Immigrants & Immigration

Asylum is a form of protection given by the US government. Asylum protects people from removal to their home country because they fear persecution. It allows them to stay in the US. People granted asylum have refugee status in the US. They can then become a lawful permanent resident (LPR or green card holder). After becoming an LPR, they have a path to apply for US citizenship. 

Asylum is granted to people who are already in the US and fear returning to their home countries. A person can apply for asylum with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if they do not have a court case in immigration court. A person can apply for asylum with an immigration court if they are in removal proceedings.

Learn more about asylum.