Applying for Asylum in Huntsville

Asylum is a versatile and powerful form of immigration status that grants protection to people who have experienced persecution or oppression in their home country. It is an ideal path for many different hardworking foreign nationals.

However, not everyone is eligible for Asylum and the application process can be complicated. It requires many steps and is usually best accomplished with the assistance of an experienced attorney. If you need help applying for asylum in Huntsville, do not hesitate to contact our firm.

Documents Associated with Applying

There are multiple important documents that relate to the asylum process, the most crucial of which is the application itself. Specifically called Form I-589, this 12 page petition asks all kinds of questions regarding the an applicant’s biographical information, their family background, where they entered the country, the basis of their asylum request, and stories or evidence that serves as proof.

After submitting this initial asylum petition, the only thing left to do before hearing back about an interview is filing passport photos, ID, and a couple other small items. However, once an applicant does reach the interview stage, they need to overcome numerous paperwork requirements for their case to move forward. Examples of required documents during this phase include but are not limited to research about the situation in the relevant country, police reports, and affidavits.

Figuring out how to compile this evidence and submit paperwork correctly can be incredibly overwhelming for an unrepresented plaintiff, but a knowledgeable attorney in Huntsville could help someone account for all the documents associated with this stage of the asylum application process.

Submitting Documents and Appearing at the Right Asylum Court

After gathering evidence, it is important for asylum applicants to remember that they need to file all their documents in a timely manner. Generally speaking, if a foreign national receives a hearing date, they must submit any remaining paperwork at least 30 days prior to this appointment. The same regulations apply for anyone attending a USCIS interview. The only exception to these rules would be if something happened in the 30 days before an appointment that would impact a potential immigrant’s case.

When it comes to figuring out which court to arrive at, an applicant’s destination depends on whether they were requesting “defense” or “affirmative” asylum. Defense asylum applications, which apply to people who are subject to removal, are filed with an immigration court. Meanwhile, affirmative asylum applications, which are intended for people who are not facing deportation, are filed by mail with USCIS.

A resourceful lawyer in Huntsville could determine which agency an asylum applicant needs to file with and help a foreign national adhere to the established time limit.

Potential Challenges with Applying for Asylum

While it is technically possible for someone to apply for this protection on their own, the chances of a successful petition become much more substantial when working with a dedicated legal representative.

For instance, many of the questions on the application need to be answered in a very precise way. This can prove challenging for anyone who does not have much experience with English. If a foreign national answers a question incorrectly or leaves a form blank, their case might be entirely derailed. A lawyer could help avoid these problems.

Meanwhile, it is also crucial that asylum applicants file their requests within one year of arriving in the United States. This might seem like a long time, but a proactive attorney in Huntsville could still work hard to make sure that someone applying for asylum does not encounter any complications during this allotted period.

Retain an Attorney for Help with Applying for Asylum in Huntsville

If you think asylum would be the right immigration protection for your unique circumstances, it is important to understand what the petitioning process looks like. Most applications are subject to their own unique hurdles and attempting to submit your request without help might impact the strength of your case. Thankfully, a legal team member could assist with all aspects of applying for Asylum in Huntsville. Contact the office today to schedule your initial consultation.