People fleeing violence and persecution have the right to seek asylum. Each year, thousands of people at the U.S. border or within the country undergo a lengthy process to determine whether they qualify for asylum. The IRC helps them navigate their asylum claims and access vital services, including legal aid.
Asylum is a form of international protection granted to people outside their countries who meet the definition of refugee set forth by the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and Congress’s own law, the Refugee Act of 1980. This protection entails the right to stay in the country, to work legally and gain a path to citizenship. It also protects them from being returned to danger (non-refoulement) and ensures that their humane treatment is guaranteed.
People seeking asylum may apply defensively as part of their immigration court cases, or affirmatively. A defensive asylum application is filed with an immigration judge at the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Those who apply affirmatively have their case heard in front of a judge in a U.S. court of appeals.
Families seeking asylum often endure harrowing journeys and complex legal processes to reach the U.S., often without access to quality legal counsel. They often face a range of other challenges including poverty, discrimination, trauma and language barriers. The IRC supports local partners like Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, Mexico who help them navigate the process. Your gift helps us support them and the people they serve.