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Denise Greaves

This course is intended to provide an overview of asylum and the asylum process. Asylum is an immigration benefit that allows certain foreign nationals who fear persecution to remain lawfully in the U.S. indefinitely.

This is a relatively simple process. Bear in mind not all cases are the same. If you have a situation where you fear persecution and unable to live in your country, you may be granted asylum and you and your family members may be eligible for immigration benefits.Understanding the asylum process may save you thousands of dollars in fees to an immigration attorney for filing this petition.

Read more

This course is intended to provide an overview of asylum and the asylum process. Asylum is an immigration benefit that allows certain foreign nationals who fear persecution to remain lawfully in the U.S. indefinitely.

This is a relatively simple process. Bear in mind not all cases are the same. If you have a situation where you fear persecution and unable to live in your country, you may be granted asylum and you and your family members may be eligible for immigration benefits.Understanding the asylum process may save you thousands of dollars in fees to an immigration attorney for filing this petition.

By the end of this course, you will have an understanding of what asylum, the eligibility requirements, the application process and life after the grant of asylum. This course will walk you through the completion of USCIS Form I-589. You will also have an understanding of the bars to asylum.

This course is broken down into six (6) sections with twelve (12) short videos. Each video contains information and guidance on navigating the process of filing for asylum.

What you’ll learn

  • Understand what asylum is and the eligibility requirements.

  • Describe the asylum application process and the bars to asylum.

  • Identify the processes after the grant of asylum.

Are there any course requirements or prerequisites?

  • None

  • Take this course if you are a foreign national who fear persecution.

Who this course is for:

  • If you are unable or unwilling to return to your home country because you have been persecuted there in the past or have a well-founded fear that you will be persecuted if you go back.

  • The reason you have been (or will be) persecuted is connected to one of five things: your race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or your political opinion.

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What's inside

Learning objective

The asylum application process.

Syllabus

Introduction

The presentation provides an introduction to the course and an overview of what will be covered.

Reasons for Seeking Asylum
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This presentation will provide an overview of asylum and the grounds upon which a person may file a petition for asylum.

During this presentation, we will discuss how you may qualify for asylum and the exceptions and bars to asylum.

During this presentation, we will discuss the one-year filing deadline and why it is important to file the asylum petition within that time.

This presentation will provide an overview of the ways to obtain asylum in the United States.

This presentation will discuss the procedures for filing asylum for minors and unaccompanied minors.

This presentation will discuss the asylum process for family members.

This presentation will provide you with line-by-line instructions on completing USCIS Form I-589.

During this presentation, we will discuss the bars to asylum.

This presentation will provide you with some tips and guidelines to help you navigate the process after being granted asylum.

This presentation will provide guidance on applying for lawful permanent resident status and citizenship after being granted asylum.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Offers step-by-step guidance on completing USCIS Form I-589, which is essential for asylum applications
Explores the eligibility requirements for asylum, helping individuals assess their potential qualification
Details the asylum application process, which may empower individuals to navigate the system more confidently
Examines the bars to asylum, which is crucial for understanding potential obstacles in the application process
Discusses the procedures for filing asylum for minors and unaccompanied minors, which is a specialized area of immigration law
Advises on applying for lawful permanent resident status and citizenship after being granted asylum, which is useful for long-term planning

