What is Political Asylum?
USCIS grants aliens political asylum in the United States based upon a well-founded fear of persecution in ones home country due to ones race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. The fact that one is suffering economically is not considered a reason for asylum. A person must request political asylum within one year of arriving in the United States, unless exceptional circumstances can be shown. The asylum officer or Immigration Judge will determine if the applicant’s subjective fear of returning to his or her home country is supported by objective evidence and whether the applicant is credible. If political asylum is granted, the applicant is allowed to remain in the United States and eventually obtain permanent residence.
