How Congruence Law, P.C. Helps Individuals Seek Protection from Persecution in the United States

When individuals flee persecution in their home country, the United States offers protection through its asylum system. For those who are not yet in removal proceedings and wish to apply proactively, the legal pathway is known as Affirmative Asylum. At Congruence Law, P.C., we help clients navigate this urgent and sensitive process with discretion, compassion, and unwavering legal precision.

Affirmative Asylum is available to noncitizens who are physically present in the United States and fear returning to their home country due to past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution. This persecution must be on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The asylum process is humanitarian in nature—but it is also highly technical, and often unforgiving in its procedural requirements.

To qualify for affirmative asylum, applicants must generally file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, within one year of their last entry into the U.S. Exceptions to this one-year deadline exist for extraordinary or changed circumstances, but these are narrowly interpreted and require supporting documentation and legal argument.

At Congruence Law, P.C., we begin each case with a confidential consultation to assess eligibility, verify deadlines, and evaluate risks. We provide a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive space for clients to share their stories, and we guide them in gathering evidence that supports the asylum claim—including country condition reports, medical or psychological evaluations, affidavits from witnesses, and proof of political, religious, or social affiliation.

We then prepare and submit a full I-589 application to the appropriate USCIS Asylum Office, including a comprehensive legal brief and exhibit list. Our filings are carefully organized, thoroughly supported, and designed to demonstrate both legal eligibility and the applicant’s credibility.

Once the application is filed, applicants are scheduled for a biometrics appointment and, eventually, an asylum interview with an officer at the local USCIS Asylum Office. This interview is a critical part of the process. At Congruence Law, we provide extensive preparation for the interview, including mock questioning, guidance on how to communicate traumatic events, and clarification of complex or sensitive case elements. We also attend the interview with our clients whenever permitted, and follow up with post-interview submissions if needed.

There are many pitfalls that can lead to delays, referrals, or denials in affirmative asylum cases. These include missing the one-year deadline without qualifying exceptions, providing inconsistent or incomplete testimony, failing to submit corroborating evidence, or misunderstanding the legal standards for protected grounds. Many applications are denied because applicants cannot link the harm they fear to a specific protected category under the law.

At Congruence Law, we anticipate these challenges and address them proactively. We identify weak points in a case and build evidentiary support to strengthen the narrative. We carefully analyze the applicant’s country conditions and legal framework, ensuring that the claim is framed in terms USCIS will recognize. We also evaluate whether our clients may be eligible for related protections, such as withholding of removal or relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), in case the affirmative application is referred to immigration court.

Should a case be referred to the immigration court due to a denial, we remain by our client’s side and continue to represent them in defensive asylum proceedings, ensuring continuity of advocacy and legal strategy.

Affirmative asylum is a powerful form of protection—but the process is demanding, and the consequences of missteps can be life-altering. At Congruence Law, P.C., we are committed to guiding our clients through this process with the legal excellence and human understanding they deserve.

If you or a loved one may qualify for asylum, and you are not yet in removal proceedings, contact us at immigration@congruence.com to schedule a confidential consultation. We are here to help you seek safety—and a new beginning—with the legal support you need.