Asylum Protection in Portland

At The Law Offices of Anable & Rivera PC, we are dedicated to helping people to apply for asylum protection. In the United States, we are largely free from fear of persecution and violence from the government. There are countries around the world, however, that suffer from higher levels of violence or civil unrest, as well as persecution by the government or other entities. This means people often fear for their lives and are forced to flee. Every year, the United States grants asylum to foreign nationals who meet the international definition of “refugee.” Many times, these are people who are being persecuted on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a member of a particular group.

An immigration case depends on having a reliable party on your side. Having a seasoned and experienced immigration attorney will only improve your chances of having a successful outcome. We fight for you. Anable and Rivera law firm is ready to stand up for you and your family’s rights to protection or against unlawful deportation threats. 

What to Know About Asylum

The Refugee Act of 1980 introduced the definition of asylum into U.S immigration law. It was, in large part, to the continuing outpour of refugees in the aftermath of the Vietnam War. It was signed by President Jimmy Carter and it raised the ceiling for refugees to 50,000 from 17,400. It also created provisions that allowed for emergency applications. The Act also changed the definition to refer to a person that had a “well-founded fear of persecution.”

Asylum protects a person from being returned to their country of origin. They can also apply for a social security card, work in the United States, and may even request permission to travel overseas, as well as petition people to bring family members to the United States.

Applying for Protection

Applying for asylum will usually involve several steps. The process places the burden of proof on the applicant and having a prepared attorney by your side ensures you have a proper application. You must complete Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. There may also be other stipulations depending on the circumstances. There are essentially two ways to apply for asylum in this country. One is through the affirmative process and defensive process. Anable & Rivera will be your aggressive defenders.  

The affirmative asylum process requires you to be present in the United States and you may apply regardless of how you first arrived in the United States and your current immigration status. There is a one-year statute of limitations on this. If you are granted asylum, you may be granted the right to live and work in the country. 

If you are outside the U.S, you can apply at any port of entry or border crossing. This is known as the defensive asylum process and can be far more complex, especially without legal representation. 

Withholding of removal is similar to asylum, as it allows you to live and work in the United States, but you cannot apply for permanent residency. For a successful application, a person is required to show that persecution is a probability, not just a possibility. This means convincing immigration authorities of the probability of persecution in your home country. So you need someone that knows how to build, establish, and fight for a case. 

Knowing Your Rights

As a refugee or person seeking asylum, you have certain rights in this country. If you arrive at a point of entry and apply for asylum, there are laws in place that protect you from immediate deportation or removal. Refugee law and human rights are intertwined since becoming a refugee means you are seeking protection from persecution or harm. Many times, it is from governments that are unwilling or unable to protect those rights and so other countries offer people the right to seek asylum from those oppressive governments or regimes. For many decades now, the United States has a great history of offering protection to people from oppressive governments.

Qualifications for Asylum

The qualifications for asylum require you to prove that returning to your home country means your life will be in danger. In order to qualify, you must establish that you are a refugee who is unable to return to your country of origin because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. 

Why You Should Work With Us

Anable and Rivera will fight aggressively for your case and your rights to remain in the U.S. We go the extra mile to make sure that you are able to remain in the United States and build a life without the fear of persecution. 

Give Us a Call Today

Need to apply for asylum in the United States? We are qualified Portland immigration attorneys ready to fight for you. Call us today and begin your new life in the United States of America. 

Apply for Asylum in Portland