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Reviews summary

Practical guide to asylum application

According to learners, this course offers a clear and concise overview of the asylum process in the United States. Students particularly praise the detailed, step-by-step instructions for filling out USCIS Form I-589, calling it invaluable and exactly what they needed. Many found it highly practical and helpful for navigating the process independently, potentially saving thousands of dollars in legal fees. The course is described as having short, easy-to-follow videos that cover eligibility requirements, bars to asylum, and post-grant procedures. However, a few reviewers felt the course was too basic or lacked sufficient depth and examples for more complex case scenarios, suggesting it may be best suited for those with straightforward situations or absolute beginners.
Overall clarity and structure of the content.
"This course is concise and very helpful. It covers the entire process thoroughly."
"Excellent overview of the asylum process. Helped clarify many steps. Videos were short and easy to follow."
"Clear explanation of eligibility and bars."
"Solid foundation, especially for filling out the form. The videos are short..."
Highly useful for individuals filing themselves.
"Very practical course. Walks you through the necessary steps and forms. Highly relevant if you are navigating this process yourself."
"This course saved me so much time and potential legal fees."
"Highly recommend for anyone needing to understand the asylum process."
"Helped clarify many steps."
Step-by-step guide for filling out the form.
"The instructions for filling out Form I-589 were invaluable. This course saved me so much time and potential legal fees."
"The detailed walkthrough of Form I-589 was exactly what I needed. Extremely clear and step-by-step."
"Helped clarify many steps... The instructions for filling out Form I-589 were invaluable."
"Covers the entire process thoroughly... Good introduction to asylum law and the application form."
Lacks depth for more complicated situations.
"Found this course too basic. Didn't cover enough detail for my specific situation which is complex. Felt like a surface-level overview."
"Okay course. Covers the basics but feels a bit too short. Some sections could be expanded."
"Could maybe use a bit more depth on complex case scenarios..."
"The videos are short, which is good for retention, but some topics feel rushed."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Immigration Solutions: Asylum with these activities:
Review Grounds for Persecution
Solidify your understanding of what constitutes persecution under asylum law to better assess eligibility.
Show steps
  • Research the five protected grounds for asylum.
  • Identify examples of persecution related to each ground.
  • Distinguish between persecution and discrimination.
Review 'The Immigration Handbook'
Gain a broader understanding of immigration law to contextualize the asylum process.
Show steps
  • Read the sections related to asylum and refugee law.
  • Take notes on key concepts and legal precedents.
  • Compare the information with the course materials.
Practice Completing Form I-589
Reinforce your understanding of the asylum application process by practicing filling out the form with hypothetical scenarios.
Show steps
  • Download a blank copy of Form I-589.
  • Create several hypothetical asylum seeker profiles.
  • Complete the form for each profile.
  • Review your completed forms against the course guidance.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create a Presentation on Asylum Bars
Deepen your understanding of asylum bars by creating a presentation that explains each bar and its implications.
Show steps
  • Research the various bars to asylum eligibility.
  • Organize the information into a clear presentation format.
  • Include examples and case studies to illustrate each bar.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.
Review 'Immigration Law and Procedure'
Expand your knowledge of asylum law with a comprehensive legal treatise.
Show steps
  • Locate the sections on asylum and withholding of removal.
  • Read and summarize key legal principles and case precedents.
  • Compare the information with the course materials.
Volunteer at an Immigration Legal Clinic
Gain practical experience by assisting asylum seekers with their applications and understanding their legal rights.
Show steps
  • Identify local immigration legal clinics or non-profit organizations.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
  • Assist with tasks such as intake interviews, form preparation, and legal research.
  • Reflect on your experiences and connect them to the course material.

