Asylum and Refugee Status
Refugees and asylum seekers are similar but distinct categories of immigrants. Which one you qualify for depends primarily on where you are located when you petition for status. A refugee is someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a social group, or political opinion. A refugee must petition for his or her status from outside the borders of the United States. One year after being admitted to the United States, a refugee may then be eligible to apply for a green card. An asylee (asylum seeker) must meet the definition of a refugee and must also be present in the United States when he or she petitions for status. An asylee may petition for a green card within one year after being granted asylum-seeker status. There are many caveats to the asylum process which bar you from applying for asylum including the fact that you must normally apply within a year of your last entry. There is also volumes of case law that needs to be considered when establishing a nexus to a protected category. Contact Hannaford Immigration today to find out if you are eligible.
Withholding of Removal
Withholding of deportation is similar to asylum. However, it differs in two ways: (1) Aliens applying for withholding of removal are not permitted to apply for permanent residence, and (2) it only prohibits the INS from deporting the alien to one particular country. Our Asylum and Withholding of Removal Services Hannaford Immigration can help you :
- Adjust your status from refugee to permanent legal resident
- Prepare your asylum application and prepare you for your interview
- Adjust your status from asylum seeker to permanent legal resident
- Prepare your application for withholding of removal
