Are you a Russian citizen who has been detained or is seeking asylum for Russian Immigration Attorney speakers? If you’re currently in the U.S. and in California, you’ll need to speak to a Russian immigration lawyer immediately.
This is indeed a tough time for Russians, given the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict and the pressure they’re experiencing in their country. If you are dealing with this situation currently, you need to retain the services of a legal advocate.
Therefore, you need to set aside time to speak to a Russian-speaking immigration attorney – someone who can help you legally who speaks your language, and who understands what you may be going through.
Doing so will help you find a place where you can exert your rights for free expression and autonomy. Trying to seek asylum from your homeland is indeed difficult. That’s because you have to get used to a new culture and follow some complicated steps for entry.
Therefore, you cannot afford to take these steps without the help of a bilingual lawyer. By speaking to someone who speaks Russian and English, and who understands your immigration concerns, you can breathe easier after being detained, or when making the transition to your new home.
What is Asylum and How Is It Different from Being a Refugee?
You can make an asylum claim in one of three ways. However, before you do so, it helps to define the word, “asylum” first. Asylum grants protection to Russians who are already in the U.S. or who have already landed at a U.S. border and are considered refugees.
According to the United Nations, a “refugee” is someone who has left their homeland and can’t obtain protection in their country because of the fear of persecution or because they were persecuted in the past because of their race, nationality, religion, or membership in a specific political or social group.
This definition was extended by the U.S. Congress through the passage of the 1980 Refugee Act. Technically, asylum, in this case, is considered discretionary. That means you may still be denied asylum even if you meet the qualifications of a refugee.
An asylee is someone who has received protection from having to return to their home country. In addition, they can work in the U.S. or may apply for a social security number. They may also request permission to travel outside the country or petition family members to live with them in the U.S. Some asylees are eligible for governmental programs, such as Refugee Medical Assistance or Medicaid.
As an asylee from Russia, you may apply for legal permanent residence in the U.S. This involves submitting an application or a green card. After you obtain this status, you have to wait four years to submit an application for citizenship.
The primary difference between a refugee and an asylee is where they’re submitting an application. While a refugee applies for protection in their homeland before entering the U.S. as a refugee, an asylee asks for protection and is given asylum inside the U.S. Again, he or she has either entered the U.S. or is at a U.S. port of entry.
The 3 Asylum Processes
As an asylum seeker, your Russian immigration attorney will point you to one of three different types of processes, as follows:
1. Affirmative Asylum
Anyone who is not involved in removal proceedings, or who is categorized as an “unaccompanied child” who is in removal proceedings. may apply for affirmative asylum. They can do this through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) department.
If the application is not granted, the applicant is referred to the immigration court to go through removal proceedings. At this point, they may renew their asylum request through a defensive asylum process. During the defensive process, they’ll appear before an immigration judge.
2. Defensive Asylum
If you’re going through removal proceedings as an immigrant, you may apply for Russian asylum defensively. Your Russian-speaking immigration lawyer will do this by submitting an application through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
In simple terms, defensive asylum is applicable when the applicant is facing removal from the U.S. Unlike the criminal court system in the U.S., the EOIR will not provide the applicant with legal counsel. That is why you need to retain the services of a Russian immigration attorney if you’re seeking Russian asylum in the U.S.
2. Expedited Asylum
A Russian native who wishes to immigrate to the U.S., who is taken into custody within 14 days of entry, is placed into expedited removal proceedings. This process allows a USCIS officer to review an asylum claim before the applicant is placed into a formal removal process. Anyone who goes through expedited asylum, whose claim is denied, must go through removal proceedings and hearings in the U.S. immigration court.
Your Russian immigration lawyer has the burden of proving that you meet the legal definition of a refugee. This includes providing evidence that you have suffered persecution or feel threatened or fearful about returning to Russia. Your testimony will be used to help determine your case for asylum status.
When Applications Are Denied
Certain factors may prevent you from becoming an asylee. If you do not apply for asylum within a year of U.S. entry, you will not be granted asylum. Also, if the U.S. feels you pose a real threat to the government, you’ve committed a violent crime, or persecuted others yourself, your application for asylum will be denied.
Speeding Up the Process
To apply for U.S. protection, you need to make sure you follow all the steps and stay committed to the process. You’ll slow everything down if you do the following:
- Reschedule an interview
- Request a change of venue
- Neglect to show up for a biometric screening
- Add a large amount of additional documentation to your application
- Provide insufficient supporting documents
- Avoid appearing at a hearing
Contact the Paniotto Law Firm in Los Angeles Today
To ensure you receive asylum through these difficult times, contact a Russian immigration lawyer for assistance with your application. If you feel you’ll put yourself in danger by returning to Russia, you need to speak to an attorney right away. To ensure you get the needed assistance, contact the Paniotto Law Firm. Call 213-534-1824 immediately.