The political asylum process in the US

Among humanitarian programs available to the most vulnerable immigrant communities in the US, there is the option to request political asylum. This immigration program allows certain eligible immigrants to apply for international protection on grounds of persecution due to their race, religion, political opinion, nationality, inter alia.

It is worth mentioning that the main difference between the political asylum and refugee system is that asylum seekers can request international assistance within the US, while refugees must apply outside the US, but eligibility requirements are quite similar.

This country has always been the destination for thousands of migrants seeking new opportunities, who flee from precarious situations such as persecution, violence, war and famine, and who yearn to be able to request political asylum in North American territory.

However, due to the number of asylum seekers arriving at the US borders or entering the country without legal documentation, this program has always been quite controversial among members of Congress, immigrant rights advocates, and the American population.

Therefore, the political asylum process has been reshaped by several administrations depending on their ideals and goals. For instance, the Donald Trump administration (2017-2021) substantially restricted possibilities for asylum seekers and implemented rules that increased eligibility requirements, leaving thousands of migrants in limbo, even amid the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Follow the advice of experts when submitting your immigration application. Contact Motion Law Immigration today and schedule a Free Consultation with one of our experienced attorneys!

Senator plans to reintroduce proposal that would hinder the political asylum process

Even though the current administration of the US, headed by President Joe Biden, has a welcoming stance on immigration, members of Congress and the local population still have the right to have different opinions and to present immigration proposals.

For instance, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham recently stated that he plans to reintroduce an immigration bill to restructure the US’ political asylum system and limit possibilities for migrants to apply for international protection at the borders or within the country.

Graham’s proposal, which was also introduced in 2019, would:

• Not allow migrants to apply for political asylum at the US borders or within the country. In fact, Graham states, “We want you to apply for asylum in your home country. If you’re a child and you show up at our border, we’re going to send you to your home country. You can apply for asylum there, we’ll give you a court date here. You can show up for your court date. But you won’t be released within the United States.”
• Increase “credible fear” standards, which would reduce the number of scenarios eligible to apply for political asylum in the US.
• Open the position for 500 immigration judges, who should focus on reducing the current backlog of immigration cases, especially asylum applications.

Graham states that this immigration bill is essential to protect the borders and control the surge of illegal crossings that has taken place in recent weeks.

Seek reliable help when starting your immigration process!

Before making the dangerous journey of coming to the US without legal documentation, it is important for you to seek reliable help and follow the advice of experts on immigration issues. Adding to that, if you are already within the country and need help with an immigration process, it is also better to follow expert guide.

We understand that starting an immigration process requires constant dedication and expert help. Our team is highly qualified to guide you through your immigration journey in the US, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.