QUALIFY TO REQUEST ASYLUM
To qualify for asylum, you must establish that you are a refugee who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality, or last habitual residence if you have no nationality, because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. This means that you must establish that race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion was or will be at least one central reason for your persecution or why you fear persecution.
If you are granted asylum, you and any eligible spouse or child included in your application can remain and work in the United States and may eventually adjust to lawful permanent resident status. If you are not granted asylum, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may use the information you provide in this application to establish that you are removable from the United States.
The information collected will be used to make a determination on your application. It may also be provided to other government agencies (federal, state, local, and/or foreign) for purposes of investigation or legal action on criminal and/or civil matters and for issues arising from the adjudication of benefits. However, no information indicating that you have applied for asylum will be provided to any government or country from which you claim a fear of persecution.
In your application
You must provide detailed information and answer the questions as completely as possible. If you file your application with missing information, we may return it to you as incomplete. If you need more space, attach additional sheet(s) indicating the question number(s) you are answering.
You are strongly urged to attach additional written statements and documents that support your claim. Your written statements should include events, dates, and details of your experiences that relate to your claim for asylum.
You can amend or supplement your application at the time of your asylum interview with an asylum officer and at your hearing in Immigration Court by providing additional information and explanations about your asylum claim.
Supporting evidence may include but is not limited to newspaper articles, affidavits of witnesses or experts, medical and/or psychological records, doctors’ statements, periodicals, journals, books, photographs, official documents, or personal statements or live testimony from witnesses or experts.