Asylum and Refugee Law

Safety sometimes means leaving behind everything familiar, from your language and neighborhood to the people who knew you before the trouble started. At The Shulman Law Group, LLC, we practice asylum and refugee law for individuals who have fled persecution or fear it if they return home.

Our attorneys help clients document their experiences, meet strict filing deadlines, and present credible claims to asylum officers and Immigration Judges. We treat every story with respect and every deadline with urgency.

Understanding Asylum and Refugee Law

U.S. asylum and refugee protections cover people who have suffered persecution or fear future harm based on one of five protected grounds:

• Race
• Religion
• Nationality
• Political opinion
• Membership in a particular social group

Persecution covers a wide range of harm, including threats, harassment, violence, torture, unjust imprisonment, and the denial of basic human freedoms. Both forms of protection share the same core standard, and the applicant’s physical location determines which path applies.

• Refugee status: This path applies to people outside the United States and outside their home country. The U.S. government screens these cases overseas, and annual admission caps have dropped sharply under recent federal policy.
• Asylum: This path applies to people already in the United States or arriving at a port of entry. Applicants generally need to file within one year of their last arrival, although limited exceptions exist.

Asylum claims can also arise in two different settings. Affirmative applications go to a USCIS asylum office, and defensive applications come up in immigration court as part of deportation and removal defense. Claims rooted in activism, dissent, or opposition to a government often fall under our political asylum practice.

How an Immigration Lawyer Can Help With Asylum and Refugee Cases

Asylum cases hinge on credibility and evidence. Small inconsistencies between a written statement and live testimony can undermine an otherwise valid claim, so careful preparation is essential from day one.

Our attorneys step in at every stage of the process:

• Deadline management: We track the one-year filing deadline and argue for exceptions when changed or extraordinary circumstances apply.
• Declaration drafting: We help you tell your story through a detailed, consistent written statement.
• Evidence gathering: We collect country condition reports, medical records, witness letters, and expert opinions that corroborate your account.
• Interview and hearing preparation: We rehearse likely questions with you and attend your asylum interview or court hearing.
• Alternative relief: We pursue withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture when a legal bar blocks asylum.
• Family protection: We include eligible spouses and unmarried children under 21 in your case or petition for them after approval.

Legal guidance continues to matter after a grant of protection. Asylees and refugees can apply for a green card after one year in the United States, and our team handles that adjustment of status filing as well.

Immigration Support From The Shulman Law Group, LLC

Our attorneys have represented asylum seekers from many parts of the world, and we understand how hard it feels to revisit painful memories in front of strangers. We create a respectful setting where clients can share their experiences at their own pace.

Conversations can take place in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Ukrainian, or Portuguese, helping many clients share the details of their story more easily.

Working with our team gives you:

• A thorough case evaluation that identifies every form of protection you may qualify for
• Honest guidance about the merits and risks of your claim
• Representation before USCIS asylum offices, immigration courts, and the Board of Immigration Appeals
• Continued help with work permits, travel documents, and green card applications

Our Elmwood Park, NJ office welcomes clients from across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We also represent asylum seekers in immigration courts nationwide.

Move Forward With The Shulman Law Group, LLC

Protection under U.S. law can open the door to a stable home, lawful employment, and eventually citizenship. Asylum deadlines leave little room for delay, so an early consultation can preserve options you might otherwise lose.

Schedule an asylum consultation with The Shulman Law Group, LLC, and bring any documents that relate to your claim, such as identity papers, police reports, medical records, or news articles about conditions in your home country.

Frequently Asked Questions