DC LGBTQ Asylum Lawyer
A member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community who has suffered past persecution or has a well-founded fear of future persecution may be able to seek asylum and demonstrate that they belong to a group that is composed of members who share a common characteristic (sexual orientation or identity), a group that is defined with particularity, and a group that is socially distinct.
If you require assistance for obtaining asylum, it is recommended to get in touch with an experienced immigration attorney. DC LGBTQ asylum lawyer may be able to review the details of your situation and help you avoid making costly mistakes during the application process.
Qualifying for Asylum in DC
Immigrants who apply for asylum are those who are present in the United States and have a fear of returning to their country of origin because they have suffered past persecution, or have a well-founded fear of future persecution, and that persecution is due to their race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or being a member of a particular social group.
In addition, immigrants also have to show that they cannot internally relocate within their country of origin, cannot legally relocate to another country, and that the country of origin is not willing or able to protect that asylum applicant.
Demonstrating Fear of Persecution
With the help of a DC LGBTQ asylum lawyer, an applicant should be able to demonstrate that they have a well-founded fear of persecution if they have been persecuted in the past. This can be shown by providing a detailed statement as to that persecution, as well as statements from any witnesses or third parties who know about the persecution that the asylum applicant has experienced. An asylum applicant could also provide police reports, hospital records, proof of country conditions, newspaper articles, and any kind of evidence that would go towards proving that asylum applicant’s claim of persecution is credible.
If an applicant has not suffered past persecution and their claim is exclusively on their fear of future persecution, the applicant would have to submit evidence as to why they have a reasonable fear that based upon current country conditions and their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, they would likely be targeted for harm.
Documentation Required by the USCIS
As previously stated, some of the documents that USCIS would consider when making their determination as to the harm, suffered is the applicant’s personal statement, which details the persecution that they have suffered, or that they fear, any statements from third parties who know about the harm or well-founded fear, any police reports, hospital records, any articles, country conditions, and anything that can be used to show that this person has a legitimate claim to asylum.
Obtaining Refugee Status under Political Opinion Category
One can establish asylum eligibility based upon political opinion if one supports or is a member of a political party or possess a particular political belief and that support/membership/belief is at least one central reason for the harm suffered or the well-founded fear of future harm.
Additionally, it may also be the case that the applicant may apply for asylum protection under political opinion if their political affiliation or beliefs are imputed. This means that the persecutor assumes that the applicant is a supporter/member of a party or holds a certain belief when the asylum applicant may not necessarily be a supporter/member or hold those particular beliefs. It only matters that the persecutor believes that the asylum applicant is a supporter/member or holds those beliefs.
Contact a DC LGBTQ Asylum Attorney Today
Filing for refugee status without the help of an attorney is never a good idea without the help of a DC LGBTQ asylum lawyer. Considering the number of qualifications you may have to meet, it is wise to retain the services of a trusted immigration attorney in order to minimize the possibilities for making mistakes. If you require assistance with obtaining asylum, be sure to schedule a consultation today.