1. Asylum in the United States
Who, What, Why, and How

2. Intro Who has been outside the United States?
Where did you go?
Were there any necessary tasks before your trip?
Why did you leave the country?
Why do people come to the United States?

3. How do people come to the U.S.
Illegally
Legally
Born Here
Visas
Work visas: Day laborers or highly skilled
Fiancé
Students
Refugees/Asylee

4. How do people Stay in the U.S.?
Come with lawful permanent resident status (green card)
Come with temporary status and switch to different status
Claim asylum
Marry a US citizen
Switch from student to work visa

5. What is asylum?
You are granted the right to stay in the United States because you were persecuted in your home country or have fear of persecution if they return to their home country.

6. Persecution “Persecuted” or “well founded fear of persecution”
“Well founded fear”-a reasonable person in the asylee’s position would fear persecution (1/10 chance of persecution is enough)
What is persecution?
To pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment
To oppress or harass with ill-treatment
Intimidation, violence, threat of violence, torture, etc.

7. Who can persecute?
Persecution must be from the government or people the government is unwilling or able to control
Generally from organized groups
Gangs, local organizations, etc

8. What grounds must an Asylum claim be founded on?
Race/Ethnicity
Ethnic cleansing in Darfur, Bosnia, etc
Kurds in Iraq and Syria
Religion
Christians in some Muslim countries
National origin
Political opinion
Speaking out against gov’t, thought to hold certain views even if unfounded, lack of free speech and thought
Membership in particular social groups
Family, sexual orientation, anything you could be identified with but have no control over

9. Asylum Process
Get to the US (legally or illegally) and ask for asylum paperwork
Interview with asylum officer
They have to believe your claim. “Discretionary relief”
If you are believed, you see an immigration law judge
If granted asylum, you receive lawful permanent resident status (green card)
Benefits of green card: right to work in the US and receive benefits like Medicare and Social Security