Political Asylum may be granted when individuals are already in the country. They may not be able or ready to go back to their birth country because of political persecution or fear of death and imprisonment. Most filings occur because of issues with race, nationality, or affiliation with a political party in a person’s country of birth. Citizens from Cuba have the right to political asylum, as long as they can reach the shores of the United States safely. This form of political asylum is called the “Wet Foot, Dry Foot Policy”.
When Political Asylum is granted, you will be able to operate in the United States just like a legal citizen. One year after the approval from a court official you will be able to apply for permanent residency. A recent immigration bill has allowed an additional 5,000 more applications to be approved every year.
Here is a list of eligibility requirements for Political Asylum:
You must file your application within one year of arrival to the country
When arriving to your port of entry you must ask for political asylum.
You also may be excused from one-year application in rare cases.
Remember your approval will be based on the information you provide on your application and the statements you make before the Immigration Court. Even if you are in deportation status the judge still can grant you a ruling of amnesty. Once the preceding is over, the Immigration official will send you a notice explaining your denial or approval for request of political asylum. You will be given time to reply to the court’s decision if judgment was not in your favor.