Applying for Asylum in Maryland
Asylum provides a way for immigrants to remain in the United States if they have been persecuted in the past or would be persecuted in their own country on account of at least one of the protected grounds. Asylum comes with numerous benefits and can be the first step towards lawful permanent resident status and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
However, for some, the application process can be difficult and complex. Immigrants interested in applying for asylum in Maryland should consider retaining legal counsel for help. An experienced immigration attorney can help prepare and file a strong application.
Why Hire an Immigration Attorney?
There is no requirement that someone hire an attorney to prepare or submit an asylum application in Maryland. However, the application is not as simple as one may think. Statistics show that people who submitted an asylum application on their own were more often referred to an immigration judge than those who hired an attorney.
In order to prevail in an asylum application, applicants must apply the legal standard and demonstrate either past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of the applicant’s race, religion, ethnicity/nationality, political opinion, and/or membership in a particular social group. This can be difficult without an immigration attorney, especially if the claim for asylum has multiple components. For example, the persecutor may have mixed motives about why they wish to harm the applicant. It can be advantageous to have an attorney prepare the asylum application to ensure it meets the legal standard and contains all the necessary documentation.
If someone is applying for asylum in Maryland defensively, an attorney can submit the application in the immigration court as well as prepare them for the Master Calendar Hearing, the preliminary hearing held to respond to the allegations against the immigrant. After the Master Calendar Hearing, the immigrant would be scheduled for an Individual Merits Hearing, in which the applicant can present their asylum claim before the immigration judge.
Application Deadlines and Restrictions
Asylum applications are subject to a one-year deadline. Anyone who is applying for asylum must submit the application within one year of their last entry into the U.S. or meet an exception to the one-year filing requirement. Additionally, it is worthwhile to note that some people may face issues regarding eligibility for asylum due to past criminal history or immigration violations, or if the government believes that the applicant would be a threat to national security.
Important Considerations Before Applying
All applicants who are seeking asylum have demonstrated that their persecutors motive in seeking to harm them is one of the five available grounds of eligibility for asylum. No one can apply for asylum simply because there are problems occurring in their home country. If they do not demonstrate that at least one of the five grounds for seeking asylum was the motivation for their persecutor, they do not meet the eligibility requirement for asylum.
Anyone seeking asylum should also be aware that they would be asked whether it was possible to internally relocate to another town or city in their country. If it was possible to live safely in another part of their country, it is likely that their asylum application would be denied.
Reach Out to a Maryland Asylum Attorney
If you need assistance applying for asylum in Maryland, you should not hesitate to contact an experienced immigration attorney. The application process can be complex, but you may have a better chance of approval with the advice and guidance from a lawyer. Even if your asylum application is denied, you may have other options for remaining in the United States. Call today to schedule a consultation and discuss your situation.