Career center

Learners who complete Immigration Solutions: Asylum will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Immigration Paralegal
An immigration paralegal assists attorneys with preparing and filing immigration applications, and this course focusing on asylum procedures may be a good fit for this career. A paralegal often compiles case files, drafts documents, and conducts client interviews, and a solid understanding of the asylum application process is critical to success in this role. The course's focus on completing USCIS Form I-589 and understanding eligibility requirements will build a practical foundation for a paralegal working within the asylum process. This course may give those seeking this position a significant practical advantage.
Immigration Case Manager
An immigration case manager oversees the progress of immigration cases, including asylum applications, and this course will help you be successful in this career. A case manager typically works with clients to gather necessary documentation, track deadlines, and communicate with legal teams. The course's detailed walk-through of the asylum process, including eligibility, application, and post-grant procedures, may be very useful. Those seeking a career as an immigration case manager should consider this course as it may prepare them to ensure cases are handled efficiently and compliantly.
Refugee Caseworker
A refugee caseworker provides direct support to individuals seeking asylum, and this course focused on asylum processes may be extremely relevant for this role. Caseworkers assist with housing, employment, and navigating legal processes, and understanding the nuances of asylum law is very important. This course's explanations of the asylum application process, eligibility requirements, and post-grant procedures may prepare you to better aid those seeking refuge. Those interested in becoming a refugee caseworker should consider the value this course provides.
Legal Assistant
A legal assistant provides administrative support to lawyers, often specializing in areas like immigration, where the legal assistant may assist with asylum cases. Understanding the asylum process, as taught in this course, may be very beneficial for a legal assistant. Their tasks may include filing paperwork, organizing case files, and communicating with clients, and detailed knowledge of the application process may be extremely useful. A legal assistant interested in immigration law should take this course to gain competence in the fundamentals.
Immigration Services Specialist
An immigration services specialist provides information and guidance to individuals navigating the complexities of immigration, and this course may be helpful. This role involves understanding various immigration pathways, including asylum, and assisting individuals with applications, eligibility, and available resources. The in-depth information shared in this course on the asylum process may be useful for a specialist to provide informed assistance to clients. Those seeking to work as an immigration services specialist will find this course provides vital background on asylum.
Nonprofit Program Coordinator
A nonprofit program coordinator often manages programs that assist refugees and immigrants, which may include asylum seekers. This course focused on asylum may give you a deeper understanding of the legal and procedural aspects. Their responsibility may include program development, community outreach, and resource management. The course's focus on eligibility criteria and the asylum process itself may help improve program effectiveness. This course may be helpful for anyone seeking to work as a nonprofit program coordinator.
Community Outreach Worker
A community outreach worker connects individuals with resources and services and this course on asylum may be a good addition to a toolset for this role. Community outreach workers often explain options for immigration assistance and connect community members with legal aid. Knowledge of asylum processes from this course may prove valuable for outreach workers. Anyone working with immigrant populations will find this course may help them provide useful, accurate information.
Social Worker
A social worker often works with vulnerable populations, such as refugees and asylum seekers, and this course may be helpful. Social workers provide support, conduct assessments, and connect individuals with needed services. Understanding the asylum process can help a social worker effectively aid their clients as they navigate legal processes, and this course may provide that understanding. Those planning to enter this profession may find this course has unexpected benefits by increasing their sensitivity to legal processes.
Human Rights Advocate
Human rights advocates work to protect the rights of individuals facing persecution, and this course may be useful. Often, they may focus on asylum seekers and refugees. A human rights advocate may engage in research, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns. The course's detailed overview of asylum eligibility, application processes, and post-grant procedures may be applicable to broader work in human rights. A human rights advocate who takes this course may develop a richer understanding of the complexities of asylum.
Public Policy Analyst
A public policy analyst researches and analyzes policy issues, and this course may be useful background for work in immigration. The work of a policy analyst may involve studying the effects of asylum policies and recommending improvements. A public policy analyst may produce reports and presentations on immigration trends. This course's focus on the asylum process, including eligibility requirements and bars to asylum, may contribute to a more comprehensive analysis. A public policy analyst dedicated to immigration reform will find this course background helpful.
Translator
A translator provides language services for individuals who do not speak fluent English and may work with asylum seekers. This course may be useful to a translator seeking to work with the asylum process. A translator may be asked to assist clients in preparing applications or explaining legal processes. The course's emphasis on specific procedures will provide a useful background for any translator working in the immigration field. A translator should take this course to develop crucial background and domain knowledge.
Journalist
A journalist who covers immigration may find this course useful. Journalists report on current events and issues that impact the public, such as the asylum process. This course may give a journalist a deeper understanding of the subject. This may make their writing more detailed, accurate, and insightful, allowing them to provide more informed coverage. A journalist who takes this course will likely increase their awareness of the nuances and facts of asylum processes and policies.
Legislative Aide
A legislative aide provides support to elected officials, often involving research, writing, and the analysis of proposed legislation. Understanding the asylum process as taught in this course may be helpful, especially when handling immigration-related matters. Legislative aides may also be asked to prepare policy briefings or talking points on asylum law. A legislative aide interested in immigration policy may develop a more informed and effective analysis by taking this course.
Political Scientist
A political scientist studies political systems and behavior, and this course may be helpful for those who research immigration policy. Political scientists may research the effects of asylum policies or related political issues. This course may help a political scientists gain more insights as they research immigration and asylum, and produce detailed research. Someone specializing in immigration and asylum may find this course helpful to frame their research.
Lobbyist
A lobbyist seeks to influence government policy on behalf of a particular interest group. This course may help a lobbyist who works to advocate for change in immigration policy. Understanding the asylum process will equip a lobbyist to pursue policy changes more effectively, and this course may help. A lobbyist seeking to influence asylum policy can benefit from the domain knowledge shared in this course.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Immigration Solutions: Asylum.
This multi-volume treatise leading authority on U.S. immigration law. It provides in-depth analysis of asylum law, including eligibility requirements, procedures, and case law. valuable reference tool for legal professionals and those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the subject. It adds significant depth to the course material.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of U.S. immigration law, including asylum. It valuable resource for understanding the legal framework and procedures related to asylum claims. While not solely focused on asylum, it offers essential context and background information. is commonly used by law students and legal professionals.

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