Asylum in the United States
When returning to your home country risks your life or freedom, there is nothing more critical than making your case for asylum as sound and as clear as possible. If you face extreme retaliation or discrimination, imprisonment, bodily harm, or the threat of death at home based on your race, religion, gender, ethnicity, political activities, family or social relationships, or sexual orientation, you have the right to receive asylum in the United States. The stakes could not be higher. A successful case means you and your dependents will receive a grant of indefinite refuge in the United States with the ability to become U.S. permanent residents. A case declined means your departure from the United States under a compelled timeframe.
The attorneys at Simmons & Ungar have been helping people win asylum and refugee status in the United States for over 50 years. We have litigated cases involving claims from every corner of the world. Our attorneys frequently provide pro bono mentoring of other lawyers in the area of asylum and refugee law. We know what it means to have so much invested in the successful outcome of your case. We won’t give up. We have fought for our clients’ rights to asylum up to the U.S. Supreme Court resulting in landmark law protecting the rights of asylum applicants.
Survivors of Domestic Violence
If you or your child has been subject to actual or threatened violence or emotional cruelty by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or parent, you may be eligible to become a permanent resident (“green card”) without the sponsorship of your citizen/resident spouse or parent. The unfortunate events or incidents of domestic violence in your family life do not have to be barrier to your or your children’s immigration security.
At Simmons & Ungar, we have been representing survivors of domestic violence since this form of humanitarian relief has been available. Among our attorneys are respected practitioners in the area of domestic violence including one of the authors of the immigration section of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that established the right for victims of domestic violence to self-petition.
Asylum and VAWA applications require careful and thorough preparation under the guidance of experienced attorneys. At Simmons & Ungar, we can assist you in the investigation of your eligibility, developing an application strategy, advising you and helping you to assemble the necessary documentation, preparing your application for submission to the USCIS, and preparing you for and representing you at your interview. Let us provide you with the expertise and insight needed to make your case a winner.
Contact Us
We are located at the foot of California and Market Streets at the Embarcadero and one block from BART and MUNI stations and near all immigration service offices and courts. Our staff can assist you in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Farsi and Hebrew. We work with clients across California, the country and across the world. Contact our office for a consultation relating to your asylum or VAWA applications. We look forward to working with you.
