Asylum exists for one reason: so that people who face persecution do not have to go back to it. If you fear returning to your country because of who you are or what you believe, U.S. law may protect you. Verde Law prepares asylum cases with the depth they deserve, in English or Spanish, for clients in Miami and nationwide.
Who qualifies for asylum
You may qualify if you suffered persecution, or have a well-founded fear of persecution, because of at least one of five protected grounds:
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Political opinion
- Membership in a particular social group
That last category is where many strong cases live and where many weak filings die. Defining the right social group, and proving the government of your country cannot or will not protect you, is legal work, not paperwork.
The one-year deadline
In general, you must apply within one year of your last arrival in the United States. Exceptions exist for changed circumstances and extraordinary circumstances, but they must be argued, not assumed. If you are near or past the one-year mark, talk to us before deciding you have no case.
Affirmative and defensive asylum
There are two tracks. Affirmative asylum is filed with USCIS and decided after an interview with an asylum officer. Defensive asylum is raised in immigration court as a defense to deportation. We handle both, and when an affirmative case is referred to court, we carry it forward without starting over.
Your story is the case
Asylum is won with a credible, consistent, well-documented story. We build yours with a detailed written declaration, corroborating documents, country condition evidence, and, where needed, medical and psychological evaluations. Inconsistencies sink cases; preparation prevents them. We prepare you for your interview or hearing the way we would prepare for trial, because it is one.
Working while you wait
Once your asylum application has been pending long enough, you may qualify to apply for a work permit. We track your clock and file at the earliest moment the rules allow.
Can my family be included?
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 who are in the United States can generally be included in your case. If asylum is granted, certain family members abroad may be able to follow.
What happens if my asylum case is denied?
An affirmative denial typically means referral to immigration court, where the case is heard fresh. A court denial can be appealed. A denial is a setback, not always the end.
Deadlines in asylum law are unforgiving. A free consultation now costs nothing; waiting can cost the case.