What Is Political Asylum?

Asylum is legal protection for people who have suffered past or feared future harm for reasons the law recognizes as protected grounds, such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or a characteristic they cannot change, like their gender or sexual orientation. People who win asylum do not have to return home and can remain in the United States permanently.

The word asylum is derived from the ancient Greek asulon (), meaning “sanctuary.” It is a basic human right and fundamental concept in international law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and its accompanying protocols. People may seek asylum both from outside the United States, if they meet certain standards, and in removal proceedings initiated by USCIS with a Notice to Appear.

A person seeking asylum must submit an application within one year of their most recent arrival in the United States. Many individuals, including those whose applications are denied, miss this deadline due to the traumas they face while in detention or on their journey, as well as systemic barriers, such as lengthy backlogs.

NIJC has a variety of tools to help people understand their options and the process, including workshops and an online eligibility screening tool. We also provide legal services to those who are in removal proceedings or undergoing credible fear interviews. People who have been granted asylum can sponsor their spouses and children to come to the United States with them. NIJC can help them get started with this process by submitting the form I-589 for them.