Millions of people around the world seek to build new lives in a country other than their own. Some move for work, education or family reunion. Others are forced to flee their homeland for fear of persecution or human rights violations. Asylum is a legal concept that allows persecuted people to live in another sovereign state, which offers protection.
The right to asylum has been a fundamental principle of international law since ancient times. It’s the basis for our long tradition of offering refuge to those in need. It also enables us to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention, which establish the definition of who is a refugee and the core obligations that states must respect.
When you apply for asylum, you must pass a threshold screening interview to demonstrate that you have a credible fear of persecution. This process is often lengthy and complex, and backlogs at immigration courts and USCIS offices can cause delays.
If you are granted asylum, you can live in the United States permanently and have a path to citizenship. You can also bring your spouse and children to the country with you, if they are not already here.
With limited exceptions, you are ineligible for political asylum if you are found to pose a threat to national security or have committed a particularly serious crime. However, you can still qualify for asylum if you were persecuted because of your religion, ethnicity, sexuality or political beliefs.
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