Four Things to Do After Being Granted Asylum

WHAT IS ASYLUM?

Asylum is a type of protection that allows an individual to stay in the United States instead of being deported to a country where they fear persecution or harm. If someone fears for their life in their home country, they can apply for asylum. If they are granted asylum, this means they can stay in the United States and will be safe from harm.

WHEN CAN ASYLUM BE GRANTED?

Asylum can be granted in specific situations and is often difficult to obtain. Persecution is when someone harms or threatens to harm you or your family. You might be able to get asylum if this has happened to you before. To get asylum, at least one of the reasons someone harmed or may harm you must be because of your: race, religion, nationality, political opinion (or a political opinion someone thinks you have), or the fact that you are part of a “particular social group.”

FOUR THINGS YOU SHOULD DO AFTER BEING GRANTED ASYLUM

• Seek rightful benefits

If you are an asylee, then you may be able to get benefits like health insurance, help finding a job, English classes, and more. Applying for and getting these benefits will not affect your status as an asylee. You only have a limited time to apply for these benefits after the date you received asylum. There are different agencies that can help you get these benefits. To see these agencies to find the correct one for you, go to the Office of Refugee Resettlement website. 

• Seek additional documentation

You can go to any Social Security Office and get an unrestricted Social Security card once you are granted asylum. You are allowed to work in the United States while you are in asylum status, but you may want to apply for a work permit (called an Employment Authorization Document or EAD). Lastly, you may need a Form I-94 to receive certain benefits. To make an appointment to receive one, call USCIS (800-375-5283), tell them that you have been granted asylum, and ask for an InfoPass appointment.

• Seek asylum status for immediate family

If you want your spouse and children to join you as asylum seekers, then you can request derivative asylum status for them. This must be done before the expiration of two years from the date when you were granted asylum. 

• Seek Legal Permanent Residency

If you have been in the United States for one year after you were given asylum, you can apply for a Legal Permanent Residency status aka, a Green Card. After five years from when your Green Card starts, you can apply to be a U.S. citizen. 

If you have immigration questions, then make sure that you speak to an experienced immigration attorney. Call us today at You Are Home so we can help you!

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