You are worried about the safety of you and your family if you have to return to your home country after facing persecution. Things may appear bleak, but remember, you have access to legal support. Talk with an asylum lawyer in Silver Spring and, depending on your circumstances, they may help you start the process of applying for asylum.
To the team at Mendoza Law, the fight continues. Our team has more than 100 years of combined experience. We can discuss the options of applying for asylum and guide you through the application process. Plus, we can provide you with insights into current asylum procedures and policies that may affect your case.
Allow an immigration lawyer in Silver Spring from our team to help you with your asylum case. To learn more, request a free case evaluation.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Asylum Case in Silver Spring?
It can be incredibly difficult to get approved for asylum. Your asylum attorney in Silver Spring can help you resolve any challenges that you may encounter when you apply for asylum. Some of the ways that your lawyer may help you with your asylum case include:
- Putting together a legal strategy specific to your situation
- Gathering witness testimonies, country condition reports, and other evidence to support your asylum request
- Preparing you for questioning by government officials
- Advocating for you in matters related to removal proceedings
- Sharing FAQs and other resources, as well as addressing your legal concerns and questions as your case moves forward
Mendoza Law has served over 100,000 clients and earned many positive testimonials. If you are interested in applying for asylum or have had your request for it declined, we are ready to assist you. Contact us today for more information.
How to Apply for Asylum in the United States
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a process in place for those who are not involved in removal proceedings to seek asylum in the United States. Your Silver Spring asylum lawyer can explain what this process entails, ensuring you can submit the required documents in accordance with USCIS guidelines. Below are the steps to apply for asylum:
- Decide on a filing path. If you are not in removal proceedings, you may apply for asylum affirmatively with USCIS. Alternatively, if you’re in removal proceedings, you may apply for defensive asylum with an immigration judge at the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
- Prepare Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. In the form, detail the past persecution that you experienced in your home country due to your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, or the fear of persecution that you may be subjected to if you return.
- Collect evidence. Use a personal written declaration of your story, police reports, and other evidence to strengthen your case.
It can take years for USCIS to decide on an affirmative asylum request or for an immigration judge to decide on a defensive asylum request. Your immigration attorney can follow your asylum request and provide updates on it. In addition, they will remain available to you as you go through the asylum application process.
Why are Asylum Requests Denied?
Having an asylum request denied may make you feel like your world is ending. In this situation, your Silver Spring asylum attorney can get to the root of your denial. Reasons why an asylum request may be denied include:
- You do not have enough evidence to show that there is a direct connection between the harm that you’ve suffered or fear and a protected ground.
- You missed the filing deadline; in many asylum cases, this deadline is one year from the date of your last arrival in the U.S. unless you can prove extraordinary or changed circumstances.
- The U.S. government indicates that you may be able to relocate to another region of your home country to avoid persecution.
If USCIS denies your affirmative asylum request, you may be placed in removal proceedings. At this time, you may present your case in immigration court as a “defensive” application. If an immigration judge denies your defensive asylum request, you may have 30 days from the date of the decision to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Our Asylum Lawyers in Silver Spring Are Committed to Defending the Rights of Immigrants
In some situations, asylum is a viable option for immigrants to stay in the United States. Asylum attorneys in Silver Spring can review your situation. If warranted, they may help you apply for asylum. Or, if your asylum request was denied previously, they may help you determine the next steps to dispute the original decision against you.
At Mendoza Law, we believe that no one should face the immigration process alone. In your asylum case, we strive to provide you with a personalized legal strategy focused on your peace of mind and your future.
Give us the opportunity to help you with your asylum case. To get started, schedule a free case evaluation.