What is “asylum” and how can I qualify for asylum in the United States?
Immigration asylum is having a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country. You must apply within one year of your arrival in the U.S. (unless there are extraordinary circumstances or changed country conditions) and must establish persecution is based upon race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. You may also qualify for withholding of removal based on the Convention Against Torture because you experienced torture in your home country.