Los Angeles Asylum Lawyer

While most foreign nationals seek out life in the United States for financial or business reasons, others do so to avoid imminent danger or oppression. Under international and federal law, the United States offers protection to asylum seekers and refugees if they have experienced persecution or fear persecution in their native country. Staying in the country without fear of removal could make the difference between life and death in such cases, which is why it is crucial to have a qualified legal representative in your corner to navigate the immigration process and get the protection you need.

At the Law Office Of Hari Heerekar, our legal team has years of experience helping clients attain asylum or refugee status, opening the door to living and working in the country and starting a new life away from the turmoil and hostility abroad. When you hire our firm, we will work 1 on 1 with you to understand your unique situation and build a strong and compelling case that will almost assure you a favorable result. Our impressive track record of 800+ solved cases continues to grow, and we’d love to add your case to it by helping you earn asylum.

What is Asylum & How Does One Qualify?

According to U.S. law, asylum is a protection that allows immigrants to lawfully stay in the United States if they have a reasonable fear that returning to their home country will result in persecution. Asylum only applies to those who are already physically in the United States and differs from refugee status, which applies to those who are in a different country and want to travel to and enter the U.S. for protection.

One can qualify for either asylum or refugee status if the persecution stems from under the grounds of: 

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political opinion
• Membership in a particular social group (LGBTQ+, etc.)

Each of these reasons has its own legal definition and requirements that must be proved to the immigration courts to lawfully be granted asylum. Simply telling an immigration judge that you are afraid to return to your home country is not enough.  

Asylum seekers will have to prove that: 

• The harm or fear of harm meets the legal definition of “persecution”
• The persecution occurred or will take place because of the mentioned reasons
• The race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group you are part of meets the definition of the term under federal law 

Because of this, there’s a chance that you may not be able to receive asylum, even if you legitimately fear hostility or harm by returning to your home country.  By contacting our experienced Los Angeles asylum attorney, we can help you properly apply for asylum, handle all the legal aspects of your case with the immigration court, and take all the necessary steps to help you to avoid removal from the country.

Benefits of Applying for Asylum

If you are granted asylum, you are not only protected from deportation and the feared consequences of going back to your country, you essentially get a new lease on life. You will be allowed to live and work almost anywhere in the country, have your children and spouse together with you, and be able to collect certain government benefits, such as Medicaid and social security income.

What may be most valuable to those granted asylum or refugee status is the pathway to citizenship that you can partake in if you have no desire to return back to your country. You can be eligible to apply for a green card one year after approval. These opportunities can set you up for long-term success in the country and should not be taken lightly. At the Law Office Of Hari Heerekar, our immigration team can further explain the ramifications of being granted asylum to you and help you to begin the process. 

How Asylum Attorney Heerekar Can Help If your Asylum Application Is Denied

Denial of your asylum application does not have to be the end for you. Attorney Heerekar is familiar with the law and can provide you with other options which can keep you from being deported.

A few of the alternative options we can pursue include:

• Withholding of Removal: Similar to asylum with some differences, withholding of removal can grant you the ability to live and work in the U.S. without the eligibility of applying for a green card. 
• Convention Against Torture (CAT): This rare form of relief is an international human rights treaty designed to protect foreign nations who fear possible torture if they return back to their country of origin. 

Both of these forms are severely limited compared to asylum and are difficult to get. If granted, you will be allowed to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation until the government decides that the circumstances in your home country are no longer dangerous. While these options are available to you, our priority as your legal representative is to ensure you receive asylum and we will pursue all avenues of the law to reach that goal.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) is available to minors who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. SIJS helps these children to obtain lawful, permanent residence in the United States. 

This immigration status is critical for helping children who have experienced trauma in their home countries and need protection. With SIJS, children can gain the safety and stability they deserve and flourish in a new home.

To be eligible for SIJS, you must be:

• Unmarried
• Under 21 years of age
• Unable to reunite with your parents due to the abuse, neglect, or abandonment

Applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status

To apply for SIJS, you need a state court order that declares your dependency on an adult. Then, you must file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This organization can adjust your status, making you a lawful, permanent resident. 

Navigating the legal complexities of filing for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status can be a daunting task. Many who come to the States are unfamiliar with the legal system, making filing even more difficult. 

This is where the Law Office of Hari Heerekar can help you. Our team can offer you legal guidance, representing you throughout the process. We understand the challenges of filing for SIJS, and we are committed to giving you our best legal services. Our attorney is knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. Whether you need help with filing, or you need someone to represent you in court, our team is here to assist you. 

Helping Asylum Seekers in Van Nuys, Santa Ana, & Nationwide

If your home country is no longer safe for you and your loved ones, you shouldn’t be forced to go back. By having Asylum attorney Heerekar on your side, we will fight tooth and nail to prevent your removal and hopefully put you on a pathway to obtain legal status. Don’t delay, reach out to our compassionate and aggressive team of advocates to discuss your unique situation and gain key insight into whether you qualify for asylum. The sooner you get in touch with us, the sooner we can develop a strategy that will put you in the best position to receive approval.