Asylum Attorney in Broward County
Broward County Immigration Attorney
Individuals fleeing their home countries because of fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion may be eligible for asylum in the United States. Refugees must apply for asylum within one year of their arrival in the U.S. It is important to retain legal representation so that you do not miss any of the important steps in this process. There are important new developments relating to employment authorization for asylum applicants. Broward County Immigration Attorney Andrea Montavon-McKillip from Peregrine Law, P.A. can walk you through the complicated process of seeking asylum in the United States of America.
Am I eligible for asylum in the United States?
If you are at risk of persecution in your country of origin, you may qualify for protection and shelter in the United States. The asylum program is designed to give residents of other countries who are at risk of persecution the chance to find safe refuge and freedom in the U.S. The definition of "persecution" is not all-encompassing, however; in order to qualify for asylum, the abuse or threat of abuse you face must come from your country's government or from a powerful group in your country that the nation's government does not or cannot control. In addition, the threat must be based on one or more protected characteristics, such as race, religion, or political opinion.
Examples of persecution include:
- Forced abortion or other involuntary medical treatment
- Torture, physical abuse or harm
- Disparate punishment for a crime or alleged crime
- Gender-based violence and mistreatment
- Sexual orientation-based violence and mistreatment
- Violence or mistreatment based on a mental or physical disability
Because the asylum process can be very complex, it is important to get expert advice from an immigration attorney as soon as possible. There have been recent developments in the process for obtaining employment authorization as an applicant for asylum. Contact Broward Country Immigration Attorney Andrea Montavon-McKillip to guide you through this process.
Haitian Temporary Protected Status
The U.S. government occasionally grants the residents of certain countries "temporary protected status" if they come to the United States because of extreme or dangerous circumstances, such as civil war or a natural disaster. The following countries are currently TPS designated:
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Somalia
- Syria
- Nicaragua
- Honduras
- Haiti
- El Salvador
In addition, several advocacy groups are currently encouraging the U.S. government to extend TPS benefits to nationals of the Phillipines, given the widespread devastation after Typhoon Haiyan. The Phillipine government has formally requested that the U.S. extend such relief to its citizens, but there has been no designation yet from the U.S. government. In the meantime, USCIS has issues a news release [link] setting forth other immigration relief for which Filipino nationals in the United States may be eligible. Stay tuned to the Peregrine Law Blog [link] for TPS updates.
Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security in the U.S., extended TPS for Haiti registrants to July 22, 2014 after the 2010 earthquakes. Qualified TPS recipients who re-registered by January 29, 2013 could obtain an extension of employment authorization from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some extensions were also granted to F-1 non-immigrant students from Haiti. These extensions allow eligible students to qualify for employment authorization and to work while still maintaining their status as students. If you are a refugee from Haiti or another TPS-designated country and you are seeking TPS in the United States, Attorney Montavon-McKillip can help you. Contact Peregrine Law, P.A. to learn more about re-registering for TPS or extended student status with USCIS.
Contact a Board-Certified Immigration Lawyer
If you or someone close to you has come to the United States because of imminent danger in your home country, talk to Attorney Andrea Montavon-McKillip about the process of obtaining asylum or TPS in order to protect your future. Peregrine Law, P.A. is a committed and tenacious law firm known for fierce client advocacy and sophisticated representation. To learn more about retaining the firm, read the firm's consultation policy. You should not hesitate to talk to a lawyer about your situation. Remember, you only have one year from the time you arrive in the country to apply for asylum, and there are also strict deadlines for TPS registration and extension. Call Peregrine Law, P.A. today to learn more about how a board-certified immigration attorney can benefit your case.