Immigration Justice Campaign is an initiative of American Immigration Council, American Immigration Lawyers Association.

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Getting Started: Overview of Asylum Law and Process

A general overview of asylum law and procedure for defensive asylum claims.



Article

Asylum in the United States

American Immigration Council
A brief overview of the asylum system in the United States, including how asylum is defined, eligibility requirements, and the application process.

Practice
Guide

Week by Week Guide for Detained Asylum Cases

Immigration Justice Campaign
This nuts and bolts week-by-week guide will guide you through all the steps and procedures involved in handling a detained asylum case. Print this out and refer to it throughout your work on your case.

Practice
Guide

Timeline for Defensive Asylum Applications

Immigration Justice Campaign
This timeline outlines the main steps an attorney should take when seeking defensive asylum for their client.

Practice
Guide

One Pager on Asylum Eligibility

Immigration Justice Campaign
This one-pager highlights the essential elements of asylum eligibility in the U.S. May serve as a useful reference during interviews with detained clients.

Practice
Guide

Statutory Bars in Asylum Cases

Immigration Justice Campaign
A must-read for anyone working on asylum case, this brief practice guide summarizes the major bars to asylum and provides examples of factors in your client's case that would warrant further research and analysis as to whether a bar might apply.

Practice
Guide

Practice Advisory on Recent Regulatory Changes to Seeking Asylum in the U.S.

Immigration Justice Campaign
This brief practice guide summarizes the 2023 Circumvention of Lawful Pathways and 2024 Securing the Border rules and limitations on asylum eligibility, and assists IJC pro bono attorneys with identifying whether their client is eligible to apply for asylum (or must instead seek other eligible immigration relief) and how to apply exceptions and rebuttals to these rules. This is a must-read for anyone working on an asylum case with a client who entered the U.S. after May 2023.

Mock
Hearing

Mock Asylum Hearing

Prof. Michele Pistone, Villanova University
This video contains a mock asylum hearing. Watching it as you start preparing your case will give you a good sense of the work you will be doing.