Are you from Russia? Are you seeking U.S. asylum for Russian speakers? If so, you need to speak to a Russian speaking attorney – a professional lawyer who can answer your questions and guide you through your immigration journey. Times are difficult in Russian, so you need to rely on an attorney’s support.
How A Russian Speaking Attorney Can Help
U.S. asylum for Russian speakers is not clear-cut nor easy. It involves a governmental process that takes both patience and time. To embark on this journey, your attorney has to speak both Russian and English, and has to have solid experience in U.S. immigration matters in the U.S. immigration court.
Asking for Asylum: What It Involves
Did you know that asking for asylum in the U.S. involves three possible procedures? These procedures fall under the categories of affirmative, defensive, and expedited processes. The information below gives you more information about what is involved for each immigration process.
Also, remember that the U.S. does not provide legal service providers if you have to appear before an immigration judge. So, trying to go through the steps of immigration is much better served if you acquire legal help.
1. Affirmative Asylum
If you’re currently not involved in removal or if you are involved in removal and considered an “unaccompanied child,” you’re allowed to ask for affirmative asylum through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a part of the Department of Homeland Security, or DHS.
If you are denied in this process, your application goes to removal proceedings in the U.S. immigration court. At this point, you may apply for defensive asylum.
2. Defensive Asylum
When you’re in removal, again, you may apply for defensive asylum. This is done through the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or EOIR, which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
As noted, you should already have a Russian immigration attorney helping you with your case if you’re facing removal, as the immigration court will not provide you with a lawyer.
3. Expedited Asylum
Expedited asylum is a recently new process which began in 2022. It gives a USCIS officer the ability to review and make asylum decisions before an applicant is forced to go through the formal removal process.
The process is designed specifically for asylees who have been detained up to 14 days at a U.S. port of entry. If you go through the expedited process and are denied asylum, you’ll be sent to the immigration court for removal.
U.S. Port-of-Entry Applicants
Typically, if you’re an asylee who enters a U.S. port of entry, you will go through the expedited or defensive asylum steps. As an applicant, you must present yourself in-person at the port-of-entry to move forward with the asylum process.
What an Asylum Seeker Must Prove
As an asylum seeker, you must show you fit the eligibility requirements for seeking asylum in the U.S. This means you must prove:
- You were previously persecuted in your homeland of Russia
- You have a valid fear of persecution in Russia
Your success in getting asylum often depends on proving one of the above pieces of evidence.
Why You May Not Receive U.S. Asylum
Some Russian applicants may not receive asylum in the U.S. for the following reasons:
Failure to Meet the Application Deadline
You must apply for asylum within a year after your entry into the U.S. Otherwise, you won’t be given protection. You also must be informed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about this deadline when you enter the U.S.
A Threat to National Security
You may be restricted from entering the U.S. if you’ve committed a severe crime or you were found guilty of persecuting others yourself.
Why the Processing of Your Application May Be Delayed
It’s important to strictly follow each step of the immigration process when you apply for asylum in the U.S. Otherwise, you can experience a delay in your case. Because the process is involved, it is imperative that you have a legal advisor’s help.
Activities that May Delay Your Application
Your application may be placed on hold if any of the following activities take place:
- You ask that officials transfer your case to another interview facility or office
- You request that your interview appointment be moved up to a later date and time
- You do not show up for your interview or a biometrics appointment
- You do not provide an interpreter, if required, at an interview appointment
- You do not have enough supporting evidence to back your application
- You include a large volume of evidence before a rescheduled interview
- You do not apply in person, if required, to receive a decision about your case
By hiring an immigration attorney who is multilingual, you can avoid the problems that often occur that lead to application delays.
Schedule an Appointment with a Russian Speaking Attorney Today
If you’re from Russia and wish to apply for asylum in the U.S., you need to speak to an immigration attorney who speaks your language. In Los Angeles, contact the Paniotto Law Firm without delay.
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