Elkhart County Immigration Attorneys

Elkhart County Immigration Attorneys

For the millions of people that want to immigrate to the United States every year, there are many options available. The most common ways to immigrate to the country are through family-based visas and employment visas. There are numerous different types of visas for each of these categories and they allow people to reunite with loved ones, or help individuals find employment that they are unable to in their own country. 

Although these are sometimes very appropriate ways to enter the country, there are two other ways that are just as essential but do not always garner the same type of attention. These types of immigration are for individuals seeking asylum status, and those seeking refugee status. Unfortunately, restrictions for individuals seeking these types of immigration are very strict. An Elkhart County immigration attorney can help individuals with these applications so they secure the protection they need.

Eligibility for Securing Asylum Status

Individuals that are granted asylum status are legally allowed to enter and remain in the United States. Individuals that wish to obtain this status must meet certain eligibility requirements. Individuals must:

• Have a fear of prosecution, or have already been prosecuted in their home country based on their political opinion, race, religion, nationality, or participation with certain groups or organizations,
• Apply for asylum status within one year of arriving in the United States,
• Not have assisted, ordered, or participated in the persecution of another individual based on their race, religion, participation with certain groups, nationality, or political opinion
• Not have committed a serious crime,
• Not pose a threat to the security of the United States

As long as immigrants meet these eligibility requirements, they can apply for asylum status, even if they are facing deportation.

Eligibility for Securing Refugee Status

Like asylum seekers, refugees are also individuals that have faced or are in fear of facing prosecution in their home country due to their race, political opinion, nationality, religion, or participation in certain organizations. To be eligible for refugee status, individuals must:

• Have been outside of the country at the time they applied for refugee status,
• Not have primarily financial motivations for entering the United States, and
• Be considered admissible to the country under the law

In addition to these requirements for refugees, there are also three different priority categories for refugees. Priority 1 applicants are individuals that have been referred to the United States by organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or the United States embassy. Priority 2 individuals are those that are of special humanitarian concern, and Priority 3 individuals are individuals that have relatives legally living in the United States.

Our Illinois Immigration Attorneys can Help with Your Application

If you need to apply for immigration or refugee status, it is important that you speak to an Elkhart County immigration attorney. At Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, we understand the eligibility requirements and can help you determine the best way to obtain legal immigration status in the United States. Call us today or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys and to learn more about how we can help.