Helping You Stay Safe through Asylum in Staten Island

Asylum is defined as legal protection afforded by the United States government to a person who can demonstrate a “well-founded fear of persecution” based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Asylum applicants are different from refugees because of their presence in the country. They are seeking protection from deportation after having entered the United States, legally or illegally. The opportunity to apply for asylum is offered to both refugees outside the United States and people who have entered the country illegally. Those who can demonstrate a credible fear of returning to their home country due to past persecution based on any of the five protected grounds may receive status in the United States.

Applicants have one year from their time of arrival in the United States to file for asylum. Failure to adhere to this deadline may negate the petition. Exceptions to this rule may include a shift in the country of origin’s political climate and extraordinary circumstances beyond the applicant’s control. Similarly, “extraordinary circumstances” such as a mental defect, serious illness, or ineffective assistance of counsel could have prevented an applicant from filing within one year of arriving. The applicant is therefore not barred from filing after the deadline. The Tsiring Law Firm, P.C. has all the resources and expertise to help you successfully petition for asylum. Contact us today at (718)737-7628 to learn more about how we can help you start building a life here in the United States. We look forward to helping you stay safe and secure within our borders.