If you or a loved one has been persecuted or threatened with violence in your home country, then asylum might be the best way for you to seek shelter and protection within the United States. If you’re successful in seeking asylum, then you might also end up eligible for lawful permanent resident status, which can put you in a position to eventually become a U.S. citizen.
However, the asylum process, like the entire United States’ immigration code, is complicated and riddled with legal challenges. So, before you move forward with your immigration case, you should make sure you understand the process and what you can do to maximize your chances of securing the protection you need.
Mistakes to avoid during the asylum process
Far too many asylum seekers make avoidable mistakes that put them at risk of being denied the status they want. Here are some of the biggest mistakes that you’ll want to be sure to avoid when you apply for asylum:
- Providing an unclear story: To obtain asylum, you have to meet certain federal requirements, including the definition of a refugee. This means demonstrating that you’ve been persecuted based on your race, religion, political views, nationality, or status in a social group. When you apply for asylum, you need to tell a story that paints a clear picture of the persecution that you’ve faced and the danger you’ll experience if you’re returned to your home country.
- Lacking supporting documentation: Although you hope that the government takes you at your word, you shouldn’t count on it. Instead, you should gather as much evidence as possible to back up your request, which might include affidavits from family members and friends, police reports, statistics, news stories, and medical records. There’s no such thing as having too much evidence.
- Delaying too long: You might be tempted to wait to seek asylum status, but there are clear deadlines that have to be met. If you wait too long to apply, then you might find yourself in a position where you’re scrambling to get your application together. This can lead to an incomplete or otherwise lacking application that puts you at risk of denial.
- Providing false or misleading information: When you apply for asylum, you have to be honest. If you stretch the truth or lie, the government will probably find out, which will result in your claim being denied. Additionally, you could get in trouble for lying to the government.
- Completing the wrong forms: To properly apply for asylum, you have to fill out the right documentation. If you don’t, then your claim will be delayed or denied. So, make sure you understand what needs to be completed and where those forms need to be sent.
As you can see, there are a lot of mistakes that can be made during the asylum process. You need to make sure that you know how to avoid them so that you can protect your interests and your safety.
Develop the best strategy to address your asylum issues
Given the complexities of America’s immigration laws, you might find yourself struggling to navigate the asylum process on your own. That’s okay. There are a lot of resources and help out there if you need it. Just be sure that you’re surrounding yourself with the support and guidance necessary to build a properly thorough claim so that you’re positioning yourself for success as much as possible.