If you have been persecuted or fear persecution in your home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, you may be eligible for asylum in the United States.
The 1-year filing deadline: You must apply for asylum within 1 year of your last arrival in the United States. There are limited exceptions for changed circumstances or extraordinary circumstances that prevented timely filing.
Affirmative asylum: If you're not in removal proceedings, you file Form I-589 with USCIS. You'll be interviewed by an asylum officer. If not approved, your case is referred to immigration court.
Defensive asylum: If you're in removal proceedings, you present your asylum claim before an immigration judge as a defense against removal.
Work authorization: You may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 150 days after filing your asylum application, and USCIS should adjudicate it within 30 days after that.
Supporting evidence: Strong asylum cases include country condition reports, personal declarations, medical or psychological evaluations, news articles, and affidavits from witnesses.