An applicant for political asylum in the United States must prove that he/she will be imprisoned, tortured or killed if forced to return to their country of origin, due to their political or religious beliefs, ethnic background, or membership of organizations opposed to official government policies. The applicant must demonstrate hat he or she fled from the home country either to escape actual persecution, or because of a well founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group o political opinion.
Persecution must generally be inflicted by the established government unless the government refuses or is unable to offer protection against persecution instigated by other groups, such as persecution by guerrilla or extra-judicial forces.
The application must be filed with the USCIS within one year after the applicant arrives in the United States, unless it can be shown that there are changed circumstances that affect eligibility for asylum or extraordinary circumstances that prevented the filing of the application within the one year period. For example, if the applicant discovers that human rights conditions have worsened in the country of origin, or that he or she was too ill to file the application on time.
The application is initiated by filing a completed Form I-589 with the USCIS. Supporting evidence must be submitted to show the general conditions in the home country and the specific facts relied upon to support the claim for asylum, such as newspaper/magazine articles, affidavits of witnesses and experts, medical records, organization membership cards, photographs, etc.
A determination on the validity of the application will be made after the applicant attends an interview conducted by the USCIS Asylum office. If the interviewer does not grant asylum, the case will be referred to the Immigration Court for adjudication.
Proceedings because of criminal offenses, even for minor offenses committed many years ago. These crimes are classified as "aggravated felonies" and "crimes of moral turpitude". Examples of crimes which render the accused removable from the US include firearms offenses, dug trafficking, murder,
Manslaughter, robbery, crimes of domestic violence, aggravated assault, marriage fraud, rape and sexual crimes, multiple criminal convictions, prostitution, false claim US citizenship, failed asylum applications, and many more. The list is endless, even a minor misdemeanor shoplifting offense can be grounds for removal.
Upon arrest, conviction and imprisonment for the crime, the case is brought to the attention of the USCIS authorities, and the person is detained pending removal proceedings, which occur after serving the sentence for the crime.
A removal/deportation hearing is held before an immigration judge. However, this does not necessarily mean that a deportation will be ordered when no serious crime has been committed. A permanent resident can apply for "Cancellation of Removal” or “Adjustment of Status” reliefs. A removable alien who is the spouse, parent or child of a US citizen may apply for this relief.
Therefore, in view of the harsh immigration laws presently in force, it is vital that you are represented by competent, experienced and knowlegeable immigration counsel when attending a removal/deportation hearing in immigration court. This firm will provide you with thie expert representation.