylum is a form of immigration status that the US Government may grant to someone who has been persecuted or fear he/she will be persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, and/or membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Do you qualify for Asylum?
- To qualify for asylum you have to show you have suffered persecution based on your race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.
How to obtain Asylum?
- 1. The affirmative process (filed with USCIS)
- 2. An Asylum Merits Interview after a positive credible fear determination (both USCIS and Immigration Court - EOIR)
- 3. The defensive process (filed with Immigration Court - EOIR)
When to file for Asylum?
- You must submit your asylum application (I-589) within one year of your entry into the United States.
How to file for Asylum?
- If you are filing your application with USCIS (you have not received a Notice to Appear in immigration court), you mail in your application and supporting documents to the service center that has jurisdiction over your case. You can find the mailing address here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-589
- If you are in removal proceedings, your application and supporting documentation is submitted to the immigration judge who has your case. A copy must also be served (given) to the Office of Chief Counsel of the Department of Homeland Security. http://www.biahelp.com/address-dhs-office-chief-counsel-occ/
When can I apply for a work permit?
- An individual is eligible to submit an application for a work permit based on a pending asylum application after 150-days have elapsed since the date of filing the application. For example, if you submit your asylum application on January 1, 2022, you cannot mail your application to USCIS until after May 31, 2022.
What is the difference between a Master Calendar Hearing and an Individual Merit Hearing?
- Your first court date is called a “Master Calendar Hearing.” At this hearing, the immigration judge will advise you of your legal rights during the proceedings and will ask you if you would like to proceed or ask for additional time to hire an attorney. If you request additional time, the judge will schedule you another Master Calendar Hearing in a couple of months, depending on the court’s calendar.
- A Master Calendar Hearing is a “status hearing.” It is a short preliminary hearing where the immigration judge has the opportunity to speak with you about your legal rights and what applications you may be eligible to submit to the court. The Immigration Judge, government attorney, and yourself (or your attorney) will discuss what is the best way to proceed in your case.
- An individual Merit Hearing is your “trial.” It is your opportunity to present your case to the immigration judge by using evidence and testimony. After the hearing, the judge will make a decision about your case.
Will an interpreter be provided for me in court?
- The Arizona Immigration Courts always have a Spanish interpreter available. If you or a loved one’s native language, or best language, is different from English or Spanish, the Court can schedule an interpreter in your native language to be present the day of your hearing.
Can I apply for residency after I am granted asylum?
- Yes, you can apply for residency (green card) with USCIS a year after you were granted asylum.
What is Withholding of Removal?
- Individuals who are afraid of persecution in their home country but are ineligible for asylum, an alternate path to protection exists called “withholding of removal.” Withholding of removal may only be granted by an immigration judge. A person who is granted withholding of removal is protected from being returned to his or her country, has the right to remain in the United States, and work legally. At the end of the court process, an immigration judge enters a deportation order and then tells the government they cannot execute that order. However, the government is still allowed to deport that person to a different country, if that country agrees to accept them. However, withholding of removal does not offer permanent protection or a path to permanent residence.
Wheeler Law is available to answer any other questions you may have, and/or help you take the next steps to your, or your loved ones, future. Wheeler Law works hard to defend your legal rights and keep families together. Call us now to schedule a consultation: 602-586-5625.
El 31 de marzo de 2025, una corte federal bloqueó el intento del gobierno federal de eliminar el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS) para los venezolanos.
On March 31, 2025, a federal court blocked the federal government's attempt to strip Venezuelans of Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
En términos simples, la ciudadanía por nacimiento es el principio legal que establece que cualquier persona nacida en Estados Unidos obtiene automáticamente la ciudadanía. Este principio está respaldado por la Cláusula de Ciudadanía, que se encuentra en la Decimocuarta Enmienda de la Constitución política de los Estados Unidos.
Simply put, birthright citizenship is the legal principle that if someone is born in the U.S., they automatically are granted citizenship. This legal principle can be found in the Citizenship Clause doctrine, which is found in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Obtener un permiso de trabajo es un paso crucial para muchos inmigrantes que están en busca de un trabajo legal en los Estados Unidos. Es un camino para una oportunidad económica, una estabilidad, y la integración a la comunidad. Sin embargo, el proceso en el cual se otorga el permiso de trabajo viene a su vez con responsabilidades que demandan acogerse a unos estándares éticos. – no solamente para los aplicantes, sino también para los empleadores, profesionales legales y cualquiera involucrado en el proceso.
Obtaining a work permit is a critical step for many immigrants seeking lawful employment in the United States. It’s a pathway to economic opportunity, stability, and integration into the community. However, the work permit process comes with responsibilities that demand adherence to ethical standards—not just from applicants, but also from employers, legal professionals, and anyone involved in the process.
The adjustment of status process is a significant step in the immigration journey, marking the transition from temporary status to lawful permanent residency in the United States. While the process can be challenging, it’s also a profound moment of hope and transformation. For many, navigating this path becomes more manageable—and meaningful—when approached with unity and support from loved ones.
El proceso de ajuste de estatus es un paso importante en el proceso de inmigración, que marca la transición del estatus temporal a la residencia permanente legal en los Estados Unidos. Si bien el proceso puede ser un desafío, también es un momento profundo de esperanza y transformación. Para muchos, transitar este camino se vuelve más manejable y significativo cuando se lo aborda con unidad y apoyo de los seres queridos.
Tienes derechos constitucionales:
You have constitutional rights. They are discussed in this blog.
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.