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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has identified five specific grounds on which foreigners living in the country may seek asylum protection, providing a lifeline to those facing persecution in their home countries.
According to the official USCIS asylum page, any non-US citizen physically present in the US may apply for asylum if they have been persecuted or genuinely fear future persecution on any of the following five grounds: race, religion, nationality, membership in a specific social group, or political beliefs.
US Asylum Protection: How to Apply
Eligible applicants must file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal, within one year of arrival in the United States.
Applicants can file the application either affirmatively with USCIS or defensively through an immigration court if removal proceedings have already begun.
Applicants may also include their spouse and unmarried children 21 or older as dependents on the same application, as long as those family members are physically present in the United States at the time of filing or before a final decision in the case.
Certain affirmative asylum applicants can file Form I-589 online, though not all qualify. Unaccompanied minors in removal proceedings, applicants who must submit by mail through the Asylum Vetting Center, and those who have a Form I-589 pending with USCIS are all excluded from online filing.
New USCIS Interview Rules
USCIS also announced tighter procedures for rescheduling asylum interviews beginning August 21, 2026.
The updated rules require applicants to demonstrate exceptional circumstances before USCIS agrees to reschedule an asylum interview.
The agency also confirmed that applicants who miss their scheduled interviews will no longer receive Failure to Appear Warning notices.
If an applicant misses their interview and does not request a reschedule either before or within 10 calendar days of the interview date, USCIS may dismiss the asylum application completely.
Those without a legal basis to remain in the country may have their case referred directly to an immigration judge.