Orlando Asylum Attorneys

Over 100 Years of Combined Legal Experience for Your Asylum Case

People who fear persecution or have experienced persecution in their home countries may seek asylum in the United States. At Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A., our team of Orlando asylum lawyers evaluates each case by examining the applicant’s personal account, country conditions evidence, supporting records, and the connection between the harm and a protected ground.

Call (407) 630-8455 to request a consultation with our Orlando asylum lawyers.

Don’t delay seeking asylum after entering the United States. Applicants generally must file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within one year of their last arrival. Exceptions may apply for changed or extraordinary circumstances, but missing the one-year deadline can bar eligibility for asylum, even if it doesn’t by itself initiate removal proceedings. Our asylum attorneys can evaluate the filing date and whether an exception may apply.

Protected Grounds & Supporting Evidence

In addition to meeting the filing deadline, asylum seekers must show past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on a protected ground. The analysis can include the severity of the harm, whether a protected ground was a central reason for it, and whether government protection or relocation would be available.

Protected grounds recognized in immigration law include:

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

As an asylum seeker, you need to present evidence supporting the persecution you experienced or fear. Helpful evidence can include a detailed declaration, identity and immigration records, trusted country conditions reports, letters or emails containing threats, police reports, witness statements, photographs, and medical records documenting injuries. Whether a case proceeds as affirmative asylum with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or defensive asylum in immigration court depends on the applicant’s procedural posture.

Do Women & LGBTQ+ People Get Asylum?

Gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity may be relevant to an asylum claim based on membership in a particular social group. Eligibility isn’t automatic because an applicant belongs to a vulnerable population. The facts, legal framing, connection between the persecution and the protected ground, and current immigration law all matter.

An immigration judge or USCIS officer evaluates each claim on its facts. A claim may address who caused the harm, its severity, the applicant’s past experiences or future fear, and whether the government was unable or unwilling to provide protection. Our asylum attorneys can help applicants prepare the facts and supporting evidence for individualized review.

What Are the Asylum Benefits?

People granted asylum may remain in the United States in asylee status unless that status is terminated under applicable law. Asylees may work incident to their status and may apply for an Employment Authorization Document. They may also become eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident status after one year in asylee status, subject to the applicable requirements.

A principal applicant may generally include a qualifying spouse and unmarried children under 21 who are physically present in the United States on Form I-589, subject to legal requirements. After an asylum grant, a principal asylee may also be able to file Form I-730 for a qualifying spouse or unmarried child under 21 outside the United States within the applicable filing period.

Asylum status can be terminated in circumstances specified by law, including fraud and certain criminal or security-related grounds. Changes in country conditions can also be relevant under immigration law, so applicants should seek legal advice about their individual circumstances.

Immigration Representation for Complex Asylum Matters

At Maney | Gordon | Zeller, P.A., we provide immigration legal assistance nationwide through nine offices, including one in Orlando. We bring more than 100 years of combined legal experience to immigration matters, and our legal professionals are licensed in sixteen states and four countries.

Our legal team includes immigration law professionals and attorneys admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. For more than 40 consecutive years, we have served immigrants with an approach grounded in compassion, loyalty, and committed client relationships.

Asylum FAQs

Asylum procedures can differ based on an applicant’s immigration history and current case status. These answers address common questions, but an individual review is important before filing or responding to a notice.

What Is the Difference Between Affirmative & Defensive Asylum?

Affirmative asylum is generally filed with USCIS by a person who isn’t in removal proceedings. Defensive asylum is raised as a defense in removal proceedings before an immigration judge. The Orlando Immigration Court may be the venue for a defensive case, but it isn’t the venue for every asylum application.

Can My Family Be Included in My Asylum Application?

A spouse and unmarried children under 21 who are physically present in the United States may be included as derivative beneficiaries on an asylum application if they meet the legal requirements.

Can I Request Work Authorization While My Case Is Pending?

Some asylum applicants may apply for employment authorization while an asylum application is pending after meeting the applicable waiting-period and filing requirements. Eligibility and timing can depend on the case record and whether any delays are attributed to the applicant.

Can I Become a Permanent Resident After Receiving Asylum?

Yes. Individuals granted asylum may generally apply for lawful permanent resident status (a green card) after meeting the applicable eligibility requirements, including the required period of physical presence in the United States.

What Happens If USCIS Denies My Asylum Application?

The next step depends on the applicant’s immigration status and the reason for the decision. In some circumstances, USCIS may refer a case to immigration court, where an immigration judge reviews the request for protection. Other forms of immigration relief may also require separate analysis.

What Should I Do If I Receive a Notice from the Orlando Immigration Court?

Read the document promptly and note every hearing date and filing deadline. Missing a hearing can have serious immigration consequences. Our attorneys can review the notice, explain whether the case involves defensive asylum, and prepare for immigration court proceedings.

Can I Appeal or Seek Other Relief After an Asylum Denial?

Possibly. Available options depend on who issued the decision, the reason for the denial, the applicant’s immigration history, and applicable deadlines. An attorney can evaluate whether an appeal or another form of immigration relief may be available.

Should I Hire an Attorney for an Asylum Case?

Although legal representation isn’t required, asylum law can be complex. An immigration attorney can help prepare your application, gather supporting evidence, represent you during interviews or court proceedings, and address legal issues that may arise throughout the process.

Contact Our Orlando Asylum Attorneys Today

We serve clients nationwide and can review your eligibility questions, filing history, supporting evidence, and immigration court concerns during a consultation.

Please contact us online to request a consultation with our Orlando asylum lawyer.