Asylum Attorney in Chicago — Political Asylum & Refugee
Asylum provides protection to individuals who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home country on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. At Liberum Law, our asylum attorneys in Chicago represent asylum seekers through both affirmative applications with USCIS and defensive proceedings in immigration court.
To qualify for asylum, you must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on one of the five protected grounds, file your application within one year of your last arrival in the United States (with limited exceptions), and not be subject to any bars to asylum eligibility.
Our asylum practice includes detailed case assessment and eligibility evaluation, I-589 application preparation with supporting evidence, country conditions research and documentation, witness preparation for asylum interviews and hearings, representation before the Asylum Office and immigration court, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) if needed.
Contact our asylum attorneys at Liberum Law for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for asylum in the U.S.?
You must show past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution on account of: race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The persecution must be by the government or a group the government cannot or will not control.
What is the one-year filing deadline?
Asylum must generally be filed within one year of last entry to the U.S. Exceptions exist for: changed circumstances (worsened country conditions, change in personal circumstances) or extraordinary circumstances (serious illness, ineffective assistance of counsel, post-traumatic stress). Late filing without exception bars asylum.
Affirmative vs defensive asylum — what's the difference?
Affirmative: filed with USCIS while in lawful or unlawful status, decided by an Asylum Officer. Defensive: filed in immigration court when in removal proceedings, decided by an Immigration Judge. Same legal standard, very different procedures. We handle both routinely.
Can I work while my asylum case is pending?
You may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 150 days after filing Form I-589, provided no delays are attributable to you. Many asylum applicants wait years for a final decision but can work legally during that time.
What is withholding of removal?
A protection similar to asylum but with a higher burden of proof (more likely than not, vs. well-founded fear for asylum). It bars deportation but does not provide a path to green card or family-based benefits. Often granted to applicants with asylum bars (one-year deadline, criminal issues).
