Naturalization - United States Citizenship

What is Asylum?

Asylum is a form of protection granted to individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.

People coming 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
• can apply for asylum if they are physically present in the United States.
• When Can You Apply for Asylum?
• in general, asylum applications must be filed within one year of the applicant's arrival in the U.S. However, there are exceptions and waivers to this deadline, such as changed circumstances or extraordinary circumstances.

What is Withholding of Removal?

Withholding of removal is another form of protection, but it has a higher burden of proof compared to asylum. An applicant must establish that it is more likely than not that they would face persecution or torture in their home country, they may be eligible for withholding of removal. The purpose of this protection is to prevent the applicant from being removed from the United States and deported to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened.

What are the Filing Fees for Asylum/Withholding of Removal?

There is no fee to apply for asylum/withholding of removal.