Bars to Receiving Asylum or Refugee Status

Persecutors of others, threats to U.S. security, people firmly resettled in a third country, and others who are not eligible as asylees or refugees.

Getting a Waiver for Fraud or Other Crimes When Applying for Asylum

Even if you fall into a ground of inadmissibility, a "waiver," or legal forgiveness may allow you to go forward with your asylum application.

How USCIS Spots Fraud in an Asylum Application

Avoid having a finding of a frivolous asylum application on your immigration record.

Lived in Another Country? When Being Firmly Resettled Bars Your Right to Asylum in the U.S.

A person is barred from receiving asylum in the U.S. if an immigration judge or asylum officer finds that he or she was already firmly resettled or has a right to residence in another country.

Applying for Asylum in the U.S. After Trump's New Bar

People who wish to apply for asylum at the southern border after November 9 must, based on Presidential Proclamation, do so only at a port of entry. Anyone else will still be able to apply for certain forms of humanitarian protection, which come under a heightened standard for scrutiny.

Can I Apply for Asylum With a Criminal Record?

Types of criminal convictions or findings that may bar an applicant from receiving asylum.

Can I Apply for Asylum After Sneaking Off Ship Where I Was a Crew Member

So long as your entry into the U.S. was not in your official status as a crewmember, you should be able to apply for asylum.

Can I apply for asylum if a family petition has been filed for me?

A family petition is not a bar to applying for asylum, but make sure the asylum claim truly has merit.

I Waited Too Long to Apply for Asylum in the United States: Can I Apply for Asylum in Canada?

The Safe Third Country Agreement between the U.S. and Canada says that -- with some exceptions -- you can apply for asylum only in the first country you arrived in.

Falsely rumored to be a terrorist in my country; can I get asylum in the U.S.?

Rumored terrorist links present a challenge in an asylum case, which you can overcome only by presenting convincing testimony and evidence.