Everyone has the right to seek asylum from persecution, and to have his or her case heard in another country. The right of asylum, however, is not a carte blanche: people who seek protection should demonstrate both that they have suffered persecution on account of one or more protected grounds and that they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries.
People who seek asylum may be any age, gender or socio-economic status, though most are fleeing regions of the world suffering from conflict, disaster and weak rule of law. They can be people of any religion or nationality, and are often the victims of torture, persecution or murder. They are often ill, homeless or injured. They may be accompanied by children, spouses and parents. Regardless of where they come from, most are incredibly courageous.
To be granted asylum, people must submit Form I-589 to USCIS. They must attach a full personal statement detailing their persecution, as well as detailed evidence that one or more of the protected grounds (e.g., race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, political opinion) are at play in their persecution.
Asylum seekers must also demonstrate that their persecution is “well-founded.” The current asylum system has extensive backlogs, and recent policy changes have created confusion and fostered instability, further lengthening those backlogs. Congress can help reduce the backlogs by funding and resourcing USCIS and the immigration court system. Additionally, lawmakers should devise new legal immigration pathways, outside the asylum process, for people who need protection.