Asylum is a form of protection granted to individuals in the United States who have fled their home country due to persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

To apply for asylum, a person must be physically present in the U.S. or at a U.S. port of entry and must file an application within one year of arrival, unless they qualify for an exception. If granted, asylum allows the individual to remain in the U.S., work legally, and eventually apply for a Green Card and, later, citizenship.

Asylum seekers may apply affirmatively through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or defensively during removal proceedings in immigration court. Successful asylum applicants can also petition to bring certain family members to the U.S. through derivative asylum status.