Asylum

Well-Qualified Immigration Lawyers in Annnapolis, Maryland Who Know Asylum Law

Each year, thousands of people come to the United States seeking asylum from ethnic, political, racial or religious persecution. At the Law Offices of Marc D. Schifanelli, in Maryland, we take pride in helping asylees start a better life in the U.S. With compassion and attention to detail, we assist with filing affirmative asylum petitions with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Asylum Offices.  Asylum is not automatic, and the burden is on the prospective asylee - the person filing the asylum application - to prove that he or she is meets the criteria for approval.  We help prepare the applicant's asylum case by presenting well researched attorney briefs that discuss the law and the applicant's history of persecution.  These asylum briefs are considered by the USCIS asylum officers that review the asylum applicants petition. 

It may seem beyond doubt to a victim of persecution that he or she should be granted asylee status in the U.S., but proving that the USCIS asylum office is another matter and often requires an experienced attorney's assistance.  "Statistics show that persons with attorney representation during the asylum process are six more times likely to be successful with their case."

People who are already in, or who will be entering, the United States may apply for asylum. To be successful, the pending asylee must be able to demonstrate past persecution or a well founded fear of persecution should they be returned to their home country or the country where they last resided. Also, they must meet the preliminary requirements under United States asylum law.

Asylees Referred to the U.S. Immigration Courts  

Often the USCIS Asylum Offices will refrain from approving or denying an individual's asylum application. Instead, Asylum Office will the refer the case to the Immigration Court for Deportation and Removal  proceedings, and for the Immigration Judge to make a determination.  The asylee will then have an opportunity to renew his or her asylum application with the Immigration Judge. These can be complicated cases, with testimony, expert and lay witnesses, and documentary evidence.  The immigration court rules must be strictly adhered to in most cases.     

Appealing a Denial of an Asylum Petition

In most cases, you must apply for asylum within one year of your last arrival in the United States. If you have been rejected because you failed to meet the one-year cut-off date, the skilled immigration attorneys at the Law Offices of Marc D. Schifanelli may still be able to take action, helping you get a grant of asylum, or in some cases withholding of removal. The United States asylum law states that if there are changed circumstances in your home country, for example, that significantly affect your eligibility for asylum, or if there were extraordinary circumstances that kept you from applying within one year, you may be able to successfully carry your asylum case.

Attorney Marc Schifanelli spent 22 years in the United States military. Living and working in many countries of the world, he has developed a deep understanding of the harsh circumstances that may cause someone to leave their home country and seek asylum here. At the Law Offices of Marc D. Schifanelli, we are sympathetic to your situation. We have represented clients from places like Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Iraq, Pakistan, and South and Central America.  Contact the Law Offices of Marc D. Schifanelli

Do you have questions about asylum law? Contact the Law Offices of Marc D. Schifanelli by calling (866) 451-2176 in Annapolis to schedule an initial consultation. These consultations are confidential. We speak Spanish, French, German, Serbo-Croatian, Hindi and Guarani, in addition to English.