Immigration Lawyer in Louisiana: Understanding Defensive Asylum

Removal proceedings create anxiety and uncertainty for people who have or want to make the United States their home. It is especially scary for people who have a legitimate fear of returning to their home country. For those of you with a well-founded fear of persecution, you may have a defense to your removal proceedings.

At Mayeaux & Associates L.C., our asylum attorneys in Louisiana handle affirmative and defensive asylum cases. To learn more about the asylum process, contact our immigration lawyer based in Baton Rouge and Kenner today at 225-754-4477, and we will schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Understanding the Asylum Process in the United States

The asylum process allows individuals who have fled their home country because they have been persecuted or fear persecution to seek protection in the United States.

An asylee is a refugee in the United States or at a U.S. port of entry when seeking protection. Section 101(a)(42) of the Immigration and Nationality Act defines a refugee as a person with a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country based on their: 

  • Race
  • Religion
  • Nationality
  • Membership in a particular social group
  • Political opinion

There are two pathways to seeking asylum in the United States:

  1. Affirmative asylum, where the applicant is not yet subject to removal proceedings; and 
  2. Defensive asylum, where the applicant applies for asylum as a defense to removal proceedings before an immigration court. 

If you are granted asylum via the defensive asylum process, you can apply for a green card (permanent residency) one year after being granted protection. 

Three Ways to Seek Defensive Asylum

Defensive asylum is available in three different situations: 

  1. Where you have applied for affirmative asylum and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not granted asylum, the USCIS will refer your case to an immigration court for determination. 
  2. Where you are in removal proceedings after being arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for living in the United States without the necessary documentation. 
  3. Where you are in removal proceedings after requesting asylum at a port of entry or crossing the border without the necessary legal documents. In these circumstances, you face expedited removal proceedings. Before you can go to an immigration court, you must have a “credible fear interview” with an asylum officer to determine whether you have a credible fear of persecution. If the officer believes you qualify for asylum, they will refer your request to an immigration court. If the officer rejects your asylum application, you will be deported unless you request a decision review. 

How to File for Defensive Asylum

Asylum cases are all different, so the process may not be quite the same for each case. There are certain aspects of the process, though, that are the same. Here is an overview of the Defensive Asylum process. 

Initial Hearing

The first step in the defensive asylum process is a master calendar, or initial, hearing. If you have a lawyer, the judge will list your matter for merits, or final, hearing. 

If you do not have a lawyer, the court provides you with a list of pro bono (free) lawyers and lists your matter for another interim court date. 

Asylum Application

If you were apprehended at a port of entry or by ICE while living illegally in the United States, you must file a Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. You do not need to file this form if you have been referred to a court by USCIS following an affirmative asylum application. 

You file a Form I-589 with the court that hears your application. You must file it within one year of your arrival in the United States unless you can show that either (1) circumstances have changed affecting your eligibility for asylum; or (2) extraordinary circumstances caused the delay.

The judge may direct you to file the form sooner. It is important to follow any directions the judge gives you on timeframes to ensure your case progresses

Supporting Documents

Before your final hearing, you can submit supporting evidence to the court and update your Form I-589 if any details have changed. 

Evidence that may support your asylum claim includes:

  • Your personal statement
  • Medical records
  • Expert reports
  • Human rights reports
  • Evidence of the persecution you suffered in your home country. 

The judge will give you a deadline to file these documents, typically 15 or 30 days before your final hearing. 

Biometrics Notice

After filing your petition, you need to attend an Application Support Center (ASC) for your fingerprints to be taken by the USCIS. 

Merits Hearing

At the individual, or merits, hearing, the judge hears the evidence and decides your case. Your attorney will question you, allowing you to explain why you fled your country and fear returning. 

The government attorney will also question you. The judge may ask questions throughout the hearing. 

You can call witnesses to support your case, like friends or family who can speak about your experiences or a country expert who can explain the risks of returning to your country. 

The judge may give a decision on the day of your hearing, but it can also be delayed until a later time. 

Contact an Asylum Immigration Lawyer in Louisiana Today 

It is important to speak to an asylum attorney in Louisiana so that you know what to expect and can successfully navigate the defensive asylum process. At Mayeaux & Associates L.C., our immigration lawyers can discuss your case with you. Contact us to schedule a free consultation either by calling us at 225-754-4477 or using the online form.

Mayeaux & Associates L.C. Is Here for You

At Mayeaux & Associates L.C., we focus on the legal challenges every immigrant faces as they build new lives in the United States. We are here to listen to you and help you navigate the legal system.

Contact Us Today

From our offices in Baton Rouge and Kenner, the attorneys at Mayeaux & Associates L.C. are committed to answering your questions about your most important legal matters. We offer Free Consultations (in person or by telephone/video) and will gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.