Mahaprasad Nanda

If you are afraid of being hurt or treated badly in your home country, you can ask to come to the United States as a refugee. This means you can live here and be protected by the law. Every year, the United States helps people from over 60 different countries who are in danger. You can also ask for help if you are already in the United States or trying to come here. After one year, you can apply to stay in the United States forever. You can also work while you are here. To be a refugee, you must have a good reason, like being treated badly because of your race, religion, where you are from, your political beliefs, or who you are friends with. You can ask for help from the United Nations or the United States government to come here. They will ask you questions to make sure you are safe to come here. If they say yes, they will help you get ready to come to the United States. They will also help you find a place to live and get used to living here. If they say no, you can ask them to look at your case again. After you come to the United States, you will have a medical check-up and get help to start your new life here. If you are not allowed to come to the United States, you can ask them to look at your case again. After one year, you can ask to stay in the United States forever.

To apply for refugee status in the United States, you must be outside of the country and have a fear of persecution in your home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. You will need a referral from a U.S. embassy or international organization, and then you will go through a refugee interview with a USCIS officer. If approved, you will undergo medical screenings and be referred to a resettlement agency in the U.S. If denied, you can request a review within 90 days. After one year of refugee status, you must apply for permanent resident status. Asylum seekers do not have to apply for a green card after one year, but they may choose to do so.

How To Get a Refugee Referral

You’ll need to register with the UNHCR office in your local country to receive a referral. If you live in a refugee camp, UNHCR office representatives may be on site. If not, you should locate the nearest office in your country and plan to visit.

Gather evidence to support your refugee application. Prepare identification documents (ID), including your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, or other forms of ID. UNHCR understands you might not have been able to bring these documents with you when you fled. They may help you. Note that you won’t need to have your documents translated in advance.

You won’t be able to directly ask UNHCR to recommend you for resettlement in the United States. UNHCR considers sending refugees to various safe countries. If you have an important reason, you may be able to indicate a specific country where you would prefer not to resettle.

How To Prepare for the USCIS Refugee Interview

If you have received your referral or are exempt, you can begin completing your refugee application. If UNHCR refers your case to the United States, they will schedule an appointment for you at a Refugee Support Center (RSC). The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration oversees the operations of several RSCs.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employs USCIS refugee officers. These refugee officers are the ones who determine if your refugee application will be approved or denied. They will interview you to determine whether to approve your refugee application. Your RSC will manage your case and help you prepare for your refugee interview.

Your RSC will help you gather your supporting documents and discuss the application process and requirements. They will also try to verify your identity and conduct security checks on you. The U.S. government requires security checks for all refugee applicants.

When interviewing with a USCIS refugee officer, be prepared to explain details about your life and persecution in your country of origin. You should also discuss your family and if they have also faced persecution. The USCIS officer will conduct background checks on you to make sure you don’t present a threat to the United States.

What Happens After You Receive a Decision on Your Refugee Application?

If USRAP approves your refugee application, your RSC will schedule medical appointments for you and your family members to screen for public health risks. They will also screen you for physical or mental disorders and severe substance addictions.

If you pass the medical screening, your RSC will help prepare you to integrate into the United States and arrange your travel. They’ll also refer you to a Refugee Resettlement Agency (RRA) in the United States, which will help you settle into the country. The Department of Health and Human Services also assists incoming refugees.

If USCIS denied your application, you may request a review of the denial. You should submit the request to your RSC within 90 days of receiving your rejection. You must write the request in English and you can consult a lawyer to help.

Refugees are legally required to apply for permanent resident status one year after receiving their U.S. refugee status. Asylum seekers are not required to apply for U.S. green cards after a year of asylum status in the United States, but they may choose to do so.

Disclaimer:

The information presented in this article is intended for academic and marketing purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified immigration attorney or legal professional for accurate and up-to-date legal counsel specific to your individual circumstances. Laws and regulations are subject to change, and professional guidance is crucial to ensure compliance.

OpenSphere is a technology company and does not hold itself out as a law firm. It operates independently and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any government entity.OpenSphere, its authors, and agents do not warrant the accuracy or real-world applicability of the information herein, nor are they liable for any damages arising from reliance on this information.