People often come to the United States from violent and ware torn countries.  US Asylum law offers legal protection to those individuals in the United States who meet certain requirements. With an attorney’s assistance, these individuals must prove that they have been persecuted or have a well-founded fear of future persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

Applicants may seek asylum if they are already in the United States or if they are seeking entry into the United States at a port of entry. If granted asylum, asylees will be permitted to remain in the United States indefinitely and will usually be eligible to apply to adjust your status to that of a lawful permanent resident.  Those granted asylum can also petition or sponsor their spouses and children if they were not included in the original application or in the US at the time of filing.

Attorney’s with our office have helped develop asylum law in the Ninth Circuit through successful litigation of cases from the Philippines involving armed groups the Philippine government has been unable to control and from China involving family planning and religious persecution.