Q: Can I file for asylum while I’m in f1 status? What’s the requirements? What documents are needed?
I’m an f1 visa holder, currently attending college in the U.S. and I’m from Afghanistan.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Yes, you can apply for asylum while on F1 status, and given the current situation in Afghanistan, many students have taken this path. You must file Form I-589 (Application for Asylum) within one year of your last entry into the U.S., unless you can demonstrate changed or extraordinary circumstances.
The basic requirements include proving that you have faced or would face persecution in Afghanistan based on your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. You'll need to gather evidence like personal statements, news articles about conditions in Afghanistan, letters from family or friends describing threats, and any documentation of specific threats or harm you've experienced.
Essential documents for your application include your passport, I-94 record, current I-20, school records, birth certificate (with translation if not in English), and any evidence supporting your fear of persecution. Consider gathering police reports, medical records, photographs, or witness statements if available. Legal assistance can be extremely helpful for this process, and many non-profit organizations provide free or low-cost help to asylum seekers.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
