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Enlist an Experienced Columbus Immigration Attorney
When a government is unwilling or unable to protect people from persecution, U.S. immigration law provides several forms of protection, including asylum. Asylum may be granted to individuals who have been harmed in the past or who fear future persecution by their government or by a group their government cannot or will not control. For people living in Columbus who need safety and legal stability, applying for asylum can be a critical step toward long-term protection in the United States.
Brown Immigration Law represents individuals throughout Central Ohio in asylum cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the immigration courts. Our Columbus asylum attorneys help applicants understand the legal standards, prepare strong filings, and present their claims clearly in interviews or hearings.
What Is Asylum?
Asylum is a form of protection for individuals who have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of future persecution in their home country. Being granted asylum allows you to live and work legally in the United States and may eventually lead to permanent resident status.
Who Is Eligible for Asylum?
To qualify for asylum in the United States, an applicant must show that returning to their home country would expose them to persecution carried out by the government or by a group the government is unable or unwilling to control. The harm must be connected to one of five protected grounds:
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Political opinion
- Membership in a particular social group
An applicant may qualify by showing:
- Past persecution on account of one of these protected grounds, or
- A well-founded fear of future persecution, meaning there is a reasonable possibility the harm will occur if they return.
Applicants must also be physically present in the United States and file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within one year of arrival unless an exception applies.
Bars to Eligibility
Even if a person fears persecution, asylum may not be available if they:
- Have certain criminal convictions
- Participated in the persecution of others
- Present national security concerns
- Previously filed a frivolous asylum application
- Firmly resettled in another country before arriving in the United States
In these situations, other forms of protection — including withholding of removal or relief under the Convention Against Torture — may still be possible.
Work Authorization for Asylum Applicants
Asylum applicants may be eligible to apply for work authorization while their case is pending. To qualify, an applicant must:
- File a complete Form I-589 asylum application, and
- Wait the required period before applying for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
USCIS regulations control when an applicant may submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Once the waiting period has passed, applicants may request work authorization and renew it while their asylum case remains pending.
A Columbus immigration attorney from Brown Immigration Law can help determine when you become eligible for work authorization and ensure that filings are complete and consistent with your asylum application.
Asylum in Removal Proceedings
Some people request asylum for the first time after they are placed into removal proceedings. In these cases, asylum becomes a defense against removal rather than a standard affirmative filing. Applicants still use Form I-589, but the case is presented before an immigration judge instead of USCIS.
Defensive asylum cases require detailed testimony, country condition evidence, and a clear legal argument connecting the harm to one of the five protected grounds. A Columbus asylum attorney can help prepare the record, organize supporting documents, and explain what to expect at each stage of the court process.
Applicants who cannot receive asylum because of a statutory bar or filing issue may still qualify for withholding of removal or protection under the Convention Against Torture, depending on the facts of the case.
Path to Permanent Residence After Asylum
Individuals who are granted asylum may apply for lawful permanent residence after one year of physical presence in the United States. This process uses Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
To qualify for permanent residence after asylum, an applicant must:
- Maintain asylee status for at least one year
- Be physically present in the United States for that period
- Continue to meet the definition of a refugee
- Remain admissible under U.S. immigration law or qualify for any required waivers
Asylees may also request permanent residence for qualifying family members who were included in the original asylum application or who later received derivative asylee status. A Columbus asylum attorney can help evaluate eligibility, prepare the necessary filings, and ensure timelines are properly met.
Why Work With Brown Immigration Law for Asylum Cases in Columbus
Asylum cases require careful preparation, detailed evidence, and a clear understanding of how the law applies to the facts of your situation. Brown Immigration Law has represented individuals seeking protection in the United States for decades, including applicants with complex histories, difficult country conditions, and cases presented both before USCIS and the immigration courts.
Our Columbus asylum attorneys help clients:
- Understand the legal standards, including how persecution is defined and what must be shown to meet the burden of proof.
- Prepare complete filings, with Form I-589 and supporting evidence organized the way adjudicators expect to see it.
- Document past harm or future risk, using personal statements, affidavits, and country condition materials.
- Get ready for interviews and hearings, so applicants know how to present their experiences clearly and respond to the officer or judge’s questions.
- Traverse court proceedings, including deadlines, testimony preparation, and related applications for relief.
- Plan for long-term stability, including work authorization eligibility and the later path to permanent residence.
Our role is to provide structure, clarity, and steady support at every stage, whether your case begins with USCIS or is part of removal proceedings in immigration court.
Contact a Columbus Asylum Lawyer
If you are considering an asylum application or need help with a case already in progress, you can begin by submitting the secure form on this page. A Columbus asylum lawyer from our team will review your information and explain the next steps based on your situation, timeline, and the requirements of USCIS or the immigration court.
Include any notices, documents, or questions you have. Once we receive your submission, we will follow up with clear guidance tailored to your case.
