A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the US Asylum Process

Divya Mehta
2 min readSep 13, 2023

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A thorough procedure for requesting asylum in the US, through which people seeking protection from persecution who are already inside the country or arriving at the US border do so. Migration policy states that over the course of the modern resettlement program’s 43-year history, the US has annually resettled an average of 73,300 refugees. However, the process of obtaining asylum in the United States is difficult and involved, requiring communication with numerous governmental organisations. Those who are granted asylum successfully have access to opportunities for citizenship and permanent residency, which opens the door for them to reunite with their families.

Everything you need to know about the procedure for requesting asylum in the US will be covered in this guide. It explains the requirements for eligibility and gives a step-by-step account of the application process as it delves into the very heart of asylum. This tool gives you the information you need to navigate the asylum process in the US, whether you’re considering taking the journey or just want a thorough understanding.

What is Asylum?

Before we delve into everything you need to know, let’s first define an asylum.

Based on being deemed a “refugee” under international law, asylum offers protection to foreign nationals who are already in the US or who are entering its borders.

A refugee is a person who is unable to return home because of persecution, according to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol of the UN. Based on things like race, religion, nationality, social class, or political beliefs, people are persecuted. The Refugee Act of 1980 added this definition to US immigration law. Even if you meet the requirements for refugees, your application for asylum may still be denied. If necessary, “withholding of removal” could offer protection in such circumstances.

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