Asylum

Asylum is a form of protection which allows an individual to remain in the United States instead of being removed to a country of feared persecution. Please note that there are two paths to obtain asylum in the U.S. 

The affirmative asylum process is for individuals who are not in removal proceedings and the defensive asylum process is for individuals who are in removal proceedings.

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To apply for either affirmative or defensive asylum in the United States, individuals must obtain and complete the required application form I-589 and submit it with the appropriate attachments.

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Every year people come to the United States seeking protection because they have suffered persecution or fear that they will suffer persecution due to:

• Race

• Religion

• Nationality

• Membership in a particular social group

• Political opinion

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You may include your spouse and children who are in the United States on your application at the time you file or at any time until a final decision is made on your case. To include your child on your application, the child must be under 21 and unmarried.

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