Phoenix Asylum & Refugee Lawyer
Immigration Protection for Asylum Seekers in Arizona
Many people who come to the United States do so seeking protection from persecution. In many cases, they will be granted asylum, which is a type of protection available to immigrants who are fleeing their home countries because they fear being persecuted on the basis of their race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. An asylum seeker will be granted asylum status, which allows them to remain in the United States.
If you are an immigrant who is seeking asylum or refugee status in the United States, you will need the help of an experienced attorney who can guide you through the process. The team at MayesTelles PLLC can provide you with the legal counsel you need to obtain the protection you deserve.
If you are seeking asylum or refugee status, call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation with our Arizona Asylum & Refugee lawyer.
What Is Asylum?
The United States grants asylum to those who are fleeing their home country because they fear being persecuted. Asylum is different from refugee status in that refugees are fleeing their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution. The United States offers refugee status to those who are seeking protection from persecution.
The difference between asylum and refugee status is that an asylum seeker will be granted asylum status, which allows them to remain in the United States. A refugee is granted refugee status, which allows them to stay in the United States temporarily until their home country is safe to return to.
An asylum seeker will be granted protection from deportation and can live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to their home country. Asylum seekers can also bring their spouse and children under the age of 21 to the United States. Asylum seekers cannot be granted permanent legal status and cannot apply for a green card until 10 years after being granted asylum.
An asylum seeker can also apply for a green card after one year if their asylum application is denied or if they are granted withholding of removal. Withholding of removal is similar to asylum, but it is granted to those who cannot prove their fear of persecution is based on race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Withholding of removal is also different from asylum in that it does not allow the applicant to live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to their home country.
How Do I Know If I Qualify for Asylum?
You will need to meet the specific criteria for asylum in order to qualify. You must prove that you have a well-founded fear of persecution because of your race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. You must also prove that the government of your home country is unwilling or unable to protect you from this persecution.
Asylum seekers who fear future persecution must also provide documentation that proves the government of their home country is unwilling or unable to protect them from this persecution. Asylum seekers who fear persecution based on their membership in a particular social group must prove that their fear is reasonable by providing documentation of past incidents of persecution against their group.
You must also be present in the United States to apply for asylum. You cannot apply for asylum if you have been removed from the United States.
What Is the Asylum Process?
The asylum process is complex and it can be difficult to navigate without the help of an experienced immigration attorney. The Asylum Office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will review your application and determine whether or not you qualify for asylum. If you are granted asylum, you will be granted a work permit and can live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to your home country.
If your asylum application is denied, you can appeal the decision. You will need to reapply for asylum and provide new evidence to support your claim. If your appeal is denied, you can appeal again.
If you are granted withholding of removal, you will not be granted a work permit. You can live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to your home country.
You can also apply for a green card after one year if your asylum application is denied or if you are granted withholding of removal. Withholding of removal is similar to asylum, but it is granted to those who cannot prove their fear of persecution is based on race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group. Withholding of removal is also different from asylum in that it does not allow the applicant to live and work in the United States without fear of being sent back to their home country.
If you are seeking asylum or refugee status, call (602) 428-7104 or contact us online to set up a free initial consultation with our Arizona Asylum & Refugee lawyer.
We've Won Thousands of Cases
-
Charges Reduced to Reckless Driving
Client R.C. was stopped by Mesa Police for a civil traffic violation and later charged with DUI, Extreme DUI, and Super Extreme DUI in a justice court. During the course of their representation, MayesTelles attorneys discovered important inconsistencies in the police reports. When we presented these issues to the State, the prosecutor’s office agreed to drop all DUI charges.
-
Fatal Commercial Vehicle Accident
MayesTelles Client A.F. and her husband tragically lost their unborn child as a result of the negligence of an individual operating a commercial vehicle in Yuma, Arizona. After substantial investigation including accident reconstruction and filing a lawsuit, the insurance company paid out the policy limits of $1,000,000.00.
-
4 Counts of Aggravated DUI Dismissed
Client M.W. was charged with 4 counts of Aggravated DUI in the Maricopa County Superior Court in July 2016 for allegedly riding a motorized bicycle under the influence. The attorneys at MayesTelles demanded that the State include certain materials in their presentation to the grand jury, resulting in the grand jury refusing to indict and the case being dismissed.
-
Client Charged with DUI
Client, GS, charged with DUI - sentence was reduced to reckless driving.
-
Client Facing Assault Felony
M.L. was charged with 1 count of Aggravated Assault, a class 3 dangerous felony. She plead guilty to Aggravated Assault, a class 6 undesignated felony, with a stipulation to 3 months of initial jail. She received credit for 32 days and the rest of the jail time was deferred. She was placed on 3 years of supervised probation. She has the opportunity to designate the offense a misdemeanor after successfully completing probation. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
-
Client Charged with DUI
Our client, A.R, was charged with 1 count of DUI and 1 count of Failure to Control Speed to Avoid a Collision. During extensive pre-trial investigation, it was discovered that the police made many errors in how they handled the case. We were able to get the client's charges reduced to reckless driving. Location: Glendale City Court
-
Client Charged with Four Felony Counts
Our client, Ms. D., was charged with two counts of forgery - a class 4 Felony as well as theft - a class 2 Felony and also fraudulent schemes and artifices - a class 2 Felony. We were able to get her conviction reduced to a class 6 undesignated felony with the opportunity to reduce further to a misdemeanor. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
-
Client Charged with Trespass & Assault
Our client, T.C., was charged in Maricopa County Superior Court on July 8, 2015 with 1 count of Criminal Trespass, a class 6 felony, and 1 count Assault, a class 2 Misdemeanor. On September 9, 2015, after an 8-day jury trial, our client was found not guilty on both charges. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
-
Client Charged with Shoplifting
Our client, Ms. H., was charged with shoplifting - a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get her conviction set aside. Location: Phoenix Municipal Court
-
Client Faced 5 Felony Sex Offenses
Our client, Mr. C., was charged with five counts of felony sex offenses, including two counts of Sex Conduct with a Minor and three counts of Molestation of a Child. We were able to get the case dismissed upon a successful Motion to Dismiss. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
-
Client Charged with Disorderly Conduct
Our client, K.F., was charged with Disorderly Conduct, a class 1 misdemeanor. We were able to get this client's case dismissed. Location: Tempe Municipal Court
-
Client Facing Multiple Criminal Charges
Our client, L.S., was charged on October 20, 2014 in Mesa for an assault, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage. MayesTelles PLLC was able to get those charges dismissed.
-
Client Facing Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses
Our client, Ms. C., was facing charges of assault / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), disorderly conduct / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor), and criminal damage / domestic violence (class 1 misdemeanor). We were able to get our client's case dismissed. Location: Mesa Municipal Court
-
Charged with Assault & Failure to Appear
Our client, L.S., was charged in Phoenix on December 27, 2014 for assault and failure to appear. After completing diversion, our client's case was dismissed.
-
Multiple Felony Theft Offenses
Our client, Mr. C., was charged with Theft of Means of Transportation (Class 3 Felony) and Trafficking in Stolen Property (Class 3 Felony). Both class 3 felonies have a possible sentencing range of 2 - 8.75 years in prison. We were able to get our client's charge reduced to a Class 1 Misdemeanor with no jail time. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?
-
Nearly 200 Years of Combined Experience
-
Thousands of Cases Successfully Handled
-
Voted Top 100 Trial Lawyers
-
Available to Our Clients 24/7
-
Former Prosecutors & Law Enforcement
-
AV Preeminent Rated Attorneys